A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 9

9

The Three Feathers was abuzz with chatter, laughter and the satisfying sound of clinking glasses. The aromas of home-cooked Sunday meals wafted in the air; steak and ale pies, chicken cobbler and roasts of all descriptions including tender Scotch beef with crispy roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, creamy cauliflower cheese and humongous Yorkshire puddings, stirring Sophie’s appetite. Usually, after the Sunday craft fairs, she and Tom would linger at the pub after the other traders had gone home to their families, and they would inevitably end up ordering some delicious pub grub, enjoying the time spent together. They’d made no firm arrangements for tonight and she didn’t like to make any assumptions. Now, as she waited at the bar to be served, she looked across at him, sitting at their usual long table in the snug, deep in conversation with Mike, one of the traders from the stables.

‘Sophie, how are you? What can I get you?’

Rhi appeared with a friendly smile on her face, and Sophie’s mood lifted. She was always pleased to see Rhi, who worked part-time behind the bar, alongside running her own business, and had made a point of befriending Sophie when she first moved into the village and started visiting the pub. They quickly discovered that they had mutual friends in Abbey and Pia, so they were soon running into each other at local events and became part of the same social circle.

‘I’m good, thank you! I’ll have a lime and soda, please. We’ve been up at Primrose Stables today.’

‘Oh, that’s right, you had the workshops on, didn’t you? I would have come along, but I’ve been working here all day. How did it go?’

‘Really well. We had a good turnout and my session went better than I could have expected after I got over my nerves. I sold a few pieces too.’

‘Ooh, I bet you were fab. Let me know when the next session is on and I’ll make sure to come along.’

‘Thanks, Rhi. I will do.’

There were no further plans for any other workshops yet and Sophie had to wonder if the idea would fall by the wayside if Tom wouldn’t be around to arrange them.

‘How’s life with you then?’ she asked Rhi.

‘Busy! I’ve picked up a couple of additional customers this week, working on some marketing and social media campaigns, so I’ve been putting in some late nights. Most of it has come through word of mouth so I must be doing something right.’

‘That sounds great. You’ll be able to give up the evening job soon then.’ Sophie whispered the words behind her hands in case of listening ears.

‘You know, I probably could, but I’d never want to stop working here. I did that once before when we moved away for a few months and I missed it too much. It gives me some sanity coming here, especially when I spend so much time sitting at my computer, working from home. It gives me the social outlet that I need. It means I get the best of both worlds.’

‘I get that completely. It’s a similar situation with me and my job. The nine-to-five in an office pays the bills, but I’m glad to have my jewellery-making sideline because that’s what I enjoy. I look forward to getting home from work and disappearing into the studio. The hours fly by and I get completely lost in whatever I’m working on. Everyone should have something of their own, something that makes their heart happy.’

Rhi laughed.

‘Ah, well, that would probably be Luke for me! Although we’re a bit like ships passing in the night right now. He’s really busy too. He’s recently been promoted, so he’s doing a lot of extra travelling around the country, but at least it makes Friday night pretty special when we get to see each other again.’

Sophie had met Luke a couple of times and was struck by what a great couple they made. With his shock of blond hair, piercing blue eyes and easy, affable manner, contrasting with Rhi’s dark curls and sparky personality, they made such a striking pair. It was clear to see from the way they constantly interrupted each other, teasing and joking, their eyes sparkling with affection, that they were totally besotted with one another.

‘And I’m guessing it’s a certain Moody brother who makes your heart swell,’ teased Rhi, who flashed a glance over in Tom’s direction.

‘Hmmm,’ sighed Sophie, nodding, a knowing smile spreading across her lips. Sometimes she wished Tom didn’t have such an effect on her. She hated the way her body and mind reacted instinctively to his presence, the thought of him and how she couldn’t rationalise her feelings. She’d been determined to hold a part of herself back so that she could remain in control of her emotions, but she realised it was already too late for that. Somehow, at some point, she’d fallen for him, without even intending to. Just then, Tom, probably aware of two sets of eyes observing him, looked over, his gaze lighting up when he saw Sophie. He lifted his eyebrows and gestured to the empty space next to him.

‘I should probably go and join them. See you later, Rhi.’

All the traders were on a high, revelling in the success of the day, sharing their experiences of their own workshops and the feedback they’d received. Their animated chatter greeted Sophie and the general consensus was that it had been a successful day with everyone agreeing that they would be keen to do it again.

