Page 27 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
Watching as she dithered on the spot, Declan shook his head slightly. ‘Walk and talk with me. That’s the best I can do if it’s urgent.’
‘Great. I’m happy to walk and talk.’ Turning, she followed him back the way she’d just come and pulled her hood up just before they stepped outside.
After holding the door open for her, Declan followed and lifted his face to the sky before raising his own coat hood. ‘There’s something refreshing about this weather, isn’t there? Something revitalising.’
Polly swiped at her face as a fat raindrop landed squarely on her forehead. Refreshing? That’s not the way she’d have described it after walking half a mile through it and getting drenched. She could feel her wet jeans sticking to her legs and that definitely didn’t feel particularly revitalising, either. ‘Yep, it sure is.’
‘What can I help you with?’ Turning to her, he held the edge of his hood back so he could see her.
‘Zac and I went to a village meeting last night and I just have a couple of ideas to run past you. They’re to do with the upcoming Bonfire Night, which is why I wanted to get your opinion on them today.’ Polly batted a raindrop dribbling off the end of her nose.
‘In Meadowfield?’
‘Yes, that’s right. The community hub have organised a bonfire and fireworks display at the local primary school and will be having food trucks and some stalls inside the hall too.’
‘And what were you thinking?’ Turning, Declan began walking slowly in the direction of the car park.
Walking beside him, Polly took a deep breath before blurting out her ideas. ‘Well, I was thinking we could hire a food truck on behalf of the reserve café and offer hot drinks and some of the food which is served there. And we could also set up a stall inside, print some leaflets and maybe run a competition to win a stuffed toy or something. Anything really just to let people know the reserve is still here, still open and has a lot to offer the people of Meadowfield.’
Declan paused and turned towards her. Tilting his head, he nodded slowly. ‘I can see how this could work.’
‘Yes, I really think it might. Of course it’ll cost us, but I reckon we’d get our money back and make some besides. Plus, it’ll be worth the outlay to get the word out. I know we’ve spoken about how we can improve visitors’ experience of the reserve and I know we won’t be able to implement everything in time, but I do think a lot of villagers just don’t see it as a place to come.’ She shook her head. She wasn’t making any sense. ‘We need to raise awareness if we’re going to attract more visitors.’
‘Okay, okay.’ Rummaging in his pocket, Declan pulled out a bunch of keys. ‘Make the necessary enquiries. See if it would be possible. Check there are still stalls available, speak to Helena and Jarvis at the café and ask their opinions and if they’d be willing to help and we’ll go from there. How does that sound?’
‘Great. Absolutely great. Thank you.’
‘No worries. I like it.’ Smiling, he held his keys out and clicked the fob, the hazard lights flickering to life on an old Ford Escort.
‘Okay.’ Polly nodded, a slow grin spreading across her face. She’d got his approval. He thought the idea was a good one.
‘Now go inside and get yourself dried off before you catch your death or nothing will get done.’ Nodding towards the visitor centre, Declan chuckled before turning and making his way to his car.
Laughing, Polly spun on the spot, suddenly forgetting how cold and wet she was. If she could organise this in time, it could make a difference. It could be a relatively easy and quick way to remind the villagers of the reserve’s existence and bring in some money.
18
Settling back into the chair at her desk, Polly rubbed her hands together, willing the cold red skin to warm up. After calling Pennycress Inn hoping that Jill might be there, she’d got the go-ahead that there were still stalls available and space for another food truck. She’d also spoken to Helena and Jarvis who ran the reserve café, and they were suitably excited at the prospect of pulling more customers in.
‘How did it go? Are Helena and Jarvis keen?’ Wheeling her chair towards Polly, Vicki stopped in front of Polly’s desk before readjusting the cotton scarf draped around her shoulders as a bushy browny-red tail flopped out.
‘Who have you brought to work today?’ Leaning forward, Polly smiled as Vicki folded the fabric down a little to reveal a small sleeping squirrel.
‘Nutkin. He’s been hand-reared since a member of the public found him trapped inside a skip on someone’s driveway.’ Vicki grinned as she gently let the fabric cover him again. ‘Don’t let this fool you, though. When he’s awake, he’s an utter pest, which is why I’ve had to bring him to work today. I’m looking after him for a few days while, Betty, who he’s staying with, goes on holiday and it’s got to the point that I have to separate him and my flatmate’s cat as Nutkin here just terrorises her.’
‘Oh.’ Polly couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Appearances can be deceptive.’
‘They definitely can.’ Vicki picked up a pen from Polly’s desk and began winding it around her fingers.
Polly looked towards the door as Zac strode through. Yep, he was another example of appearances being deceptive.
‘So, go on, don’t keep me in suspense. Are we having a food truck and stall at the bonfire and fireworks display?’ Vicki tapped the pen gently against the edge of the desk.
‘Sorry, yes. Helena and Jarvis are more than happy to organise and run the truck. They were pretty excited about the potential to drum up business.’ Polly opened her notebook and crossed off the task of finding a food truck from her list. It made sense Helena and Jarvis making the arrangements. They knew what they’d need for a start, and she was grateful they’d been happy to organise it all.
‘So, it’s going ahead, then?’ Vicki grinned. ‘I don’t think we’ve ever been part of such a big event since I started here three years ago.’
‘I just hope it works.’ Polly lowered her voice as Zac took his seat at the desk next to her, the aromatic fumes of fresh coffee enveloping her. She’d hardly sat down all morning, let alone had time to grab a coffee. She’d just have to breathe a little deeper and hope the aroma supplied her with the caffeine too.
