Page 19 of The Village of Lost and Found

Tom shook his head. ‘I handle all the finances these days,’ he said, giving her an easy smile.

But as she began to carry the newspapers to fill up the boot of her car, Lucy wasn’t so sure. She had the distinct impression that Tom was hiding something from her. She wanted to like him. He seemed a nice enough guy. But she was pretty certain that he was hiding the true state of the newspaper from Uncle Frank as well.

10

Tom watched Lucy head out the back door of the office, before closing it behind her.

He gulped back the stress of having to watch her go through all the paperwork. Who knew what she would find and, worse, talk to her uncle about? He had to keep protecting Frank from the truth about the state of the newspaper until he could find a way to get the profits back into the black. Until then, he would have to keep lying, no matter how badly he felt about doing so.

He decided to head next door for a cup of tea. As the phone wasn’t exactly ringing off the hook these days, he didn’t worry about leaving the office unstaffed.

Out in the fresh air of the sunny day, he tried to focus his mind. He had that week’s editorial piece to try to write, as well as all the other stories just waiting for his attention. He was really hoping that today might just be the day that he finally wrestled his writer’s block into submission, but he wasn’t convinced that it would happen.

Grandma Tilly, Josh’s grandmother, was just heading down the steps of the shop with a pint of milk as Tom was going up.

‘Good afternoon,’ he said. ‘Lovely day for it.’

‘Isn’t it?’ she said, with a warm smile. She was a feisty pensioner who lived in the bungalow next door to Frank at the end of the village. ‘I wouldn’t know,’ Grandma Tilly carried on. ‘I’ve been flat out helping Amber for the last hour or so.’

Occasionally Grandma Tilly helped out behind the till of the shop which benefitted both Josh and Amber, as they could then restock the shelves, as well as easing the loneliness which she had confessed to feeling a few times in recent months.

‘They’re doing well,’ said Tom, glad that the shop’s transformation the previous winter was paying dividends.

‘Oh yes,’ said Grandma Tilly, looking pleased. ‘The word’s certainly got out about the big changes that they’ve made. I’m so happy for them, although I could do with getting my feet up now. But I’ve got to pop in and see Mrs Morris. After I’ve dropped this up to Frank.’

‘I can take it,’ said Tom. ‘I wanted to pop in and see how he was doing anyway.’

Tom was surprised to find Frank deadheading some roses in the tiny front garden, somehow managing to manoeuvre both his crutches and the secateurs.

‘Good afternoon,’ said Frank, looking up with a smile.

‘Good afternoon,’ Tom replied, coming to stand on the other side of the front wall. ‘I missed you this morning. Good to find you back here where you belong.’

‘Good to be back,’ said Frank with a smile. ‘After all, it’s the best view to be had.’

Tom looked across at the river which was sparkling under the clear skies. The trees lining the grassy banks were full of fresh, green leaves that rustled in the soft warm breeze.

‘How are you coping?’ asked Tom, nodding at his foot.

‘It’s fine,’ said Frank. ‘I was even able to have a coffee with Stanley earlier.’

‘I heard. Here’s your milk,’ said Tom. ‘I can put it in your fridge, if you like.’

‘That would be great,’ replied Frank. ‘Lucy has just sent me a text saying she’s delivering last week’s newspaper to a few subscribers.’ He raised an eyebrow in question.

‘We’re just a bit behind with the deliveries,’ said Tom quickly. ‘I should never have relied on Dodgy Del when his van keeps breaking down every other day.’

‘I see.’

Tom sighed. ‘I’m not sure Lucy thinks much of my messy filing system, if you can call it a system. To be honest, I don’t blame her.’

‘She’ll get it sorted,’ said Frank. ‘I seem to remember that her bedroom was always spotless when she was growing up.’

‘If she stays that long,’ said Tom. ‘Perhaps she wants to be back in London.’

Living the high life, he added to himself.

‘I don’t think she’ll particularly miss London,’ replied Frank. ‘And besides, Lucy doesn’t always know what’s best for her.’