Page 18 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘Well, you deserve it after all your hard work,’ said Harriet, giving her a hug. ‘This place was empty a year ago and now look at it.’

It was true, thought Flora. All the fairy lights were switched on and the old station waiting room was filled with laughter and conversation as everyone enjoyed themselves. Ryan had provided lots of delicious food, which everyone was enjoying, especially Paddington the dog who was sitting underneath the table and hoping for any dropped crumbs and tummy rubs.

‘Here you are,’ said Libby, giving Katy a hand-wrapped box. ‘As requested. Although I do think it’s a bit rubbish to know in advance what your present is going to be. Spoils all the fun.’

‘I don’t care,’ said Katy, unwrapping the paper and squealing with delight at the box within. ‘These are my favourites.’

She lifted the lid and instantly they were all enveloped in the sweet smell of chocolate. The tray held a number of shiny round truffles, all looking extremely tempting.

‘Mmm,’ said Harriet, sniffing the air. ‘They smell amazing.’

‘Taste good too,’ added Katy, who had already popped one in her mouth.

‘You’re so clever to have a talent like that,’ Flora told Libby who made delicious chocolates in her spare time.

‘You should set up a business, you know,’ urged Katy.

‘It’s just for friends and family.’ Libby shrugged her shoulders. ‘Anyway, it’s all thanks to Maggie’s tempering machine that she gave me.’ She lifted her glass and smiled at the lady on the opposite side of the room. Maggie was one of her neighbours in Railway Lane and had cleared a lot of her cottage of clutter, including a chocolate making kit. This had elevated Libby’s home-made efforts into a professional finish.

‘This one’s lavender,’ murmured Harriet, looking delighted as she licked her lips.

‘And this one’s strawberry,’ said Flora. It was delicious.

‘All the tastes of Cranfield,’ confirmed Libby, with a smile.

‘Can I have one?’ asked Ethan, wandering up to them.

‘Of course,’ said Katy.

‘Absolutely not,’ said Libby, her face dropping into a scowl.

She and Ethan had been mortal enemies ever since Ethan had, apparently, ruined her prom night. Although she had never gone into specific details. On the few occasions they had tried to ask more about it, Libby had given them short shrift.

‘You don’t deserve one,’ carried on Libby, before quickly shutting the lid on the chocolate box. ‘Katy, I’ll hide these so you can enjoy them later. On your own,’ she added in a pointed tone, throwing another scowl at Ethan before she walked away.

‘Here,’ muttered Katy, sliding the truffle that she had been holding into Ethan’s hand. ‘But keep it to yourself.’

‘Thanks,’ said Ethan, giving her a kiss on the cheek before walking away.

They were close as Ethan stayed with Katy and Ryan whenever he came home from his long work contracts abroad.

Libby returned and had them all in hysterics as she described her latest date which hadn’t gone well.

‘Finally I poured him into an Uber and sent him on his way,’ she said before doing a double take across the room. ‘You know,’ she added in a lower tone looking directly at Flora. ‘Your Italian Stallion is looking mighty fine tonight.’

Flora flicked a glance over to the fireplace where Nico was standing. Sure, he looked very smart wearing dark jeans and a shirt but didn’t everyone else?

‘Everyone looks good under flattering fairy lights,’ said Flora.

‘Are you protesting too much?’ murmured Libby.

‘Hey, if you’re interested,’ began Flora.

Libby laughed. ‘Are you kidding? I’ve got three different dates this week. I haven’t got time for a fourth.’

Katy rolled her eyes. ‘Your love life is like a revolving door,’ she said.

‘You know me,’ Libby told her. ‘I get bored easily. I’ll leave all the serious relationships to you and Harriet.’