Page 58 of A Not So Quiet Christmas
Chapter 34
Carrying bag after bag, the three of us to-and-froed in and out of Number 3. Waiting for the opportunity to tick off another item on my to-do list, I felt nervous. I wasn’t worried about Jason; he’d love my proposition. His brother was the issue. However, as Violet’s rear became increasingly empty, I knew I had to say something and soon; before I missed the chance altogether.
“I love these,” Jason said. Reaching into the van for his next haul, he indicated a box of Christmas crackers that poked out of one of the carriers. “Did you know they were invented back in 1846?”
I’d got used to Jason blurting out weird and wonderful Christmas facts, to the point that I looked forward to his festive titbits. Unlike Barrowboy, I noted, who having clearly heard all his brother’s stories before, rolled his eyes, as he also reached for another bag.
“A chap called Tom Smith came up with the idea,” Jason said. “At first, he wrapped up sweets, twisting the ends like you sometimes see even now. Then he added love messages into the wrapper.
“A love note, eh?” Barrowboy said. He looked my way. “Play your cards right, and you could be in line for one of those this year.”
I stared at the man. He was obviously referring to my date with Oliver. However, that was the second time he’d intimated I was the source of local gossip and I smiled, refusing to let that latest remark pass. “I’m honoured,” I said. “And there I was thinking you were saving yourself for Lizzie.”
The man’s face relaxed into a smile and as he got back to ferrying the shopping, I turned to Jason so he could finish his story.
“Anyway, when Tom Smith added the banger,” Jason carried on. “He had to make an even bigger wrapper and after that, he swapped the sweets for a trinket.”
“So it was a gradual process?” I asked.
“Very much so. It was his son, Walter Smith, who added the paper hats and jokes like we have today.”
“Thank you for telling me,” I said.
Jason grabbed the last of the bags and took them into the house, crossing paths with his brother in the hallway.
“That seems to be everything,” Barrowboy said.
“Thank you,” I replied. “I’d have had arms down to the floor if I’d had to shift it all myself.”
Another flicker of a smile crossed the man’s lips, but it was gone as quickly as it had arrived.
Jason reappeared and as Barrowboy nodded to the Land Rover, both men began to leave.
“Before you go…” I said. Seizing the moment, I pictured Jules cheering me on as I took a step towards them.
The two men stopped and turned to look my way.
“I wanted to ask you something?” Without yet knowing my question Barrowboy seemed uninterested, and my pulse quickened as a result. I plastered a smile on my face, ready to feel the fear and ask it anyway. “I was wondering if you’d both like to come for Christmas lunch?” I said.
Barrowboy looked at me like I’d gone mad.
I appreciated why, of course. I hardly knew the man and yet there I was, inviting him to spend the biggest day of the year with me.
In contrast, Jason’s eyes lit up and his jaw dropped. He looked to his brother in anticipation, obviously desperate for the man to say yes.
“I don’t think so,” Barrowboy said.
Suddenly crestfallen, Jason let out a mournful sigh.
I recalled what Jason had said about not celebrating Christmas since his parents had passed away and my heart went out to him. It was evident Jason loved Christmastime, even if his brother didn’t. Why else would he have committed all those unnecessary facts to memory? And despite missing out himself, Jason in no way begrudged anyone else celebrating. My eyes went from him to the tree in Aunt Lillian’s window. If anything, he positively encouraged it.
I felt my hackles rise as without even an explanation, Barrowboy gestured to Jason once more, telling him to get in their vehicle. I’d known all along my question would be met less than positively, hence my reluctance to ask, but I couldn’t help but wonder why the man had to be so rude? And, not that I dared say it, cruel? Deciding I had nothing to lose, I took another step forward. “Can I ask why?” I asked.
Again, Barrowboy stopped to look at me.
“Because while you might not enjoy Christmas, your brother here clearly does.”
“It’s all right, Antonia,” Jason said.
