Page 56 of A Christmas Celebration
The square was a hive of activity and the sleigh, already arranged next to the Wynbridge Christmas tree and bedecked with holly, ivy and mistletoe, looked even more spectacular than it had back in the Wynthorpe Hall stables.
The further drop in temperature meant the snow which had fallen the previous day, along with a little more overnight, had frozen solid and I hoped it wouldn’t turn to slush too soon. I might not have experienced a Christmas in England for a very long time, but the rush of memories and thrill of excitement induced by the sight of the snow felt both comforting and familiar and I couldn’t wait to see the town all lit up.
‘Yoo-hoo!’ I turned around to find Kathleen heading in my direction. ‘How are you feeling after last night?’ she called, from along the street. ‘Aching in all the right places, I hope.’
‘I’m fine,’ I said quietly, when she reached me. ‘Kathleen, you haven’t mentioned to anyone about me and Brodie waltzing, have you?’
‘Not specifically.’ She smiled.
‘Good,’ I said, letting out a breath. ‘Great.’
‘But then,’ she nudged, ‘I wasn’t the only person there last night, was I?’
‘No,’ I had no choice but to agree as I imagined everyone else talking about it. ‘You weren’t, were you?’
She eyed me for a moment and I could tell she had something further to say.
‘You know,’ she said confidingly, ‘You and Brodie looked absolutely perfect together on that dance floor. Made for each other, in fact. I don’t know why you’d want to keep that waltz a secret.’
‘Oh, Kathleen.’ I blushed.
‘Don’toh Kathleenme,’ she laughed. ‘And I’m not just talking about seeing the two of you as dance partners. Is there a little romance in the offing?’ she then brazenly asked. ‘I certainly hope so.’
‘I don’t think so,’ I told her. ‘I barely know him.’
‘Well,’ she said, ‘it’s Christmas, isn’t it?’
‘So?’
‘Magical things happen at Christmas and the pair of you…’ she said dreamily, then gasped. ‘And talking of Christmas.’ She frowned, looking at her watch. ‘I’d better get on. I’m supposed to be at the town hall, wrapping a few last-minute presents for Santa to hand out. Is he all set to enchant the children?’
‘You know Angus,’ I told her. ‘He’s always all set to enchant everyone.’
I couldn’t get what Kathleen had said out of my head that day.
‘Are you all right?’ Albert frowned, as I finished putting the shopping away and handed him the empty bag.
‘Hm,’ I said, zoning back in.
‘Are you sure all this isn’t going to be too much for you?’ he asked worriedly. ‘I felt a bit bad after you’d gone last night. You’re obviously busy already and I felt as though I’d goaded you into helping.’
‘Oh, Albert,’ I said, giving his hand a squeeze. ‘You didn’t goad me at all. If you remember, I was the one pushing myself in here and insisting on running your heating and getting your eyes tested. I want to do this for you. And much more besides.’
In spite of the recent distraction, I was still determined to find a way to get him further than the front door.
‘Well.’ He frowned. ‘As long as you’re really sure.’
‘I am,’ I told him. ‘And believe it or not, you’re actually helping me as much as I’m helping you.’
‘What do you mean by that?’ He looked confused.
‘Oh, it doesn’t matter,’ I said. ‘I’ll explain another day, but please be reassured that I really am happy to do these things for you.’
‘In that case,’ he chuckled, ‘you’d better do them properly. You’ve just put the tinned goods in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard.’
I rolled my eyes, sorted the muddle and then got ready to go.
‘Are you sure you don’t want to come with me tonight?’ I again offered as I zipped up my coat. ‘It’s going to be a wonderful night and I’d love you to come and see it all.’
