Page 40 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘Righto, Anita. Thanks very much for that, we’ll add it to the list,’ said Jimby nervously.

Anita leaned forward, flashing an eyeful of cleavage. ‘And I’m expecting all of you men to bid generously.’ She gave a saucy wink before wobbling off in the direction of the bar.

Anoushka released the breath she’d been holding, relieved the woman hadn’t touched on Gabe and Lilith Dean.

‘Phew! You’ve had a lucky escape there, Jimby. I thought she was going to offer you a quick demo.’ Camm chuckled.

‘You say that in jest, mate, but I thought she was too. I’m shaking here. Look,’ he said, holding out his hand that was trembling theatrically. ‘Anyroad, has anyone got any ideas of how I can put her promise into words without making it sound indecent?’

‘Nope,’ said Vi.

‘You haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance,’ said Molly.

‘Helpful as ever, Moll,’ Jimby said with a chuckle.

‘I don’t know about you fellas, but I’d be too terrified to bid for that promise,’ said Camm.

‘You’re not alone there, mate,’ said Ollie.

‘Maybe we could buy it as a gift for someone.’ Molly was wearing a wicked expression.

‘Like who?’ Jimby looked at her in disbelief. ‘And don’t you dare go looking at me!’

‘And please don’t say Rev Nev; I think the poor bloke’s suffered enough with what Granny Aggie puts him through,’ said Vi, making everyone fall about laughing.

Walking home later that evening, Anoushka slipped her arm through her dad’s. The air had cooled and it still wasn’t properly dark, though the moon was sneaking its way into the sky and early stars were twinkling away. Lights shone from the cottages, creating a cosy atmosphere in the village. ‘That was a great night; thanks for talking me into joining the committee.’

‘No problem; it actually takes some believing, my little girl on a village committee with me.’ He laughed. ‘Takes even more to believe my little girl’s all grown up and is now a successful businesswoman who’s gone and got herself a dance studio up and running. Seems like only yesterday when it was all a dream and you were ten years old, dancing about everywhere, teaching dance routines to your friends in the back garden. Where’ve those years gone?’ Ollie looked down at her and smiled, squeezing her arm. ‘You haven’t turned out too badly, lass.’

She hugged him close and smiled back. ‘Thanks, Dad, that means a lot. Couldn’t have done it without you and Mum.’

‘Aye, we make a good team, us Cartwrights.’ He winked at her as they headed through the gate to home.

26

JULY

‘Can I have your attention please?’ Jimby’s voice boomed around the village hall, cutting through the excited chatter that filled the air. Everyone obeyed, turning their attention to him. He was standing on the small stage at the back of the room a wide smile on his face, Lady Carolyn beside him in her capacity as co-host for the evening. She was poised at the auction block, gavel in hand – the equipment had been supplied on loan by one of her contacts at the auction house in Middleton-le-Moors. Mrs Prudom, headteacher of Lytell Stangdale Primary School, was standing to her right, smiling happily. She was the was the first to speak, taking the proffered microphone from Jimby.

‘Good evening, everyone, and a very warm welcome to what I believe is the village’s first Auction of Promises. It’s incredibly heart-warming to see so many of you here, and on behalf of myself and all of the staff and pupils of Lytell Stangdale Primary School, I’d like to say a huge thank you to you all for giving up your Friday evening in support of this event, which I’m sure you’re all aware is to raise funds for the school’s exciting new extension.’ She beamed around at everyone. ‘And, I’d like to extend that thank you to Jimby and everyone on the Village Committee for organising this event, and for the many wonderful “promises” that have been so generously donated. When I approached Jimby to see if the committee would be interested in organising a fund-raiser for school, I had no idea that he’d come up with something as thrilling as this.’ She turned to Jimby. ‘In light of this, I’m very happy to tell you, you’ve been awarded Star Student of the Week, and have earned yourself ten house points, Mr Fairfax.’ Laughter ran around the audience, accompanied by a quick burst of applause.

Jimby chuckled. ‘Makes a change from doing lines and having to stay in at playtime. Come to think of it, I don’t think I was ever given any house points when I was a pupil. Can’t think why.’ He feigned an innocent expression.

‘That’s ’cos you were a mischievous little bugger and used to torment the living daylights out of the teachers,’ called a voice from the audience.

‘Aye, some things never change,’ said another, making everyone laugh.

Jimby scratched his head. ‘Aye, I suppose I can’t argue with that, but I’ll promise to be on my best behaviour tonight; specially seeing as though the headteacher’s here.’

Still smiling broadly, Mrs Prudom continued. ‘That’s good to hear, Jimby. But before I hand over to you and Lady Carolyn, all that’s left for me to say is I hope you all have a wonderful evening, and thank you once again.’

Jimby waited for the applause to die down. ‘Thank you for that, Mrs Prudom, let’s hope we can get you close to your target.’ He cast his eyes over the sea of faces looking back at him. ‘So, folks, as you know, when you arrived, in exchange for your tickets, you were handed a small wooden paddle with a number unique to you – actually, now would be a good time to share our gratitude to local woodworker, Ollie Cartwright, who very kindly made the paddles specially for the occasion. Thank you very much for that, Oll.’ He nodded in the direction of his best friend who was sharing a table with Kitty, Vi, Molly and Camm. A cheer went up followed by yet more applause, making Ollie blush.

Jimby continued. ‘Right then, you’ll need to keep those paddles handy so you can give them a good old wave when you want to bid on one of our fabulous promises. The number of the winning bids will be noted down by Lady Caro or myself and you can collect the vouchers for your promises at the end of the evening, or even the actual promise itself since some of them have already been dropped off.’

The place was buzzing with anticipation, the room crowded with people eager to enjoy their night out. Anoushka felt a fizz of excitement. She and Kristy had joined Kitty, Molly and Vi earlier to help decorate the hall in readiness for tonight. Jimby, Ollie and Camm had arrived later and help set out tables and chairs. Crisp white tablecloths were thrown over the tables and set with jam jars brimming with country cottage flowers, ribbons tied around them. Plates were piled with delicious-looking nibbles, while a trestle-table ran along the side of the room, a mixture of glasses set out for people to grab. Granted, the decor might not be the height of sophistication, but it looked pretty and would serve its purpose.

Popping a crisp into her mouth, Anoushka’s gaze ran around the friends sharing her table. Though Brogan, Kristy and Ben had arrived in the Land Rover with Molly and Camm, the younger ones had broken off and had opted to sit together; they’d been quickly joined by a loved-up Ella Welford and Joss Campion. The friends were all poring over a pamphlet containing the list of promises that had been left on the table, putting a tick beside the ones that caught their attention. Anoushka had her eye on a voucher for a pamper session at the new beautician’s that had just opened up in one of the buildings near her dance studio. It looked stylish and welcoming and Rachel, the beautician, had a friendly face. She’d pop over when she next got chance, and introduce herself properly. She’d already decided, if her bid won, she was going to give the treatment voucher to Kitty. Since Rosie and Robbie had disappeared so suddenly a few months earlier to go and care for Robbie’s sick mother somewhere near Barnsley, their monthly pamper sessions, courtesy of Rosie –who had her beauty rooms at her home, The Manor House in the village – had been put on hold and Anoushka knew how much her step-mum missed them.

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