Page 69 of The Village Christmas Party

That is the six-million-dollar question.

‘I hope so, although we haven’t actually arranged anything yet. Anyway, I’ll be off to bed then. Night, Dad, enjoy the rest of your film.’

‘Night, love.’

As I leave the room, I hear the sound of gunshots as Dad resumes watching his action movie.

Getting ready for bed, I think about the lovely evening I spent with Kian and wonder if I was right to be so cautious. What he said made perfect sense about Sally wanting to spend time with their daughter on Christmas Day, but I can’t seem to get the image of the three of them smiling in the road out of my head. They looked so happy together and I can’t take the risk of being hurt, despite them being divorced. It isn’t unknown for couples to rekindle things, given the time and the opportunity. Especially when there are young children involved. I wonder if Sally is on social media. Maybe I could message her and ask, woman to woman, if she harbours any hopes of her and Kian getting back together.

Sleep doesn’t come easily, as I toss and turn and go over the events of the evening. I also think of that kiss too, gentle yet passionate, and allow myself to think that he enjoyed it as much as I did.

Maybe it’s about time I do something I never normally do, and throw caution to the wind, and just go with the flow, even if that puts me at risk of being hurt down the line, but then what would life be like if we were too afraid to ever take risks?

I am finally nodding off, when I hear the ping of a text. It’s from Kian.

I really enjoyed this evening, hope you did too. I’ll call you tomorrow. Kian. X

Okay. And I enjoyed this evening too but I think we need to have a chat. I’m in work tomorrow, so maybe we can talk in the evening? Lauren.

Sure. Speak soon. Goodnight.X

I feel a little more settled then, and soon drift off to sleep, ready to see what tomorrow brings.

Bentham’s is as busy as ever with the sales continuing as we count down the days to New Year’s Eve. Sparkly party dresses are flying off the rails, along with men’s shirts and discounted leather shoes. There are steady sales of luxury mince pies and fruit cake that have been discounted and displayed on a table, alongside shortbread and whisky marmalade.

We are so busy, I don’t have to time to chat with Gemma about my date, although she did ask me how it went earlier. I assured her it was lovely, and that I would fill her in a bit more later when we have a break.

I just finish serving a lady with some cotton handkerchiefs for her husband – the type that come in a box and have an initial embroidered at the corner – when I see a familiar face standing in front of me.

‘Mrs Evans, hi, how are you?’ I greet the ex-headmistress of the local primary school, who attended the Christmas party at the community centre.

‘Judy, please.’ She smiles, although I always feel like addressing her formally.

‘Of course, it’s nice to see you again, Judy.’ I smile.

‘And you too. I know you are busy, but I thought you might like to know that I ran the idea of the children performing at an assembly to invite the elderly residents in by the current headteacher.’

‘Oh, you did?’

She stands aside for a second as I quickly serve a customer.

‘Yes, and she thinks it’s a wonderful idea. I told her that I saw first-hand how well the older people interacted with the children. I also realised how much I missed them.’ She smiles.‘And apparently, some of the children are only too keen to show off their recorder skills.’ She laughs.

‘Really? They still teach recorder in schools?’ I ask, thinking back to my primary school days, and how proud I was when I learned to play the theme tune toMatch of the Day.

‘Not many, I don’t think, but the headteacher was determined it wouldn’t be a forgotten skill, so she bought in some recorders and even teaches the children herself.’

‘How great is that?’ I smile as another customer approaches the counter.

‘Anyway, I can see you are busy, so maybe you could call the school and speak to the head sometime. She is definitely on board with the idea of involving the children in a concert, or at least regular assemblies.’

‘I will. Thank you so much, Judy, I know plenty of people who will really enjoy that.’

She was right in saying the pensioners mixed well with the children. Even Elsie thawed out in the end, saying what a marvellous party it had been when she left.

‘Myself included. Bye then.’ She lingers at a stand and feels some leather gloves before heading off out of the store.

During my lunch break I call the school, forgetting that they are still on their Christmas holidays, so pop a reminder on my phone for January when I will give the headteacher a call.

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