Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern by Helen Rolfe

Author:Helen Rolfe [Rolfe, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

15

Eddie looked at the decoration Zara from the ice-creamery had brought in for the tree. ‘I think that might be a bit too city-like for the folks in Heritage Cove.’

‘Cheeky,’ she admonished, with a bit of a flirty smile, Quinn noticed.

There was a definite undercurrent. Could Zara have a bit of a crush on Eddie? And vice versa? Eddie didn’t seem to be batting away the attention. He was hooked on what she was saying, grinning at her as though his only job today was to trim a tree, never mind seeing to his pub.

Quinn closed the back doors to the pub, having opened them to air the place. The winter draught was powerful enough that the fresh air had swept into every single corner within minutes.

‘I’m only teasing,’ Eddie told Zara.

‘Good. And just because we love the Cove, it doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate reminders of the big smoke once in a while.’

Eddie put a hand out to gesture for her to go over to the tree first to hang the nice festive red Beefeater decoration. ‘Pick a place to hang it if you can still find one.’

With opening time fast approaching, Quinn saw to the fire, stacking the logs, breaking up the firelighters, adding kindling. He could hear Zara and Eddie talking weird and wacky ice-cream flavours and he didn’t mind his brother’s temporary distraction – he’d be the same if Celeste was here, preferring to give her his attention rather than anything else.

‘May I get you a drink, Zara?’ Eddie offered as Quinn put a match to the firelighters.

‘Can’t stop, got to get back to the shop.’

‘Does business tail off in the winter months?’ Quinn asked her as he waited for the flames to take hold.

‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you, but I was just telling your brother that it’s as busy as ever. It seems if you have a hankering for ice-cream, a little bit of cold won’t scare you away. You should stop by… both of you. Try some of the Christmas flavours.’

‘I will as soon as I get a chance,’ said Eddie.

Quinn almost started laughing but managed to turn his attention back to the fireplace while his brother walked their visitor down the corridor and out of the pub. The flames licked the kindling and the logs, gradually taking hold. The feature added a real ambience to the pub but he wasn’t sure he’d be too sorry when it was summer and he didn’t have to clean the grate again for a while.

When Eddie returned, Quinn couldn’t help the smile creeping onto his face.

‘What’s that look for?’

‘Oh, you know,’ Quinn laughed. ‘You’re keen on her; I can spot it a mile off.’

Eddie didn’t deny it. ‘None of your business.’

‘Definitely not.’ He slapped his brother on the back as he passed. ‘But for what it’s worth, she seems a good sort.’ He wanted to add that she was way better than his cheating ex-wife, but nobody needed reminding about her, least of all Eddie. ‘Ask her out.

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