Page 10 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

Pete’s eyes drifted to a nearby bookcase where there was a photograph of his dad on the veranda of the shop, playing his guitar as he did so often on a Sunday afternoon.

Todd had never wanted to be a shopkeeper. A lead guitarist for a few rock bands, his musical antics were still all over YouTube. He had been a huge magnetic force of personality, instantly drawing people to his side as soon as he entered a place. But the rock and roll lifestyle had taken its toll and once Pete’s grandfather had passed away, his dad had persuaded the family to move to Cranbridge for a much-needed quieter life.

Pete’s breathing caught at the memory that he had tried to bury deep inside of him. His dad was famous for being a rock guitarist, but Pete’s sweetest memories were of the simple, acoustic guitar that his dad had preferred in later years. Of his soft voice as he crooned along to various songs whilst out on the veranda with an adoring Pete sat at his feet watching him. In later years, Pete had played alongside him.

Unlike Josh, Pete had inherited his dad’s musical skills and so their mum had insisted that the guitar be handed down to Pete after their father had passed away. He may have inherited the guitar, but Pete had been unable to even look at it since the day their mum had handed it to him and so it stayed hidden away out of sight in its case.

‘We could always have a singalong with the guitar later,’ said Cathy, breaking into his reverie.

Pete tried not to blanch in reaction so that his mother would notice.

‘With my brother’s singing? That’s enough to put me right off my food,’ said Josh with a grin.

Pete put down his knife and fork with a clatter on his empty plate. ‘Well, dinner was great, thanks,’ he said, pushing his chair away from the table and getting up. ‘I’ll start on the washing-up.’

‘We have a dishwasher now,’ said Josh, looking up at him.

But if Pete didn’t do something soon to keep busy he was going to explode. The talk of happy marriages was making him feel ill.

He started to load the dishwasher until Grandma Tilly came to stand next to him.

‘If you carry on like that, there’ll be no crockery left to eat on in the future,’ she said, taking a plate out of his hands and placing it more gently into the rack.

After they had finished, Cathy picked up her jacket and umbrella. ‘Well, I’m a bit weary having had that early start at the farmer’s market. I shall take Grandma Tilly home and then head off myself.’

‘Do you want us to walk with you?’ asked Amber.

Cathy smiled and shook her head as she gave Amber’s arm a squeeze. ‘We’ll be fine, thanks, dear.’

‘Yes, it won’t be like at Easter when I had a funny turn,’ said Grandma Tilly. ‘That was down to the roast lamb, I’m sure.’

‘That was down to the amount of sherry you consumed,’ drawled Josh with a grin.

They all joined in the soft laughter in memory whilst Pete stood and watched them, feeling totally adrift. All the memories he had missed by being away. It was almost as if he didn’t know his own family any more. Perhaps it would be good to catch up with them all over the next week and become closer to them again.

Once they had said their goodnights, Josh and Amber collapsed onto the sofa.

‘Netflix?’ said Amber, looking up at Pete, who was still standing in the middle of the room. ‘What’s your favourite show?’

‘You know what?’ said Pete. ‘I think I’ll head out for a bit of fresh air.’

Josh’s eyebrows rose up. ‘And go where?’

Pete shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Just out for a bit. I fancy a walk to clear my head after all that airplane air.’

‘Okay,’ said Josh, putting his arm around Amber and drawing her closer to him. ‘We probably won’t wait up.’

But Amber was looking up at Pete. ‘Do you want some company?’ she asked, giving Josh a nudge with her elbow.

‘No, I’m good, thanks,’ said Pete.

‘Excellent answer,’ murmured Josh, leaning in to give Amber a soft kiss on her neck, who gave a soft squeak in reply in embarrassment.

Pete headed into his tiny old bedroom and picked up his coat, determined not to be a gooseberry for a moment longer as he headed out into the night air.

5

Belle was standing behind the bar polishing a glass that didn’t need polishing. There really wasn’t much more to do. Her aunt and uncle had gone upstairs to watch some police drama on the television, but it wasn’t as if there was going to be a rush to the bar any moment.