Page 21 of Christmas in Mistletoe
“Yes, Mum.” Pop gave her a wink.
They walked to Mistletoe Stores, the air so fresh Fran wanted to bottle it. She could make a mint selling it in London. They were silent, and the only noise was occasional bird song. Fran made sure her steps were small and heavy as her shoes had no grip. She’d seen what happened with Ruby last night, so she was taking no chances.
Signs along Farm Lane directed people to Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm and the Christmas Tree Contest and Treasure Hunt. There was also a massive sign at the junction with Mistletoe Stores. Tall, elaborately decorated trees lined the route. Fran hadn’t noticed them last night, in the snowstorm — she’d had other things on her mind. Now, she had no idea how she’d missed them.
When they arrived at Mistletoe Stores, they walked around a massive tree adorned with everything Elvis. It even had a sparkly jacket and a quiff. Fran wanted to stop and stare. Get her phone out and instantly Instagram it. However, everyone else took this tree in their stride, as if it happened all the time. Perhaps it did in Mistletoe.
She and her parents headed to The Bar. Outside the back door, a row of shovels were propped against the wall. Somebody had already been busy. When she walked in, Fran blinked again. The Bar was absolutely packed. She hadn’t expected that.
There was barely space for them to squeeze in, but the villagers made room, slapping Michael and Dale on the back. The low hum of the coffee machine working overtime mixed with the chatter of the locals filled the air, along with the smell of freshly roasted beans. What Fran would give for a coffee. However, to get there, she’d have to hurdle at least 30 people. She didn’t want to come across as a pushy Londoner.
Fran spotted Mary and Paul behind the bar, along with Victoria and Eric who were doling out the drinks. Scott and Ruby were at the other end of the bar, giving out mince pies and chatting with Sue and Penny. At the sight of Ruby, Fran inhaled a long breath. Ruby was deep in conversation, her face animated and alive. She looked happy. Fran hoped she’d get that version of Ruby today, rather than the spiky one. That they could get over last night and be civil to each other.
Mary checked her watch, then clapped her hands. Silence descended on the bar.
“Thanks everyone for coming at such short notice, and for being such phone addicts that you had them on in the first place!”
Chuckles from the audience.
“Also, thanks to OnePhone for providing service that can survive a snow storm. Remember that year we had to go door to door, knocking everybody up by hand?”
“Yes!” came the chorus from the front of the bar, followed by laughter around the room.
“Anyway,” Mary continued, rubbing her hands through her short hair. It stuck up at all angles. “The village is looking picture-perfect this morning after all the snowfall overnight. But as you also know, picture-perfect means headaches for us. Especially this weekend for the Christmas Tree Contest and Treasure Hunt.”
“Headaches for us all!” shouted Audrey. “How am I meant to get over to the supermarket to get my shop when I can’t get the car out?”
Audrey was wearing what Fran could only describe as an artist’s smock. It seemed wildly inappropriate for the weather. But then, Audrey was wildly inappropriate, so perhaps it suited her.
“You could always just buy from us at Mistletoe Stores,” Eric said.
“When you start stocking my chorizo, passata and all the other goodies I get from Aldi, we’ll talk.”
Mary clapped her hands. “We don’t have a lot of time, so if I could bring your attention back to the matter at hand. I’ve spoken to the council, and the gritters are already on the case making all the roads passable up to Mistletoe perimeter. I’ve got a cast-iron guarantee on that. I told them we can take the rest.”
She paused. “As most of you know, our job today — as it has been every year when this has happened — is to make sure the pavements are passable, the farm is safe, and the Christmas trees scattered all over the village that are taking part in the competition are de-snowed, their themes visible. People will still come if they can drive their cars here, park it somewhere free of ice, walk on pavements that aren’t skating rinks and most importantly, so long as they can see the trees to judge them.
“The forecast is good, there’s no more snow, so let’s give this a positive slant. The snow couldn’t have come at a better time to make Mistletoe as Instagrammable as possible. Well, perhaps a day or two earlier, but let’s not split hairs.” Mary grinned. “The village is going to look gorgeous with your help. If we can all pitch in this morning, visitors will rave about our little hamlet, then come back next year. Pavements and trees are the priority. Everybody ready to ensure Mistletoe is open for business?”
The whole bar erupted into applause and whistles. Fran joined in the clapping, somewhat bemused.
“Order! Order!” shouted Paul, as if he was the Speaker in the House of Commons. “See Eric and Victoria over here for the duties we’ve assigned you. If you have a problem, speak to them, but hopefully everyone will be happy. Over 70s, you won’t be shovelling snow, that much we can promise. Not after Norman’s back went three years ago.”
“I can shovel! I’m fit as a fiddle!” Norman shouted. He stood to demonstrate the point, waving his walking stick in the air.
Everyone ignored him.
“Tea, coffee and mince pies are on tap here to everyone helping. Take one before you go or come back afterwards.”
Fran stood at the back as the crowd chatter filled the room once more. There was a swell to the front to get coffee and duties, then a slow dispersal as the villagers marched out, mission in hand.
Ruby’s brother Scott bustled up, slapping Dad and Pop on the back. “Michael, Dale. You’re both fit and able. I’ve put you two on snow-shovelling duty on the main road into town. You and six others. You should get it done in an hour or so, with luck. Shovels are stacked up outside. That okay?”
Both her dads nodded, puffing out their chests.
Fran suppressed a laugh. Her dads were fit, even though they were both in their mid-60s.
“As for you, Fran. I thought the best thing would be to team up with Ruby to get the farm gritted and the Christmas trees around it set for the treasure hunt and judging.” He turned around, just as Ruby approached. “Here she is! I’ve given you Fran to help out. That okay?”
