Page 34 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘You are,’ she said in a pointed tone.

‘Yes, but I’m just sad,’ he replied, with a grin. ‘Well, if you don’t mind, that would really help us out. I’ll drop the dog back now and then get started. Come on then, big fella.’

The dog seemed reluctant to leave Lucy, but she managed to eventually persuade him to leave with Tom.

She found herself thinking that perhaps she could have a word with Henry about the dog at some point. Perhaps if she were to accidentally on purpose deliver him another newspaper, she wondered.

But just as she was smiling to herself at the thought of seeing Henry again, she had to remind herself that she had sworn off men. Then again, perhaps he would be different, she told herself. And with a little skip in her step, she went into the shop.

18

Back from delivering the dog to the farm, Tom went straight to Cranbridge Stores to buy himself a coffee.

He found Belle chatting with Amber outside on the veranda.

‘Tom will come, won’t you?’ said Amber, as soon as she saw him heading up the stairs.

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ said Tom, coming to stand in front of them. ‘What on earth are we talking about?’

‘We’re having a gin tasting night at the pub next Saturday,’ said Belle. ‘Trying to drum up some extra summer trade.’

‘Sounds great,’ said Tom. ‘Although it’s not my favourite choice of drink.’

‘Mine neither,’ said Amber, with a grimace. ‘Always gives me a shocking headache in the morning.’

‘Who’s got a shocking headache?’ said Dodgy Del, coming out of the shop holding a loaf of bread.

‘Nobody yet,’ Tom told him. ‘But they will do after Belle’s gin tasting night at the pub next Saturday.’

‘Sounds great,’ said Del, his face lighting up. ‘You know, I’ve been experimenting at home with some different flavours. Got the recipe from my mate. I think they call it a gin liqueur. Shall I bring some of that along?’

‘Is it drinkable?’ asked Amber, with a grimace.

‘Is it legal?’ added Tom.

‘Of course!’ said Del, avoiding eye contact with everyone, which made Tom think that it was neither.

‘Erm, yeah, why not?’ said Belle, obviously not wanting to offend Del.

‘Great!’ said Del, as he headed down the steps. ‘Sounds like a plan.’

As he walked away down the lane, Belle turned to look at Tom with raised eyebrows.

‘It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen,’ he told her. ‘Especially if Del is involved.’

Belle blew out a sigh. ‘Oh well. Is it too late to place an advert in the newspaper to market the gin night?’

Tom shook his head. ‘Nope. You’ve got plenty of time, so I’ll squeeze an ad in before I finish it this week.’

‘You’re a good man despite what everyone says about you,’ said Belle, giving him a wink.

‘That’s why I keep hoping,’ said Tom, following Amber indoors to order his coffee.

Grandma Tilly was positioned behind the counter.

‘Good morning,’ said Tom. ‘I see they’ve got you slaving away over a hot coffee pot again.’

‘Give over,’ said Grandma Tilly with a giggle. ‘I volunteered. Gets me out of the bungalow for a couple of hours. It gets lonely living by yourself.’