Amber bit her lip and glanced out at the river once more. It was already lapping against the riverbank.
‘We certainly don’t need any more rain,’ said Josh.
‘The whole area is open water at the moment,’ said Tom, as he headed out of the shop. ‘Hope you guys have some sandbags.’
As Tom walked away, Josh heard him whistling ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head’.
‘Do we?’ asked Amber, turning to look at him. ‘Have any sandbags, I mean?’
Josh shook his head. ‘Everything but, unfortunately. But we’ll be OK. The shop is raised up, remember. We’re a foot and a half above the lane.’
‘How bad would it have to be?’ she asked.
Her brown eyes were filled with worry and he was grateful that she cared so much about the shop. Probably even more than he did, he knew. Although, in truth, he had begun to feel more invested in the shop since the renovations had begun. More so than he had felt in a long time. Since his dad had passed away, in fact.
Josh looked outside once more. ‘If it gets as high as the bridge over to the pub, then we’ll be in trouble.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, it’s the same level as the shop,’ he told her. ‘So if the bridge disappears then it’s likely that the shop will flood.’
Amber looked horrified.
‘But that would mean it has to become extraordinarily high,’ he carried on, trying to reassure her. ‘The river’s got to come up over the bank and then up the steps and across the veranda to get to the front door.’
Amber nodded. ‘OK.’
‘Unfortunately, a lot of homes aren’t as elevated as us,’ he added. It was a grim thought.
‘Will Grandma Tilly be OK?’ she asked.
He nodded, somewhat relieved. ‘Those new bungalows were built on a slight incline. She should be fine.’
‘But don’t you think she’d better move in here for the next few nights, just in case?’ said Amber.
Josh nodded. ‘Absolutely.’
‘Everyone’s worried,’ she told him. ‘You can sense the fear of everyone who’s come in this morning.’
They had had more customers than usual. People who were nervous about driving any great distance in the flooded back lanes would rather come into the shop for their milk and bread. Thankfully he’d picked up more stock than usual, just in case.
The new customers had looked a bit startled at the tractor, but once they had got past the farm machinery in the middle of the shop, they had taken their time to browse for a few different goods. There had been a bit of a run on batteries and wellington boots.
‘I had no idea it was this pretty in here,’ said one woman.
‘We’ve just renovated,’ Amber had told her. ‘I’m so glad you like it.’
‘I shall come back in here when I’ve got more time,’ the customer had replied.
It was working, Josh had thought. The shop was more attractive and starting to appeal to customers. It was still missing its identity, something that he couldn’t place his finger on. But for now, he was just grateful for anyone coming through the front door.
As another gust of wind rattled the veranda outside, he said, ‘Let’s just hope they’re wrong about this Storm Amber.’
‘It’s not my fault, you know,’ she told him with a soft smile.
He smiled back at her; their eyes locked together for a moment. ‘I know.’
As wrong as I was about the other Amber, thought Josh as he watched her walk away. He had got used to having her around. Her cheerful smile at the customers. Her companionship. It was nice to have a friend around. He also felt distinctly protective of her. Maybe that’s because he knew how little confidence she had in herself. How shy she could be.
He had a sudden flashback to drunken Amber looking up at him in the dark, asking him for a kiss. Thankfully another gust of wind brought him back to his senses as he began to imagine just what would have happened if he had said yes.
31
By the following afternoon, the river was beginning to rise and had almost reached halfway up the grassy riverbank that was on either side. The water had turned a murky brown, full of silt and leaves that were being swept downstream.
And still the rain kept falling.
Amber was spending most of her time in the shop looking nervously out of the window. The rain was becoming heavier with each passing hour, but the actual eye of the storm, bringing high winds and torrential rain, was due to happen around midnight.
It was terribly dark, she thought, grateful for the new overhead lights and the cheery warmth of the wood-burning stove.
Josh had dug out as many batteries, torches and candles as he could find and placed them on the counter next to the till so they were within easy reach. He had also brought in enough logs to keep the stove burning. The air outside was cold and damp, but at least it kept the place cosy inside.
