Apart from Caroline’s ridiculous coat, she’d worn almost none of the unsuitable clothes she’d packed so quickly, with such excitement. Flicking pointlessly through the television channels, she saw Sleepless in Seattle playing on TCM and nearly burst into tears. Austin arrived back at the hotel shortly after her, a grumpy Darny in his wake. ‘This really isn’t good for me,’ Darny was saying. ‘Having to deal with conflict in an already difficult childhood.’ ‘Shut up, Darny,’ Austin said. His face fell when he saw Issy with her suitcase out. ‘It’s not because of you,’ she said. ‘Honestly. Pearl can’t cope without me. Things have gone really wrong.’ She looked at him straight on. ‘Sorry. I can’t leave the café.’ Austin looked straight back at her. His heart was pounding in his chest. Darny was sitting in the corner, his face drawn and tense. Austin didn’t want to mention the letter in his pocket. It wouldn’t make anything better. It would make everything worse; Issy might think he was blaming her, because it had happened in his absence.
What do You think about Christmas At The Cupcake Cafe?
