Page 53 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
‘Haha, fair enough.’ Smiling, Zac led the way to the cashier and joined the small queue. ‘Everything’s sorted for Bonfire Night, then?’
‘Yes, I think so.’ She began counting on her fingers. ‘The leaflets will be ready to pick up on Thursday, the raffle tickets will be delivered tomorrow, Helena and Jarvis have secured the food truck and now we have these.’
‘Great. You’ll have nothing to do but sit and relax for the rest of the week until your first event, then.’ Zac began placing the soft toys on the conveyor belt. ‘You’ve done great with this. I’d never have even thought to use a village event like this to raise awareness of the reserve and to raise some money, too.’
‘Ah, I know it won’t raise much. I mean, the sales from the food truck have to cover the product costs, the hire as well as Helena and Jarvis’ overtime, so I’m guessing we’ll break even at worst, or else make a small profit at best, but I’m hopeful the raffle will raise something. I mean, everyone loves a raffle, don’t they?’
The young boy standing in line in front of them tugged his mum’s hand before pointing behind them towards the toys. ‘Mum, look at how cool that spider is.’
‘Wow, it is, isn’t it?’ The mum smiled and mouthed at Polly, ‘It looks very realistic.’
‘We’re from Meadowfield Nature Reserve and if you’re coming to the Bonfire Night celebrations at the school, we’ll be giving this scary spider’ – Polly raised her eyebrows at Zac – ‘and the other toys away in a raffle.’
‘Aw, can we go, Mum? Can we?’ The boy looked up at his mum.
‘We certainly can.’ The mum ruffled her son’s hair as they were called to be served.
‘That’s one definite customer, then.’ Zac leaned in closer as he spoke.
‘Yep.’ Polly took a deep breath. Now everything was planned, the nerves over whether this would work were beginning to creep in. From what Jill had said, there’d be lots of stalls, mostly craft stalls and the like, so theirs might be easily overlooked. And as for food trucks, well, if she’d learned anything about events like this, then there would likely be an abundance of those. If Helena and Jarvis lost money…
‘Evening, folks. Wow, someone likes our cuddly wildlife selection.’ The cashier smiled at them as she began scanning the toys.
‘Haha, they’re prizes for a raffle in aid of Meadowfield Nature Reserve.’ Placing her tote bag on the end of the counter, Polly rummaged inside, looking for her purse with the reserve’s payment card inside.
‘Ooh, now that’s exciting. It’s not for Jill’s Bonfire Night celebration she’s organising, is it?’ The woman tucked her hair behind her ears as she totalled up. ‘Of course, I know it’s not just Jill on the Community Hub team, but, hey, everyone knows she’s the driving force behind the Meadowfield events.’
Pulling the card out, Polly smiled. ‘Yes, it is. We’ve got a stall and a food truck too.’
The woman nodded. ‘Fantastic. It’ll be a great place to drum up awareness of the reserve.’
‘I’m hoping so. Do you go to the reserve a lot?’
‘I sure do. Me and my dog, Pebbles, absolutely love it up there. It’s always so quiet, though, and I often think it’s quite sad people seem to forget about the place. After all, it’s right on their doorstep, if not a short car journey away.’ The woman held out her hand. ‘I’m Freda. I live in Meadowfield and I can see you work at the reserve?’ She pointed to the embroidered motif on Polly’s sweatshirt peeking out from under her open coat.
‘Hi, Freda. It’s lovely to meet you and great to know you utilise the reserve.’ Polly turned to Zac. ‘This is Zac. He works there too.’
‘Fantastic.’ Freda shook Zac’s hand, too. ‘Well, I’ll be sure to come along to your stall at the weekend.’
‘Thanks.’ After tapping the card against the machine, Polly began to bundle the teddies into her arms.
‘Do you want a bag for those?’ Freda began pulling a large paper bag from beneath the till.
‘No, we’re good. Thanks though.’ Poking her face through the mound of teddies, Polly said her goodbyes before following Zac, who was carrying the enormous squirrel back to his car. Well, that was two confirmed customers they’d have at the stall at least.
30
‘Two pie and mash.’ Jackson lowered the plates onto the pub table in front of them. ‘It’s good to see you both in here.’
‘Thanks. We thought we’d best check out the local.’ Zac grinned as he pulled his plate towards him. ‘No rest for the wicked, hey?’
‘Haha, nope. Not that I mind it and I only work a few shifts in here nowadays. What with helping Laura with the inn, too.’ Jackson glanced behind him and lowered his voice. ‘Besides, I’m pretty sure the Community Hub is meeting there this evening, and knowing them, they’ll be there for hours, so I’m safer here, where Miss Cooke can’t rope me into all sorts for the good of the village.’
Polly laughed.
‘Not that I mind it usually. I’ve moved around a fair bit, as I used to do a spot of property developing, you know, buying somewhere run-down, refurbishing it and selling it on again, and I’ve got to say, Meadowfield is the only place I’m happy settling in.’ Jackson smiled. ‘Of course it helps that Laura moved here too.’
‘I hear wedding plans are being made?’ Zac took a forkful of mash.
