Page 12 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘Who’s Willy?’ Their mum wiped her lipstick smudge from the edge of her glass.

‘Oh, he’s this cat that lives in the village and he’s visited the shop a few times. Today, he went under one of the Christmas trees.’ Tara chuckled. ‘And he stole a squirrel decoration and then knocked another one over. So, I was on the floor trying to reach it and Seth turned up.’

‘What did he want?’ Sadie asked.

‘Just to check if everything was all right now with the toilet and everything else.’

‘Was he a bit nicer this time?’

‘He was. In fact, I was actually stuck under the tree and he rescued me.’ Tara’s hand moved towards her head, but she stopped it and lowered it to her lap.

‘He rescued you?’ Her dad peered over his menu.

‘Yes. My hair was caught in the tree and I couldn’t get out so Seth lay down next to me and… it’s the funniest thing… he had to tease my hair out of the lower branches.’

‘Oh.’ Sadie arched her brows. ‘So our landlord is a hero then?’

Tara’s eyes widened slightly. ‘Yes. I guess he is.’

Sadie frowned at her sister, but she was too lost in her memories to notice. What was this about? Tara had sworn off men after she split with her ex and now, she was all gooey eyed over a somewhat grumpy landlord? She must just be tired as she’d said. It was the only explanation, really. Sadie could see that Seth was a good-looking man, but he was their landlord and this whole venture with the pop-up shop was too important to her and Tara to mess it up. Getting involved with your landlord was risky business.

A server came then and took their food order and Tara excused herself to go to the toilet. When she returned, their dad raised his glass. ‘Well, girls, your mum and I wanted to wish you the best of luck. We are incredibly proud of you both and of how brave you’re being with this exciting new venture. May it be the start of something big for you.’

They all clinked glasses then drank and a spark of anticipation bubbled in Sadie’s stomach. This was a big deal for her and Tara. They’d both had jobs before and left them to go freelance, but now they were setting up a business together. They’d both invested a large chunk of their savings as well as their time and energy. It was important that they made this work and she was determined to give it her all.

The food was delicious and they ate, drank and chatted easily as a family. Sadie knew they were lucky to have such supportive parents. Over dinner, her eyes wandered over them both, their dad with his silver-grey hair and twinkly hazel eyes. He was a big man, tall and strong, but as he’d aged, his belly had got rounder. His skin had always been tanned and now it was lined and weathered, as Tara often called it when she was teasing him. Their mum was still beautiful, but she had softened too. Her chestnut hair was lighter where she’d had highlights added to blend in with the white and there were fine lines around her green eyes. She was still very active and fit, and it showed in her trim figure and the way her skin glowed. But there was no denying the fact that they were getting older.

‘So is there a chance that there could be a new man in the family over Christmas, Tara?’ Their mum laughed, but Tara went bright red.

‘Don’t be silly. That’s not going to happen. I was just telling a story earlier, and Seth is just our landlord. I don’t want to get involved with anyone again. Not right now, anyway.’

‘I was just teasing, darling.’ Their mum placed a hand on Tara’s arm. ‘I know how much the shop means to you.’

Tara met their mum’s eyes. ‘I know, Mum. Sorry, I really am tired.’

‘Well, let’s eat up, then get you girls home so you can get to bed,’ their dad said. ‘A good sleep will set you up for the exciting day that lies ahead.’

‘Not until we’ve had dessert though, Dad,’ Sadie said.

‘Of course not.’ He gave a shake of his head. ‘I would never deny you dessert. Your mum would never forgive me.’

The four of them laughed together then Sadie sat back and relaxed as she studied the dessert menu. Her dad was right. Tomorrow would be an exciting day.

7

TARA

‘Stop rearranging things!’ Sadie snapped from behind the counter. ‘It all looks lovely.’

Standing in the middle of the shop, Tara chewed at a fingernail. ‘I can’t help it. I just want it all to be perfect.’

‘It is. Just go and put the kettle on and then we can open the doors and wait for the hordes to arrive.’

Tara took a deep breath. ‘What if they don’t come?’

‘Look, they might not come straight away but we prepared for that, right? But they will come. Just give them a chance.’

Tara nodded. ‘OK. Yes. I know. Right then. Tea?’