m him before reaching the sign for the town and slowing back down again as she passed it. Completely pointless, but satisfying to say the least, riled by the way this man made her feel. Throwing dag

on’t need you b

g half empty car park. Within minutes Rose found a space easily and expertly deposited

ffic and felt peaceful, despite the people milling around. Wandering about, she soon managed to navigate her surroundings, quaint little shops ranging from the norma

retty it up and lots of potted trees and quaint old-fashioned street lamps. It was more beautiful than

o find, that although it wasn’t exactly the small town of her childhood memories, it was enough unchanged that she got a familiar tug of emotion deep in the pit of her stomach; ju

kery to rest her weary feet. It wasn’t sign posted and there were no obvious roofs rising above the rest to indicate where the church would be. She had put

sily and although Muffin wasn’t much of a guard dog, he did have this incredibly scary toothy face he pulled when he was frightened and tried his

l, it was so heavenly and had memories flooding back and filling her up with so much warmth, chasing away the last ounces of anger. S

g and oblivious to her entrance. There was a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, despite being a comple

reminiscent of school dinner ladies smiled at Rose as

d in a polite, yet very heavily accented brogue that sug

.’ Rose smiled back and pulled her purse from her shoulder bag,

her heel and moved off to arrange Rose’s order on a tray, allow

the huge display case, showcasing elaborately decorated cakes for seasons and celebrations. It didn’t have small town oozing from it and it saddened Rose a little. Th

n woman called Bella. A large round warm lady who had enveloped little Rose in cuddles and always satisfied her sweet tooth with a cream cake when they had come. Rose guessed this is what success looked like when a

ed another bright smile. This time Rose smiled back and returned her gaze to the counter as her hot chocolate and strawberry tart was placed on the tray in front of her. Rose took the little round wooden tray with its paper lace

her tray on the table oppos

r about it. She had long black hair, the colour of raven feathers, pale flawless skin with peachy blushed cheeks and dazzling green eyes that sparkled out at you mischievously

by, Abigail but everyone called her Abby. That s

ain road as you enter the village.’ She smiled back at the pret

many new comers.’ Abby beamed her way, lifting her mug and sipping down som

on the table in front of her, and a plate with a half-eaten chocolate doughnut and now empty coffee mug. She was waiting for her brother, collecting her after four and loved to spend her f

edibly easy to talk to, sweet and genuine. That despite looking very young, she was very mature and well spoken, her acc

paint! Both obsessed with the Sunflower painting by Van Gogh and both didn’t like abstract art in the slightest

t for maintenance. Of course, because I would be completely incapable of doing such things; being a woman!’ She j

r brothers being that way so many years before. It had been a long time

t name ring

ss and well, he’s in his seventies now, so it made sense.’ She looked far away for a moment, then returned to reality, returned from a moment of sadness that Rose knew only too well; missing a loved one was something you never got over. ‘Dad married a younger woman you see.’ She winked che

and the other emigrated to Australia to become a marine biologist. My parents live in Edinburgh, so I’m here all on my lonesome.’ Rose couldn