It wasn’t a big glamorous department store in London or New York but in a way, Amber was glad. Cranbridge Stores was so much more special and here she was appreciated and valued.
Of course, her plans for the shop weren’t finished yet. Her trusty drawing pad was always under the counter and full of brand-new designs that she found herself sketching out throughout the day. She was bursting with so many ideas for the coming months and years and couldn’t wait to see them come to fruition.
Josh too had fresh ideas for keeping the business more sustainable. They were trying to avoid all plastic packaging where they could and were pleased that the milk that they were now buying from local farms was being delivered in glass bottles. They still had some way to go but he was very pleased with the feedback they were receiving from all their customers.
Even the Christmas trees that they were selling at the front of the store were potted with roots, ready for replanting. Christmas had almost arrived and Amber couldn’t wait to celebrate it with Josh and their families. Cathy and her parents had rented a house in the village temporarily until they decided on their next big adventure. Josh and Amber had invited Cathy to stay in the flat with them but Cathy was keen to give them both their own space. In addition, Cathy seemed keen to start her next journey in life and Amber’s parents were more than happy to help, having missed their friend so much in recent times. So it seemed to be the perfect solution for them all.
As she straightened up the boxes of shortbread on the windowsill, Amber heard Josh murmur behind her, ‘Finally, we’re alone.’
She felt his lips on her neck and leaned back, thinking of nothing else but the joy of being in his arms.
But almost instantly the shop bell rang as someone came through the front door and they sprang apart.
Amber turned to smile at the woman who had just come in. ‘Good morning,’ she said.
‘Good morning,’ replied the customer, who turned away to browse the shelves.
Amber spun around and found Josh still standing next to her.
‘One of these days, I’m going to take that bell and throw it in the river,’ he told her, under his breath so that only she could hear his words.
‘You wouldn’t dare,’ she whispered, laughing softly.
Then he bent his head quickly once more. A kiss so light and swift brushed her lips before he walked away.
Amber smiled to herself. She was confident in her feelings as well as her own skills these days. And she was happy. Beyond happy. She had a man who she loved and who she looked forward to building a future with in Cranbridge. Storms would always come and go, but together she and Josh could face anything whilst waiting for the sun to come out again. And it always did.