the left. She could just about make out the top of the log cabin from here, but there was no sign of light. Daniel must’ve gone back to his own house – at least, she hoped he had and that he was staying out of trouble after the confrontation at the pub. And more than that, she hoped the brothers would sort their differences out. Looking to the top of her Christmas tree, she thought of her cousin Joanna and the silly fight they’d had over some boy the week before she died. They’d both been keen on him, they’d argued over who’d seen him first – a stupid, petty bickering they’d never sorted out. Lucy would forever be sorry they hadn’t got over themselves and realised how crazy they’d been to let it come between them. Life really was too short to fight with someone so special in your life. She knew that only too well.
Chapter Five
Daniel had left the flyers in a huge pile at the waffle shack after collecting them before he’d braved the pub last night. The last thing he’d wanted was for Harvey to see him for the first time in years delivering them through people’s doors. That would really upset his brother. And although not convinced the pub had been the best place to turn up, Daniel had realised on his way there last night that there wasn’t a single place better than any other.
This morning began bright and sunny and, with the encounter out of the way, it was time to get advertising his business. He delivered the flyers to as many houses in the Cove as he could, starting with the area past the riding stables and around his rented cottage. He delivered more and more leaflets to surrounding properties and he’d already decided to avoid Tumbleweed House at all costs. It wasn’t necessary to rub salt into the wound now, was it? Harvey would need some time to come to terms with his return if the reception he’d got last night was anything to go by. Still, it had been good to talk to Barney, catch up with Melissa and, best of all, meet up with Lucy before he and his brother had finally seen one another, taken their differences outside The Copper Plough and hurled abuse into the night. Their slanging match had culminated in Harvey storming back into the pub and Daniel stalking off home to his cottage, where he’d slumped on the sofa still in his coat and wondered whether they would ever be brothers in arms. He supposed they had been a long time ago, when Donnie had them running scared as young lads, but that camaraderie hadn’t lasted when Harvey found an escape route and then, years later, Daniel found his own when he left the village.
Daniel moved from the surrounding houses in the village back to The Street and made a stop at the ice-creamery for his pre-arranged tasting session, which went well. The owner didn’t know him, which helped, and he told her he’d have a think about the flavours and quantities he’d need and get back to her as soon as he could. Pumped full of ice-cream, he continued to post flyers through the doors of businesses along The Street, including the tea rooms, the bakery and the convenience store. He’d saved the last few for the other side of the road, put one under the door to the chapel – he wasn’t sure whether that was frowned upon or not – and then delivered one to Lucy’s workshop.
He had to knock a few times on the closed door before she came, the last knock more of a thump.
She had her headgear on again, the khaki dungarees and a T-shirt, and she’d flipped her visor up. With a smile she asked, ‘Have you been standing there a long time?’
‘Not too long and sorry about banging the hell out of your door, you wouldn’t have heard me otherwise.’
‘You should’ve rung the bell,’ she said.
‘I did but figured it wasn’t working.’
She put an arm out of the door and reached around, pressing the bell a few times. ‘Not again.’ She pulled off her headgear and this time her blonde hair stayed in its low ponytail. ‘I’ve bought another one, I just need time to replace it.’
‘Do you know if it’s the button or the bell?’
Her look suggested she had no clue. ‘No idea, I just bought a new one.’
‘And, don’t tell me, you’ve been too