Page 97 of The Village of Lost and Found

Tom nodded. ‘Absolutely. I also think we need to raise some extra funds to get going. Setting up will cost us a fair bit, so perhaps we need some kind of fundraising event? I’m not sure what kind of thing we could do.’

‘Well, that’s simple,’ said Uncle Frank beaming. ‘What about the summer fete? The stallholders could each give a small percentage of their profits toThe Cranbridge Times.’

Lucy looked at him in amazement. ‘I thought we didn’t have the summer fete any more?’

His smile became a little teary. ‘Not since we lost your Aunt Jane,’ he said. ‘But I still have her notebook that she used to arrange it each year. I’m sure you’ll find it very useful.’

‘Me?’ Lucy was stunned.

‘I think she’d like that,’ said Uncle Frank. ‘And so would I.’

As his voice broke on the last few words, Lucy leapt up and rushed around the table to give him a hug. The tears ran down both their cheeks whilst they embraced.

Luckily they were able to laugh again a few moments later when they realised that Keith had seized the opportunity to steal the biscuits from the plate and was happily munching them underneath the kitchen table.

52

‘Come on,’ Tom said to Lucy after they had said goodnight to Frank. ‘I’ll see you home.’

Tom’s mind was still racing as they walked away from the bungalow, but it was all positive. They were going to have to diversifyThe Cranbridge Times, but it might just turn out for the best. Hopefully it would mean something that could benefit the whole village.

‘You know, I’ve got Keith to defend me these days,’ she told him, as the shaggy dog brushed past them out into the open.

‘Actually I was more worried about me,’ said Tom. ‘Just in case that Bridget’s hiding behind a corner somewhere. She was pretty scary.’

Lucy giggled. ‘I hate bullies,’ she said, as they walked towards the river. ‘Glad her and Gary have gone, to be honest.’

‘He was pretty awful,’ said Tom. ‘Talking of boyfriends, have you heard from Henry?’

Lucy shook her head. ‘No.’

Perhaps he was embarrassed over his treatment of the dog who appeared to be far happier with Lucy, thought Tom. Keith bounced ahead of them in the semi-darkness, leaping into the shallow water of the river to have a drink and chase a couple of leaves that had fallen in.

‘Don’t think you’re going anywhere near my bed if you’re wet and stinky,’ called out Lucy, but her tone was soft and she laughed as she spoke.

She turned to find Tom smiling at her.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘Nothing,’ he told her. ‘I just like looking at you.’

It was the truth. Even in the fading light of dusk, she was beautiful.

‘That’s because it’s almost dark,’ she said, with a wink.

He looked at her for a moment longer before asking, ‘Do you want another drink?’ He suddenly wanted to prolong their evening.

She shook her head. ‘Actually I’m hungry more than anything.’

‘Do you want to grab a bite to eat?’ asked Tom.

She nodded. ‘But I could do with some decent food, not that awful Black Swan rubbish,’ she said with a grimace. ‘Hey, I know, have you seen the new pizzas that the shop’s selling? All handmade and they’re yummy. Not too good for my waistline, but I’m past caring tonight.’

As she walked alongside him, Tom glanced at her slim waist highlighted in her purple halter-neck top before looking away again.

‘Shall I go buy some?’ he asked as they reached the shop.

Lucy shook her head. ‘No need. We’ve got a couple upstairs. Molly’s gone over to her mum’s, so it’ll be just us. If you don’t mind sharing with Keith, of course.’