Page 43 of A Not So Quiet Christmas
Chapter 26
Frank carried a stick in his mouth as we made our way back to Number 3, Bluebell Row. He’d found it at the start of our walk and despite much coaxing and grabbing on my part, he’d refused to let it go since.
Flat Cap Man had taken up his usual position opposite the shop. “Hello,” I said, as we passed him by. I’d given up asking if he was okay. The only response I ever got was a polite confirmation that all was well before he scurried off.
“Evening,” Flat Cap Man replied. He was obviously as used to seeing me as I was him by then, because gone was his fluster. Much to my surprise, he simply nodded and smiled, and stayed put, while I continued to wonder what his story was.
With Aunt Lillian’s cottage in sight, I looked forward to some quiet time. Looking after Seb had been exhausting even with Jason’s help. Boy, could the two of them talk. On and on, they’d wittered, chatting about anything and everything. Even when it came to Jules’s activities, there was a discussion to be had thanks to Jason’s bizarre ability to remember pieces of random information. When it came to the subject of Christmas, what that man didn’t know clearly wasn’t worth knowing.
Like the fact that a gentleman called Erwin Perzy created the very first snow globe back in 1900. Although, according to Jason this was quite by accident. The man’s intention had been to improve the brightness of the newly invented electric light bulb. Then there was the brief history of the pompom that Jason had treat us to, the origins of which could be traced back to Scandinavia and the Viking era. But whereas Seb had soaked up this mine of useless information, my brain wasn’t quite the sponge it once was and the second the two of them had left, I’d needed to get out into the fresh air to clear the fuzziness in my head.
I smiled as I pictured the three of us. All colouring, crafting and singing along to Christmas carols. I thought back to my own childhood recalling how mine and Mum’s festivities hadn’t been quite so much fun, and for the first time, I felt a little sad because of that. I appreciated why, of course. Mum was busy with two jobs and I supposed decorating the Christmas tree was just another task that needed squeezing in. Working and raising a child on her own didn’t leave much time for frivolities and when she wasn’t out earning, recharging her batteries had to have taken priority. No doubt, that was why she got on with tree duties when I wasn’t around. I sighed. Thanks to a single afternoon with Seb and Jason, I’d had a taste of what both Mum and I had missed out on.
Nevertheless, as endearing and fun as my afternoon had been, it had also left me feeling shattered and in need of a long soak and an early night.
Frank dropped his stick at the front door, and I put it to one side, before letting us both into the house. I hung the dog’s lead on the bottom of the banister and shrugged off my coat and boots, already imagining sinking into a hot deep bubble bath. I looked forward to getting into my pyjamas ready for a good night’s sleep in a warm comfy bed. However, a knock at the door put a halt to my reverie and I turned, grimacing at the interruption. Frank headed into the lounge leaving me to find out who’d come a-calling. “Hello,” I said, opening the door to find Oliver stood there. He held a wooden kitchen chair in his hands.
“For you,” he said.
Confused by the offering, I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“It’s from Granddad. He said you’d know why.”
I smiled as I took in the well-worn pine of the piece and recognising it from Ted Sharples’s skip, I stood aside, appreciating the gesture. “Aw, that’s so sweet of him,” I said. “You’d better bring it in.”
Oliver stepped into the hall, evidently confused. “Would you like me to put it anywhere in particular?” he said.
“No. You can just leave it here,” I replied. “And, please, pass on my thanks.”
“I’m to tell you there’s more where this came from if you’re interested.”
My eyes lit up. “Really?”
Oliver laughed. “I’m not sure what this is about, but I’d have thought there was more than enough furniture here already.”
“Oh, it’s not for this house,” I replied. “It’s for my new venture.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”
“I can tell you over a hot chocolate?” I said. “You look as cold as I feel after being out there.”
He nodded. “Why not?” He took off his coat and hung it over the bottom of the banister.
Leading the way to the kitchen, just the thought of obtaining my first acquisition had renewed my energy levels and I couldn’t wait to share my plans. I set about making our drinks, all the while telling Oliver about my intention to become a roadside reclamation specialist. I rambled on about the fabulous website and Instagram account I planned on building to advertise my wares and how Jules’s fixation with daytime TV had put the idea into my head. I explained that some items might only need a simple makeover, which I could manage myself, while other things would be upcycled into something new completely. Of course, that part of the business would mean subcontracting out to various craftsmen, but long term, I hoped to develop my own hands-on skills with proper training.
Oliver looked at me in the same way Jules had when I first told her my intentions – with a mix of horror and amusement. “You’ve decided to become a skip rat?”
“No,” I replied, ready to put the man straight. “Like I said, my title is…” As I handed him his mug of hot chocolate, I clocked the twinkle in his eyes and realising he was teasing stopped short of finishing my sentence.
“Whatever you call yourself, it’s a great idea,” he said. “Very entrepreneurial.”
I smiled at the man. It was nice to hear something positive about my intentions, for once. “Rummaging in someone else’s trash isn’t what many people would call fun,” I said.
Oliver laughed. “Oh, I’m sure there’ll be a downside to it. But imagine the rewards if you find even one bit of treasure. I’m not sure Granddad’s chair will make you a fortune though.”
“Oh, I don’t know. After a good sand and a wax it’ll hold its own,” I said. “I might even paint it.”
“I can keep my eye out for any renovations in the area if you like?”
