Page 31 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘Sorry, I haven’t seen you around much lately,’ Callum continues when I don’t say anything. ‘I’ve been away . . . on a course.’
‘I didn’t know they sent vicars on courses?’
‘Yes, occasionally.’
‘Did you learn much?’
Callum grins. ‘Nothing I didn’t already know.’
‘Ah well, I guess it was a change of scenery for you.’
‘I’d much rather have been here, actually.’ Callum holds my gaze for a moment.
‘One gin and tonic,’ Lonan says, interrupting us. ‘Hi,’ he says to Callum as he passes me my drink. ‘I don’t think we’ve been introduced, Lonan Adler.’ He holds out his hand and Callum shakes it.
‘Callum Crawford, pleased to meet you.’ He glances at my drink. ‘You two obviously know each other?’
‘We met about five minutes ago,’ Lonan says before I have chance to speak. ‘We’re the newbies on the pub quiz team.’
‘So I’ve heard,’ Callum says, smiling at me again. ‘I’m a team member too. Welcome.’
‘I hear it’s run by the local church,’ Lonan says, leaning in towards us conspiratorially. ‘Still, I’m sure we can liven it up a little.’ He lifts his glass at us. ‘Can’t have the Bible-bashers ruining all our fun, can we?’
My heart sinks. But Callum to his credit simply lifts his own pint of beer and chinks it to Lonan’s. ‘Nope, we certainly can’t.’
Jonah pops up behind us. ‘Ah, there you are,’ he says to Callum. ‘I should have known I’d find you propping up the bar!’
Callum rolls his eyes at us. ‘You’ve met my wife,’ he jokes.
Lonan and I both smile, but Jonah pulls a disapproving expression.
‘Can you all make your way over to the team table as quickly as you can, please?’ he asks urgently. ‘We have a few things to go through before tonight’s competition begins. That means you too, Callum.’
Callum pulls a face, which Jonah ignores before he makes his way back over to the team table.
‘He may seem a little over-zealous,’ Callum explains kindly, once Jonah is out of earshot, ‘but he means well. Jonah is very passionate about the quiz team. He’s passionate abouteverything he becomes involved with, actually. But the quiz team is his baby, and he does organise it very well.’
We follow Jonah to the back of the pub, where we’re warmly welcomed by the rest of the team, who are sitting around two adjoining tables.
‘Welcome!’ Jonah says as we take our seats. ‘Before we begin tonight, I think we should have some introductions so our newcomers can get to know everyone.’
Jonah, like Callum, is wearing casual attire tonight. But whereas Callum’s clothing is super casual, Jonah’s is smart – a bottle-green jumper and dark grey trousers – and he still wears his dog collar under his V-neck.
‘I’ll begin, shall I? I’m Jonah,’ Jonah says, placing his hand on his chest. ‘I’m the deacon at the church and, for my sins,’ he pauses for a moment, delighted with his joke, ‘I’m the captain of the quiz team.’
He holds out his hand to the person next to him – who happens to be Jenny from the shop.
‘I’m Jenny and I own the village shop, and I’m pleased to say I’ve met both our lovely newcomers already,’ she says nodding with encouragement at Lonan and me. She nudges the man next to her.
‘I’m Gavin, and I own Peacocks Farm Shop,’ Gavin says next, looking a tad embarrassed. ‘I’ve met Ava here, but not you, sir.’
Lonan grins with delight at him. ‘A farm shop – how fabulous! I’ll be sure to pop in and see you, Gavin.’
Gavin nods, and looks to a pretty young woman with long blonde hair to his right.
‘Hi, I’m Jemima, and I’m the acting head teacher at the primary school,’ she says a little shyly.
‘Known to most as Miss Swan,’ Jenny pipes up.