‘So, when’s the next one?’ Cecily, whose unit always smelled sublime from the colourful soaps and bath bombs that she made, piped up.

‘Let me look at the calendar and I’ll have a chat with Pia, see what we can get organised. I’m sure we can get something lined up for early next season.’

Sophie nodded as Tom glanced in her direction, knowing that it would be someone else supervising the day then. From a purely personal point of view, it wouldn’t be the same for Sophie without Tom being there, even if the popularity of the craft days, and now the workshops too, might continue to grow with someone new at the helm.

It was only later when the other traders had left for home and the pair of them had decided to stay for something to eat that Sophie felt that she was able to speak honestly.

‘So, you didn’t mention to the others you were leaving then?’

‘No.’ Tom looked up from his plate of roast chicken with all the trimmings. ‘It didn’t seem the right time. I didn’t want my news to overshadow the success of the day. There’s no hurry, I can let them know next time.’

Sophie wondered if Tom was holding back in case he had a change of mind over his decision, but perhaps that was wishful thinking on her part.

‘Well, they’re not going to like it when they do find out. I nearly did a Pia and let it slip when I was chatting to Katy. I promise now though that my lips are sealed, although I must admit I’ve never been very good at keeping secrets.’ She injected a touch of humour to her words, but Tom grimaced.

‘To be honest, I’m not expecting it to be received with a fanfare if Jackson’s reaction was anything to go by.’ He quirked an eyebrow and she dropped her gaze, pushing her food around her plate.

‘Oh, did he not take it well then?’

‘You know Jackson, he’s not great at hiding his feelings.’ Tom gave a tight smile. ‘Was it too much to expect that he might be pleased for me?’ He shrugged. ‘I didn’t think so, but clearly he’s more concerned with what’s good for him and the hall, and not necessarily for me.’

‘I’m sorry he made you feel that way.’ Sophie felt a pang of guilt and placed a hand over his on the table. She hadn’t been overjoyed to hear Tom’s news either, but she hoped she’d managed to cover it up well. At least better than Jackson had.

‘As Pia says, Jackson will get over it,’ Sophie tried to reassure Tom. ‘Perhaps he was just disappointed that you’re moving on. The pair of you make a great team working together.’

Tom laid down his knife and fork and pushed his plate away.

‘We do, but you have to remember there’s a huge disparity in our circumstances. Jackson has the whopping big house in the country, a thriving business, a classic car collection to rival some museums, and a wedding to look forward to. While I have…’ Tom twisted his mouth in thought. ‘A poky one-bedroomed flat and a handful of casual jobs? Not that I’m bitter,’ he said, his eyes lifting skywards. ‘It’s just seeing everything Jackson’s achieved has made me realise I want some of that! Obviously, not on the same scale, I mean, I’m not completely delusional. I’m not expecting to bag a stately home of my own, but a house, a decent job, a future with someone I love, it’s not too much to ask, is it?’ His gaze briefly flittered over Sophie’s face before his attention drifted around the pub. Sophie understood where he was coming from. Tom didn’t resent Jackson his success, but it was natural that he would look to his brother and compare his own situation. He was only human, after all.

‘Well, I’m pleased for you if that makes you feel any better?’

Tom fixed his gaze on hers, the intensity of his dark brown eyes making her toes curl.

‘Are you… really? I got the impression you may have thought it was a bad idea too when I first told you, or perhaps I was just being over-sensitive?’

She swallowed down a sigh. So she had done a rotten job at hiding her true emotions, and now she chided herself for putting her own feelings before Tom’s. It had been a knee-jerk reaction to some news she hadn’t been expecting.

‘I’m sorry, Tom. I was being selfish. Thinking what it would mean for me and not you. Going to the stables is the highlight of my fortnight and you’re a big part of that. I’ll miss seeing you there.’

‘Really? If you’re trying to make me feel better, it’s working.’

‘Honestly, I do understand why you’ve made this decision, and the job sounds like a brilliant opportunity. I am really pleased for you, I promise.’

‘Okay,’ he said, with that lazy smile of his that shone a light in his eyes. ‘I’ll forgive you, but just this once, you understand?’

Sophie was mightily relieved. Tom would never know just how much his support and encouragement had helped her on those Sundays. If she had to do it without him, then she would, but she knew it wouldn’t be the same without him there, that was for sure.