Page 60 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
Everyone laughed but the message hit Livvy hard. The solid nub of resentment she’d held towards Gavin began to ease away. It was time to forgive him, to move on. Better to find out his heart wasn’t in the business right at the beginning. Running the pub hadn’t been easy on her own but she’d made a go of it. Allowing herself a little pride in her achievements, she tuned back into the service. Honor led the children to the front, where they grouped around a knitted life-sized nativity scene, completewith a donkey and camel. Singing along to their rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’, Livvy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
And then it was over.
‘That was so lovely,’ she said to Daisy. ‘I’m glad I came in the end. It’s fantastic to see the town turn out like this.’
‘Always a highlight. Always think it feels as if Christmas has really begun.’ Daisy shivered. ‘Wish they’d get the heating sorted out though. It’s never warm in here but tonight it’s positively arctic.’
‘I know. I haven’t even taken my coat off. And I can’t feel my nose. My posh frock has gone completely unappreciated. Mark and I are walking back up to The George. Would you like to come? Pub’s closed tonight so we can have a quiet drink in front of the wood burner.’
‘I’d love that. Sure I wouldn’t be a gooseberry though?’
They stood up and joined those drifting out.
‘Don’t worry about that. Mark and I are just friends. Ah, Mark, there you are,’ Livvy said as he joined them on the path outside. ‘Daisy’s going to come up to the pub. Would you like to join us for a night cap? I can guarantee heat.’
‘Heat sounds good.’ He looked frozen and miserable and had the collar of his black coat turned up. ‘Can’t stay too long though. Early start in the morning, that’s if I can get Nats out of bed.’
Once the crowds had dispersed, they picked up the pace and began the climb back up the hill to The George. It left them little breath to talk.
‘We’ll go in via the kitchen door,’ Livvy explained, as she led them under the carriage arch and into the car park. Feeling something delicate settle on her nose she looked up. ‘Guys, I think it’s snowing!’
It was. From a heavy black sky flurries drifted down.
‘Amazing,’ Daisy yelled in glee. She grabbed Mark’s arm and began to dosey-doe with him. ‘Come on, Mark, dance with me.It’s the only way I’m going to warm up. We might be in for a white Christmas, after all.’
The security lights flooded on. Daisy and Mark were too engrossed in dancing to notice at first but, when Livvy’s eyes adjusted to the glare, she saw.
‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘Look.’
Daisy and Mark stopped abruptly at her distressed voice.
‘Fuck,’ Mark said.
Livvy ran to the far end of the car park. Mark and Daisy followed. In the harsh white light the damage was clear. Once again Livvy’s work van had been daubed with paint. This time it looked as if an entire pot had been thrown over the windscreen. But it was worse this time. The vandal hadn’t been content with daubing paint. All four tyres were slashed too.
‘Oh, Mark,’ Livvy whispered, horrified. ‘They’ve done the same to your car!’
CHAPTER 33
Tea – an aromatic and comforting beverage, best made with loose leaf tea and freshly boiled water in a warmed pot. Ideal for a crisis.
As they went into the kitchen a distressed springer greeted them, jumping up and whining, her tail between her legs.
‘Oh, Angel. Did you sense someone outside, girl?’ Livvy bent to comfort her.
‘I’ll put the kettle on.’ Daisy shrugged, ‘I can’t think of anything more productive to suggest. I’m so sorry, Livvy. This is awful and really unlike Lullbury. I promise you, usually nothing ever happens here.’
‘I’ll take Angel out. She’ll need a wee and I’ll have a look around,’ Mark said. ‘You’d best report it.’
Livvy nodded, grateful. She couldn’t help but be relieved that he was the one going out in the cold and dark when someonewith ill-intent was around. She went through to the bar, put on the wall lights, stoked up the fire and went online to report.
To her surprise, a PC Khan rang back almost immediately. No one was available to get out tonight, he said, but, should she wish it, someone could attend in the morning. The advice would be to fit security cameras.
‘Is there anything else I can do?’ Daisy bustled through, bringing a tray. ‘Hope you don’t mind but I found some biscuits.’
Livvy started. Her nerves were shot. ‘Thanks. Think they’re what’s left over from the board games afternoon.’
Daisy put the tray on the bar and began to pour. ‘I heard it went really well.’ She brought Livvy a steaming mug. Looking around she added, ‘Funny being in here when the last time it was packed. Places have a different atmosphere when empty, don’t they?’ Putting her hand to her mouth, she said, appalled, ‘Sorry. Not the most tactful of things to say after what’s just happened.’
