Page 33 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
It was still relatively early in the evening, but Caroline could see that Jack’s eyelids were getting heavy. Every blink had a bit of a delay, and he was struggling to keep up with the conversation too.
‘Hey,’ she said gently, as his head nodded right into the palm of his hand, ‘I don’t want to play mum or anything, but don’t stay up on my account. Feel free to head to bed – I totally get it.’
‘You sure?’ said Jack, his voice a mumbled garble. ‘I don’t want you reporting the fact that I’m a lightweight who has the bedtime of a toddler!’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ said Caroline. ‘Besides… I think if you leave it any longer, I’m going to have to carry you up the stairs. As much as I’m game for giving it a try, I’m not sure my insurance covers me carrying film stars to bed!’
‘M’not film star,’ murmured Jack. ‘M’just Jack.’
‘Alright, just Jack,’ said Caroline, getting to her feet in the hope that he might follow suit. ‘Whatever you are, you aredefinitelystill jetlagged.’
‘Can’t argue, too tired,’ yawned Jack, sliding to his feet just like she’d planned. ‘What about you, though? I feel bad. I’m a rubbish host!’
‘You’re definitely not,’ said Caroline. ‘Anyway, don’t worry about me, I can look after myself.’
‘Okay,’ yawned Jack, clearly too far gone to put up any kind of a fight. ‘Help yourself to any of the spare bedrooms. Trish has got them all aired and the beds are made up. No idea why. It’s always just me.’
Jack paused and a confused look crossed his face, as though he realised he’d just been super-vulnerable… but then he shrugged, clearly lacking the energy or brain space to worry about such things until the morning.
‘It’s all good,’ said Caroline, taking pity on him. She almost wanted to gag the poor guy before he managed to blurt out anything more personal.
Caroline had already had a peep through the rest of the closed doors upstairs earlier on in the evening, and there was a clear winner…
‘So… it’s okay if I help myself to the epic four-poster, then?’ she said lightly.
‘Have at it!’ he said with a sleepy smile. ‘Wait – you haven’t got PJs or anything. Need something to kip in?’
Caroline shook her head. She wasn’t about to make him run around after her in his state of half-snooziness.
‘I’m fine,’ she said.
She’d just sleep in her tee-shirt and undies and worry about the consequences in the morning. She was pretty sure she had her gym bag in the car – and that had a spare tee shirt and leggings in it. With any luck, she’d be able to sweep the snow off in the morning and grab it.
‘By the way - thank you,’ said Jack, trudging towards the door, looking very much like he was dragging his feet with every step.
‘What on earth for?’ said Caroline with a little laugh.
Goodness, he was even cuter when he was half-asleep!
‘For getting stuck in the snow. And for staying. And for agreeing to marry me, of course!’
‘My pleasure. All of it. I mean, I couldn’t exactly turn you down considering you gave me this whopper!’ she said, holding up her hand so that the giant plastic gem sparkled under the lights. ‘Good night Jack, sweet dreams.’
Jack nodded sleepily. Then he opened his mouth to say something… paused… closed it again and promptly disappeared.
‘Weirdest evening ever?’ whispered Caroline to the empty room as she cocked her head and listened for Jack’s soft footsteps making their way up the stairs.
As soon as she was sure he was safely on his way to bed, Caroline made her way over towards the window. Twitching back the heavy curtains, she peeped out. The snow was still swirling in enthusiastic flurries, and it was hard to make out the beach. The moon wasn’t anywhere to be seen – clearly tucked up behind the heavy blanket of clouds – but she could hear the waves lapping at the edges of the snowy beach.
With a little shiver, Caroline carefully closed the gap in the curtains. Then she turned to admire the Christmas tree. They really had done a brilliant job – despite their near-constant squabbling over the best bits of tinsel and the sparkliest ornaments. The lights twinkled at her, reflecting off the baubles and the giant star at the top.
Caroline grinned at the sight. Getting that star up there had nearly brought the entire tree down on their heads. Still – it had been worth it. In fact, she was starting to think it might be time to retire her tatty tinsel tree and treat herself to a real one.
‘Maybe not, though,’ she sighed. Because nothing was ever going to come close to decorating a seven-foot Christmas tree with her celebrity crush, was it?!
‘You’re in big trouble, my girl,’ she muttered, turning her attention to the wood burner, which was still crackling away merrily.
A crush on Jack Jones had felt relatively safe when he’d been on the other side of the world – a random celebrity she was never likely to meet. He was just someone she could fantasise about at arm’s length while tearing him to shreds in the newspaper – just to balance out all the mushy feelings she had in private. She’d never considered the chance that she might actually meet him one day.
