Page 74 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

‘It wasn’t just that Ginger,’ he said heavily. ‘In fact, it wasn’t that at all. Look, can we please go and sit on the sofa over there? I don’t think I can go another moment without touching you.’

CHAPTER 35

Josh collapsed onto the old leather sofa. Away from the heat of the Aga, he shivered. Ginger perched near him, on the edge as if ready for flight. She reached behind her and, taking the crocheted throw, tucked it round him.

He snuggled into it, pulling it up to his chin. ‘Remind me not to take an eleven-hour flight any day soon. It’s no fun even in first class.’

‘Poor you,’ Ginger replied drily. ‘Some of us haven’t ever left the country. In any class.’

Josh looked shocked. ‘What, never?’

‘When do you think I get the time?’ Ginger countered, amused. ‘There’s the small matter of running this place. I only have one employee and even though Kezia’s brilliant, she couldn’t run it on her own. If I’m not open for guests, I don’t make money.’

‘Yes, sorry. But I think I may have the solution to that.’ He gave her a sheepish attempt at a grin. ‘I forget what it’s like in the ordinary world sometimes.’

‘The Tinsel Town bubble again?’

‘Something like that.’ He winced.

‘It’s going to take some adapting to, this life as an ordinary mortal.’

‘Maybe Jim Jones will give me a few tips.’

‘I’d hoped he’d been retired.’

‘Can I hold your hand, Ginger?’ He gave her a pleading look from black fringed, sapphire blue eyes.

‘No.’

He sighed. ‘What else can I say apart from how sorry I am?’

‘You can explain why it wasn’t just the lack of time and the jet lag that stopped you contacting me.’

‘I didn’t know if you wanted me to.’ He said it baldly, matter-of-factly.

‘You can’t be serious?’ She frowned at him.

He shrugged again. ‘I didn’t know how you felt about me.’

Ginger gasped in shock. ‘Josh, I slept with you! I think I made my feelings pretty clear.’

Josh’s hand appeared out from underneath the throw and gripped hers. ‘I didn’t know if you were just bedding a movie star.’

She reared back. ‘That’s so insulting I don’t even know where to begin to reply.’ She snatched her hand back.

‘I know. I know.’ He rubbed fingers across his brow and then knocked his knuckles against his temple. ‘I’m making a right hash of everything. This is what I’m like after a flight. Don’t make sense.’ He snorted. ‘If Dana was here, she’d have a little upper to see me through.’

‘You don’t need that muck.’ Ginger looked at him sternly. ‘Wait here.’ Rising, she put the kettle on Nigella’s hotplate and found the chamomile teabags. Bringing the brewed tea back, she handed Josh the mug. ‘Sip slowly. It’s hot.’

‘Will it do the trick?’

‘No idea. Supposed to help. I drink it when I need to calm down.’

‘I’d rather some melatonin or something,’ Josh grumbled.

‘You’ve got enough shit in your body. You need a detox.’

‘You sound just like Dana.’