Page 24 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
‘I was just thinking I’d like the chance to get to know you better.’
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. Caroline blinked in surprise and mild confusion.
So much for playing it cool!
‘I’d like that too,’ said Jack, shifting slightly and looking adorably shy for a split second. ‘I’ve always come here when I’ve wanted to go into hiding, but this time things feel different for some reason. It’d be nice to meet some people at last. I just… don’t want it to become a big deal, you know?’
Caroline nodded.
‘Plus, I don’t really know where to start,’ he added.
‘Well, if you want people to get to know you, you’re talking to the right person,’ said Caroline.
‘I didn’t mean doing an interview in the paper!’ laughed Jack.
‘Neither did I!’ said Caroline, clutching her heart in mock outrage. ‘As if!’
‘Uh huh?!’ said Jack.
‘Well… not this time, anyway. I just mean… basically I know everyone in Crumbleton. I can fill you in on who’s who and maybe introduce you around a bit if you want to come out of hiding.’
The temptation to cross her fingers was overwhelming, but she managed to sit still, watching Jack’s face intently.
‘Well… I have to admit, I might already know a bit more about local goings-on than you think,’ said Jack.
‘Brian Singer keeping you in the loop?’ she said.
‘In a way,’ said Jack with a small smile. ‘He sends me a copy of the Crumbleton Times every week!’
‘He does?’ gasped Caroline.
‘I’ve got to keep an eye on what mean things you’ve been saying about me somehow,’ he laughed. ‘You know… just in case I need to get my lawyers involved.’
Caroline dropped her face into her hands. She was going for dramatic effect, but it also helped her hide the blush of pure mortification that had just stained her cheeks. She reallyhadbeen quite mean, hadn’t she?!
‘Don’t worry,’ said Jack, giving her arm a gentle nudge with his. ‘It was good for my ego – and fun to see what you came up with next.’
Caroline peeped at him through her fingers and was relieved to see a broad grin still firmly on his face. She quickly sent up a prayer of thanks that she’d somehow managed to choose to insult one of the few megastars who didn’t seem to take himself too seriously.
‘Okay – fill me in on a few things,’ said Jack. ‘Is the guy who got walloped by that bride’s bouquet doing okay?’
‘How’d you know about that?’ said Caroline. ‘I didn’t cover that story in the end!’
‘Brian mentioned it in an email,’ said Jack.
‘Murray’s fine,’ said Caroline. ‘Happily in love with the florist responsible, in fact!’
‘You’re joking?’ said Jack.
‘Dead serious,’ said Caroline. ‘Milly moved into his boat on the marshes, and the pair of them are sickeningly loved up.’
‘Aww,’ said Jack. ‘And how’s the museum fund doing.’
‘Wow, you really have done your homework!’ said Caroline. ‘Again, really well. The tennis tournament made a ton of cash, and then there was a whopping anonymous donation that really helped.’
‘I know,’ said Jack.
‘Don’t tell me Brian filled you in on that too,’ said Caroline, cocking her head curiously.
