Page 59 of A Christmas Celebration
His teasing and cheeky tone suggested that now he’d seen me and Brodie dancing, he was no longer concerned about us getting together, or at least by the sight of us being together. It was such a turnaround, given how resistant he’d been at Brambles just the day before, it almost gave me whiplash. Had it been just the two of us talking, I would have asked what had prompted the change of heart but as it wasn’t, I didn’t.
‘We’d better go and see what Dorothy wants, Molly,’ I said instead as I spotted her windmilling from the other side of the square. ‘She’s going to do herself a mischief if we don’t go over.’
We said goodbye to Tilly and Jack and sped over to the gallery.
‘You’re just in time,’ said Dorothy, pulling us inside and closing the door.
‘Hayley’s designs,’ Molly and I said together.
We joined the crowd, which included Alice and her three little ones, around the table at the back of the gallery. It was covered in a pretty holly and ivy patterned cloth, the mounds and hillocks under it an indication that there was treasure hidden beneath.
‘Thank you for joining us,’ said Jemma, stepping forward.‘I know lots of you have been looking forward to finding out what Hayley has been working on for this collection and, even though she can’t be with us in person tonight, she is here…’
She stepped back and Lizzie handed her an iPad which she set up on a plinth.
‘Well, I never,’ laughed Catherine as a young woman’s face filled the screen.
‘Evening, everyone,’ she beamed.
‘Evening,’ we all laughed back.
She then told us about the inspiration behind the collection and that the bird she had focused on represented rebirth, boldness and protection.
‘It’s wrens,’ Molly whispered in my ear. ‘I bet there are dozens of wrens waiting to take flight under that cloth.’
After a few more words from Hayley, Jemma lifted the fabric and Molly’s guess was proved right. The exquisite collection was met with rousing applause and lots of ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’. Set out on the table were mugs, cushions, notebooks, all sorts of things featuring a tiny but intricately detailed wren motif.
My favourite design featured the little bird nose to tail with the one in front of it. One had its beak in the air, the next its tail upright. Somehow Hayley had captured the staccato bobbing action wrens are known for perfectly. Noticing how fast the table was emptying, I quickly picked up a mug which had the design printed around the top.
‘Great choice,’ grinned Hayley, when I joined Catherineat the iPad and had been introduced as her goddaughter and current home help. ‘Is everything all right at the hall?’
‘Everything’s fine,’ I reassured her. ‘Although I have no idea how you manage to fit in all that upkeepandyour art.’
Her face flushed with pride.
‘I’m the ultimate multi-tasker,’ she laughed.
‘You must be,’ I told her. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting you when you get back.’
I left her talking to Catherine then went to pay for my purchase so I could go and find Molly, Alice and the children who had walked back to the square ready for the switch-on.
‘It’s a shame about the ponies,’ Molly said, when I found them, ‘but the North Pole aesthetic works well, doesn’t it?’
The team drafted in that morning to create the tableau around the sleigh had done a wonderful job and it all looked as if it could have been lifted straight out of Lapland.
‘It really does,’ I agreed, then switched my attention to the stage where Chris Dempster was waxing lyrical about the community coming together and thanking everyone who had contributed via the crowdfunding page and also by giving their time to set everything up. ‘This really is a Christmas miracle, isn’t it?’ I whispered.
‘You old romantic,’ said Molly, pulling me into her side.
‘It’s the ultimate Hallmark movie moment,’ said Alice, sounding a little choked herself.
‘It really is,’ I agreed. ‘This is going to keep my festive feeling topped up.’
‘You’re staying at Wynthorpe Hall,’ Molly reminded mewith a nudge. ‘You won’t need to worry about losing the festive feeling again now!’
‘Three, two, one!’ everyone joined in with the countdown and then a button was pressed.
A collective cheer rang out as the market square was flooded with light and a display of fireworks soared into the air. They looked spectacular and I didn’t realize it until they’d finished, but I had watched them all without flinching once. I blinked back my tears and swallowed hard, focusing my gaze on the brightly lit tree, lampposts and sparkling strands which seemed to be strung everywhere. I felt proud that I was finally moving on and could now endure a bang or two without succumbing to drastic action and bad memories.
