Page 14 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘Here we go!’ Tara whispered.

Outside, the street was quiet. Grey clouds drifted across the sky and a car drove past slowly.

‘Customers will come,’ Sadie said. ‘Just you wait and see.’

Tara swallowed a sigh. ‘I know.’

She went to the counter and opened the box of doughnuts, grabbed one, then took a large bite.

It was day one and early on a Friday. There was plenty of time for the Christmas rush.

Plenty of time…

8

TARA

By lunchtime, they’d made a few sales and had some people in to browse. Tara had tried not to hover nervously while people wandered around the shop, but she was aware that she didn’t want to be the pushy type of retailer, so she’d forced herself to go out the back to check on stock. While she was sorting through a box of tinsel, Sadie came in and closed the door.

‘What about the shop?’ Tara said.

‘Mum and Dad have got it covered for now,’ Sadie said. ‘Why don’t you go for a walk to burn off some of that nervous energy?’

‘Nervous energy?’ Tara put the box down and rubbed her hands on her jeans. ‘What nervous energy?’

‘Oh come on, Tara. You need some air and to stretch your legs. When you come back, I’ll take a walk and call Sander.’

‘You can go and call him now if you like.’

Sadie shook her head. ‘He’ll be sleeping right now so I’ll call him later. You need to get some exercise, so off you go!’

‘But—’

‘We’ll be fine here and if we have a sudden rush I can call you.’

‘Oh… All right then. If you’re sure.’

‘I am, so leave that box there, get your coat and off you go.’

Tara put her coat on and buttoned it before walking back onto the shop floor. Her parents were standing behind the counter talking to a customer and she wanted to join in, but Sadie’s hand pressed into the small of her back and ushered her to the door.

‘Don’t come back until you feel more relaxed,’ Sadie said, pushing her out onto the street.

Tara looked around at the pretty village, wondering what direction to take. In the end, she just let her feet move while she focused on the fresh air that enveloped her, soothing the headache that had been building behind her eyes. The exercise soon started to calm her down and she felt the gentle buzz she always got from a good walk on a fresh day.

She passed shops and cottages, the village school and a garage, then she turned off past a large house with an expansive garden where she could hear chickens behind the hedge. She followed a path that led past the lido and down towards a boating lake. Everything was calm and still in the beautifully peaceful spot. To her left was a pottery place and to her right she spotted an old shepherd’s hut named The Little Hut in the Hollow.

She strolled over to the hut and waited in the queue behind an elderly man while she browsed the specials board.

‘What can I get you?’ the man behind the counter asked. Thick blond hair stuck out from under a black beanie and his bright blue eyes held Tara’s as she tried to decide.

‘Something… festive?’ she said.

‘Is that a question or do you want me to decide for you?’ he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

‘I can’t decide.’

‘All right then. I’ll bring you something festive. Just to check, though, no allergies or definite dislikes?’