Page 16 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
‘I’d be up for doing it that night… if you fancy the job?’ said Caroline, crossing her fingers under the table.
‘Mmm…’ said Jack, turning his coffee cup in little circles on the table. ‘I’m not sure…’
‘What’s holding you back?’ said Caroline. ‘Because if I can fix it, I will!’
‘Well… I guess I’m worried I might be a bit of a distraction to the main event.’
‘Jack,’ laughed Caroline, ‘you kind ofwouldbe the main event!’
‘And there lies the rub!’ said Jack. ‘It shouldn’t be about me. I’ve been pretty careful not to let anyone know I’m here… so Idon’t want everyone to think I’m just doing it as some kind of publicity stunt. Plus, if I’m honest, I could really do without a bunch of press turning up and camping outside the house while I’m trying to enjoy a quiet Christmas. That’d suck.’
‘Yeah, thatwouldsuck,’ Caroline nodded. ‘How about… if I promise not to publicise the fact that you’re going to be there? I won’t even mention it. You can just rock up on the night and give everyone the surprise of their lives!’
‘You’d be up for that?’ said Jack, looking surprised. ‘I mean, whenever I’ve been asked to do this sort of thing before, it’s always been about making as big a splash as possible. Maximum buzz. Maximum mudslinging in advance in the hope of receiving more inches in the celebrity rags.’
‘Of course I’m up for it,’ said Caroline. ‘I could just bill you as “home-grown talent” or something like that.’
‘Oh, so youdothink I’m talented, then?’ said Jack, with a cheeky grin.
‘It’s not about whatIthink,’ said Caroline, rolling her eyes. ‘I love Crumbleton – I want everyone to have a nice time and give them a Christmas surprise… and you’ddefinitelyfit that bill.’
‘That’s really sweet,’ said Jack.
‘So, you’ll do it?’ said Caroline, looking hopeful.
‘I’ll think about it,’ said Jack.
‘How long for?’ said Caroline. ‘I hate to rush you here, but you were the one who pointed out Christmas is just a week away!’
‘Well… I reckon I’ve got tonight at the very least,’ said Jack. ‘You’re not going to be organising much this afternoon either way.’
‘Why?’ said Caroline.
Jack simply pointed over towards the window.
Caroline peered over and gasped. In the short time they’d been chatting, the snow seemed to have re-doubled its efforts.There was a positive flurry of white flakes swirling just beyond the glass. She climbed to her feet and wandered over to take a look out across the garden.
‘Even the beach is turning white!’ she said.
She’d never seen anything like it. Not only had most of the garden’s features been softened under a ridiculous amount of snow, even the salty, golden sand beyond was busy turning into a blank white canvas.
‘Am I caught in some kind of time warp?’ said Caroline. ‘I have only been here about half an hour, right?’
‘Uh huh,’ said Jack, looking amused.
‘And this has happened in that time?’
‘Yep,’ said Jack.
‘Shiiiiit,’ breathed Caroline. ‘How the hell am I meant to get back to Crumbleton?’
‘Maybe it looks worse than it is?’ said Jack. ‘Let’s have a look at your car.’
Abandoning their coffee cups on the slate island, they both trundled out of the kitchen towards the front door. Opening it, Caroline was met with a blast of icy air. Snowflakes found her face and settled on her nose and eyelashes.
‘My car…?’ she gasped.
‘I’m sure it’s out there,’ chuckled Jack. ‘Somewhere!’
