Page 109 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

Belle laughed. ‘They’re just glad to have you here. They worry about you.’

He was perplexed. ‘Why?’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Because they care and want to see you happy.’

‘They don’t think I’m happy?’ he asked before pausing. ‘Do you?’

She put her head to one side studying him. ‘I think you are happier these days,’ she told him.

‘Do you know why?’ he asked.

‘Because you’re home in Cranbridge,’ she told him simply.

But when they were interrupted by Grandma Tilly wanting to switch the kettle on, Pete realised that being home wasn’t the whole story.

The real reason that he felt more happy and peaceful these days was because of Belle.

58

It had been a lovely Christmas, thought Belle, as she added another log to the roaring fire in the inn that evening.

She’d missed her aunt and uncle of course. They had rung her from the end of the Suez Canal and were now beginning to cross the Mediterranean. She couldn’t wait to see them in two weeks’ time.

To her surprise, it was actually quite busy in the inn with villagers who had walked from their homes. The sound of laughter and happy conversation filled the air. But they weren’t just neighbours and customers that evening. It felt like an extended family and everyone was in good spirits.

Even Ned had come in after enjoying his roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings that Brad had made for some of the villagers.

Everyone was excited about the New Year’s Eve party that they were throwing in a week’s time.

Belle glanced down at her top. She was wearing her favourite turquoise top for the occasion after a quick shower and change earlier on.

‘That’s such a lovely colour on you,’ said Cathy, suddenly appearing by her side.

‘Thank you,’ said Belle. ‘I just figured it was time to move on from the darker clothes.’

‘I agree,’ said Cathy. ‘I’m sure Pete feels the same way.’

Belle looked at her. ‘It’s not going to work out like that,’ she told Cathy. ‘Anyway, we’d be rotten together. Between my stubbornness and his ego, we’d drive each other crazy.’

Cathy shook her head. ‘I’m not so sure. I think you make a good team. He drives us crazy too, you know.’

‘That’s because he always likes to be right,’ said Belle, laughing.

Cathy smiled. ‘Todd was just the same. But with a good woman by his side, in other words me, it calmed him down. Like I said, it made us a team. As long as you’ve got love, you can make it work.’

Love? Belle gulped.

Cathy reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘He bought the inn for you. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.’

Belle was startled. He’d bought the inn for her?

Cathy studied her perplexed look. ‘He cares for you and he’s always been so protective towards you. It was the same when you first arrived. He was always dragging Josh outside so they could go and play, but Pete was the one making sure you were okay.’

Belle glanced up at the bar where Pete was laughing with Tom and Lucy. Was it true? She didn’t think Cathy would lie to her. But she still didn’t know where they would move on to from there.

‘We need some music around here,’ said Dodgy Del. ‘You need a jukebox in here.’

Pete laughed. ‘No, we really don’t,’ he said, with a grimace.