‘Your turn.’
‘I didn’t realise we were swapping divorce stories.’
He made a face. ‘You don’t have to tell me, if you don’t want to.’
‘My ex is an arse. And before you ask why I married an arse, he wasn’t one when we tied the knot. He became an arse later, after we’d had the kids.’
‘Oh, right.’ Her reply was cryptic and Mark wondered what the man had done. ‘He still sees the kids, though?’
‘He does, when it suits him. But he’s still an arse.’
‘Okay, I get it – he’s an arse.’
‘A lot of men are.’ She looked him in the eye as she said it.
Although hoping she wasn’t including him in that, he thought it prudent to change the subject. ‘How long have you worked at Lilac Tree Farm?’
‘Just over a week.’
‘What made you decide to take ajobon a farm?’
‘Because Christmas is coming and my children want the earth – like every other kid on the planet.’
‘I didn’t mean that; I meant that I didn’t think you were the mucking-out-the-cows type’
‘Ah, okay.’ She looked embarrassed, like she’d given too much away. ‘I’m not. I only work in the shop. No cows. Or any other animal for that matter. Although the goats are rather sweet and the bunnies are very cute, the nearest I get to an animal, is selling their milk, or when Peg pays me a visit.’
‘Peg?’
‘Walter’s dog. He persuaded her to sit outside the Grinch’s cave, wearing antlers. It’s costing him an arm and a leg in bones to keep her quiet.’
‘Not his own, I hope?’ Mark quipped and got a glare of disapproval for his efforts.
‘I wish children were more like dogs,’ she said. ‘Happy with the simple things. You don’t see them queuing up to see a Doggy Santa Claus and asking for diamante collars or gold-plated tennis balls. All they want is someone to love them, a comfy place to sleep, and a regular supply of dog biscuits.’
Mark grinned. ‘But if there was a SantaPaws– see what I did? – pooches would still ask for things like squirrels to chase or squeaky toys.’
Sighing, she said, ‘I suppose you’re right. Whatever we’ve got, we always want more, even when we’ve got more than enough for our needs.’ She blinked. ‘Crumbs, that was a bit deep.’ She finished her hot chocolate and licked her lips. ‘I’d better go,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘Thanks for the drink and the chat. It was nice catching up.’
‘It was. I’m glad you’re doing okay, Bea.’
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ she shot back.
‘You know, divorce… two kids…’
Her face cleared. ‘Yeah. You, too. I’m sure something will come to you soon.’
It already had. ‘We should do this again,’ he said.
‘Next time you’re in Picklewick,’ she agreed.
‘I mean, before then. Next week, maybe?’
‘I thought you were leaving soon?’ She seemed put out.
‘I was thinking about it, but I’ve changed my mind. We could have dinner in The Black Horse. I’m fed up with eating on my own.’
‘You forget I have children.’
