Page 16 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘We’re just transitioning from spring decorations to the summer ones,’ said the woman, holding out the fake cherry blossom which she had just taken down from the shelving.

Nearby, Lucy noticed a large pile of fake sunflowers on strings of fairy lights, presumably about to be hung up.

‘Anyway, I’d better introduce myself,’ carried on the woman. ‘I’m Amber, co-owner of this tractor and the rest of the place! You must be Lucy.’

Lucy sighed. Amber had probably seen Lucy’s photo all over social media. ‘Am I that easy to recognise these days?’ she asked.

Amber smiled. ‘Your uncle showed me your photograph this morning to keep an eye out for you. Anyway, I saw you dashing into the newspaper office so it didn’t take too much detective work! Now, what can I get you?’

Lucy looked around and was both amazed and relieved to see a large coffee machine behind the counter. ‘Do you have any coffee? I’m desperate.’

Amber laughed. ‘Of course! I’m not sure your editor would last without it! Tom comes in at least three times a day. And Molly too.’

‘Molly’s off work today,’ said Lucy. ‘She’s got a migraine.’

‘Oh no!’ said Amber. ‘Another one? I’ll check in on her later. We’re good friends.’

Lucy followed her over to the till counter and watched as Amber began to fiddle with the coffee machine.

‘What about something to eat to go with that coffee?’ asked Amber. She gestured at a nearby basket of what looked like freshly made pastries. ‘They’ve just arrived and I promise that they’ll be gone in a couple of hours.’

The sweet smell of the flaky pastry was filling Lucy’s senses and making her reel. ‘OK,’ she said, finally relenting. ‘You’ve won me over.’

‘Apple or apricot?’ asked Amber.

‘One of each please,’ said Lucy. ‘I’m starving.’

‘Good choice,’ Amber told her. ‘And the apple one is on the house as it’s your first one. I promise it won’t be your last.’

‘How do you expect us to make any profit if you give away all our produce?’ asked a man, heading into the shop from out of the back.

‘This is Lucy,’ Amber told him. ‘She’s going to be helping Tom out. You remember? Frank’s niece.’

The man visibly brightened and headed over to shake hands. ‘Oh yeah! Good to meet you.’

Once more Lucy braced herself for some kind of sarcastic remark about her affair, but it never came.

‘I’m Josh,’ he carried on. ‘Co-owner and future bankruptcy court attendant if Amber keeps giving away all our food.’

She laughed. ‘Ha! You’d have closed down years ago if it wasn’t for me.’

‘True.’ He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and Lucy guessed that they weren’t just fellow shop owners. They certainly made for an attractive-looking couple.

‘I’m off to pick up some more produce,’ said Josh. ‘See you for lunch.’

Lucy caught Amber’s soft blush as she stared after Josh with a look of love in her eyes.

‘Sorry,’ said Amber, looking sheepish as she turned to fiddle with the coffee. ‘You know what it’s like in this heady first year of love.’

Lucy blushed. ‘Not sure I do, actually.’

Amber spun around looking mortified. ‘Of course! Sorry! I didn’t think.’

‘It’s fine,’ said Lucy, quickly. Everyone knew about her so-called affair with Jamie Watkins. ‘It’s just all so embarrassing. I’m sure Uncle Frank is mortified.’

‘He’s probably just worried about you,’ said Amber. ‘And I’m sure he’ll love having you in the village for a while.’

Lucy nodded. ‘It’s been too long since I’ve been here.’