‘Not going to waste your money then?’ teased Elle.
Pippa laughed. ‘I thought about it for a teeny second, but what if I didn’t like it? I’d be starving and I don’t like wasting food or money!’
ChapterTwo
The next morning Elle was leaning against the glass panels of the bus shelter waiting for Pippa, who was running late as usual. With the bus due any second Elle glanced up the street and spotted her hurrying towards the bus stop, waving her hand frantically above her head.
Elle tapped her watch. ‘Morning. Cutting it fine as usual.’
‘Why is it at the weekends I wake up at the crack of dawn, and on weekdays I have to prise my eyes open and force myself to get up?’ Pippa was trying to catch her breath and placed her hand on her heart as she winced.
‘Because that’s life. Don’t go keeling over on me before we’ve even got to work,’ Elle said, watching her friend in amusement.
‘I’ll try my best,’ replied Pippa, pointing to the bus that was now travelling up the road towards them.
As soon as the doors of the bus opened, they were greeted by a smiling Henry, who immediately tipped his cap. ‘Here they are, my two favourite ladies. Good morning!’
‘Good morning,’ replied Elle. ‘And how are you this blustery morning?’
‘Another day closer to retirement,’ he chuckled, handing over their tickets. ‘Enjoy your day.’
A moment later, they were sitting in their usual seats on the top deck.
‘It might be blustery out here but nothing beats the view into Heartcross,’ Elle mused as she looked out the window.
‘Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly.’ Pippa gently nudged Elle’s shoulder. She took a sideward glance at her friend as Pippa flicked her hair over her shoulder and beamed. ‘Look at that vision of loveliness,’ she whispered, her gaze focused on the stairwell.
Elle turned and locked eyes with the stranger stepping onto the top deck. Immediately she felt herself blush and looked away.
‘He’s heading this way,’ Pippa muttered.
The man sat down on the other side of the aisle from them.
‘He even smells gorgeous,’ Pippa mouthed.
They both inhaled at the same time, then giggled like a couple of schoolgirls.
‘There’s something about him. He’s mesmerising,’ Pippa whispered.
‘Do we know him? He seems vaguely familiar. Does he come into the library?’ asked Elle, taking another sneaky glance in his direction.
‘Does he look like our average customer?’ Pippa grinned.
‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’
‘I think it’s love at first sight,’ murmured Pippa with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Elle had never believed in love at first sight, until the day she’d met Noah. There had been an intense connection with him the second she’d laid eyes on him and, if pressed, she’d have to admit that it had felt pretty darn close to love.
Noah Jones was a successful author whom Irene had booked at the library to host a one-day writing workshop for disadvantaged children. His warm, charismatic nature was a hit with everyone, but Elle knew the connection she and he had forged was something special. That had been eight months ago now, and Elle hadn’t seen him since, but she thought about him often.
‘There’s no wedding ring. He’s possibly still up for grabs,’ observed Elle.
‘I’ve not seen him before. He’s not local. Where do you think he’s going?’ Pippa whispered.
‘How would I know? I don’t have a crystal ball.’
‘He’s got to have a girlfriend, right?’
