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‘Ooh, that’s lookingso good, isn’t it?’ Diane paused in front of the coffee and cake counter where Holly was serving and nodded towards the shed.
Holly followed her gaze and grinned. ‘Yes, it is. No one would have guessed it was just a plain old shed this morning.’
‘Nope.’ Diane turned and carried the two trays brimming with freshly cooked doughnuts over towards the bakery counter.
Holly picked up the bottle of table cleaner and a cloth before making her way over to begin tidying the tables. This was the first lull she’d had since she took over behind the coffee and cake counter so Teresa could go and help Brooke with the grotto. She’d asked if Holly had wanted to, but she’d been happy to decline and serve the coffees. It was nice to have that little bit more time chatting to the customers as she made their orders and getting o know the regulars a little more.
‘Are you sure you don’t fancy helping decorate instead of serving?’ Teresa looked up, a rope of tinsel was wrapped around her neck in a scarf like fashion and her hair covered in gold glitter from the numerous stars she and Brooke had been securing to the roof inside.
‘No, I’m good, thanks.’ Holly grinned as she wiped down a table. It did look fun, but she was happy watching rather than participating.
‘It’s just such a shame Wendy isn’t here.’ Brooke finished securing a string of fairy lights to the front of the grotto. ‘She looks forward to decorating the grotto all year.’
‘I know, but at least she’s at home with Conner. Knowing her, they’re probably watching Christmas movies so she’ll be getting her Christmassy fix.’ Teresa smiled as she picked out a large red ribbon from one of the boxes lying on the floor.
‘Hey.’
Jumping, Holly turned around quickly and came face to face with Joe.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He held his hands up, palms forward.
‘Don’t worry. I was just in a world of my own.’ Smiling, Holly finished wiping the table before leading the way back to the coffee and cake counter. ‘Can I get you something?’
‘Umm, I’ll have a latte please?’ Joe shifted on his feet in front of the counter. ‘That’s not the reason I came by, though. I popped in to see you.’
Holly grinned. ‘Thanks.’
‘How’s your finger?’
‘Aw, it’s fine. Just a little scratch. It’ll heal in no time.’ She glanced down at her plaster before looking back at him. ‘How’s your morning been? busy with work?’
He shrugged. ‘Not really. I rang Lara earlier for a quick chat and ended up talking for a couple of hours.’
‘Oh, right.’ She nodded. It was definitely Lara he thought could be the one for him then. ‘That’s nice. How is she?’
‘Good, she’s good.’ Joe smiled. ‘She said to say hi to you.’
Holly turned and picked up a latte glass, before clicking on the machine. She could feel the warmth of a blush creeping up her neck and a lump forming in her throat. What was wrong with her? She quickly looked at Joe out of the corner of her eye. He was leaning against the counter, looking at the different cakes on offer. She shook her head. She was being silly, and she wasn’t about to let these weird feeling get in the way of her and Joe’s friendship. They’d been friends for years and that’s how he saw her, as a friend. That was how she saw him, too. They were friends. That was all.
‘I might treat myself to a slice of that carrot cake too, if that’s okay?’
‘Of course it is.’ Setting his latte on the counter, she picked out the biggest slice of cake for him.
‘Cheers.’
Holly crossed her arms as she watched him saunter over to the table by the window and sit down. She should never have pressed him to answer her questions about his date with his neighbour. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be beginning to see him in a different light. She wouldn’t be imagining what it would be like to date him.
‘Holly?’
Shaking herself from her thoughts, she focused on Teresa standing in front of her. ‘Sorry.’
‘Do you want to go for your break now?’
‘Umm, no, don’t worry. You go first. I’m okay here for a bit.’ She smiled. Yes, maybe it was better if she distanced herself a little from him. Every just for a few hours. Just while she tried to sort her mind out.
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‘EEK! IT’S THE CHRISTMASpub quiz tonight!’ Diane pulled her gloves on before clapping her hands. ‘I love this one. It’s literally the best one of the year.’
