Page 10 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘It was good to see so many new customers today,’ Colleen said, as they tidied round the van at the end of the day. It had been another busy one and, once again, they’d sold out of all their burgers.

‘Mm.’ Hannah wiped her brow with the back of her hand; strands of hair had escaped her plait and were loose around her face. Her aunt’s faux nonchalant tone didn’t wash with her. She knew exactly where she was trying to steer the conversation. And it didn’t take long before she was proved right.

‘Thought that Lachie was ever such a nice lad. Good-looking, too. He wasn’t ’alf rocking that kilt – to pinch a term from you young ’uns.’

‘Can’t say I’d noticed.’ If her aunt could act all nonchalant, then Hannah thought she could, too. But she did have a point – or three!

Colleen ceased wiping the countertop at the hatch, plonked her hands on her hips and pinned her niece with her gimlet gaze. Her cheeks were rosy from the exertion and the warmth of the oven. ‘I think we both know that’s a great big fib, young lady.’

‘It so is n—’ Hannah went to object, but her aunt jumped in, cutting her off.

‘And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with finding him attractive, lovey. It’s perfectly natural, and it was obvious to everyone the feeling was mutual. He couldn’t take his eyes off you when he came to the counter, that’s why I called you over, and I’m glad I did. The chemistry wasn’t half crackling between you – it was sizzling hotter than the stove you were cooking over. I reckon folk’ll have been able to see the sparks over in Micklewick Bay!’ she said with a chuckle. ‘Seriously, though, he seems a nice young lad and he has kind eyes. I reckon you can tell a lot about a person from their eyes. Take Evan, he’s a classic example.’ Colleen’s tone had taken a nosedive at the mention of Hannah’s ex.

Hannah gave an exasperated sigh. She didn’t want to go down the Evan route, nor did she want to tread the matchmaking one.

‘Never mind huffing and puffing, missy. You can’t lock yourself away and avoid dating or having a relationship because of what that little weasel did to you, and how he made you feel – and he had a right shifty pair of eyes on him, which just goes to prove my point. You’ve let him knock your confidence for far too long. Lachie, however, I reckon he’s a very different kettle of fish…’ She sent Hannah a loaded look.

‘Hang on a minute, Auntie Coll. Who said anything about me dating or starting a relationship? I think you’re getting way, way ahead of yourself. The lad doesn’t even know my name!’ Hannah felt the need for her aunt to get things into perspective before she had her married off to the next random stranger that rocked up at the burger van and she considered a suitable candidate, which would be a poor, unsuspecting Lachie if Auntie Coll had her way.

‘I think you’ll find he does – know your name, that is. I actually made a point of telling him.’

‘Why doesn’t that surprise me, Mrs Matchmaker?’ Hannah said resignedly. ‘You do realise you’re teetering dangerously on the edge of interfering, don’t you?’

‘Don’t know what you mean! I was just being friendly, that’s all.’ Colleen’s feigned expression of innocence didn’t fool Hannah for a second.

‘Hmpf!’ She huffed out another sigh and turned her attention back to cleaning the sink, giving vent to her frustration as she scrubbed. There was no ‘that’s all’ about it.

Since the conversation with the handsome stranger Hannah had managed to get her wayward emotions in check, telling herself she’d got carried away with something that was nothing more than a momentary attraction, a mild flirtation. A one-off. Not only had she shocked herself by acting so out of character, but she’d convinced herself that this Lachie person was more than likely a player who flirted with every woman he came into contact with; it was just his way. She’d be foolish to think otherwise. In fact, she decided, she was relieved he didn’t hang around any longer than he had. And what was she thinking, getting all chatty and flirty with him? The mere reminder made her face blaze. He was probably laughing about her right now. ‘Ugh!’ She puffed out her cheeks, scrubbing at the sink with even greater vigour.

‘Listen, lovey, it was good to see you opening up like that today.’ Her aunt’s tone was kind. ‘It put me in mind of a little flower that’s been moved out of the shade, placed on a sunny windowsill and given a chance to bloom. You can’t keep hiding yourself away, you’re a beautiful young woman – as a certain young man noticed today. And I was only trying to give you a gentle nudge in the right direction before you did your usual and skuttled off into the background and hid yourself away. Oh, and if you scrub at that sink much harder, you’re in danger of putting a hole in it.’

Hannah ceased her scrubbing and sighed. ‘I know it came from a good place, Auntie Coll, but I’ve got a gut feeling that we won’t be seeing him again so, if it’s okay with you, I’d rather just drop the subject.’ Hannah offered a smile to show she wasn’t annoyed.

‘If that’s what you want, flower, I’ll respect your wishes. But I’ll just add, very briefly, that I have a gut feeling that he’ll be back sooner than you think.’ She went over to Hannah and wrapped her arm around her before pressing a noisy kiss to her cheek. ‘Love you, gorgeous girl.’

‘Love you, too, Auntie Coll, even if I could throttle you sometimes.’ The two women exchanged affectionate smiles before Hannah rested her head against her aunt’s.

SEVEN

Hannah checked the clock on the wall for what felt like the hundredth time since they’d opened the Bougie Burger van for business the following day. Despite numerous protestations to the contrary, she found herself feeling disappointed that Lachie and his adorable hound hadn’t returned to sample more Bougie Burgers. And now, at just gone twenty past three, hope that she’d get to see him that day was slipping away.

She was enjoying a rare quiet moment, sipping a mug of freshly poured tea and chatting with her aunt when a familiar face appeared at the hatch.

‘Lachie! Hi.’ Hannah couldn’t have stopped the wide smile from spreading across her face if she’d wanted to. She ignored the ‘I told you so’ hitch of her aunt’s eyebrows.

‘Hello, lovey, it’s grand to see you again,’ said Colleen, beaming at him. ‘And please tell me you’ve brought the lovely Roly with you.’

‘Hi there, yes, I have Roly the rascal with me. I don’t think I’d get away with coming here without him now he’s sampled a Bougie Burger.’

Colleen went to peer over the counter. ‘Hello there, Roly the rascal, we’ll have to see if we can rustle up a few Bougie treats for you, young man.’ She turned her attention to Lachie. ‘And am I right in thinking you’ve come to sample another of our fabulous burgers?’

‘You are. I was hoping to try the Spicy Bougie – if it’s still on the specials board, that is.’

‘You’re in luck, it is, though there’s only enough guacamole left for one more portion.’

Feeling slightly tongue-tied, Hannah was happy to stand back and let her aunt take the lead for a moment. She placed her mug on the worktop and went to wash her hands in readiness to make a start on Lachie’s order.

‘Tell you what, Hannah was just about to go on her break, bless her, she’s been on her feet ever since we got here first thing; she hasn’t stopped all day. Why don’t you both go and have a sit down at one of the picnic tables, take a cuppa with you? I can give you a shout when your burger’s ready, Lachie.’