Page 5 of All Wrapped Up

In spite of finding Callum’s rallying and poignantly timed note and receiving three WhatsApp messages from Mum, in pretty quick succession, asking if I had more to share about the event in town yet, my jitteriness about heading out and exploring saw me putting off driving into Wynbridge by distracting myself at home for the whole of the next day.

I had been considering the possibility of adding a couple of hens to the cottage garden and immersed myself in so-called essential online research, however, when I woke extremely early on the Wednesday morning and padded downstairs to find I was still carrying the weight of being alone, I knew enough was enough.

I would do what Callum had suggested, I would take a leap of faith, I would trust that Lizzie had kept my secret and go in search of her and Jemma’s café in town. That would be enough to begin with and who knows, perhaps some lovely things might end up happening as a result.

I took my time getting ready. I painted my toenails, picked out my prettiest patterned summer dress and sandals and tied my hair into a messy bun.

I had never quite mastered the casual, tousled style, but ultimately, I was satisfied with the way I looked, felt a modicum more confident as a result and headed off in the Land Rover that Callum and I had invested in primarily to ferry building materials about.

‘Absolutely not,’ was the first thing I heard Lizzie say when I walked through the open door of The Cherry Tree Café. ‘No, no, no, no, no.’

The artistically decorated café had been easy to find, set on one side of the busy market square, which I had taken a few minutes to properly look around. The market itself was bustling and there were a pleasing number of independent shops set around the edge.

I had known Wynbridge was a gem among small rural towns because the estate agents’ details and an online search when I was looking to move had told me, but I hadn’t before appreciated exactly how lovely it was when I had previously rushed in and out again.

It was time I stopped missing out on what the place had to offer and The Cherry Tree Café was as good a place to start my more detailed explorations as any.

I knew I had audibly gasped as I crossed the threshold, but the inside smelt so enticing and was so perfectly pretty, dressed in late summer colours, it would have been impossible not to.

The photographs online were appealing, but seeing it with my own eyes, and smelling it, too, was something else.

This place was right up my street and I felt rather frustrated not to have called in before.

‘I absolutely do not need a dog in my life,’ Lizzie was now saying firmly to the man standing in front of her and with his back to me.

‘And especially one that requires so much attention. You know I’m here and next door far more than I’m at home, so I’m surprised you’ve even asked me.

She wouldn’t get what she needs from me at all. ’

‘Nor me,’ said a younger woman, who was wearing a similar wraparound pinny to Lizzie’s. ‘I’ll be leaving the UK to live overseas soon and with so much to sort out for myself, I won’t have time to think about a pooch passport.’

I had wondered if she was Jemma, but Lizzie hadn’t mentioned her friend was leaving the country, so it was more likely that she was Joanne, her assistant.

‘And don’t even think about asking me,’ said a third woman who then appeared from what I guessed was the kitchen area, carrying a tray of drinks. ‘I’ve got more than enough on my plate with this place, a husband and two kids to corral.’

She was most likely Jemma. I moved nimbly out of her way as she stepped around the heavenly looking packed cake counter and flashed me a smile.

‘Take a seat,’ she said. ‘And I’ll be with you in a minute.’

‘Thank you,’ I said, looking around again and thinking the table by the window would give me the loveliest view of the place.

There was a painted dresser with an impressive array of hand-sewn crafts to buy opposite it and I knew I would be hard pushed to resist heading home without something pretty to add to the cottage.

‘Clemmie!’ Lizzie then burst out. ‘Well, hello you!’

My gaze swung back to her and the guy facing her turned around to look at me, too.

His eyes widened as they met mine and I felt my cheeks flush.

He was rather taller than me, not a stretch as I’m only five foot three, dark haired, blue eyed and wearing a polo shirt with something embroidered on the left-hand side.

He opened his mouth and closed it again, which drew my attention to his full lips.

He was sporting at least a few days’ stubble, which also made rather more of his expressive mouth than I would have liked.

‘This is who you want,’ said Lizzie, giving him a sharp nudge and I felt my cheeks flame further as they both continued to stare.

‘Is it?’ he croaked, then cleared his throat, his eyes still fixed on mine as he also turned red.

‘Yes.’ Lizzie nodded. ‘Try Clemmie. She could be just the person you’re looking for.’

‘You’re Clemmie?’ the woman, who had now served the drinks, asked. ‘You’re the person who has renovated Rowan Cottage?’

‘Yes,’ I tentatively said, turning to look at her. ‘Yes, I am.’

‘I’m Jemma,’ she beamed. ‘Lizzie has talked of nothing but you since you showed her around the cottage on Sunday.’

