Page 18 of Escape for Christmas

‘Oh, I’m sorry. It’s a difficult time of year for so many, isn’t it, and you can’t help but think how things have changed? But it’s so nice to see everyone. It’s just the kids – they’re all so wide-eyed and innocent. It’s great to see them enjoying Christmas with such pure pleasure. It must bewonderful to help the children make the lanterns, and to join the parade with them.’

Brody had sensed there was a wistfulness about Sophie, a sadness hidden under a mask of practical cheerfulness, which she’d probably hidden for a long time. He’d worn that mask himself, after his father had died and he was trying to fit in at university as a student. Even while he’d been drinking and laughing, he was still grieving the loss of his dad.

People wore masks all the time, for different reasons. He hoped he hadn’t put Sophie in a difficult position by inviting her along, as he didn’t want to upset her. Should he even have suggested that she come with him?

‘Do you want me to take you home?’ he asked as the last of the children went by, their lanterns swinging in the darkness. People were starting to disperse.

‘No. No, I’mfine,’ she insisted, her defences back in place. ‘And I’m glad I didn’t miss it. Thank you for bringing me along.’

Brody heaved a silent sigh of relief, even if he knew Sophie was putting on a front. He didn’t want her to leave yet. ‘I’m pleased you decided to give it a try, even if you had to lose a wheel in the process.’

‘Honestly, I did almost stay in with Sir Hiss,’ she said.

‘Tough call: me or Sir Hiss,’ he replied. Before he could say anything else, Brody heard his name being shouted and spotted his friends. ‘Er, I think I can see some of the practice team over there.’ He spoke more gruffly than he’d intended.

‘Oh, I—’

‘D’you still fancy a quick drink before we go home?’ he asked. ‘You probably know a couple of them already. There’s Rudolph, aka Cora, and some of the vet nurses. Carl’s on marshalling duty, but he might join us later.’

‘I’d like to …’ she began, but they were interrupted by Vee bounding up.

‘Sophie!’ Vee tapped her on the shoulder. ‘You’re the last person I expected to see here!’

‘I didn’t plan to be,’ Sophie said hastily. ‘The wheel on the truck’s damaged, and I was stuck at the laundry. Brody was passing and gave me a lift.’

‘That was lucky then. He’s like me – Christmas-obsessed – so I can see how he charmed you into coming.’

‘I wouldn’t say “obsessed”,’ Brody began, trying to sound amused.

‘You’ve never missed a parade,’ Vee said. ‘Kev told me you used to come home for it from uni, when everyone else stayed there partying and drinking, like normal students.’

‘Dad died only a couple of months after I’d finished my A-levels, so I thought I should come home for the parade at Christmas, to keep Mum company,’ Brody replied.

‘And that was a really lovely thing to do. I was only joking,’ Vee said kindly. ‘Look, we’re going to the Bannerdale Bakery Café, if you both want to drop by later. They’re open late for hot chocolates and reindeer cookies.’

‘I hope there’s no reindeer in them,’ Brody said.

Vee and Sophie burst out laughing before Sophie said, ‘I’ll see you later.’

‘Thanks for the offer, but I’m meeting Carl and some mates at the pub,’ Brody replied.

‘Lucky you. It’s strictly soft stuff for us this evening,’ Vee said, walking off with an eye-roll, trying to explain to the kids that hot punch didn’t have anything to do with bashing people.

‘Kids, eh?’ Brody said. ‘I’m joking. It’s great to see them enjoying the parade.’

‘Yeah. They’re a handful, but Vee and Kev are so good with them. They’re marvellous parents.’

‘I can see that. I always wonder how people manage working full-time and bringing up a family,’ Brody said.

‘You find a way, I suppose. It’s one reason Vee and I clicked. She stays longer than she has to, if I need extra help, and I’m more than happy to fit in with her childcare. I still haven’t forgotten the time the village school closed because of floods and her kids came up to Sunnyside and “helped”, which meant they tried to dust the cats.’

Brody roared. ‘Ouch! Sounds like fun,’ he said, imagining the scene and enjoying how the memory had infused Sophie’s expression with happiness. It was as if her own lantern had been kindled. And he realised, by the high that he was riding, so had his.

‘They ran off and didn’t come back until kibble time, but we had a great day.’

‘I bet. I must admit that when young pet owners come into the surgery, it can be an extra-special challenge. It’s rewarding to see the kids learning about their pets andcaring for them, but it can be heartbreaking too when the animals get ill.’

‘I’d never thought of that.’

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