Page 51 of A Christmas Celebration
‘And while you were gone,’ he further said, ‘I had a think about what you said about getting me some help.’
I held my breath.
‘I think it’s a good idea.’ He nodded. ‘I want to get back to sleeping upstairs and the cottage needs a good bottoming out, as my sister used to say.’
‘That’s great, Albert.’ I grinned.
The day was getting better the longer it went on.
‘And I want it to be you who helps me,’ he then added, which completely took the wind out of my sails.
‘Oh, Albert,’ I said, ‘there are lots of people…’
‘That’s as maybe,’ he interrupted, ‘but I’m too embarrassed to let anyone else in to see the state of things as they are right now.’
‘I’m sure no one would care…’
‘I would,’ he cut in again. ‘You’ve seen me at my worst, so it’s you or no one.’
I knew it had taken a lot for him to let me into the cottage in the first place and to let me back in a second time couldn’t have been easy either, so I could hardly turn him down.
‘All right.’ I smiled. ‘Where do you want me to start?’
Chapter 14
After a productive few hours spent bottoming out the cottage, I had grasped that agreeing to help Albert get the place back up to his sister’s house-proud standards was going to fill all of the few spare hours I had. I also realized, as I carefully negotiated my way back to the hall through the snowy Fenland landscape, that my former resolution to leave Albert alone had now completely taken flight.
After my frank chat with my new friend and the subsequent words of wisdom, born of experience, from Will, my head felt far straighter and I was in high spirits. I was even considering forfeiting the reassurances I’d given Jack about my feelings towards his brother and wondering whether to meet Brodie for that drink after all.
There was no one in the kitchen when I arrived back and I went straight up to the Rose Room where I found Bran waiting for me wearing a martyred expression.
‘Sorry,’ I said, giving him a fuss. ‘I know I’m late, but,’ Iadded, thinking of Albert’s new glasses and sunnier disposition, ‘I have the most wonderful excuse.’
I didn’t have many minutes to revel in the feeling of a job well done, however, as my phone unexpectedly pinged with a reminder that it was high time I started getting ready for the dreaded dance.
‘You made it!’ Kathleen beamed when she spotted me lingering on the threshold of the town hall. ‘I’m so pleased. Now, let me take your coat and we’ll find you a dance partner. I have a couple in mind…’
I don’t know what I had been expecting, but the sight which met my eyes was a surprise, to say the least. Dorothy had mentioned Kathleen’s commitment to getting the older generation out of their easy chairs and back on their feet and what I was looking at was confirmation that she was well on her way to achieving that.
The hall was packed with dancing couples of all ages, wearing their glamorous finest, the walls sparkled with the light from the rotating glitterball overhead and there was a palpable air of a good time being had. By everyone except me, that was. I felt completely out of place and was wearing the wrong clothes to boot.
‘Ah, Rodger!’ called Kathleen, keeping a tight hold of my hand to stop me walking straight back out. ‘Might I cut in and ask you to give lovely Paige here a quick lesson in how to waltz?’
Rodger looked thrilled at the prospect, but his partner was a bit miffed.
‘Well, don’t mind me,’ she said sulkily, letting Rodger go.
‘Have no fear, Miss Sanderson.’ Kathleen beamed. ‘I have plans for you, too. Over here, Jack!’
I turned to find Jack lingering on the edge of the throng and looking every bit as awkward as I felt. When he earlier asked if I was going to be in attendance, I had assumed he had a ticket to the event because he was capable of dancing at least one step, but the apprehension on his face suggested not. What was his motivation for coming then?
‘You made it,’ he said to me as Miss Sanderson, her expression transformed, immediately set about positioning his arms and adjusting his posture.
‘Afraid so,’ I told him, trying not to laugh as he was manhandled into shape. ‘Sadly, there wasn’t enough snow to play the stranded at the hall card.’
‘I heard that,’ said Kathleen, but with no rancour. ‘Now come on, the pair of you, otherwise the waltzes will be over.’
Jack and I grimaced at one another and I took some comfort in the fact that I wasn’t the only person present who had no idea what they were doing.
