Page 110 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘Good afternoon,’ he said, the bell to the front door ringing out as he stepped inside.

Amber was nearby restocking a shelf. ‘Hi,’ she murmured, not even bothering to look up at him. She certainly seemed a little downcast.

‘Cheer up,’ he told her. ‘We’re still fighting the good fight regarding the quarry.’

But Amber didn’t return his smile and walked away from him to restock a shelf on the other side of the shop.

That was odd, thought Tom. Amber was certainly shy, but they had always had a little chat each and every day.

The bell rang out as Belle stepped into the shop behind him.

‘Good afternoon,’ he said, trying his smile on her instead.

But she merely glared at him and snapped, ‘Can’t see anything good about it,’ before walking over to talk quietly to Amber.

Tom picked up a loaf of bread and headed over to the till, where Josh was standing.

‘Think I may have chosen the wrong aftershave today,’ he said to his friend.

But even Josh wasn’t meeting his eyes, he realised.

‘OK. What’s going on?’ asked Tom. ‘Why am I suddenly Billy No-Mates?’

Josh sighed heavily. ‘Look, we’re happy for you. We really are. I mean, it’s great that you’re back together with your ex-wife and all that, but…’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’ said Tom, shocked.

Josh looked over as Belle and Amber headed outside, leaving just him and Tom in the shop. ‘You were seen, mate,’ said Josh in a low tone. ‘With Andrea.’

‘Yeah, she turned up last night at the worst possible time,’ said Tom. ‘I was about to declare my undying love to Lucy and there’s my nightmare ex-wife suddenly becoming a gooseberry at the love-in. Not exactly great timing.’

‘Your undying love?’ Josh looked startled.

‘I thought you understood how I feel about Lucy?’ said Tom.

‘I do.’ Josh frowned. ‘Or I thought I did before you started kissing your ex-wife.’

Tom was shocked. ‘No. She kissed me. Briefly, thankfully.’ His mind clicked into gear. ‘Oh God, who saw us?’

‘Lucy.’

Tom shook his head. ‘No, no, no!’ he said, with a groan. ‘That was not what she thought it was! I got rid of Andrea. For good, this time. I swear.’

Josh’s eyebrows rose up by several inches. ‘Then you’re telling the wrong person,’ he said. ‘Lucy’s really upset.’

Tom looked over to where Amber and Belle were still glaring at him from the veranda outside. ‘So that’s why the welcome was so chilly just now,’ he said, suddenly understanding. ‘Right. I’d better go and find Lucy.’

‘Good luck,’ said Josh, as Tom walked out of the shop.

Seeing him heading outside, Belle grabbed Amber’s arm to drag her away. As Tom opened up the door, he heard Belle say, ‘One shove and he could go straight in the river, that’s all I’m saying.’

‘I’ve had a shower already, thanks Belle,’ said Tom, walking up to them.

‘Funny, but I still smell a rat,’ she said, scowling at him.

Tom shook his head. ‘You’ve got it all wrong. Andrea and I are over. Caput.’

Belle snorted a laugh. ‘You just tripped over and fell onto her lips, did you?’