Sweetly Isolated (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 1)

Going Down

"I hope you don't think I was presumptuous to send you the basket."

The mycologist gave her a warm smile. They were walking on two sides of the street. It was a bit more than two meters between them, but the pavements were too narrow. Tina gave him a quick smile back, mostly preoccupied with not slipping on the wet cobblestone. She'd been uncharacteristically clumsy the past few days, she needed to be careful. Not thinking about all the falls and bruises you've sustained around the... other man, Tina!

"No, no, of course not. That was a lovely gesture!" she reassured. "And I'm glad we get to go for a walk together. It's indeed a bit lonely around this time of year, since we can't visit, and such."

"Well, you aren't alone this Christmas," he pointed out.

Right... oops.

"Well, you see, it's quite a silly story, really," she started with an awkward chuckle.

"You really don't have to explain–"

"But I do want to explain!" Tina flailed her hands and took a step to him.

"Distance, Ms. Popplewell!" he exclaimed, and Tina jumped back.

"Right, sorry!" She gave him an apologetic look. "It's not at all what it seems, with John. I mean, Mr. Holyoake. He's... stuck in my cottage. There has been a misunderstanding, and he had to stay to self-isolate with me. We're isolating together. But not 'together' together." No, no, not together at all. I haven't just had the best night sleep of my life, tucked into his side, my head on his chest, his arms wrapped around me, if I recall it correctly. Shut up. "And there's only seven days left anyway. And then I'll be available– I mean, free. I'll be– alone! Again."

Yeah, that really could've been phrased better.

The mycologist threw her surprised look, and Tina laughed awkwardly.

"So, your second book," Tina said in an unnaturally cheery voice. "What's the title?" Yeah, that was smooth, you daft, daft cow.

"Oh, it's Marvellous Fungi Volume 2," he said excitedly. "I completed the field research last Autumn, so it's all data analysis now. My favourite part of writing a book, I have to say." Seriously?! "And then, next year, probably around May I'll be starting on the first draft. It's rather intimidating, but what can I say, the subject is just so very rewarding."

"That's... fascinating," Tina drew out.

Oi, Mr. Spock, add more life into your tone, would you? The bloke might suspect mushrooms don't tickle your pickle, if you keep droning like that.

"And you work in publishing, don't you? I seem to recall Mrs. Hooper mentioning it," he asked.

See, at least someone's trying to sustain a conversation.

"I do, yes." Tina looked under her feet. "I work in the editing department of the Rivendell Publishing House. Just a very low level proofreading position. You know, finding typos, and such." Alright, Tina, admit it, you have no bloody idea what people actually do on real jobs. "Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid."

"But that is exciting," he said. Ugh, must he be so polite? They can surely move onto the next topic. "As a writer, I know how vital is the work that you and your colleagues do." Oh, that wasn't empty politeness. Blimey.

"Thank you," she muttered.

It was starting to snow, and Tina looked at small fluffy flakes swirling and slowly falling down.

"So I presume you're working from home these days. What is the project?" he asked. "Something I've heard of, perhaps?"

"Um... I can't tell you," she muttered. Blimey, just look at the man! He's like Michael Caine in Alfie - except hopefully with a better moral compass and no womanising ways. So gorgeous! "We sign confidentiality agreements. But I can tell you it's a new book by a very popular mystery writer."