Grandma Tilly was sitting next to the fireplace, keeping warm. She had moved into the flat for the night whilst the worst of the storm swept through. Amber thought she was quite enjoying all the excitement and didn’t seem remotely concerned about the flooding or high winds.
‘We’ve survived worse,’ she kept saying to them.
Tom rushed in to ask Amber to top up his travel mug with more coffee. ‘I’m heading out with Kate to see the state of the roads and grab some photos before the light disappears,’ he said. ‘Good job she’s got an off-roader. Apparently it’s starting to get pretty bad out there.’
Outside, the trees were beginning to sway alarmingly in the strong gusts and leaves were being blown all around.
‘I’ll take a couple of packets of biscuits as well,’ said Tom, reaching out to grab some chocolate digestives.
‘Your diet is terrible,’ said Josh.
‘If you had fresh fruit, well, I’d probably not buy it anyway.’ He grinned. ‘But seeing as there’s no choice, I’ll have my chocolate biccies. Thankfully man needs sugar not healthy stuff. Right, see you later.’
‘Take care out there,’ said Amber.
‘Cheers,’ said Tom, grabbing his coffee and heading out.
Josh was staring at his retreating figure with a questioning look on his face.
‘What is it?’ asked Amber.
‘He has a point. We’ve not got any fresh fruit or vegetables in here,’ said Josh, glancing around the space.
‘Is there a market for it?’ she wondered out loud.
‘I have no idea,’ he said.
‘I’d love some nice apples,’ said Grandma Tilly.
Josh nodded thoughtfully.
But they couldn’t continue their conversation as the bell rang out once more as Dodgy Del came into the shop.
‘Turned out nice again,’ said Del, warming his hands as he stood in front of the fire next to Grandma Tilly’s chair.
‘You can say that again,’ said Josh, who had been restocking the milk in the fridge. ‘How are the roads?’
‘Almost impassable on the A231 to Aldwych,’ said Del. ‘I had trouble getting the coach around the floods. I reckon it’ll be closed by the morning.’
‘How do you get to Aldwych if you don’t go via the main roads?’ asked Amber.
Del shook his head. ‘You don’t, unless you want to negotiate the single country lanes. But the chances are that they’ll be under water as well as most of them run near the river.’ He looked at the batteries on the counter. ‘Think I might grab one of those torches as well, Josh. If we lose power, I won’t be able to find my pint later.’
‘Will the pub stay open?’ asked Amber.
Del laughed. ‘Are you joking? What will Tom and I do if the place shuts? Nah, I reckon it’ll be OK.’
But Del was the only customer who seemed remotely relaxed about the potential flooding. A few more customers than normal had come into the shop, frowning and filling up their baskets.
‘The queues into town are terrible,’ said one lady, holding on to her milk, bread and beans.
‘Thankfully I just needed a few bits. I’m so glad you’re open.’
Grandma Tilly smiled and said, ‘That’s what we’re here for.’
The customer nodded. ‘Absolutely. I forgot you were here until I saw your new window display. My little one loves seeing the pumpkins. These biscuits will keep us going as well. OK, well, fingers crossed for a dry night for us all.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Josh, smiling at her as he held the door open.
‘Good luck,’ called out Amber.
But after the customer had left, Josh’s smile immediately dropped. ‘The river’s almost at the top now,’ he told her.
Amber rushed to his side and looked out. It was true. The river was now touching almost the top of the riverbank.
‘And it isn’t dark yet,’ she told him with a worried look. ‘What shall we do?’
‘I think we stay open as late as we can,’ he said. ‘Keep the fire burning. Keep warm and dry. Lights on, so people know we’re here. Just in case anyone needs anything. Not that we have any boats or anything.’
‘I agree,’ said Amber. ‘Let’s just hope we have a quiet night.’
‘I’ll make some more tea whilst we wait,’ said Grandma Tilly.
