𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙽𝙳 || Original Story

twenty-nine | noticed

I don't think that he thought I noticed.

But I did.

I saw Edgar's intrigued and captivated gaze and how he would smile that bit brighter each time I laughed. He was a good listener and joined in the conversation whenever he could and whenever he wanted.

We returned to Maplebrook late in the afternoon, high-spirited and exhausted from the bike ride. Admittedly, I was rather upset when I had to say goodbye to Edgar since we'd spent every single moment in the past few hours together. I'd thoroughly enjoyed it and felt as though I'd got to know him a lot better.

I couldn't wait to take him to the village fête; I knew that he'd have a good time even if his anxiety was evident. I could also sense that something about Edgar was different in comparison to when I first met him, when he would hardly make eye contact let alone reply with anything more than a nod or a shake of his head. He was brighter, happier, and didn't look as pale as he used to be.

And that made me happy, too.

He seemed to forget about what had happened before he came to Maplebrook that had caused him to move. The memories were no doubt still there, but like I told Edgar, I was dead set on helping him to make good memories in his new home and the village fête was bound to be one of the highlights.

I was at the shop the day after my outing with Edgar since everyone was outside enjoying the nice weather and saying how beautiful the flowers looked in the sunshine, which seemed to tempt people in to buy bouquets. I was disappointed to be missing out on the excitement, but I wasn't one to complain when I was making good business and seeing the smiles on my customers' faces.

I had a visit from Douglas during lunch when things were quieter. I was so glad to see him and gave him a big hug before he had chance to ask how my day was going.

"It's nice to see you, too, Kate," he said with a laugh, taken aback by my actions, but hugging me in return.

"Sorry," I said, eventually pulling away and giving him space to breathe again. "I just feel like I haven't seen you properly in so long."

Douglas grinned. "Well, lucky for you I've got the afternoon off and I bloody need it. Mrs Mayall has had me working nonstop to make this the best village fête yet."

"She's says that every year and every year you seem to be working harder."

"Yes, well..."

"You deserve a break, Douglas. You work harder than anyone I've ever met... I tell you what, once I've finished work we can go for a coffee at Maisie's and have a proper catch up before Mrs Mayall has you slaving away again."

He laughed and nodded. "I'd love that. I said I'd visit Jade for a bit, but I'll come back when you close and then we can go for a coffee. Okay?"

Jade was the eldest of Douglas's sisters, who was only two years younger than him, and she was expecting her second baby in a few weeks' time. Her husband was currently working away in America and in the meantime, Douglas was helping to look after her and her infant daughter when their parents couldn't.