Page 56 of The Village of Lost and Found

He sighed. ‘I know. You’re right.’

‘So let’s tell everyone that we’re trying to save the newspaper,’ carried on Lucy.

Tom was suddenly unsure if they could do it all between them. But as he went to pick up his coffee, Lucy reached across to grab his arm. He could feel the warmth of her hand on his skin as he looked up into her pretty face.

‘Perhaps it’s time for both you andThe Cranbridge Timesto become something to be proud of,’ she said, softly.

‘I’ve been struggling on my own for so long,’ he confessed.

She let go of his arm. ‘And how’s that working out for you?’ she drawled.

He laughed. ‘You’re incredibly annoying. Has anyone ever told you that?’

She broke into a smile. ‘Every single day. Now, you and I are going to sit here and discuss everything and neither of us are allowed out of here until we’re done.’

‘Shall we synchronise our watches?’ he said.

‘At least let’s get the main points agreed today,’ she said, ignoring his quip. ‘Because you can’t do this by yourself. And I’m not going to let my uncle’s newspaper go to the wall without a fight. So finish your coffee,’ she told him, grabbing a nearby notebook and pen. ‘We’ve got work to do.’

As Lucy began to scribble down some notes, Tom felt something he hadn’t felt for a very long time. Hope. And his heart felt a little lighter than it had for many months.

He looked across at Lucy and was immensely grateful that she had come to Cranbridge. Because somehow they were partners in saving the newspaper. And hopefully a whole lot more as well.

30

Late on Sunday afternoon, Lucy left the newspaper office and persuaded Tom to do the same. They had spent the whole afternoon discussing the state of the newspaper and what could be done to turn its fortunes around. She had thought she wouldn’t have that much to contribute, but she was still buzzing with ideas about the website and app as they walked out.

‘We both need dinner and a good night’s sleep,’ she told him.

He nodded, looking as tired as she felt. ‘I agree,’ he said, closing and locking the front door to the newspaper office behind them.

Lucy blinked at the bright sunlight. The earlier drizzle had cleared and had left a blue sky scattered with fluffy white clouds.

She turned to look at Tom. ‘Are you OK?’ she asked.

He nodded. ‘I think so,’ he told her. ‘Or at least I will be if I don’t touch any of Dodgy Del’s gin tonight.’

‘Never again,’ she replied with a smile. ‘Well, I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘See you,’ he said, turning to walk away over the middle of the stony pedestrian bridges over the river towards his small cottage.

She briefly watched him go, thinking about what a tough time he had endured in recent years and the struggles that he had faced. But maybe, just maybe, together they could find some better times ahead.

Lucy was wondering about what to have for dinner when she looked up at the veranda and found Molly and Amber sitting on the bench with Belle on the steps beside them.

‘Hi,’ she said, climbing up the steps before looking at Belle. ‘How’s the pub garden looking?’

‘I’ve been clearing up all day,’ said Belle, with a weary sigh. ‘That gin and the pieces of glass went everywhere.’

‘Josh said it was because Del had filled the bottles up right to the brim so that when they warmed up there was no space inside for them to expand,’ said Amber, shaking her head. ‘So, you know, boom.’

‘Definitely boom,’ repeated Belle, before looking at Lucy. ‘Where’ve you been all afternoon?’

‘Working with Tom,’ said Lucy.

‘How’s his head?’ asked Belle.

Lucy made a face. ‘Getting there, I think. It was his wedding anniversary yesterday. That’s why he was so upset.’