Chapter 10

The Bluebell Inn was what Josie considered a stereotypical country pub. The furniture was wooden and dated, and the decor was old-fashioned. There was nothing remarkable about it but it was pleasant enough – and conveniently situated a ten-minute walk from Oakbrook Farm. Sam introduced her to the barman, Andy, who was chatty and welcoming. There were only a few other people in the pub.

Once Andy had poured their drinks, Josie followed Sam to a small table by the window.

“So you spent your first day painting the kennels?” Sam said, sitting on a stool while Josie took the chair opposite him. “What else have you got planned?”

“I didn’t plan on painting,” she said. “I only went out to take some photos for the website. I thought the photos would look better if I spruced the place up a bit.”

“Don’t tell me you managed to do the painting and set up a website all in one day?”

“No.” She smiled. “The website is on my list for tomorrow. Along with setting up social media accounts.”

“Lots of change at Oakbrook then. Annette won’t know what’s hit her.”

“I spent a long time yesterday evening trying to explain social media to her and why we need a website. She thinks it’s unnecessary. How can you run a business without a website?”

“You don’t need to convince me,” Sam said. “Max and I had this conversation with her and Wendy so many times. The trouble is, they did run a very successful business without any technology, so it’s hard to argue.”

“Well I’m giving the place a shake-up anyway.”

He smiled kindly and took a swig of his beer. “Annette said you’re going to stay here during the week and go back to your boyfriend on the weekends?”

“That’s the plan,” Josie said. “I hope it works out okay. It’s about a four-hour drive back to Oxford so it’s not really ideal.”

“That’ll be tough on your relationship.” He shifted his gaze to the door as it opened and nodded at the older guy who walked in.

“Jack and I will be fine. We always are.”

Sam bit his lower lip and his eyebrows twitched at odd angles. Clearly he was dying to say something.

“What?” Josie asked.

“Nothing.” He paused. “Long-distance relationships are difficult, that’s all.”

“What are you, an expert on the subject?”

“Yes, actually.” His grin was teasing. “And I happen to know that only one percent of long-distance relationships work out.”

“Where did you get one percent from?”

“I made it up. But I guess it’s fairly accurate.”

“What makes you think Jack and I wouldn’t be in the one percent?”

He chuckled. “Is that a serious question?”

The smile fell from Josie’s face. The conversation, which had seemed casual, suddenly made her uncomfortable.

“Oh, come on,” he said. “You kissed me a week ago.”

She glared at him. “I’d drunk a lot of champagne. And I was upset about Jack.”

“Okay,” he said without inflection.

Josie reached for her glass and hastily swigged her drink. She needed to escape. “You don’t know anything about Jack and me, and I really don’t want to discuss it with you.” For a moment she stared at her half-empty glass. “I think I’m just going to head back. I had a long day and I could do with an early night.”

He stood when she did and caught hold of her arm. “I’m sorry.” He paused, then sighed. “You’re right; I have no right to comment on your relationship.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She shrugged his hand away. “I just feel like an early night.”

“Stay and finish your drink at least.” He looked at her in earnest and it set her insides fluttering again. “We’re probably going to be seeing a lot of each other, and I don’t want it to be weird. Are we allowed to be friends? Even though you’ve got a boyfriend?”

She should probably have said no, they couldn’t be friends. Not because she had a boyfriend, but because of the effect Sam had on her. When she was with him, she forgot all about Jack and tended to think mainly about the night she kissed him on the beach. It was completely inappropriate. She should definitely stay away from him.

“I guess we can be friends,” she agreed. “And I’ll stay and finish my drink if you promise not to comment on things you have no idea about.”

“I promise,” he said. “Although it’s going to seriously limit the conversation!”

She relaxed again, smiling at his joke. They stuck to more neutral topics while they finished their drinks. Sam told her a little more about his job and filled her in on what there was to do in the area – not very much, apparently.

When they stepped outside, dusk was setting in and the air had turned cool. Josie pulled her jumper on and they walked slowly through the village. A couple of cars drove past but otherwise there wasn’t much sign of life. There was a little shop beside the pub, and Josie peered at the opening times: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Not exactly extensive opening hours.

As they walked quietly across the small village green, Josie took in the neat rows of houses bordering it. There were probably twenty at most, though there were more on the streets that branched away from the village.

They moved away from the houses. Their side of the road was bordered by a privet hedge while woodland stretched out on the other side of the road. Lonely birdsong floated from somewhere nearby.

“Not quite what you’re used to?” Sam seemed to read her mind.

“Not at all,” she said happily. “But I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”