Page 23 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

Amber shook her head. ‘She’s unhappy because she lost her husband. You can’t do anything to change that.’

He looked at her with bleak eyes. ‘But I’m failing him too. I can’t save the shop.’

Amber felt so sad for him and looked around at the place, trying to think of something positive to say. ‘It’s still the prettiest shop I’ve ever seen,’ she told him. ‘Somewhere under all this stuff, I mean.’

‘That’s not enough,’ said Josh, his voice hoarse with emotion.

‘But it’s a start,’ she told him. ‘We’ll try and think of something, OK?’

He nodded. ‘Thanks,’ he said, blowing out a sigh. ‘Sorry. I guess Mum’s appointment at the hospital this afternoon is rattling me more than I thought.’

‘Are you going with her to get the results?’ asked Amber.

Josh shook his head. ‘She always says it’s better if she goes on her own.’ He looked at her, his blue eyes filled with sadness. ‘She never got over losing dad so fast. And then we never had time to grieve because we went straight from that into the cancer treatment. It’s been hard for her.’

Stuck in the crowded, almost claustrophobic shop probably didn’t help her mood either, thought Amber.

‘Maybe she could get away at some point,’ she said. ‘Take a break away from everything.’

‘Pete says he’s invited her to Singapore for a holiday, but she refuses to leave.’

‘Maybe I can have a word,’ said Amber.

‘I’m not sure how far you’ll get, but thanks,’ said Josh, smiling gratefully at her.

At that moment, a courier arrived with both of Amber’s suitcases. Amber was so relieved to see them that she didn’t even mind that the delivery driver had managed to knock over stacks of boxes and goods when he had dragged them inside.

‘I’ll take them upstairs,’ said Josh, grabbing one suitcase. ‘I’d better do one at a time, otherwise the whole shop will end up on the floor.’

Amber giggled, just pleased to finally have all her clothes and possessions back.

‘What’s this?’ asked Cathy, who had just returned from visiting Tilly.

‘My suitcases have finally arrived,’ Amber told her, beaming.

‘About time!’ said Cathy. ‘That is good news.’

She seemed to wait until Josh had disappeared upstairs with the first suitcase.

‘Perhaps it’ll be a good-news day for all of us,’ she added, almost to herself.

She looked so frightened suddenly that Amber found herself hurtling across to give her a hug.

‘Thank you, love,’ said Cathy, leaning on her for a moment before straightening up once more. ‘I needed that.’

‘Perhaps I could come to the hospital with you?’ Amber suggested. ‘For a bit of company.’

‘You don’t want to do that,’ said Cathy, shaking her head.

‘I wouldn’t have offered otherwise,’ Amber told her. ‘And I’ve got nothing else to do today.’

Cathy squeezed her arm. ‘That’s kind of you, but I don’t want to upset Josh.’

‘Upset me how?’

They both jumped at the male voice behind them and turned around to find Josh standing there.

‘I was offering to go with your mum this afternoon,’ Amber told him, getting her words in before Cathy could speak.