Page 42 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
‘Yes.’
‘The one who’s somehow – mysteriously – managed to talk you out of your hidey-hole tonight to do her a favour?’ said Brian.
‘Yes.’
‘The one who hates your guts?!’ he added with a wicked gleam in his eye.
‘That’s the one,’ laughed Jack.
‘Yes, she does sometimes,’ he said. ‘Though if you’re planning on picking a fight with her, would you mind leaving it till after we’ve had a few games?’
‘I reckon I can manage that,’ said Jack with a grin. ‘Hey – you said something about repaying Trish too…?’
‘Yeah,’ said Brian. ‘She’s one of the carollers, and they’re always looking for more men. Unfortunately, I can’t help because I sound like a squashed frog. Any chance you’d be up for a few carols?’
‘Ah,’ said Jack. ‘Well… yes. Of course. In fact, I’ve already been roped in!’
‘That’s wonderful!’ said Brian. ‘Well, you’re full of surprises tonight. Trish is going to be chuffed.’
‘We’ll see,’ she Jack. ‘She hasn’t heard me sing yet!’
But apparently, Caroline had. When she’d called him to fill him in on the finer details of the event, she’d not-so-subtly dropped the bombshell that she’d heard him singing in the shower. Then, she’d promptly begged him to join in with the carollers for at least one song. Jack had been so happy to hear her voice again that he’d agreed to it before he’d realised what he was doing.
‘Well, I have to say, you’re probably the most exciting guest we’ve ever had for the lights switch on,’ said Brian. ‘Of course, it’s bigger and better than ever this year.’
‘Mmm,’ said Jack. He wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about the fact that the event had mushroomed into an entire Christmasmarket, complete with mulled wine and hot chocolate stalls as well as the carol singing.
Part of him – his inner excited four-year-old who couldn’t wait for Christmas – was thrilled, but the part of him that had been so concerned about maintaining his privacy and not ramming his presence down the locals’ throats was dreading it. Luckily, there was a third part in play – the one that simply couldn’t say no to Caroline Cook.
‘So… if you wouldn’t mind dropping me up near the museum, that’d be grand,’ said Jack as they neared the City Gates, and his stomach flipped with a mixture of excitement and pure fear.
‘You’re kidding, right?’ said Brian, his voice serious.
‘Erm… no…’ said Jack.
‘Sorry mate, but this sleigh doesn’t actually fly. The high street’s been officially closed to all traffic, barring emergency vehicles, since lunchtime to give all the stallholders time to set up!’
‘And… the museum’s at the top of town,’ said Jack, nodding slowly.
‘Yep – still where it was when you were a nipper,’ said Brian. ‘Quite a stretch, but nothing I can do about it tonight, sadly. Anyway… it’s not like there’s any point in you trying to hide, is there? You’ll be the focus of everyone’s attention in about an hour anyway!’
Jack nodded even as his knees quaked. This was ridiculous. He’d spent years dealing with the press – he was used to having cameras shoved in his face, both the movie kindandthe paparazzi kind. He was pretty sure he could handle an evening hanging out with a tiny crowd of locals.
‘You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,’ chuckled Brian. ‘They won’t bite, I promise!’
‘I’m okay,’ said Jack, forcing a smile.
‘You’ll be grand, lad,’ said Brian. ‘Tell you what, I might have something in the back seat you can use as a bit of a disguise. Plus, I’ll walk up to the top of town with you. We can go up the back steps so you don’t get mobbed.’
‘What about your darts?’ said Jack.
‘Can’t start without you!’ said Brian. ‘Besides, you might need a bodyguard.’
‘I thought you said the locals don’t bite?’ said Jack, alarmed.
‘They don’t… but Caroline Cook might!’
Jack snorted.
