Page 103 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

‘I kissed him,’ Belle told them. ‘After his dad’s funeral. I don’t know why.’

‘Yes, you do,’ murmured Lucy.

‘Okay, maybe I do,’ said Belle, dragging a hand through her hair. ‘It was Pete. It’s always been Pete, I think. But I blew it by kissing him and he walked away. He doesn’t think of me that way.’

‘And so he’s never kissed you again?’ asked Amber.

Belle blushed.

‘So maybe he does feel that way about you,’ said Lucy.

Belle shook her head. ‘He’s backed off again. And this time I think it’s for good.’

Molly reached out to squeeze her hand and Belle was grateful for the warmth of her touch.

‘You’re always telling me that there’s plenty more fish in the sea,’ she said gently.

At which point Belle burst into tears. ‘But there’s not,’ she wailed. ‘Not for me anyway.’

Her friends all leapt forward with hugs and arms around her as if a group hug could heal her heart from breaking. And, in a small way, it helped.

‘So he’s the one,’ said Amber, nodding. ‘You love him.’

‘Yes, I love him!’ said Belle in between sobs. ‘And it’s completely ridiculous! Can’t you slap me out of it or something?’

‘I’d love to, but I don’t think that will help,’ said Lucy, with a soft smile.

‘And what’s wrong with you falling in love with him anyway?’ asked Molly.

‘Because he’s not planning on staying here,’ said Belle. ‘And he won’t even look at me. Not like that, anyway. I’m just a barmaid to him.’ She looked up at them and wiped away the tears from her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry. This is supposed to be a happy party, not a pity party. Quick, somebody help me pull a cracker or something.’

The girls were kind enough that they changed the subject and they did at least manage a few laughs as the evening wore on. And Belle was grateful for their hugs as they all said their goodbyes.

Once back out in the cold night air, she could feel how much she had had to drink, but still, it had been nice to open up to her friends finally.

Were they right about her and Pete? Was there hope?

She looked up into the clear night sky and found the North Star to wish upon. She knew it was a fantasy that could never come true, but even someone as cynical as Belle was allowed a Christmas wish, she hoped.

55

Pete stood behind the bar, pulling a pint of beer feeling every inch the inn landlord.

Surprisingly, he found that it was a nice feeling.

The inn was busy that evening with customers, full of laughter and festive cheer. Everyone seemed to appreciate the new armchairs but that it still felt cosy and warm with the fireplaces all lit.

In addition, the restaurant was almost full once more. Cassie and Rachel were doing a great job handling all the customers by themselves so that Pete could remain behind the bar. In the kitchen, Brad and Aaron were doing an amazing job and it was wonderful to watch Brad grow in confidence with each passing day.

Pete was proud of what they had accomplished in the face of disaster. Bookings were full for every night until Christmas and even between then and new year as well. He was determined to give the staff Christmas day off though to spend time with their families. However, he and Belle would open the inn in the evening in case anyone in the village needed some company.

He had popped back to check on Ned each day until the snow had begun to melt and had enjoyed their chats. Ned had returned for his weekly pint on a Monday night looking a lot more cheerful than Pete could remember.

‘Evening all,’ said Dodgy Del, coming to stand in front of the bar.

Tom and Josh both greeted him as he slid onto a bar stool next to them. They had been there all evening whilst the girls had got together.

‘About the Christmas tree you sold us,’ began Pete.