Chapter 2

Startled by the unfamiliar husky voice, she paused immediately and looked behind. It was him. Flashing his insanely beautiful side smile. 

Her heart started to beat rapidly in her chest. “What is he doing here?” She wondered. 

He held out both his hands towards her. He only had one bag of vegetables. 

Iris creased her brows in confusion. "What are you doing here?" She asked. 

"Well, it's a market for everyone I guess." He said and imitated her by creasing his brows too. 

She smiled. "I mean. I saw you outside the village. Do you live in Avebury?" 

"Why don't you hand me some of these bags and we can talk while walking towards my car?" 

She nodded and gave four bags to him and she carried four bags. He took more two from her hand and said, "I can handle more." 

Iris blushed. 

"So, tell me. Do you live around here?" She asked curiously as they started to walk towards the exit. 

"Yes. I live in The Great Park." He replied. 

"Well, how come I've never seen you before? I've been born and raised here and almost know everyone around." 

"I actually moved a week ago. I lived in North Yorkshire before moving here in Avebury." 

"That's a beautiful place. I used to visit there with my dad. Mostly during Christmas. My Grandma lived there in Middleham." 

"Oh! I'm from Middleham too. How come we never crossed paths?" He asked with a smirk. 

Iris smiled and shook her head. "I haven't been there in thirteen years after Grans passing away." 

"I'm sorry!" 

"That's alright." 

They reached near his car. A red MG Magnette ZA. 

"Wow...!!" Iris's eyes were wide. 

He looked at her and laughed. "Yes, it's classy. It belonged to my father." 

He kept all the bags in the back seat along with his bag. 

"This is the most beautiful car I have ever seen," Iris said, her eyes still wide. 

He opened the door for her and said, "This was my father's first car. He collected money for years to buy this." 

Iris climbed in the passenger seat and he climbed on the driver's seat. 

“A gentleman.” She said to herself. “No. No. He's married.” 

She shook off her thoughts and concentrated on him. 

"I'm sorry. This car takes a few seconds to start. It's really old." He said and twisted the key into the ignition a couple of times. 

Iris pursed her lips to keep her from smiling at the irony. 

The car finally started. 

"Your father must have worked really hard to afford a car like this," Iris said. 

"Yes, he did." He replied. 

"How old is this car?" 

"It's been around 43 years I guess," Hugh said with a proud smile. 

"Well, you are very lucky," Iris said. 

"Indeed I am. My older brother was supposed to get this, but he is a rough driver. So, my father gave the car keys to me when I got my first job." 

"Ah!" 

"I'm sorry. I'm so rude. My name is Iris by the way." She said after a moment of silence. 

He scoffed. "Yes, I'm rude too. We forgot to introduce each other. My name is Hugh Wilson. 

"Iris Holmes." 'Since we are doing the last names as well.' 

"Nice to meet you again." He said. His smile never leaving his face. 

"So, do you and your wife live here alone?" Iris asked. Though she knew the answer was going to pinch her heart a little she still had to know. 

Hugh looked at his hand that was on the steering wheel. "You noticed the ring it seems." He said. 

Iris pursed her lips and blinked nervously. 

"Well, that's okay! But I'm not married." 

WHAATTTTT...???

She sighed softly in relief. 

"I'm sorry. I misunderstood." She said after containing her happiness in her mind. 

"It is not your fault. I used to be married." He added. 

"Oh! What happened then? If you don't mind me asking." 

"She passed away three years ago. From a brain tumor." 

"Ha..." Iris was always bad with condolences. She thought sorry was too simple for someone who had lost someone so close to them. 

She kept searching for a perfect word in her head and the silence followed. 

Hugh looked at her. "Well, you got to tell me where you live or I'm going to keep driving around." 

She laughed softly. "5003, Hamilton." 

"Do you mind showing me the direction? Still new here." He said smiling. 

"Sure. Take a second right." 

They soon reached Iris's house and Hugh helped her pick the bags from the car. 

"It was really nice meeting you, Ms. Holmes," Hugh said while shutting the car door of the back seat. 

"Please. Call me Iris." She said while looking into his eyes. 

He stared at her with those intense eyes which made Iris look away quickly. 

She was the prettiest girl he had seen in a very long time. All Hugh wanted, was to brush that strand of hair off her face and tuck it behind her ear. 

"Umm..." Iris cleared her throat. "Do you want to come inside?" She asked. 

"If your family doesn't mind." He said without taking his eyes off her face. 

Sweat started forming on Iris's forehead even in this extremely cold weather. She had never invited a man over to her place before. Hugh's gaze was making her heart hammer in her chest. 

"I live alone." She managed to say through trembling lips. 

Hugh's lips slowly curved. "Sure then." He said. 

Iris nodded and started walking towards the lawn of her house. Hugh walked behind her and took the bags from her hands. 

"Thank You!" She murmured without looking back at him. She looked down at her foot while walking. 

She had never been so nervous. 

Hugh had no idea why he was following her.

Why was he so intrigued about Iris? He hadn't been with any other woman since his wife passed away. There was something about Iris's blue eyes that made Hugh drawn towards her.