Wills headed for the cotton display and perused the reels. ‘So how are things with you and your gentleman friend?’
Unfortunately, Joyce wasn’t the only one to enjoy a bit of hearsay. Aware that most Settledowners, including Wills, had an inquisitive streak, I knew better than to fall for his casual enquiry. ‘Fine, thank you.’
Also like the others, he wasn’t one to give up. ‘It’s just that we haven’t seen him around much lately.’
Bywe,we both knew he meant the whole town.
Settledown was a great place to live. Big enough to provide residents with all the necessary amenities, such as a bank, a grocery store, and a doctor’s surgery. Yet small enough to maintain a village-like way of life with a real sense of community. But while it was comforting for everyone to know everyone from a safety point of view, that came at a cost. Usually in the form of gossip.
‘It’s a busy time of year for him,’ I said, regurgitating Gideon’s claims. ‘What with tax deadlines, year-end reports, and new accountancy stuff to get his head around.’
Wills made his cotton choice and, fixing a smile on his face, brought it to the counter. ‘That sounds…’ He contemplated a moment. ‘I want to say interesting, but I’d be lying.’
I chuckled. Having listened to Gideon wax lyrical about assets, balance sheets and accruals, I couldn’t disagree.
‘It wouldn’t do for us all to be the same though, would it?’ Wills said. ‘Some people love playing with figures, equations and wotnots. Then there are those like you and me, who enjoy working with our hands.’
Again, I wasn’t about to argue. For me, anything mathematical was done purely out of necessity.
‘It makes me wonder what you and your young man find to talk about, being such opposites.’
Wills launched into a speech about creativity versus logic and as my confusion over Gideon’s relationship status with Julia again reared its head, my brain stopped listening. A stab of jealousy pierced my chest as not only was she gorgeous enough to lead even the most loyal of men astray, she had to love number crunching as much as Gideon did. Why else would she be an accountant?
I pictured the two of them sharing a sandwich and some numerical joke that only fellow accountants could understand and while Julia threw her head back in laughter, my boyfriend admired her beauty. I felt a sudden urge to go and catch the two of them out. ‘If you must know, we have a lunch date.’
‘Sorry?’ Wills looked at me confused.
I blushed. He had clearly moved the conversation on. ‘Me and Gideon,’ I replied trying to sound casual. ‘I’m meeting him at his office. Of course, by the time I get there it’ll be a late lunch but…’
‘You’re closing the shop?’ Wills appeared surprised. ‘For a whole afternoon.’
Despite not having said that, I let his exaggeration pass.
‘Then again why not?’ Wills continued. ‘When you’re young and in love throw caution to the wind, that’s what I say.’
I wished my reasons were as simple as that.
‘I told Martin he was wrong. That the two of you hadn’t broken up.’
Ringing his items up on the till, I jerked my head. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Now I know what you’re thinking. That Martin and I have been tittle-tattling. Well rest assured, nothing could be further from the truth.’
I scoffed, aware that what Wills should have said wasnothing could be nearer to the truth.
‘We’re just concerned friends. Looking out for a fellow Settledowner.’ He turned his attention to the crochet project I’d been working on. ‘This is beautiful. You have such talent, Hattie.’
His quick change of subject didn’t go unnoticed. Nor did the fact that he was loitering despite my claim I was about to go out.
He ran his fingers over the single and double crochet design, while I checked my watch. ‘It’s so delicate and intricate. Maybe I should join your club? Learn how to do this myself.’
‘I’d be more than happy to teach you,’ I replied, while he, at last, fiddled in his pocket for some cash.
‘Hattie, we all know that gathering of yours has more to do with bottles of vino than skill sharing. It’s not a crochet club; it’s a wine club. Probably mulled this time of year.’ He chuckled at his own joke. ‘Anyway, Joyce and Erin wouldn’t know one of these…’ He picked up my crochet needle. ‘If it poked them in the eyes. What’s it going to be anyway? Another fabulous top? Oh, I know, a party dress?’
‘A baby blanket. For Ruby Wentworth’s little one when the time comes.’
‘Oh, that poor girl.’ Wills’s face crumpled. ‘I still can’t believe that cad would desert her like that.’
