Page 25 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘Coming right up!’ Tara flashed her mum a grin then walked over to The Little Hut in the Hollow.

While she waited to be served, she turned and looked over at her mum. It was funny how she always thought of her as the woman who’d given birth to her and Sadie. The woman who loved them and their dad very much. It was easy, then, to forget that her mum was a woman with a history, and some of that history was from before her dad came into her life. Her mum had been with someone who wasn’t the right one for her and been brave enough to leave that relationship. It made Tara admire her even more.

13

SETH

December mornings could be so beautiful when the air was crisp and cold and a frost glinted on roofs and car windscreens, making them sparkle like they were covered with diamond dust.

Seth had come to Wisteria Hollow to meet with a contractor regarding the shop. He planned on having it refurbished after Christmas and then renting it on a long-term commercial lease. When he bought it, he’d had it tidied up a bit and then advertised it on a short-term lease. Tara and Sadie’s plan for a pop-up Christmas shop was perfect because it meant that they’d be moving on come the new year, but it would earn him some money in the meantime.

He parked in front of the shop, got out, then waved at the man sitting in a van on the opposite side of the road.

‘Morning, Frank!’ he called.

‘Morning to you, Seth.’

Frank crossed the road and shook Seth’s hand vigorously. He was a big man with a handshake that always made Seth feel like his teeth were about to rattle in his head.

‘It’s a nice day for it,’ Seth said.

‘Frosty and bright,’ Frank replied. ‘Perfect for taking a walk.’

‘Those dogs of yours all right?’ Seth asked. Frank had two large rescue dogs that he walked for miles. Seth always forgot what breed they were.

‘Yes, grand. They had a walk this morning then went home for breakfast and a few hours snoozing in front of the log burner while their mum writes her sermons and meets with parishioners.’

Frank’s wife was a vicar, and she worked from home a lot preparing sermons and completing admin, which meant she was with the dogs for a large part of the day.

‘Right then, shall we take a look around?’ Seth said, pushing open the door to Tinsel and Twine.

Tara was behind the counter serving a customer, but she glanced at the door and her lips curved upwards when she saw Seth. He gave her a small wave then closed the door behind him. He’d let her and Sadie know that Frank was coming to Wisteria Hollow today to take a look at the shop, so she wasn’t surprised to see them.

Seth walked around with Frank, checking the flooring, lighting, windows and heating system. They were careful not to disturb any of the displays or decorations and when they reached the counter, Seth waited until Tara had handed the customer her receipt then said, ‘OK if we check the back?’

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘And Sadie’s upstairs in the flat expecting you both.’

‘That’s great, thanks.’

‘No problem.’ Tara’s smile was warm and friendly, catching him off guard with a sudden, sharp tug of awareness. He was keen to see what Frank could do to the shop in the new year, but with that came the knowledge that when the work started, Tara would be gone. It was the way things worked, of course, but over recent weeks, he’d got accustomed to seeing her here. More importantly, he liked seeing her.

In the back of the shop, he led Frank around the small stockroom and kitchen area then out the back to show him the tiny yard. Standing there in the cold, his heart snagged and he had to steady himself. When he’d last come out here, the yard had been dull and rather sad looking, but Tara and Sadie had cleaned it up and added a potted Christmas tree that sparkled with colourful lights. They’d also strung lights around the planter and cleared away the broken chair and table. Instead, there were two patio chairs, an outdoor rug and a small portable table with a solar lantern at its centre. They were small improvements, but they’d made a big difference to the yard and it reminded him how warm and creative Tara was.

Frank took some measurements and made notes on his phone then they went back indoors. The contrast of the warmth inside washed over Seth and he rubbed his cold hands together.

‘Mind if I just use the loo?’ Frank asked. ‘The cold plays havoc with my old bladder.’

‘Of course not.’ Seth shook his head. ‘I’ll wait here.’

He stood in the kitchen area holding his phone, but his eyes wandered over to the kettle where a box of Earl Grey teabags sat next to a tin of luxury chocolate biscuits. There was a small tree in the corner there too with some tinsel wrapped around it and a bow at the top. A card was propped against it so he read the message:

Congratulations, Sadie and Tara! We are so proud of you both and love you more than you’ll ever know. Love always, Mum and Dad xx

Seth put the card back down, his heart tugging again in the same way it had done in the yard. Something about knowing how much this meant to Tara, Sadie, and their parents was so heartwarming. They’d put a lot into making this shop the place they’d dreamt about opening and their parents were proud of them for it.

When Frank returned, they went upstairs and knocked on the door. Sadie let them in then went down to the shop so they could measure up in peace.

‘They seem like nice girls,’ Frank said.