Page 57 of A Christmas Celebration
I knew that if Albert accepted my offer, I would have totell everyone who he was and run the risk of the Wynthorpe clan crooning that I had found a PWC after all, but it would be worth it if it got my new friend out of his cottage. Unfortunately, however, he wouldn’t change his mind.
‘I’m sure,’ he said, looking towards Bella, who was sitting up in her basket. ‘I know she’s looking brighter today, but I don’t think I should leave her, just yet.’
‘All right,’ I said, not wanting to push him. ‘As you wish.’
Chapter 15
Back at the hall, after settling the dogs, we drove to town in convoy. Mick had taken the lead in the Land Rover with a carefully hidden Santa hunkered down on the back seat, and the not-so-incognito Archie, and I followed on with Catherine next to me and Dorothy and Molly squeezed in the back.
The Fiat wasn’t a vehicle which easily accommodated four fully grown women and Molly said she’d make the return journey in the Land Rover. However, the cramped conditions and steamed up windows were quickly forgotten after we left the confines of the car and walked to the market square.
My senses were lit up – even though the town wasn’t yet – by the spectacle which met us. The market had even more festive stalls and there were carols being sung by a choir dressed in Victorian style outfits. I could smell mulled wine and cider and, thanks to the tantalizing scents wafting from the food carts, I could practically taste TheCherry Tree Café warm mince pies and iced gingerbread tree biscuits along with the spicy sausages on the Skylark Farm stand.
It was biting cold, but that didn’t matter. If anything, it added to the ambience and, as I stood and gazed at the seasonal spectacle in front of me, I knew with one hundred per cent certainty that, in spite of the current turmoil I was feeling about Brodie, my decision to come to Wynthorpe Hall had been the right one.
‘Come on,’ said Molly, her eyes shining with excitement, ‘what shall we do first?’
Catherine and Dorothy had already headed over to the Women’s Institute stall. I had spotted Kathleen there already and I could tell from her and Dorothy’s body language that a potential stand off was in the offing. I hoped they wouldn’t forget it was actually the season of goodwill and that there were multiple family groups present.
‘Would you look at those two?’ Molly tutted, following my line of sight.
‘Do you think we should go over just in case they kick off?’ I asked as Dorothy picked up something from the plate Kathleen was holding out and sniffed it.
‘No,’ Molly said firmly, pulling me away. ‘They’re grown women. They can sort themselves out.’
‘In that case,’ I said, looking around again and wondering if I was going to catch sight of Brodie among the crowd, ‘you lead the way. I want to see everything. What do you suggest we look at first?’
‘Well,’ Molly asked, having given it a moment’s thought, ‘have you got any Christmas shopping to do?’
‘Yes,’ I said, pulling out a list. ‘I have presents to buy for everyone at the hall.’
‘In that case,’ she said, steering me towards The Cherry Tree Makes and Bakes stall, ‘I think we should sort that first because some of the stalls sell out really fast and it’s busy already.’
By the time we’d crammed the car boot with bags of carefully chosen presents, we were both ready for something to eat and drink. I’d been thrilled by the array of gifts on offer and loved that I could talk directly to the business owners and talented crafters who had created them. It gave the gifts I’d selected even more meaning and I vowed to make an effort to add a more personal touch to every present I gave from then on.
‘Right,’ said Molly, linking her arm through mine, ‘let’s see if you’re any quicker deciding what you want to eat and drink than you are at buying presents.’
‘I wouldn’t bank on it,’ I giggled as we joined the crowds again and I spotted a familiar face.
‘Hello, Alice,’ I said, as we slowly inched up the queue to buy food and drink from the Skylark Farm contingent.
‘Paige.’ She smiled, spinning around and almost taking both me and Molly out with the pushchair. ‘How lovely to see you.’
‘Likewise,’ I said, thinking she was a braver woman than me, bringing three children to such a busy event. ‘Are you having a good time?’
‘I am,’ she said. ‘Kathleen kindly picked us up and we’re very excited to see Santa, aren’t we, guys?’
Three little voices chorused their agreement and the eldest girl, who wasn’t in the pushchair but holding tightly on to the handle, looked shyly up at Molly.
‘I like your coat,’ she said, admiring the velvet sapphire-coloured folds of fabric.
‘It’s a cloak,’ said Alice.
‘Like the magic one in my book?’ the girl gasped, wide-eyed.
‘Knowing the lady wearing it,’ I confided, ‘it might well be.’
Molly winked at the little girl and received a diffident smile in response.
