Red was frowning
as Ellie walked in to the coffee shop just off the square. It was the only place in the village that did decent coffee—at least, it would be until she opened. The builders had started work today, so her place was a building site.
Red looked up and gave Ellie a grin. “People say the countryside is a fearsome place. I think they’re talking about wildlife.” Red held her phone in the air. “But for me it’s the lack of a strong signal. You’re getting good wi-fi in your shop, right?”
Ellie laughed. “Of course. It’s what tourists want, and I’m all about the tourists.”
“Glad I taught you something.”
You’d never tell from looking at Red that she was the owner of a national brand, one that was stocked in John Lewis and Selfridges, as well as selling a ton in independent stores around the country. But that was part of her appeal. Red wasn’t what you expected. Today, she was dressed in sparkly silver boots, leg-hugging jeans and a sweatshirt with a rainbow ice cream on it. Ellie had already told her she had to donate her top when she opened The Ultimate Scoop.
“You ready?”
Red nodded, pocketing her phone. “I am. Let’s go to the pub and see what the fuss is about. If you’ve been told The Golden Fleece is where it’s at, I want to know why.”
Ellie had just come back from floor-tile shopping, so a glass of something cold and white appealed. Was there anything as soul-destroying as tile shopping on a damp Wednesday afternoon? She didn’t think so.
“So, have you done a business plan for The Ultimate Scoop?” Red fell into step beside her as they walked the south side of the square. A red Astra drove past, but other than that, the square was deserted. “The Chocolate Box is booming, especially with Easter this week. Ice cream is a different proposition, though. It’s all very well when it’s hot and people are strolling around the countryside, but what about when it’s cold and wet? What are your plans for winter-time? How are you going to make money then?” She waved a hand around the empty square. “Today, for instance. Will people want to eat ice cream when it’s 12 degrees outside?”
Ellie shrugged. “I eat ice cream all year round. Plus, don’t people turn to ice cream in times of trouble? Break-ups, life meltdowns, that sort of thing?”
“So you’re going to put a curse on the village and hope that everyone buys more ice cream? I’m not sure that’s going to make you popular.”
“If I had that much power, I’d use it for far more interesting ventures.” Ellie gave Red a wicked grin. “But I’ll be offering coffee and snacks, too. It’s not just about ice cream, even though that will be the destination item. I’ve got a great local supplier, but I plan to come up with my own flavours, too.” She looked her in the eye. “Tell me an ice-cream flavour you’ve always wanted.”
“Salt and vinegar.”
Ellie gave her a look. “A serious flavour.”
“Pulled pork? Bacon and egg?” Red smirked, before holding up her hands. “Okay, okay. How about Piña Colada? Perhaps you could also have a flavour called Walks In The Rain and Making Love At Midnight for the full set.”
Ellie sucked on the inside of her cheek. That wasn’t bad. “I think there’s something in that, you know.” She wagged a finger at Red. “Maybe I could have flavours to suit moods.”
Her sister frowned. “That might be a bit confusing for your customers. I’d stick to mint choc chip and salted caramel if I was you. Creating a depression ice cream, or a Mondayitis ice cream might be a step too far for Upper Chewford. It might even be a step too far for London.”
Ellie made a note in her phone anyway. “I was wondering whether or not to ask the town for their favourite flavours, to endear myself to them. Maybe starting with Natalie Hill.”
“The girl next door you tried to drown?” Red laughed, as Ellie knew she would. “If anything is going to melt the ice between you two, it’s ice cream, naturally.”
“It’s what most women rate higher than sex.”
“Including you?”
“It’s easier to get hold of in my experience. Plus, it gives you a high and it’s available in a variety of flavours, not just vanilla…”
Red gave her a look. “So is sex if you look hard enough.” She tilted her head. “Maybe if you make whatshername an ice-cream flavour, she’ll give you some gin.”
They walked past a boutique with styles from the 90s. Ellie wasn’t sure if it was a retro shop or not. You never could tell in the country. “You know my thoughts on gin. I still haven’t got over drinking far too much when I was 16 and vomiting all over the kitchen.”
“You need to. Gin’s big business and nothing will get her onside quicker than you buying her gin.”
“Maybe I can buy a bottle and give it to you.”
“I’d support that totally.”
Ellie scrunched her mouth to one side. Her sister had a point. She should buy some gin to win Natalie over. “I’ll do that tomorrow.” She led Red down the road off the square, until they came to the River Ale, just as they had done every day for the past five. It was already starting to look familiar from their daily walks to the shop. The jump from then to now was significant, and she was only going to get more embedded when she moved in properly. She couldn’t wait.
“Shit a brick, what’s going on tonight? Are they giving away gin?”
Ellie tilted her head at the steady flow of people walking across the tiny footbridges and towards the pub. It did seem inordinately busy for a Wednesday. “I guess we’ll soon find out.”