The winds continued to strengthen as the evening drew in. The wooden veranda moaned and creaked as it swayed from side to side.
Amber brought in the two glass hurricane lamps and other decorative items that she had left outside. She figured they’d be safe inside.
After one particularly strong gust of wind caused one of the benches to move, they also brought both benches inside in case they went through the window or hurt someone. Placing them at the back corner of the shop, it made one side of the shop with the tractor almost impassable.
‘But at least we’ve got somewhere to sit,’ said Josh, sitting down gratefully. He looked tired. ‘This blanket was a good idea.’
‘Made with love, as well,’ said Grandma Tilly with a wink.
Amber had brought down some more cushions and blankets from upstairs, thinking that if they were going to be open late at least they’d be comfortable.
There were a few more customers, but nobody was in the mood to stay for too long and chat. They all came in and moaned about the weather. But everyone looked frightened and worried, stressing about whether the river would burst its banks and flood their homes.
‘I feel so helpless,’ said Amber, as yet another customer rushed out with milk and bread. ‘What can we do?’
Josh shrugged his shoulders. ‘Exactly what we are doing. Staying open. Being a safe haven.’
Amber nodded. Despite feeling powerless to help, she did at least feel that there was a sense of community that she hadn’t felt before in Cranbridge.
Another rattle from the porch made her glance outside once more. But it was dark now and the only way they could gauge the river level was to head out with the torch every half hour.
And still the rain kept coming.
The newspaper office was still open next door, even though they were more vulnerable than the shop as they were at a slightly lower level, nearer to the ground.
‘We’ve got some sandbags though,’ Molly told them when she came in later. She stood and warmed her hands by the fire, which was still going strong thanks to Amber’s efforts of putting a log on every half hour. ‘Don’t ask where they got them from.’
Tom came in. ‘I’m starving,’ he said. ‘Have you got anything to eat?’
‘Not going to the pub?’ asked Josh.
‘No time,’ said Tom. ‘The phone lines are red hot.’
‘We could always warm something up in our microwave or oven upstairs,’ said Amber.
Tom browsed the shelves. ‘Not exactly spoilt for choice, are we?’
He had a point, thought Amber. There were some tins of soup and beans but nothing really in the way of a proper meal. At least they still had a few packets of eggs and bread.
‘Why don’t I bring the microwave downstairs?’ said Josh. ‘At least we can warm up some beans or soup.’
‘I’d rather have a chicken korma and all the trimmings, but fair enough, thanks,’ said Tom with a sigh.
‘Shall I make some for everyone?’ asked Amber.
Grandma Tilly nodded enthusiastically. ‘I can butter some bread.’
‘That would be great,’ said Tom. ‘Most of the team are still out and about. Kate’s apparently getting in everyone’s way and trying to interview people.’
‘I haven’t met her yet,’ said Amber.
‘She’s always out,’ said Tom, rolling his eyes. ‘I’ve told her that now’s not the time to bother people, but she’s that ambitious.’
‘Everyone who came in has been very worried,’ Amber told him.
Tom sighed. ‘Nothing we can do but hope for the best.’
Amber knew that it must be serious if Tom wasn’t joking any more.
Soon she was handing out beans on toast to Tom.
‘Haven’t pulled an all-nighter for many a year,’ he told them, sitting down on one of the benches. ‘Think it might be the time for one though.’
‘Us too,’ Josh told him. ‘We thought we’d better stay open in case anybody needs anything.’
‘You don’t have any boats back there, do you?’ asked Tom, pointing with his fork to the back room. ‘You seem to have everything else.’
Josh frowned. ‘Do you know what? I’ve got a feeling I saw one somewhere.’
‘Well, I think you’d better dig it out sharpish,’ said Tom.
Josh frowned. ‘I don’t think it’ll come to that.’
‘Nor do I, mate, but we should probably be prepared,’ said Tom between mouthfuls.
After everyone else had left, Amber helped Grandma Tilly upstairs.
