Page 11 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘Sure. Do that.’

Seth smiled at her then, really smiled, and it made his eyes crinkle at the corners and a dimple appear in his left cheek. Then he stepped out into the cold and Tara watched him go.

As she closed the door, she found herself thinking that he was actually quite handsome, and not at all as miserable as she’d first thought.

Catching sight of her reflection in the window, she sighed. No wonder he’d been staring at her; she looked like she’d been dragged through a hedge backwards. Or a Christmas tree to be more precise…

6

SADIE

‘This is a lovely pub,’ Sadie said.

‘We thought we’d get you both out of Wisteria Hollow for the evening because you’re spending so much time there right now,’ their mum replied.

‘Yes, a change will do you good,’ their dad added. ‘Even if it is just ten minutes from the shop. Now, girls, take a seat and I’ll get some drinks in.’

Sadie looked around, admiring the thick beams on the ceiling, the log fire crackling in the open hearth and the candles on the tables in red glass holders surrounded by festive greenery.

‘It’s very cosy in here,’ Tara said.

‘Just the way we Warrens like it.’ Her mum winked.

Their dad returned with a bottle of wine and three glasses, then went back for his pint. When he rejoined them, he handed out menus and they sat in silence for a while.

‘Great wine, Dad,’ Sadie said after she’d taken a sip.

‘I’m glad you like it,’ he said. ‘I know you all like a good red.’

‘So how’s it going at the shop?’ their mum asked.

‘We’re all ready for tomorrow,’ Sadie said. ‘The website is up and running, the newsletter has gone out with a discount code, and the shop floor is beautiful.’

‘It’s handy having a background in marketing and content creation as well as a creative flair.’ Their mum smiled.

‘It does help.’ Sadie nodded.

‘Well, we are here to help with anything you need.’ Their dad sipped his beer. ‘We would have helped with more already if you’d let us.’

‘We needed to do this ourselves,’ Sadie said. ‘Didn’t we, Tara?’

Her sister blinked as if coming back to the room. ‘Sorry, what?’

‘I said that we needed to do this ourselves before accepting help from Mum and Dad.’

‘Oh… Yes. That’s right.’ Tara tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, but her hand lingered there as if feeling for something.

‘You got an itch?’ Sadie asked.

‘No. Why?’

‘You keep touching your hair and going all dreamy.’

‘I’m just tired.’ Tara covered her mouth as she yawned but then her hand crept back to her hair again. ‘It’s been a busy time.’

‘It has.’ Sadie stared hard at her sister, willing her to snap out of whatever it was that was going on with her. ‘But seriously, Tara, is there something up with your hair?’

‘No.’ Tara shook her head and placed both hands on the table. ‘I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but Seth came into the shop while you were having a bath. Willy had run in and gone under the tree and⁠—’