“So why are
you buying us drinks again? I’m Fi, by the way. Natalie’s cousin.”
Ellie wiggled her fingers at the cute boxer puppy on Fi’s lap. “I’m Ellie, and this is my sister, Red. The drinks are because we got Natalie a bit wet the other morning. And then I nearly parked my car in her shop.” Ellie’s smile was laced with apology. “I probably owe her two drinks. Perhaps dinner.”
“You’re the ice-cream shop woman! Natalie told me all about you.” Fi leaned forward. “And if you want to take her out for dinner, I don’t think her blind date will care, seeing as she’s run off in tears about someone else.”
Red sat forward. “What was all that about? We’re obviously missing the subtext, being new in town.”
Fi waved her hand through the air as Rocky barked. “It’s a long story, but one Eugenie the landlady really didn’t think through.”
Ellie kept her eyes on Natalie through that exchange. She bit her lip, clearly embarrassed. Ellie found it endearing.
Fi turned to Ellie. “But the key question for you is: will you be stocking honeycomb ice cream? If not, I might have to stage a protest.”
“I want to please the locals, so if you want honeycomb, that’s what you’ll get. First scoop free. On the house.” Ellie’s gaze rested on Natalie for a split second, before she cast it sideways to her sister.
Red shook her head. “My sister needs to get some business acumen, and fast. She was a whizz in finance in London, but giving away ice cream from the start won’t make you money.”
Natalie glanced up. “But it’s good marketing, so maybe she’s not that daft. Get them hooked for free, then you’ll have them queueing around the block. Like all the best drug dealers.” She grinned at Ellie.
“That’s the idea. I’m hoping my ice cream will be as addictive as crack.” Ellie’s gaze collided with Natalie’s, and the pub noise dimmed for a moment. Of all the things that might happen tonight, Ellie hadn’t predicted this. But now, here they were, sharing a look. A moment. The weird thing was, it felt completely natural. Given their short, bumpy history, that was a surprise.
“Are you in ice cream, too?” Fi wagged a finger in Red’s direction. “I also have to say, your hair is amazing. Is that why you’re called Red?”
Red blushed, giving away the real reason. “It’s not.” She pointed towards her flushed cheeks. “This is the reason. My face turns red at any opportunity. I’ve learned to live with it.”
“So you thought you’d dye your hair anyway?”
“It’s the story people want, and I don’t like to let people down.” She smiled. “But when I’m not gatecrashing other people’s tables, I own an artisan chocolatier company. In fact, you might have tried some of them. Red Chocolatier? I’ve been supplying most of the fancy chocolates at The Chocolate Box ever since my sister took it over.” Red put a hand on Ellie’s arm.
Natalie frowned, then pointed at Ellie. “You own The Chocolate Box, too?”
Ellie could see this was news. “Uh-huh. I bought it, but I put in a manager to deal with the day to day. I’ve been living in Marden, taking some time for me.” She shrugged. “But when the tailor’s shop became available, I decided to turn my ice-cream dream into reality. This time, I’m getting my hands dirty.”
“Wow. And the renovations are starting soon?”
“Tomorrow,” Ellie said. “It’s really exciting, but I apologise in advance for any noise and dust. More free drinks could be in your future.” She flashed what she hoped was a conciliatory smile.
“No need. I know it has to be done.” Natalie sat back, sipping her gin. “So is this completely new territory? Never been in the service industry before?”
Ellie shook her head. “I’m a fast learner and I’ll be relying on my sister’s know-how. It’s got to be better than what I was doing. I got burned out working for a decade in the City, but now I’m ready for a new challenge.” She met Natalie’s gaze but couldn’t quite work out what she was thinking.
“This is great news,” Fi said. “Natalie was just saying she needed a new supplier for our gin chocolates, and here you are. A chocolate miracle.”
“I’ve been called far worse.” Red reached into her black handbag and handed Natalie a card, then one to Fi. “We can do bespoke, too, if you wanted to use your own gin. Just drop me an email and we can chat.”
Natalie nodded. “Thanks, I will.” She put the card in her jacket pocket.
“Although don’t say the word gin too much in front of Ellie, or she might puke.” Red grinned at her sister.
Ellie could have thumped her.
“You’re not a gin fan?” Natalie asked.
Ellie waggled her head side to side. “Not that I don’t like it, it’s just I prefer other drinks.” She kicked Red under the table.
Her sister took it without moving.
“You should try our gin, it might convert you.”
Ellie glanced up. Their gazes snagged once. Ellie’s breath caught in her throat as she stared into Natalie’s big brown eyes.
Okay, this was new.
“I’d love to.” Ellie was outright lying. She hated gin. But she didn’t hate Natalie. Could she take a little gin if it meant getting to know her neighbour better? She was about to find out.