Page 18 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

Seth finished his coffee as Tara walked away. He watched her take the tray back to Pete and then chat briefly before heading back to the village. He hadn’t expected to bump into her here today and had taken it for granted that she’d be at the shop all day serving customers. So he certainly hadn’t expected to end up sitting with her talking about Christmas, but he’d actually quite enjoyed it. He had reasons why he wasn’t keen on Christmas, but he could, of course, understand why other people liked it. He couldn’t see himself ever feeling that way, but he wasn’t about to judge anyone, especially not a woman who was trying to make a living out of the festive season.

He put the lid back on his cup then took it over to the recycling bin. He was about to leave when he spotted Pete grinning at him from behind the counter.

‘What’s up?’ he called and Pete waved him over.

‘I was just thinking how nice it was to see you and Tara having a chat,’ Pete said.

‘Nice?’ Seth frowned.

‘Well, you know, landlord and tenant… It’s important to have a good relationship.’ Pete gave a knowing nod.

‘I do agree with you, but I’m not sure why you’re looking at me like that.’ Seth cleared his throat.

‘I just like to see people getting on well.’ Pete placed a cup carrier on the counter. ‘Are you heading up to the village now?’

‘I am.’

‘Would you do me a favour?’

‘Of course.’ Seth glanced at the cup carrier.

‘I’d like to send some drinks up to Tara and her family to say welcome to the village. Would you drop them in for me?’

Seth met Pete’s eyes and saw something in his gaze, but he couldn’t quite work out what it was.

‘I guess I could do that. I was going to pop in later anyway, so I could go now instead.’

‘That would be great!’ Pete went about making some drinks that he slotted into the cup carrier. ‘I’ll add a box of biscuits too if you’re all right carrying both.’

‘I’m sure I can manage.’ Seth winked.

When the drinks were done and Pete had placed a small box next to the cup carrier, he said, ‘There’s another coffee for you too. Wouldn’t want you getting thirsty on your way there.’

‘That’s very kind of you, Pete.’

‘It’s very kind of you to take them up for me. I would go myself, but I’m expecting the buggy brigade soon.’

‘No problem at all.’ Seth grabbed the cup carrier and the box, then he set off for the village.

As he walked, he passed a group of mothers and fathers in walking gear pushing the latest fancy prams with names Seth wouldn’t even know how to pronounce. He gave a small nod as they passed, and they all smiled and said hello. One man had a dog trotting alongside his pram and the dog looked delighted to be involved.

He marched through the streets, keen to ensure that the drinks stayed warm, and it was only when he got close to the shop that he slowed down to catch his breath.

From outside, the shop looked wonderful. Fairy lights twinkled on the trees and around the window frames. He could see people milling around inside, admiring the displays and trying to decide what to buy. Behind the counter, Tara was talking to Sadie and a customer.

At the door, gave a nod as a man leaving held it open for him. ‘Thank you,’ he said.

‘My pleasure,’ the man replied before walking away, his bag of purchases hooked over his arm.

He waited in the line of customers, feeling pleased that they were having a good day. Things must have picked up as the day wore on.

Hearing laughter, he peered around the couple in front of him and saw Tara with her head thrown back as she laughed, her cheeks flushed. She was in her element here, serving customers and sharing stories. She wrapped the woman’s purchases, then placed them in a brown paper bag, but before she handed them over, she picked up a candle from the counter and the woman nodded. Tara wrapped the candle and placed it in the bag too.

Tara was good at this. She was selling add-ons with purchases and that meant she was a good salesperson. Plus, he had to admit, he could understand why people would like her. She was lovely and there was a genuine warmth about her. The kind that drew people to her and made them want to spend time with her.

When he reached the front of the queue, Sadie smiled at him. Tara was putting something away under the counter, but when she stood up, she smiled too.

‘Hello there. Twice in one day!’