Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Two

I choked on the piece of cake that I was savouring as I glanced at the woman sitting from across me. "Well, I don't know where to start," I said once I had managed to get the cake unstuck from my throat.

"That's the easy part dear, you start at the beginning," the woman smiled. I noticed that she was expecting me to speak.

"Well, I was brought up by my mum who worked hard to make sure that I was well taken care of," I began. "She was a great mum and did it on her own as my dad left not long after she got pregnant with me."

I stared into my hot chocolate that had the works from whipped cream to marshmallows. I hesitated as I didn't want to continue with the sad story that was my life. She must have somehow noticed that I was struggling with carrying on as she moved her hand so it covered mine.

"Don't get me wrong but I had a great childhood and did well at school and that. It was my life was going well or I thought it was until a day ago," I took a deep breath in and released it slowly before I said the next part. "I basically came home from work and caught my boyfriend and one of my friends in an intimate situation."

I fought to get rid of the lump that suddenly jumped into my throat. "I'm sorry," I said as I was so embarrassed that I was pouring my heart out to someone who was practically a stranger. I didn't even know the older woman's name. "I'm sorry as I don't even know your name and I'm telling you about my problems."

"Dear, I don't mind and I don't know your name either," the woman chuckled before lifting her hand, waiting on me to shake her hand. I smiled as I reached out to take hold of her hand. "I'm Jean Woodward, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I laughed before replying. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs Woodward, I'm Iona Frost."

"Well since we know each other's names I can tell you that i***t that you were with didn't know a good thing even if it jumped and bit him."

That made me chuckle and that was when I realised that even though I had just shown up in this gorgeous town I still had a problem which was where I was going to live and if I would be able to get a job. Jean must've noticed that I was thinking again before she clasped my hand in both of hers and looked into my eyes trying to find the answers that she was looking for.

The longer I sat there under her searching eyes the more I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. I needed to start thinking about finding a motel or bed and breakfast to stay in. She suddenly stopped at me, like she finally got the answers that she was looking for. "Dear, where are you staying?"

I was shocked when she asked where I was staying. "I haven't got that far yet as I have just arrived into the town," I confessed.

Jean looked like she was deep in thought before she suggested something that made me choke on my drink. "Well, dear, my son has just moved out of the flat we own above the bakery. If you would like to rent that from us until you find something more permanent. It's not big but it is comfortable."

I had to fight the lump down as it had grown bigger when Jean offered me a solution to my accommodation problem. "You sure? That would help me out so much. Can I ask how much it would be a month?"

Jean shook her head laughing. "Dear, I don't care about money..."

I interrupted her "I can't stay there for free. I mean I would like to pay you what it takes to keep the flat."

Jean held up her hand to stop me from speaking further. "Dear, I'll make you a deal, you stay in the flat and you can work here in the bakery for me as payment."

I felt my mouth drop when she offered the proposal that she was willing to offer me. "You are an angel as you have offered to solve both my housing and work problems at once. I can't say no can I ?"

Jean grabbed both of my hands over the table before she laughed. "Dear that would be a no you can't refuse. I would be very grateful for the help as December gets very busy around here."

I smiled as she rose from her chair and walked back towards the counter before taking a key from under the register before walking back over to me. "Now, the door to your home is at the side of the building. there is a car parking space behind the store that you can use that for your car. Now in regards to helping me with the shop, you can start the day after tomorrow. That will give you lots of time to set things settled."

I felt the warmth of the key that sat in my hand as I stared at it before looking up at Jean. "Thank you," I whisper.

Jean smiled just as the door opened and the most gorgeous man walked in making Jean smile even more than what she was already doing. I couldn't help to stare at the walking Adonis that now stood looking at me. His blonde hair was cut short but slightly longer on the top. He looked delicious as I let my eyes indulge themselves as I took in every inch of hunk that stood at 6ft. He was in dark jeans and a heavy leather jacket that was zipped to keep the cold out. My imagination was running wild with thoughts of what he was wearing under that jacket.

I watched as Jean crossed the distance between herself and the brooding hunk. I started to fidget as I watched Jean pull the guy down into an embrace that I felt that I should not have witnessed. I cleared my throat making them both look in my direction. "Thank you for all your help, Jean and I should get going. I will see you on Thursday. Any time?" I asked as I quickly walking towards the door, which unfortunately was where they were both blocking.

"9 am dear, plus I am so glad that I was able to help you out. If you need anything let me know," she said as she dragged the guy slightly out of the way of the door and my escape.

"Great see you then," I said over my shoulder as I left the shop. Once I was back out in the fresh air I took a deep breath in before letting it out. I needed to calm down the rhythm that my heart was giving before I did anything else. I closed my eyes as I took slow breaths in and feeling my heart settle down.

After what seemed like ages I felt that I was able to get my legs working again. I kept the key that I was given held tightly in my fist as I hurriedly walked to where I had parked my car. I unlocked it before climbing in. As I started the car I glanced over the shop and it was the first time I got a chance to look at the name of the bakery which made me chuckle. I was still chuckling when I reversed out of the spot and drove the 2-minute drive before turning right into the little car park at the back of the store.

I stopped the car in the available space and climbed out. I walked around to the back of my car and grabbed as much as I could carry. I had the key in my mouth so I didn't lose it with my hands full and all. I got to the door and managed to get a hand free to reach the key before getting it in the lock and opened the door to the flat.