Page 38 of Escape for Christmas
It wasn’t too painful to be cheery in response, as Hazel was a naturally sunny soul who had always been very helpful to Sophie. ‘They do,’ Sophie replied. ‘I get lots of compliments for the breakfasts, and that’s down to the ingredients. The guests love to know everything’s local.’
Hazel glowed with pride. ‘We do try to obtain everything in the Lakes and, as you know, the meat’s from our own farm.’
She scanned the bar code on the bag of kibble. ‘Not the cat food, though. That’s from God knows where – unless you want to give your two fresh chicken?’
Sophie snorted. ‘They wish!’
Hazel’s bell tinkled as she laughed. ‘Not even on Christmas Day? I bet they get some turkey leftovers as a treat.’
‘We’re not having turkey,’ Sophie said as lightly as she could, having rehearsed her response a dozen times already.
Hazel’s eyebrows twitched as she scanned the tins of cat food. ‘Oh? It’s duck then? Or goose. We stock both in the shop.’
‘Er. No …’
Hazel paused. ‘Oh, Isee. You’ve got veggies for Christmas!’ She grinned. ‘So many people are now. We keep some lovely cranberry-and-mushroom bakes in the deli section. We even have a vegan nut-roulade. You have to cater for all tastes now. Still, it’s a lot of work, having to cook two meals. My son-in-law’s a vegan and his wife’s a pescatarian. Lucky I run a farm shop, eh? Although they get what’s left in the shop on Christmas Eve!’
‘We’re having a paella,’ Sophie told her, sensing ears pricking up behind her.
‘Paella. That’s novel. Are your guests Spanish?’
‘No, just having something different.’ With her cheeriest grin, Sophie held out her card to pay the bill. ‘But I ordered everything I needed in advance. It’s in the box,’ she said.
‘Ah.’ Hazel pushed the terminal closer. ‘Actually I think I remember the team making up your order. Prawns and chorizo and rice … Did we have everything you need? Because we won’t be open until New Year’s Eve now. We’re all having a nice rest!’
‘I don’t blame you,’ said Sophie.
‘Happy Christmas, and good luck with your paella!’ Hazel trilled, her elf hat jingling madly.
Sophie pushed her trolley out of the shop, certain that she would be the topic of conversation within the queue for at least the next few minutes. She loaded up the car as quickly as she could, keen to get back to the guest house and start making the pavlova and tapas. She also wanted to catch Vee before she left for Christmas.
Her heart sank when she saw Brody jump out of his Defender and aim straight for her.
Turning her back, she opened the passenger door of her truck.
‘Do you need a hand?’ he asked.
‘No, thanks.’ She lifted the box into the passenger footwell.
‘Sophie …’
‘There’s nothing to talk about.’
He put the jute bag containing her other purchases on the car seat. ‘You’re angry and upset. I can understand that.’
Sophie was stung into responding, against her better judgement. ‘You couldn’t even tell the assistant you were spending Christmas with Tegan. It’s strange that you have a fiancée you never mention.’
‘Because not many people know we’re engaged.’
‘Apart from everyone at the party.’
‘They know she’s my girlfriend, not about—’
‘The wedding?’ Sophie shot back.
‘We haven’t arranged a wedding yet,’ Brody said wearily.
Sophie scoffed. ‘I don’t expect there will be one at all, if she finds out you’re interested in other women.’
