I nod attentively. It’s a good job for Alan as it will keep him away from the throng.
‘The rest of the students will have collection buckets and there’s the stall selling wreaths and crafts. There’ll be mulled wine and spiced cider too, but we can’t technically sell that, so it will be by donation only – suggested at three pounds. Some of the parents have volunteered to look after those. We’ve got some games set up for the kids – Pin the Tail on the Donkey.’
I give him a pretend panicked look. ‘Not the real one?’
‘Not intentionally,’ Lucas says. ‘There’s Smack the Rat.’
‘I daren’t ask.’
‘And the obligatory face-painting woman will be here soon.’
‘What about Christian?’
‘We’ve set up Santa’s grotto over there.’ He points it out. ‘Bev borrowed a throne from somewhere.’
‘Local theatre group,’ she supplies as she comes to join us.
‘Christian texted me to say he’ll be here shortly,’ Lucas continues. ‘There’s no charge for seeing Santa. He’s just going to sit there, take selfies and make false promises to kids about their hopes and dreams.’
‘Lucas!’
‘I’m kidding!’ he says. ‘There’s paper and stuff set out so the more gullible can write letters to him begging for expensive presents.’
I’m astonished at all the things they’ve put in place for today. I had no idea that all this was going on. It’s probably a good thing they’ve kept it from me or I’d have had a complete meltdown.
Lucas looks at Bev. ‘Anything else?’
‘I think you’ve covered all bases,’ she says. ‘Our new turkeys are enjoying some lunch. The students should be arriving soon. Most are bringing their own costumes and I’ve organised them for the ones who can’t get help at home.’
‘How did I ever doubt that this wasn’t going to run like clockwork? Thank you so much for all your hard work.’
‘Will you finally relax and enjoy it?’ Bev asks.
‘Yes.’ I laugh. ‘I promise I’ll try!’
‘Anything we’ve missed?’
‘The dogs,’ I say. ‘I think it will all be a bit much for them. Especially Betty Bad Dog. I don’t want her weeing up anyone’s leg in excitement.’ Particularly not Matt’s as he’s turning the lights on. No one needs that in their lives. ‘I’ll put them in the caravan with the radio on for company until it’s all over.’
Bev checks her watch. ‘Not long to go. I think we can bring the animals in now.’ She turns to me. ‘You can go and get changed now, Mols.’
I look down at my clothes. ‘I thought I’d stay like this.’
‘Get changed,’ she instructs. ‘Clean stuff. Comb your hair, put some slap on. Like it or not, you’re on show.’
I sigh at her in the manner of Lucas.
‘Do it,’ she says in a voice that means she’ll have no argument from me.
Looks like I’m getting changed. ‘OK.’
Clearly they’re trying to keep me out of the way, so I head to the caravan and notice that Matt slips away to follow me.
He catches my arm. ‘Hey.’
Alarmingly, I like the feel of his strong hand on my arm. ‘You’re coping very well,’ he says.
I smile. ‘I’m doing my best. Everyone has worked so hard and I can’t thank you enough for all your help. I owe you dinner.’
Then we’re both awkward for a moment.
‘I’m bringing someone today,’ he says. ‘I mentioned her to you.’
‘Oh. The primary school teacher?’
‘Yes. Victoria.’
‘Good. Good.’ And now I really don’t know what to say. I hadn’t envisaged that she’d come with him today. But why wouldn’t she?
‘You’re OK with that?’
‘Oh, heavens, yes. Why wouldn’t I be? I hope she loves it here.’ I can’t read the expression on his face.
‘Shelby’s coming?’
‘I hope so. You never know with these actor types. So unreliable.’ I realise that I’m babbling and stop.
‘I have to say this, Molly.’ He looks at me, suddenly serious. ‘With different timing, in a different life, I think we could have been good together.’
‘Yes.’ Unexpected tears prickle behind my eyes.
‘I’m glad I’m not imagining it,’ Matt says.
‘No, you’re not.’ I can’t tell him the reason why this has to work out with Shelby. There’s not just me to consider. This is more than us. This is about the baby, Lucas, the farm.
He steps forward and, tentatively, takes me into his arms. We hold each other tightly.
‘Sometimes the universe is an awkward bugger,’ Matt whispers against my hair.
I couldn’t agree more.
We break away and, without another word, he marches away across the yard. I stand and watch and wonder what on earth to think.
Chapter Sixty-One
At two o’clock the crowds flood in. I think the whole of the village has turned out to support us and I couldn’t be more grateful. Soon the yard is filled with happy people buying wreaths and mulled wine or cider. The air is heavy with the scent of Christmas – cinnamon, cloves, citrus from the wine and fresh pine from our humungous tree.
Bev has put a speaker out and Christmas songs drift over us. The place is full of festive love. All the kids are in costume, including our own, and there’s a prize for the best outfit. Most are dressed as elves or something similarly Christmassy – though Lottie and Erin look a little more sexy than perhaps elves and young teen girls should. Seb is in a reindeer onesie and Asha has come as a Christmas tree which is severely restricting his movement. Someone has come as a Stormtrooper, but I haven’t yet had the chance to find out who. I expect they’re one of ours. The students who can cope with it are, with supervision, going round with collection buckets or are helping out on the stalls
The only person missing is Shelby. I glance at my watch – as I have done a dozen times in the last five minutes. He will be here. I know he will.
Bev appears at my shoulder. ‘Don’t stress,’ she instructs. ‘Have a glass of something, mingle.’
I glance down at my stomach to remind her that anything strong is off the agenda.
‘Non-alcoholic,’ she adds. ‘Just chill. Be the face of Hope Farm. Show the world – or at least the village – how wonderful we are.’
‘Shelby’s not here.’
‘I know, but we can manage without him. I didn’t put him on the posters when he buggered off to Brummieland, so it will be an extra surprise if he does rock up. Besides, the Hot Mayor is here. What more could we want? Two hotties might be overload.’
‘Yeah,’ I agree distractedly, while my eyes search him out.
Bev’s eyes, however, narrow. ‘Is everything all right between you two?’
‘Why wouldn’t it be?’
‘You tell me, Mols.’ Nothing slides past my friend.
‘He’s bringing a date today and I feel weird about it.’