Page 17 of Winter Wishes at Pennycress Inn

‘Oi! I think we’ve both lost enough mugs for the time being. Any more, and we’ll both be out of business.’ Turning back, she repeated her question. ‘So why Meadowfield of all places?’

Rowan’s tone shifted as he spoke quietly. ‘My marriage broke down and I needed to get away from where I was living. I just couldn’t move on with my life whilst I knew my ex might be around every corner. And I’d come to Meadowfield and stayed at Pennycress Inn whilst travelling with my last job.’

‘Right. That’s my cousin’s inn.’ Turning her back on him, Scarlett frowned. It seemed they had both found Meadowfield as their sanctuary then.

‘What about you? What’s your Choosing Meadowfield story, or are you just visiting your cousin?’ By the tone of his voice, he obviously hadn’t noticed how much his revelation had affected her.

‘Oh, umm, yes, just visiting my cousin.’ With the fuse now changed, she plugged the heater back in, switched it on, and stood up. ‘Right, coffee time.’

‘That was quick. It would have taken me at least an hour to figure out what I was doing.’ Rowan nodded towards the heater.

‘Haha, I was the go-to handyman, or I should say handywoman, at my last job, so I’ve changed a few in my time.’ Turning, she switched the kettle on. She’d have to give Devon a call later and see how he was getting on finding a replacement for her. She hoped she hadn’t totally left him in the lurch and that the other waiting staff would have stepped in to cover her shifts. She hated the thought of letting him down after all he’d done for her, after being there for her for so long and supporting her through so much.

‘What did you do?’ After gently lowering Thelma to the rug, Rowan joined her in front of the small workspace and set out two mugs.

‘I worked as a waitress at this wine bar. The punters were awful, but my boss was the best and like a dad to me.’ Picking up the jar of cheap instant coffee, she grimaced. ‘I’m afraid this won’t be a patch on what you sell.’

Turning to face her, Rowan smiled. ‘Any coffee is good. Especially when the company is better.’

She looked away and spooned the coffee granules into the cups. Was it just friends he wanted? Was it only friendship she wanted? She closed her eyes briefly, listening to the click of the kettle as it steamed. There could never be anything else between them; he wouldn’t want there to be, not when he discovered the truth about her. Forcing a smile, she filled the mugs before adding the milk. ‘Here you go. One weak and tasteless coffee.’

‘Thanks.’ Taking his mug, he sat back on the sofa.

Scarlett leaned against the work surface before wrapping her hands around the hot mug and frowning. ‘Is it still cold in here, or is it just me?’

‘Afraid not. It’s still cold.’ Standing up, Rowan held his hand in front of the heater.

‘It’s not working, is it?’ She slumped her shoulders and sighed. She’d known a broken fuse had been the best-case scenario, but she’d been hopeful, nonetheless.

‘Nope, sorry, it’s not.’ Rowan shook his head.

‘Drat. I’ll need the other part then.’ Scarlett scrunched up her nose. She couldn’t impose on Laura and Jackson again tonight. Well, she could, she knew they’d have her, but she didn’t want to. She’d always hated the thought of being a burden.

‘Have you got another form of heating for tonight or somewhere to stay? It’s supposed to fall below freezing again tonight.’

‘I stayed at Pennycress last night, I’m sure they’ll have me back.’ Scarlett grinned before finishing her coffee. It was what it was.

11

Scarlett hoicked her rucksack higher over her shoulder as she squeezed through the metal gate Nicola was holding open for her, careful not to let out the hens pecking at the ground. When she’d popped back to the inn, Nicola, who worked alongside Laura and Jackson and had grown up at Pennycress, had been there and offered for her to stay at Little Mead Farm where she lived with her partner Charlie whilst Scarlett waited for the part for her heater. After initially thanking her but declining, Laura had twisted her arm into accepting Nicola’s offer, and if the freezing temperature of the day was anything to go by, then she was pleased she had.

She closed the gate with a clang before catching Nicola up and indicating Thelma’s cage, which Nicola was carrying across the farmyard. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to take that from you?’

‘I’m good, thanks. You’ve got your bags to carry, anyway.’ Nicola smiled back at her.

Scarlett glanced down at the two canvas bags she was holding. Besides those she had her normal shoulder bag, which she carried everywhere, and her rucksack stuffed full of clothes and Thelma’s food and the bare essentials she’d need for a day or two staying at the farm. ‘Thank you again for offering me your spare bedroom. I really do appreciate it.’

‘No worries. It’ll be fun you staying.’ Nicola nodded towards the farmhouse door as they reached it. ‘Can you grab that? I can’t quite reach it.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Pushing the door open, Scarlett waited until Nicola had walked inside before following her in. Standing in the hallway, she looked around. The floorboards were covered in an array of rugs, and three doors led off before the stairs rose from the back. ‘And you’re sure Charlie won’t mind?’

‘Charlie won’t mind what?’ A man dressed in a checked flannel shirt, presumably Charlie himself, appeared in the doorway ahead, holding a mug in his hands.

Nicola laughed. ‘Great timing as always, Charlie. This is Scarlett, Laura’s cousin. She’s staying in a camper van, but the heater’s broken so I’ve offered her the spare room.’

‘I’ve got a part coming in a couple of days, so I’ll be able to get it fixed then.’ Scarlett shifted her feet. ‘But I don’t have to stay. It’s not that cold, I’ll be fine in my van.’

‘Not that cold? It’s freezing out there, and I should know. Ever since taking over the farm, I’ve been outside come rain or shine, and it’s as cold as I’ve felt it for sure. I’ve even had to come in to warm up for a bit.’ He nodded towards his mug, the steam rising from the liquid inside signalling how hot it was. ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to.’