Page 49 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

SETH

Three days after the trip to Battersea, Seth was back in Wisteria Hollow. He’d exchanged messages with Tara in that time, but work had taken him elsewhere and he hadn’t managed to get back to the village. Today, he was glad to be on his way there.

Kissing Tara had been wonderful and he hadn’t stopped thinking about it, but he knew that having some time away from her was also a sensible thing to do. Otherwise, he was worried that he’d kiss her again and that things would speed ahead before either of them had the time to think about what they wanted.

And that was the main issue. He thought he knew what he wanted, but when his heart was involved like this, could he be sure he’d make the right decision? He really liked Tara and knew he was falling for her, but he had to separate business from pleasure. He was Tara’s landlord as well as her friend.

The shop was always going to be refurbished and rented on a long-term lease, but now he could picture Tara taking it on permanently, whether as Tinsel and Twine or whatever the shop might become after Christmas. But if he offered her the premises, he didn’t want her to feel that it came with any expectations where he was concerned. Perhaps she wanted to leave Wisteria Hollow after Christmas. Perhaps whatever was developing between them wasn’t something she saw lasting beyond then.

Anyway, he’d have to put on his business head and look at the numbers and the footfall before making a decision. And there was the Yule Party to consider too. For now, that had to be the priority.

He’d been to Cake Expectations and picked up a tray of delicious freshly baked mince pies to take to Tinsel and Twine, along with a tray of coffees from The Little Hut in the Hollow.

And when he reached the shop, his heart was thrumming like a drum at the thought of seeing Tara again. He had missed her even though it had only been days and he knew it would be hard not to take her in his arms and kiss her the way he had done the last time he was here.

Outside the shop, he took a deep breath for courage then waited while a couple emerged carrying a box of purchases. He recognised them as a local couple, Wren and Grant.

‘Hello there, Seth!’ Grant said with a smile.

‘Good morning,’ Seth said.

‘Let me get the door for you.’ Grant held it open and Seth stepped past him.

‘Thank you so much.’

‘You’re very welcome.’ Grant smiled then held out his arm. ‘Hold on tight, Wren. It’s quite slippery underfoot. I’ll have to get Eddie to bring the tractor back down to clear the streets again.’

‘I think that would be a good plan,’ Wren said. ‘Goodbye, Seth!’

They walked away and Seth let the door close behind him then approached the counter. And there she was, wearing a red Christmas jumper and a red hat with white fur around the rim. Her skin was radiant and her hair shone where it brushed her shoulders. She was simply breathtaking.

Despite all his previous thoughts about separating business from romance and not wanting Tara to feel pressured, he found himself wishing he could beg her to stay.

But he wasn’t accustomed to Christmas miracles and so he couldn’t quite believe that one might happen for him now.

Then Tara smiled and it was like the sun coming out from behind a snow cloud. He knew he’d have to say something soon or regret it for the rest of his life.

25

TARA

The following Friday, Tara walked towards the village green, wrapped up in her warmest coat, hat and gloves. It was a beautiful afternoon, cold and crisp. The snow had stopped falling the previous day, so while the paths and roads had been cleared, the grass, roofs and trees all sparkled with frozen snow under the December sky.

The village choir were set up on the small stage, warming up with a few traditional carols. The Christmas tree lights twinkled along with those draped over trees and hedges and strung between the streetlights.

Around the perimeter of the green, stalls had been set up to look like small log cabins. They were also draped with lights and tinsel and now had a covering of snow on their roofs. Some of the stalls were selling food and drink, and aromas of mulled wine, cider, mince pies, turkey or nut roast and stuffing made her mouth water.

The combination of the snow, the music, the stalls and the food created the perfect festive setting for the Yule Party, and it made her vision blur as she took it all in.

Along with help from Seth, Darcie and so many others, they had brought their idea for the Yule Party to life. Even if it didn’t increase sales at the shop now, it would have been worth it for the sheer satisfaction of seeing this today.

As for Tinsel and Twine, they’d set up inside and outside the shop to entice people in. Her mum and dad were at the counter, dressed as Mr and Mrs Claus, ready to wrap and accept payment, and Sadie was at the door dressed like an elf. Tara was dressed as a fairy beneath her coat, in a silver dress with wings. Sadie had painted her face with silver and purple glitter. She had a tiara to wear when she got back to the shop and removed her hat.

She stopped at the first stall on the green and smiled at Darcie. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Incredibly exciting,’ Darcie said. She was dressed up in a long silver coat with silver boots, and she had a crown on her head over a white wig.

‘You look amazing,’ Tara said.