Page 11 of The Village Christmas Party

‘That sounds nice though?’ says Gemma, restocking a drawer with some gift bags.

‘Yes, it was nice and very warming, briefly anyway. After that, we were asked by the counsellor lady to tell the group three things we were grateful for.’

‘I hope I was one of them,’ says Gemma, giving me a nudge.

‘Naturally.’ I smile. ‘Anyway, after that, she wafted a sage stick and played some relaxing music for us to meditate to, which on a warm summer’s day would be really lovely.’

‘But not in a dark forest in winter?’

‘Not really, no. The fire had gone out by then because it was so damp, and I had feet like blocks of ice,’ I recall. ‘Thankfully I had the flasks of tea, and, of course, the home-made cake, so that cheered us all up a bit.’

‘Thank goodness for that.’ Gemma laughs. ‘Your cake could cheer anyone up.’

‘Thanks. Anyway, just as we were beginning to relax a bit and enjoy a nice chat with each other, the screech owl we had heard earlier came swooping down and almost lifted the beanie hat from a particularly nervous member of the group. I think it had been attracted by the fur bobble.’

‘Oh no, what happened?’ asks Gemma, her eyes widening.

‘All hell broke loose. She started crying and saying she wished she had stayed at home and that it had been her mum’s idea for her to go and do something relaxing, as she had been suffering with anxiety after losing her beloved dog. I felt so sorry for her.’

‘Oh, my goodness!’ Gemma covers her mouth with her hand. ‘The poor girl. Did you get her name? Maybe we should ask her to the gingerbread evening, if there are any places left.’

‘Yes, her name is Audrey, and you know, that’s a great idea! I also know she works in Boots on the high street. I was going to call in at some point, and see if she is okay. I will text Jo now, see if there are any places left.’

The group assured me at the end of the evening that they had enjoyed themselves, especially the sitting around and chatting, but I can’t help thinking that it could have been better. There was no charge though, just a suggestion to contribute to the community centre Christmas fund, which everyone did. Oh, and the counsellor lady took three bookings for a weekend forest retreat in March.

I tap out a text to Jo, the local bakery lady who judges the gingerbread house competition, and unbelievably she has had acancellation, so I book Audrey in. I can always cancel after I have spoken to her, if she isn’t free.

The juddering of the exterior metal shutters being lifted signals the start of opening time as a security guy heads to the glass doors to open them. There are already a few people standing outside, ready to have a browse through some of our special Christmas offers.

An hour later, the store is as busy as ever, and traditional Christmas carols are playing over the Tannoy once more, rather than the Mariah Carey ear-splitting type tunes.

A young child buys a gift set for her mum and counts her money out at my counter, which I automatically add a sample face mask to. She races over to her dad, and shows him the bag excitedly, and he nods in my direction with a smile on his face.

‘I’ve got my eye on a bag over there,’ says Gemma, pointing to a bag and scarf display when there is a rare lull in sales. ‘I really hope it goes into the January sale. I could never afford it at its current price. Oh, and did you see that hot guy?’ she asks.

‘Don’t start.’ I smile, shaking my head at my friend.

‘I was about to say, I think he was checkingyouout.’

‘What guy, where?’ I glance around.

‘Oh, you’re interested now.’ She laughs as a lady approaches the counter with a woollen scarf and gloves set in a box.

‘The guy with the little girl,’ she tells me when the customer has departed.

‘The little girl?’

‘Duh, the one who counted out her money and bought the gift set for her mum.’ She laughs.

‘Oh right, that guy. Yeah he was okay, I suppose.’ I shrug.

The man in question was actually very attractive. Dark, slightly curly hair, wearing a brown casual leather jacket with a scarf tucked inside. Nice smile too, I remember that much.

‘Although, I don’t think he was checking me out,’ I tell her. ‘He was simply acknowledging the little extra gift I popped into the bag.’

‘If you say so.’ She grins.

‘And actually, why would he be looking at me if his daughter was buying a gift for her mum, surely that means he’s married?’

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