The pain again. ‘So, umm, do you sell nose rings, Star?’ Sabrina diverted.
‘Yep, studs too, in every birthstone. I’ll show you. When’s your birthday?’
‘November the fifth.’ Sabrina hoped the woman didn’t offer to try and put anything in the non-existent hole in her nose.
‘Ah. That’s cool. A passionate Scorpio, and you get fireworks displays laid on for you every year without ever having to pay for them.’
‘Whoopee!’ Sabrina said with flat sarcasm, putting her hands in the air in mock celebration.
Star handed Sabrina a black card containing a mixture of rings and earrings, nose studs and rings predominantly carrying a yellow stone. ‘Have a look. Your birthstone is a lovely one. They all have meanings, did you know that?’
‘I’ve never been really into that crystal or stone malarkey to be honest.’
‘Well, in brief, just so you know: Yellow Topaz is a stone of luck.’
‘I could do with some of that,’ Sabrina said solemnly.
‘Ah, sorry to hear that. Maybe we can remedy that now, then, because it’s also a stone of destiny and fate. It helps you bond with the people who are good for you and keeps you away from those who are a harm to you. It strengthens your belief in yourself and enhances your confidence level.’
‘Wow. That’s hard to believe, but I’ll take it as you clearly know your stuff.’
‘Oh, God, I don’t mean to sound like I’m doing some full-on sales pitch here– although that is my job, I guess.’ Star’s tinkling laugh rang out again. ‘I tell you what.’ She put her hand to a bag hanging from under the purple gauzed covered table. ‘Have this piece for free. Stick it in your pocket.’
‘No… No. I can’t do that. You’ve got a business to run.’
‘You can. Please, take it.’
‘Well, to go with it, I’m going to buy this ring for my little finger, then.’ Sabrina pointed to a simple silver ring that encased a small round yellow topaz stone. ‘I shall surely have double luck, then.’ She laughed. ‘Thank you, so much, Star, I love it!’
Sabrina walked back up to Monique’s, grabbed herself a take-out coffee, then began ambling her way down the cobbled lane toward the ferry quay. The sights of people haggling for a bargain, the sounds of the market cries and delicious smells of fresh bread and scented candles that engulfed her were a joy to the senses. In her ocean of sadness, it seemed she had momentarily found a small life raft of happiness, and she smiled.
In the far distance she could see the blue of the sea and the dot of the red and yellow ferry going across to where she had learnt was Crowsbridge, where the historic Crowsbridge Hall could be found.
She had been relieved to find that her bank had a satellite branch in the village hall over there, and even more delighted that she was able to pick up a new debit card for her personal account later that day.
Now she had seen how lovely all the stalls were, Sabrina’s plan was to buy local meat and veg and some treats from the bakery for herself and to make up a food hamper for Isaac and Belle as they had been so generous to her. As she now only had fifty pounds cash left, after buying the ring, she thought it made sense to get to the bank first and come back over to Hartmouth to buy the goodies. Plus, it would also ensure they were kept fresh as it was a warmish seventeen degrees today.
As she carried on her merry way down Ferry Lane, Sabrina began looking up for a sign for Glanna’s gallery. She loved the painting over the fireplace in the cottage and thought it would be interesting to meet the artist.
Then, CRASH!
‘For God’s sake!’ The man shouted, wiping drips of coffee from his lapel with his bare hand. ‘Blinking tourists. Doesn’t anyone look where they are going in this place.’
‘Oh, shit. I’m so sorry.’ With the coffee cup now rolling along the pavement, Sabrina whipped a tissue from her bag and began dabbing at the man’s jacket. ‘Only a little bit, got you, thank goodness.’
‘Maybe if you took those fly-like sunglasses off.’ The man tutted and pushed her hand away. ‘And that will just put white marks on it.’ He then softened. ‘I’m sorry. So sorry, I’ve been here for what seems like hours waiting for someone to view this place. Was just popping my head out the door to see if I could see them coming and some crazy woman walks right into me.’
Sabrina bristled. ‘Less of the crazy, thanks. And I guess I could say that some rude man walked into me.’
Then, suddenly, they both burst out laughing. And as they did, Sabrina looked at him properly for the first time– then looked again. For standing in front of her was a tall and attractive square-jawed man. From his chestnut brown hair, which was styled with an endearing quiff, to his interesting odd-coloured eyes, he had what her and Dee would call ‘the allure’ His navy suit and white shirt fitted his fit frame perfectly. And despite looking at men being so far down on Sabrina’s to-do list, he was, in her humble opinion, the epitome of sex on a stick.
‘So, are you going show me around then?’
He frowned. ‘Are you Jemima, my ten ‘o’ clock.?’
‘No, but if it will stop you shouting at me, I can be anyone you want me to be.’ It took Sabrina a second to realise she was flirting! What on earth had happened to her? Maybe it was the shock of the impact when she bumped into him.
The man gave her a side glance that almost brought the dead butterflies in her stomach back to life. He pushed the open door. ‘Come on in, then. It will take seconds to give you the grand tour.’ He held the door open, and his hand brushed hers as she past him. The tingle of lust hit her. He smelt so good. Her mouth spoke before her brain engaged. ‘Is that Tom Ford I can smell.’
