Page 43 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
‘I’m sure I can handle her,’ he said, unable to keep the broad grin off his face.
In fact, he couldn’t wait to see her. Jack had some news to share with Caroline Cook… he just hoped she was as excited about it as he was.
CHAPTER 15
CAROLINE
Caroline was buzzing. The entire town had come out to play. Considering she’d only announced the event a couple of days ago and no one other than Milly knew who her super-special guest was – she had to say, she was chuffed.
The only grumble she’d received was from Geraldine in the antiques shop – and that was only because she’d had such a busy lead-up to Christmas already, she was concerned she didn’t have enough trinkets to fill her stall with last-minute gift options. Caroline had simply herded the woman back inside her cave of a shop. Within five minutes, she’d helped to gather enough jewellery, vintage baubles and other assorted white elephants to fill not just one but three tables.
Every single shopkeeper in Crumbleton had agreed to join in the fun – as long as the weather held – and at last, the weather gods had been in Caroline’s favour. They’d been blessed with a chilly but clear night. Somewhere, far above the gleaming Christmas lights, Caroline knew the stars were peeping through the darkness of the December night sky.
‘I’m loving this!’ called Milly, as Caroline ambled towards her little stall at the top of the hill.
‘Isn’t it cool?’ said Caroline, her eyes scanning the crowd, watching as everyone’s breath plumed in the frozen air.
Crumbleton’s residents were already out in force, milling up and down the cobbles, sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine, and buying all sorts of knickknacks as they went. But Caroline wasn’t focussing on the usual suspects. She was looking for someone else - one face in particular – one that everyone here would know the minute they spotted him.
The weird thing was, Caroline felt like she’d been keeping an eye out for Jack all week – which was completely ridiculous. She knew for a fact that he wouldn’t dare to venture into town before he had to. Still, ever since her unexpected sleepover at his place, Caroline had lived in a strange little bubble of hope that he might turn up in her office, or that she might spot him in the aisles of Bendall’s.
No such luck.
There was something bittersweet about the fact that she’d fallen a little bit in love with her celebrity crush.
Or – a lot a bit!
But… she couldn’t let herself think like that, could she? The man in question was due to turn up at any moment to do the honours with the Christmas lights… but then he’d be gone… and not just back to Crumbleton Sands.
Caroline sighed. She had no doubt that Jack would see sense about the role he’d been offered in that new movie franchise. His agent would make sure of it. He’d be on his way to New Zealand before she knew it… winging his way out of her life.
Caroline wasn’t delusional enough to think that their little interlude had meant as much to him as it had to her. It was just a strange bit of Christmas magic - something she’d always hold close to her heart, even if it barely registered as a blip on Jack’s radar.
‘Your man not here yet?’ said Milly, lowering her voice.
Caroline shook her head. ‘Shhh!’ she said automatically.
Milly giggled, adjusting a couple of the stunning wreaths she’d whipped up for her stall.
‘I think the cat’ll be out of the bag in a few minutes, anyway,’ said Milly, ‘given that the poor bloke is going to have to make his way up the high street through this lot! Did you even tell him about the back steps?’
‘I… oh!’ Caroline pulled a face. ‘I didn’t think to.’
‘Meany!’ chuckled Milly.
The reality was, Caroline had been so excited to have an excuse to speak to Jack when she’d called to fill him in on the details of the event, she’d ended up getting strangely tongue-tied… something Jack had found ridiculously funny.
Caroline had promptly paid him back by roping him into join the carollers for at least a couple of songs. In fact… they’d just been settling back into their easy banter when Jack received another call – this time from his agent. One hurried apology later and the line had gone dead.
‘Earth to Caroline?!’ said Milly.
Caroline gave herself a little shake. ‘Huh?’
‘Hadn’t you better stop mooning around and go down to the Gates to rescue the poor guy?’
‘Erm… actually, good plan,’ said Caroline, glancing at her watch. ‘Though I might be a bit late for that…’
‘Yep, you are!’
