Page 163 - The Letter By Ann Newhouse

sleep and all have breakfast here in the morning. I couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in Paul’s eye as he said goodnight only to return an hour later to join Sherry.
I hoped Penny didn’t think I was taking sides by welcoming Paul in.
After Sherry made breakfast Rex cleared up as Paul and I attended to the girls. Paul and Rex then went over to open the bar taking Shalma with them. As I dressed Lilli I spotted Penny coming out of the bar going for a stroll with Shalma.
‘I need to go into town to the Gallery on business’, I called to Sherry, ‘how about a shopping trip to the sales’? Sherry put her head in to the room, ‘Lovely’, she grinned from ear to ear, ‘I love a bargain’.
I sent Rex a text of our plans and suggested he have lunch at the bar.
‘Hello Amber! Belated Christmas greetings to you’, James greeted me, smiling as I struggled trying to get through the doorway with Lilli in her stroller. Belated Merry Christmas, James’ I smiled back, ‘have you sold any of my paintings yet’? I asked as I held the door for Sherry as she was carrying another of my paintings to leave with James.
‘Only one left’, James replied as he rushed to help a struggling Sherry.
‘Nice! Very nice’, Sherry whispered looking James up and down as he went into the storeroom to retrieve my unsold painting.
‘Sherry, behave’! I warned pretending to be disgusted with her for eyeing up another man but when I introduced James formally to Sherry I felt they might both be on the same page.