‘This?’ Thora held up a teddy bear that was probably once white but now looked rather grey. It had a red coat on and one eye. It also looked rather squashed, as if someone had hugged it tightly many times.
‘Yes! She’ll be delighted you found it.’
‘Actually, my chihuahua, Barry, found it and would’ve been happy to take it home. He loves a cuddly toy.’ She laughed. ‘You were helping the little girl look?’
He nodded.
‘Then you take it to her.’ Thora held the teddy out.
‘No. You and Barry found it, so you should take it to her.’
He was warring with the urge to stay and talk to her and the concern for the little girl, who would get more anxious with every minute that passed.
‘I think she’ll appreciate it more if it comes from you.’ Thora smiled.
‘Are you sure?’ he asked.
‘Yes, please. Go make child happy!’ Thora handed him the teddy bear.
‘Thank you so much.’ He started to walk away, then paused. ‘Uh … Perhaps then I could buy you a drink?’
Her smile lit up her face, and his chest tightened. She had the power to make him feel things he hadn’t felt in years. ‘I’d like that. I seldom meet a local hero.’
Lucas laughed as he walked away, his cheeks warm. Thora was teasing him, and he couldn’t deny that he liked it.
The little girl looked around nervously. He approached, pausing briefly. He realised she didn’t want her grandpa to see she’d lost her teddy bear. Holding it up, he shushed her with a finger to his lips then he hid the teddy behind his back and joined the queue at the sweet stall. Leaning past the person in front, he slipped the teddy to the girl, and she hugged it tight, grinning up at him.
He waved at her, winked, then turned and left the queue. Thankfully, that was one disaster averted, so now he would take his father something to eat and then, hopefully, have the chance to buy Thora a drink.
13
THORA
Thora watched Lucas as he sneaked the teddy to the little girl. He was so kind and thoughtful, and it made her feel giddy. Like a teenager. It was so strange seeing Lucas again in the village and as a man and no longer the boy she’d loved.
She wandered back to her family and found Rosie and Reggie grinning at her.
‘Who’s that then, Mum?’ Rosie asked.
‘Who?’ She looked behind her to buy herself a moment.
‘That tall, handsome stranger.’ Rosie cocked an eyebrow.
‘Oh that … That’s Lucas.’
Rosie frowned at her brother. ‘Do we know a Lucas?’
Reggie shrugged. ‘Don’t think we do.’
They both turned their attention to Thora, and she looked at her parents for support. They were feigning interest in a shop window, so she looked back at her children.
‘Lucas is an old friend.’
‘Likely story.’ Rosie giggled. ‘An old friend who makes you blush and smile like you’ve just won the lottery.’
‘I did not!’ Thora shook her head, wondering if she did, in fact, smile like that when she saw Lucas.
‘Do too!’ Reggie nodded. ‘That man makes you blush, like Rosie does when she sees her boyfriend.’
