Page 65 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
As Laura and Jackson came to stand beside them, Laura whispered, ‘Charlie can get away with anything in her eyes.’
‘She definitely has favourites in the community.’ Jackson chuckled.
‘And you’re no better. You’re like her golden child, too.’ Laura batted his arm playfully.
‘What can I say? I can’t help my natural charm.’ Jackson wrapped his arm around Laura’s shoulder, pulling her close, and kissed her on top of the head.
‘Haha, true.’
Polly watched as Jackson and Laura gently teased each other before turning back to see Jill running across the field to light the bonfire as the people gathered clapped. Yes, Meadowfield was perfect. She already felt at home far quicker than she’d ever thought possible. ‘How did the mulled cider and sparklers go down at the inn?’
Laura grinned, her eyes shining in the glow from the floodlights behind them. ‘Great, thanks. Everyone seemed to enjoy the mulled cider and I think most people said they were bringing the sparklers here to light after the display.’
‘That’s brilliant.’ Polly smiled back.
‘I may have saved some mulled cider for us all when we head back too.’ Jackson chuckled.
‘Perfect.’ Polly turned back to look towards Miss Cooke as her microphone crackled to life again.
‘Thank you, Jill. And now for our display!’ Miss Cooke waited until Jill had raced back around the railings before joining her and pointing to whoever was in charge of the microphone.
Much to Polly’s surprise, music began to play through the speakers and the fireworks were lit and popped, fizzed and banged their way into existence perfectly to the beat of the music.
Glancing behind her, Polly watched as Zac rubbed at his eyes before turning back to the display. He was tired. After waking up at 5a.m. to find his side of the bed empty, she’d caught him downstairs in the kitchen, unable to sleep and he didn’t look as though he’d had a solid hour’s kip since his gran had been rushed to hospital.
As he placed his hand back in hers, she gripped it tighter. He was worried. He was worried about the promotion, about the money, about the consequences if he didn’t get it. And she didn’t blame him. He had a lot riding on it. The future of his parents’ house, as well as his gran’s nursing home.
Leaning back against his chest, she lifted her head, staring at the bright colours filling the dark sky. Tonight’s event had been an accumulation of everything she’d learned about Meadowfield since arriving. The readiness to accept and welcome newcomers, the pulling together of one community for the good of the village, and the shared celebrations. Not to mention the way people had flocked towards Charlie and Nicola when they’d needed help with capturing Claudette and getting her back to safety. This is what she wanted. This is the exact place she had longed to be.
But she couldn’t have it. Sighing, Polly dragged the sleeve of her coat across her eyes. She couldn’t have any of it. But that was okay. The one thing she needed more than Meadowfield, more than her fresh start or her career change, was for Zac to be happy. She needed him, and she wanted him to be happy.
And in that moment, she knew what she had to do.
‘You okay?’ Leaning down, Zac whispered to her, his breath tickling her ear.
Twisting in his arms as the light show continued above them, Polly placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him squarely on the lips before answering him. ‘I am. I’m more than okay.’
37
Polly twisted in her chair as Declan walked into the middle of the office and clapped his hands.
‘Can I just have everyone’s attention for a moment please, folks?’ Declan lowered his voice as Zac, Art, Dennis and Vicki all looked at him expectantly.
‘What is it, Declan? You’re giving us all a raise?’ Art called out.
‘Haha. I wish. Believe me, I wish.’ Declan shook his head and held up a sheet of paper. ‘Afraid not, but I have just had an email through from HQ congratulating us on the astounding success of our presence at Meadowfield’s Bonfire Night celebrations.’
‘Ooh, and that’s really from HQ?’ Vicki leaned forward, Rolo in her arms.
‘It certainly is.’ Declan waved the paper in the air. ‘It seems Miss Cooke, the mayoress, reached out to them to sing our praises.’
‘Fantastic. It’s nice to be recognised.’ Dennis stood up and held his mug in the air. ‘I think we should raise a glass to Polly, without whom we wouldn’t have even been participating in the Bonfire Night event.’
‘Hear, hear.’ Zac held up his mug too and grinned across at her.
‘To Polly,’ Dennis said loudly as the room echoed in response.
‘Ah, no. None of it would have worked out if we hadn’t all pulled together.’ Polly could feel the heat of embarrassment prickle her skin.