‘We’ll keep the shop open as late as we can,’ Amber told her. ‘You get some rest.’
‘Will do,’ said Grandma Tilly, switching on the television once they were upstairs. ‘To be honest, I sleep that heavily that I’ll probably miss most of the excitement unfortunately.’
‘Lucky you,’ said Amber.
She was just hoping for absolutely no excitement at all and that the storm would miss Cranbridge completely.
32
After a bit of a rush early in the evening, the shop began to quieten down. In fact, it was too quiet. Without any customers, all that was left was the sound of the storm outside. Every time there was a huge gust of wind, Amber jumped nervously.
‘We need a distraction,’ said Josh. ‘Sitting here fretting isn’t helping.’
‘What about some music?’ Amber suggested. ‘I know I’ve seen a radio somewhere. I’ll go and find it. It’ll give me something to do.’
After a few moments, she came back in holding what Josh knew to be his dad’s old radio. Amber fiddled with the dial until she found a mellow pop music station and left it playing.
Josh stood in shock. How long had it been since there had been music in the shop?
Too long, he knew.
His dad had often sat on the veranda and played his guitar in the afternoons, especially on a hot summer’s day. Josh had missed that so much that he ached at the thought of it. How different the whole shop was to when his dad had been there, buying and hoarding who knows what, but it didn’t matter. His mother smiled and laughed. His dad sang and hummed wherever he went. There had always been music and laughter in the shop. Now the music had returned and he felt choked with the memories.
‘Are you OK?’ Amber had come to sit next to him and he hadn’t even realised until she spoke.
‘The music,’ he managed to mumble.
Thankfully, she understood. ‘Your dad,’ she said softly, placing a hand on his arm.
He nodded.
‘He was so full of life,’ said Amber. ‘That much I remember. He used to sneak me a biscuit when I was hiding in a corner. Try and tempt me out of my shell.’
Josh turned to look at her. ‘Why are you so shy?’ he asked.
She shrugged
her shoulders. ‘I don’t know. We moved around a lot when I was younger because of my dad’s job. It’s hard to keep making friends in new places.’ She hesitated. ‘Girls can be pretty mean when you’re growing up,’ she told him, staring into the distance in a dream. ‘If you’re not trendy enough and all that, well, you get picked on.’
He realised now just how badly she had been bullied.
‘Well, you showed them,’ he told her. ‘London and New York designing amazing windows. You’ve had the glamorous life I bet they would love.’
‘It was never like that,’ said Amber, letting go of his arm to clasp her hands together as she stared down at them. ‘I walked for hours on my own in my free time. I went to all these amazing museums and theatres all alone. I don't know if you have seen the movie Lost in Translation, but I felt like one of the characters, just terribly alone in a big city.’
The thought of someone as gentle and kind as Amber being all alone made him feel terribly sad and protective of her.
‘You could have maybe joined in with a few things,’ said Josh gently.
But Amber shook her head. ‘You know me. I can’t do that. I’m not brave enough.’
‘You’ve joined in here,’ he reminded her, giving her shoulder a nudge with his own.
She smiled up at him. ‘I had no choice here. I’m stuck in the shop with the customers!’
‘Perhaps it’s been good for you,’ he told her.
She nodded thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps it has.’ She stood up suddenly. ‘I think I’ll put an extra sweatshirt on. It’s getting cold. And I’ll check on Grandma Tilly as well.’
‘I can stay down here by myself if you want to rest,’ he told her.
Amber shook her head. ‘I won’t sleep with this storm going on. Besides, it’s not fair to leave you by yourself.’
As she headed upstairs, Josh received a call from his mum.
‘Is everything OK?’ she asked, sounding concerned. ‘Apparently you’ve got a big storm coming your way.’
‘We’re fine,’ Josh told her, before reassuring her that Grandma Tilly was safe upstairs in the flat and that the river wasn’t that bad yet.
He hung up, promising to keep her updated.
The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts Page 19