Page 44 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
The deep voice behind her made Caroline whip around. She came face to face with Brian Singer, who was wearing a seriously cute jumper with a stuffed figgy pudding right over his belly.
‘Brian!’ she said with a broad smile. Then she frowned. That hadn’t been Brian’s voice.
Caroline glanced at the tall figure next to the friendly cabby and let out a loud hoot of laughter.
‘What on earth are you wearing, Mr Film Star?!’
‘Shhh!’ growled Brian, shooting a furtive look around them. ‘You’re spoiling his disguise!’
Jack didn’t seem to mind though, as he was grinning down at her from beneath a towering Christmas tree bonnet. Layer upon green layer of stuffed crochet, complete with coloured baubles added about a foot to his height.
‘Told you it’s a rubbish disguise!’ he laughed.
‘Well, it’s all I had in the cab,’ huffed Brian. ‘Other than the reindeer headband.’
Jack nodded and pulled option b out of his coat pocket. Before Caroline knew what was happening, he reached out, brushed her hair back off her face with gentle fingers, and popped the felt antlers on her head.
‘Tell me I look as cute wearing my disguise as you do right now,’ he said, grinning down at her.
Caroline swallowed. A Christmas miracle seemed to have just happened – she’d lost the use of her voice.
‘Sorry mate, but nope,’ laughed Milly. ‘Yours just looks like a big, green, woolly arrow pointing right at your head!’
Jack snorted.
‘So… you recognise him?’ said Brian.
‘Of course!’ said Milly, rolling her eyes. ‘I mean, it’s not like I’m going to miss it when Ryan Reynolds rocks up to my market stall, is it?’
‘Told you it worked,’ said Brian, looking smug.
‘I’m not sure that counts!’ laughed Jack. ‘Can I take it off now please?’
‘Aw,’ said Caroline, finding her voice again – though it was decidedly husky. ‘Why don’t you want to stand in front of Crumbleton with a Christmas tree on your head?’
‘What can I say,’ laughed Jack, ‘I’m a total diva!’
‘Yeah, you are,’ said Caroline with a grin.
She was having a hard time stopping herself from reaching out and wrapping her arms around the man. She could still feel a light tingling on her cheeks where he’d touched her – like tiny traces of magic were at work on her skin. He was… delicious. No one should look that cute in a crotchet Christmas tree hat!
Blimey!
She needed to get things rolling, otherwise she was going to do something stupid right in front of the entire town.
‘Right… are you ready for it?’ she said, doing her best to pull herself together.
‘As ready as I’ll ever be,’ said Jack. ‘Nice to meet you, Milly.’
‘You too, Ryan!’ said Milly with a grin.
‘Oh… can you reserve that wreath for me, please?’ he added quickly, pointing at a large one dotted with tiny red roses and pinecones. ‘And one of those potted Venus Flytraps too?’
‘You’ve got it!’ said Milly, looking thrilled.
‘Okay,’ said Jack, sounding nervous. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
‘Yeah – then you can make a start on the carolling!’ said Caroline.
