Page 37 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“I think the baby would much prefer chocolate over haggis. Have you tried it yet?”

“Yeah, actually, when I was passing through Edinburgh. There’s a cute little place called the Haggis Box. They also do a vegan version, but I braved the original and just tried not to think about what was in it.”

“And?” he asked.

“A lot better than I expected.”

Alistair hummed and inclined his head toward a nearby jewelry vendor. “What about here? See anything you like?”

I turned to the stall, making my way over to inspect the displays. The young woman behind the table jumped up from a chair, eyes wide, almost like she hadn’t expected to see anyone.

“Oh, hi,” she said. “Can I—” She waved her hand, accidentally knocking over a stand of rings. They clattered to the ground by my feet. The woman raced around the table, muttering. I bent down to help her pick up the jewelry.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “Silly me. I got excited by a potential customer.”

“That’s okay,” I said. “No harm done.”

“It’s just been slower than I anticipated today. I hauled my things all the way here from Glenby early this morning, and the roads weren’t great.” She sighed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to complain. It’s just nice to have someone at my table.”

It was strange that she hadn’t had more business because the market was packed. I helped her set the rings back on the table. “Did you make all these?” I asked.

She nodded. “My grandad taught me how to metalsmith. I used to collect silver spoons when I was a girl. Now I use them to make rings.”

“That’s so cool,” I said, starting to reach out to arrange the display better—but catching myself before I made contact. After all, it wasn’t my display to mess around with. The young woman wrung her hands together, looking a little awkward. “Maybe if you just…rearranged stuff a bit?” I suggested. “Some of these bigger displays are pulling the focus and blocking view of these other pieces.”

“Oh!” she said. “Right, er…I’m not great at this part. Leave me in my workshop all day, and I have no issues. Tell me to actually sell my products,” she laughed, scrubbing a hand over her face, “and I’m rubbish.”

“You’re an artist,” I said. “You just have to make people see that. Can I try something?”

The woman shrugged. “At this point, I’ll take all the help I can get.”

“What’s your name?”

“Leah.”

“Okay, Leah, one second.” I turned back to Alistair, who was frowning at the interaction, clearly confused. “I need ten minutes,” I told him. “Why don’t you go have a look around those stalls over there and come and collect me after?”

“I think I’d much rather watch whatever is happening here.”

I gave him a wry grin. “Fine, then you’re going to help.” I took his hand and tugged him over to the table. “The first thing we need to do is create some dimension. Alistair, can you grab those wooden crates under the table?”

He handed me one. I flipped it over, using it to create height on the table, setting one of the ring displays on top of it. Alistair copied me on the other end of the table.

“People can’t buy what they don’t notice,” I said to Leah. Next, I grouped the jewelry not by type, but by tone. Warm tones together. Cool silvers in another group. I leaned a flat display of rings against the crate so they could be seen from the street.

I took a step back, inspecting my work.

“That looks so much better!” Leah said, grinning. “Thank you.”

I nodded. “I’m not done yet.” I walked around the back of the table, waving to her to follow me. Alistair leaned against one of the tent posts, watching. There was an intrigued smile on his face, and it left me a little warm under the collar.

A group of giggling girls passed with cups of hot chocolate and small gift bags. They were exactly the kind of customers that should be interested in Leah’s display.

“Hey, quick question,” I called to them, summoning my most charming smile. “Do you guys usually go for gold or silver?”

They glanced at each other, wondering who would speak first. One of the girls shoved at her friend. She stepped forward. “Uh, silver?”

I nodded. That was the answer I’d hoped for. “Then you totally need to check out these rings.”