‘Yes. Do you know him?’
The man laughed. ‘He’s probably my best customer. He’s here more than I am, which says a lot considering I own the place.’ He pointed to the second shelf down from the top. ‘That’s his latest camera. It’s a mirrorless one.’ The man was gazing at her as though she was supposed to know what that meant, so she nodded sagely despite having no clue. ‘It’s his pride and joy,’ he added.
She clocked the price on the ticket and her eyes almost popped out of her head. Bloody hell! If she’d known what it cost, shedefinitelywouldn’t have touched it. Had he trusted her that much? Or was money no object and he could afford to replace it if she’d had butterfingers?
The shop’s owner provided the answer. ‘Ever since that model came out, he’s been eyeing it up. You wouldn’t believe how pleased he was when he was finally able to buy it. He was like a kid on Christmas Day.’
Carla would like to hear more, but someone entered the shop and from the way the owner greeted them they seemed to be regulars, so she thanked him and left. It was time to complete the second half of her task in Thornbury, and a phone was a better option for this than a camera.
Trying to be circumspect and not make it obvious that she was taking photos, Carla wandered from shop to shop, paying particular attention to a greengrocer, a delicatessen, and a shop that sold bath bombs, lip balms and other fragranced items along the same lines as the things Carla made with her goat’s milk. She lingered for a while in each, trying to make it look like she was talking on her phone, and when she thought she’d taken enough, she retreated to the nearest cafe for a well-earned coffee and a sandwich.
It was getting on for lunchtime, and Thornbury was busy. The cafe was no exception, so she was glad when she managed to bag an empty table by the window. She would enjoy people-watching whilst she ate.
She had just finished her prawn sandwich and was debating whether to have a second cup of coffee, when a Royal Mail van pulled into the kerb alongside a post box on the opposite side of the road. Seeing it reminded her sharply of Ashton, so it was a shock when the man himself got out.
Without thinking, Carla leapt to her feet, grabbed her bag and shot outside. Darting between the traffic, she hurried across the road.
Ashton had emptied the post box and was about to return to his van when she said, ‘Hi,’ somewhat breathlessly.
‘Hello.’ He smiled at her, dimples out (or should she say ‘in’), and she beamed back. ‘Retail therapy?’
‘I’m running a couple of errands for Dulcie. Thanks for the photos. I can’t believe how well they turned out. It must be the camera.’
‘Not necessarily, although having good equipment does help. But some people can have all the gear and still have no idea.’
Carla shook her head. ‘In my case, it was definitely the camera. I can’t take a decent photo on my phone for toffee.’ She hoped the ones she had taken today for Dulcie were okay. She should really have a quick flick through them to make sure before she went back to the farm.
She said, ‘Dulcie was delighted with the ones you took.’
‘I’m glad.’
There was an awkward pause. Carla didn’t know what else to say, and she guessed he was probably keen to get back to work. She nodded at the envelopes he was holding. ‘Got long left?’
‘An hour. A couple more stops, then it’s back to the depot. Are you off home now?’
Home, as in the farm on Muddypuddle Lane. Carla briefly wondered what it would be like to actuallylivethere, and the thought was rather appealing. Recalling how she’d felt on her first visit when she’d reckoned it was nice for a short getaway, but she wouldn’t want to live anywhere so rural, she was quite surprised. Maybe one day, when she had a husband and children, she would seriously consider living the good life in avillage like Picklewick, growing vegetables and taking the kids on long walks in the countryside.
Dream on, she snorted to herself. The chances of her finding the love of her life anytime soon were minimal. But something had to give, because her party lifestyle was starting to lose its appeal, even more so since her friends were settling down with mortgages, partners, and babies.
She snapped back into focus as she realised Ashton was waiting for a reply. ‘Not yet,’ she said. ‘I’m going to buy myself a camera.’ She hadn’t realised that’s what she was going to say, until she’d said it.
‘You are?’ He looked delighted. ‘Which one?’
Carla shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea. I’ll have to rely on the owner’s advice and hope he doesn’t fleece me.’
‘Were you thinking of buying it from InFocus?’
‘I was.’
‘Barney won’t fleece you. He’ll give you good advice.’ Ashton hesitated. ‘Would you like me to come with you?’
‘Yes, please, that would be great. If you can spare the time.’
‘I’ve always got time for anything to do with photography. Do you mind waiting an hour until I finish work, or do you want to go another day?’
‘Let’s do it today,’ she replied, ignoring the inner voice telling her that she was being ridiculously impulsive and she shouldn’t be spending money on a luxury item like a camera when she mightn’t have a job next week. Because, for the first time since that fateful night when Yale had shown her his true colours,Carla’s heart didn’t feel quite as heavy, nor her future seem quite so bleak.
Ashton couldn’t wait to finish work. He always felt a surge of anticipation when he was about to pay InFocus a visit, but today he was practically hopping from foot to foot with excitement. The knowledge that he had introduced someone to the delights of photography, gave him such a boost.
