Page 19 of The Village Christmas Party

‘It did unsettle me a bit,’ says June. ‘I hope it was a one-off, as we have never had anything like that around here in the past, have we?’

‘No, that’s true. Hopefully Martin is right about it being opportunist thieves at this time of year. Honestly, I really can’t thank you both enough.’

‘I can board your broken window up for now, but you will need a glazier. And the police,’ advises Martin. ‘Although I suppose it’s good that at least the thief never managed to get away with your things in the end.’

‘I know, thanks to you. If there is anything I can get you?’ I ask, already thinking I will buy them a nice bottle of wine or something.

‘Well, if there is ever any more of that fudge going begging, I wouldn’t say no,’ Martin says with a wink.

June nudges him then, and says he is supposed to be watching his sugar intake.

I’m half tempted not to bother with the police as it’s true I have my things back after all, but I guess there will be a thief out there ready to pounce on another unsuspecting victim and I don’t want that on my conscience.

An hour later, the police have taken a statement and Dad is coming around first thing in the morning to sort the window out, bringing his friend who can source a cheap window for me.

As they leave, I notice Eileen outside chatting to June. I don’t want her worrying about thieves in the neighbourhood, but it seems June has already filled her in as I approach them.

‘That’s awful,’ says Eileen, twisting her gold cross necklace. ‘I’d been thinking about getting an alarm fitted, I might just do that now.’ She frowns.

When Martin and June leave, Eileen asks me if I would like to spend the evening in her spare room. ‘Just until your window is fixed tomorrow.’

‘Thank you, Eileen. I think I’d like that.’ I smile. ‘And I will order us both one of those security doorbells if you like.’

I have no doubt Dad will tell Mum about the break-in, unless I ask him not to as I don’t want her worrying. Then again, I wonder if my parents even share news about me with each other anymore.

‘Yes, please order one for me, Lauren. And it will be nice, you staying over. We can have a large brandy. For the shock.’ She winks.

Eileen’s guest room is as neat as the rest of her house, and the bed comfortable, but I toss and turn as I go over the events of the evening. My first thought was to go to Mum’s but I didn’t want her worrying about me. Besides, she’s meant to be on the demonstration outside the Co-op tonight. I texted her earlier from the gingerbread evening, and she told me the protest was cut a bit short due to the freezing weather, and that she was on her way to the protest organiser’s flat for coffee. At least there were no police involved this time.

My thoughts turn to the burglary and I fume with anger when I think of the audacity of the thief. Imagine if I had a child and their presents were set out under the tree? Christmas would be ruined for the family if the presents were stolen.

I suspect Martin was right though thinking it an opportunist thief who noticed a house in darkness and took a chance. He obviously hadn’t banked on Martin, or indeed the neighbourhood watch in the form of Tony the cat. Who knew a cat could be as good as a dog in protecting property?

Sleep doesn’t come easily, the pleasantness of the evening I had been enjoying earlier at the gingerbread evening now soured. And despite my anger I can’t help feeling a littlevulnerable, which is a feeling I really don’t like at all. I also think of Tony, out for the evening. I kind of wish he was here right now, curled up at the foot of my bed as he sometimes is when he chooses not to go out all night. But then I can’t really expect that if I am in Eileen’s house. I will buy him his favourite tinned salmon tomorrow as an extra special treat.

ELEVEN

‘Hello, love, are you okay?’ Dad kisses me on the cheek.

‘I’m fine, Dad.’ He follows me into the kitchen where I pop the kettle on.

It’s the next morning and Dad has turned up with his friend in tow carrying a pane of glass. In no time at all, my window has been replaced and I breathe a sigh of relief.

‘That’s a bother with the burglary, there are some right toerags around these days, are you sure you’re alright, love?’ Dad asks, a concerned look on his face as he sips a cup of tea. ‘Maybe you should ask your mother to come and stay for a bit,’ he suggests.

‘I wouldn’t want her to do that, although of course it would be lovely, but she has her own life. And Dad, I’d prefer it if you didn’t say anything to Mum about the break-in.’

‘Don’t worry, we don’t really speak socially,’ he tells me. ‘Not that we’ve fallen out, but our paths don’t really cross.’ He shrugs. ‘I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to, love, but if there was anything serious to report, then I’m afraid I would,’ he says decisively. ‘We are still your parents after all.’

I look at Dad, his complexion ruddy from his gardening career and with a thick head of grey hair. He still tends to severalgardens a week, retirement not being for him, as he was still so active when he was old enough to claim his state pension. Thinking about Sue and her husband, maybe there are a lot of retirees that feel that way. Especially as people seem to be living longer these days.

‘Of course, Dad, I get that. I wouldn’t ask you to keep anything secret that was serious.’

‘I’d maybe think about getting an alarm,’ says Dad. ‘Or a big dog.’

‘I don’t think Tony would be too impressed by that.’ I laugh. ‘I have actually ordered one of those camera doorbells though, I’ve ordered one for Eileen next door too, as she’s on her own.’

‘Well that’s a good start, although maybe an alarm is a good idea too. I can sort that out for you.’

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