‘Here we are,’ I say, setting the tray down on the counter where Seb is waiting.
‘Does the train work?’ one of the men calls over.
‘It doesn’t,’ I reply. ‘It needs repairing.’
‘I’ve got a screwdriver in the van,’ he starts, but I stop him.
‘That’s very kind of you, thank you, but it requires some kind of vintage model train expert, and an expensive repair. It was my mum’s so, when I’ve got some spare money, I’ll get it done.’
‘No worries,’ he calls back.
‘I know a train guy,’ Seb tells me. ‘He’s pretty cool, actually. He’s famous for making the smallest running train sets you can get.’
‘Doesn’t sound cool.’ The workman laughs, grabbing a gingerbread man before biting his head off.
‘This is Barry and Paul,’ Seb tells me. ‘Do not, under any circumstances, make a Chuckle Brothers joke, because they will not laugh.’ Seb’s cheeks dimple at his own joke. ‘Boys, this is Ivy.’
‘Your name is Ivy and you run a Christmas shop,’ Barry points out.
‘My sister is called Holly,’ I tell him. ‘My mum loved Christmas – that’s why she opened this shop.’
‘Why are you selling it?’ he asks.
‘I, erm, I’m not,’ I tell him. ‘My landlord is. I’m being kicked out.’
‘You’re kicking her out of her family’s business before Christmas?’ Barry asks, shocked.
‘And my home,’ I tell him. ‘I live upstairs.’
‘Mate,’ Barry says.
Seb raises his eyebrows at him, I’d imagine to subtly remind Barry who he works for.
‘So, when are you hoping to knock this place down?’ I ask, trying to work out how much time I have.
‘You said in the New Year, did you, gaffer?’ Paul offers, helpfully.
‘Yes,’ Seb replies, seeming ever so slightly annoyed that Paul has answered. ‘It’s not set in stone – we’ll see.’
‘And then you’ll start on the new building?’
‘Buildings,’ Paul points out.
‘Oh, there’s going to be more than one building then?’
‘Paul, thank you,’ Seb says. ‘Why don’t you lads go finish up if you’ve finished your drinks?’
‘Sure, gaffer,’ Barry says, taking the hint.
‘I like them,’ I say, once we’re alone. ‘They’re chatty.’
‘Too chatty,’ Seb replies with a smile.
‘Tell me a bit about you,’ I say, hugging my mug with my hands to keep warm. I’m wondering what kind of person can happily move to a new town and kick someone out of their home.
‘About me?’ he replies, sounding surprised. ‘OK. Well, I’m from Oxford.’
That explains the accent. Seb has a very BBC newsreader kind of way with words and it makes me feel a little self-conscious about my Yorkshire accent.
‘How did you get into this line of work?’ I ask. What I really mean is, how did he get into knocking down people’s childhood homes, but I’m too polite to say that.
‘I was all set to play professional cricket,’ he tells me. ‘And life just…I don’t know, it did its own thing. I went from one business venture to the next – I’ve been living in Dublin for the past four years.’
Well, I suppose I can relate to that. I was a chef, before life changed my plans. ‘So, what, you just decided you wanted to move to the Yorkshire coast?’
‘I decided I wanted to move out of the city,’ he says. ‘And I knew I’d need to make a living.’
I nod thoughtfully.
‘I’m sorry for the way this is playing out,’ he says. ‘I’m a little surprised you’re not fighting it…’
I am fighting it; he just doesn’t know it yet.
‘And I appreciate you telling Mr Andrews you’d look after me while he’s away,’ he adds.
I didn’t, well, not really. Not by choice.
I just smile. I’m not taking it well at all, but I’m not taking it lying down either. Sure, let Seb come here with his workmen and do his tests. It will all be for nothing when I swoop in and buy the shop first.
‘I suppose I just expected a little more resistance, when I realised you were being made to leave against your will,’ he persists.
‘It’s the rest of the locals you need to worry about,’ I tell him. ‘You’re not the first southerner to come here and try to open up a business.’
‘Oh?’
‘A few things the people of Marram Bay don’t take too kindly to: outsiders, big businesses, any threat to local business – I imagine your venture is an unwelcome mix of all three.’
‘It sounds like it.’ He laughs.
Seb laughs so much, he’s just so easy-going. It’s like nothing worries him – perhaps that’s an easy confidence that comes with having a lot of money. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness obviously never had a failing business and impending homelessness hanging over them.
‘I have a meeting with the board,’ he tells me.
‘The Nation of Shopkeepers?’
‘That’s the one. I’m told that if I can sway them, I’m a shoo-in.’
‘I’d say that was about right,’ I reply.
‘Your accent amuses me.’ He laughs. ‘Say that again.’
‘No.’
‘Nooo,’ he repeats, in what I’d imagine is his attempt at a strong Yorkshire accent.
Unimpressed, I furrow my brow.
‘So, what happened with the last southerner who tried to start a business here? Did they let her open it?’
‘They did,’ I admit.
‘There we go then. I’ll see you tonight,’ he says, taking the last gingerbread man from the plate.
‘You will,’ I reply.
‘Wish me luck,’ he says as he heads for the door.
‘Good luck,’ I call after him.
He’s going to need it.
In the Marram Bay Town Hall, the Nation of Shopkeepers gathers every other month to discuss all of the big issues affecting business in the town.
‘And that’s why anyone who has opted for blue fairy lights, instead of the traditional white lights, needs to take them down,’ George Price, chairman of the group and owner of Frutopia jam shop concludes.
Yes, this is one of today’s biggest issues: that someone has gone rogue with their fairy lights.
Mary-Ann – who runs the local dairy farm – raises a hand as she uses her other one to play with one of her brown plaits.
‘I