I felt my tummy twist when she said that and hoped Lizzie hadn’t said too much.

‘Has she not?’ I nervously asked.

‘She’s gone on and on,’ laughed the third woman. ‘I’m Joanne, by the way.’

‘The assistant I mentioned,’ Lizzie elaborated for my benefit. ‘Who, before long, I’m going to have to try and replace as she’s moving overseas to join her partner.’

‘Well, I’m sorry about that,’ Joanne said with a smile that I didn’t think quite reached her eyes. ‘And I hope you won’t forget me as soon as I’ve gone. I hope I’ve made as much of an impression on you as Clemmie already has.’

‘Have I made an impression?’ I swallowed, as my tummy knotted even tighter.

It suddenly felt like there were a lot more people in the café than there actually was and they all seemed to be staring at me.

‘I’ll say!’ Joanne laughed.

‘Lizzie has completely fallen in love with your place. She’s said the inside is cottagecore perfection.’ Jemma grinned. ‘And now apparently, you’re making the garden look just as lovely, too. I haven’t been that way for a while, but I’m tempted to do a drive-by.’

Given that I knew she was also an AutumnEverything fan, I hoped she wouldn’t ask to come in if she realised I was at home.

‘You live on your own, Clemmie, don’t you?’ Lizzie then asked me to clarify.

‘Er, yes.’ I swallowed, as I started to flail under the bombardment of attention, but also felt grateful that Jemma hadn’t mentioned my Insta account. ‘Yes, I do.’

‘There you are then, Ash,’ Lizzie said, giving him another poke. ‘You can ask Clemmie, can’t you? She’s probably a far more suitable candidate than any of us.’

My eyes flicked to the guy’s face again. He was still staring and looked as red as I felt. He opened his mouth a second time, but no further words came out and I self-consciously shifted from one foot to the other. So much for my low-key trip into town.

‘I’ll take the table by the window,’ I said to Jemma, then forced my legs to carry me towards it.

‘Ash is the new vet in town,’ Joanne said, immediately following me over.

‘Not that new,’ he corrected mildly.

Joanne ignored him.

‘And he’s got a homeless hound he’s trying to find a place for,’ she added.

‘Oh,’ I said, as I settled myself into the seat. ‘I see. Well, I’m not really a dog person.’

‘But this one is a very special case,’ Lizzie carried on. ‘Why don’t you tell Clemmie about her, Ash?’

‘No, it’s okay,’ he said, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘She really needs to go to someone I know.’

I wasn’t sure whether I felt offended by his refusal to share or not.

‘She’s grieving,’ Lizzie then announced loudly, which stopped me wondering but made me feel light-headed.

‘How…’ I stammered. ‘How did you—?’

‘By which she means,’ Joanne interrupted, ‘the poor little dog is actually grieving. Her owner died a few weeks ago and no one in her family is willing to take her on.’

My lungs reinflated and the world righted itself a little on its axis again. They weren’t talking about me. They were talking about the dog.

‘Oh, my goodness.’ I swallowed, thinking of the turmoil the poor thing must have been feeling. ‘That’s so sad.’

I felt my eyes fill with a rush of sympathetic tears and tried to blink them away. No one present was acquainted with my tragic history, so they might think my reaction over the top, especially as I didn’t know the dog in question.

‘She’s staying with me at the moment,’ Ash said croakily, his sad tone making me feel even more emotional. ‘I couldn’t bear to put her in kennels yet.’

‘Why can’t you just keep her full-time?’ Jemma sensibly suggested. ‘Then she won’t have to go into kennels at all. I daresay she feels safest with you now, Ash.’

‘Because she needs company,’ he insisted. ‘Proper, consistent company and someone who can give her all the attention she needs and deserves.’

‘Which is why I can’t take her,’ said Lizzie. ‘You know Ben and I are never at home and it would be far too chaotic to bring her in here and next door every day, rather than occasionally like Glynis did. Especially in the early days.’

‘You’re right,’ said Ash, running a hand through his hair. ‘And I don’t know why I asked you, really, Lizzie. She needs somewhere peaceful with someone who can spend time with her to balance out any trips to town. Poor little Pixie.’

‘Pixie,’ I echoed.

‘That’s her name,’ Ash clarified, pinning me again with his blue eyes. Eyes I didn’t want to find beguiling, but was drawn to look back at regardless. ‘And I’d better get back to her. She’s home alone at Will’s place and I don’t like to leave her for long.’

‘Still no joy finding a place of your own?’ Lizzie asked him.