‘Hmm,’ Bev says. ‘Would you like to unpack that emotion?’
‘Not now. I like him,’ I say. ‘That’s all.’
‘It’s understandable. He’s hot stuff and he’s here for you, for all of us.’
I let out a weary huff of breath.
‘It will be better when Shelby’s back. His head is up his own panto arse at the mo. Wait until he hears your news.’
I wish I had Bev’s confidence in my own relationship.
She takes my hand and pulls me to the spiced cider stall and grabs a paper cup filled with warm, delicious-smelling apple juice. ‘Get this down your neck and enjoy.’
‘Heard and understood,’ I say as, obediently, I drink it down. It warms me to my toes. ‘I could get to like this.’
She looks round. ‘Have you seen how many people have turned up? This is a roaring success. Relax and enjoy it.’
Grinning at her, I say, ‘I will, and thank you, Bev. This is all down to you.’
She grabs a more potent cider for herself and knocks her paper cup against mine. ‘To us,’ she toasts. ‘We are flipping BRILLIANT!’
‘We are,’ I agree.
At that moment, I see Christian Lee heading across the yard to us. He’s looking very festive and rather rotund in a glittery and seriously sequined red Santa outfit. A white beard flows down to rest on his pillowy tummy and is decorated with stars. He has matching red nails and lips. Quite possibly false eyelashes. Our borrowed Santa outfit would clearly have been found wanting.
He comes and kisses us both.
‘You look fabulous.’
‘And you look positively glowing,’ he says to me at which I flush. ‘It’s obviously the good, clean living.’
If only he knew. ‘Thanks so much for doing this, Christian.’
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
‘Can I get you something to drink and then we’ll set you up? Bev’s got you a very fancy throne.’
‘I can’t wait.’
‘Stay as long as you can. We really appreciate it. We’re having a get-together afterwards if you can hang around?’
‘I’ll be here for a couple of hours, after that I’ve got to shoot into London for a party. It is the festive season after all. Where’s that delicious godson of mine?’
‘I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he knows you’ve arrived.’
‘Penny and her mum have just turned up,’ Bev says. ‘Mum looks in a bad way.’
‘I’ll go and find them once I’ve settled Santa. Shout if you need me for anything else.’
‘It’s all under control,’ Bev says, confidently. ‘I can see some more cars arriving, so I’ll go and open the gate to the other field. Overflow parking!’ She grins at me in a slightly manic way. ‘After that, I’ll give it another half an hour or so for people to have a look around, then I’ll get the nativity set up and we can do our Thang!’
‘I can’t wait,’ I say.
‘You nearly made that sound genuine,’ Bev laughs. ‘It will be fine!’
So I leave her and head off with Christian. I get him settled in his throne beneath a sign which says SANTA SELFIES and issue him with a list of dos and don’ts. I’m sure he’ll be an excellent Santa and won’t scare any of the kids. Fingers crossed.
Then I set off to find Penny and her mum. When I track them down, they’re over by the craft stall picking through the cards that our students have made.
‘Hey,’ I say. ‘Good to see you both.’
Penny’s mum lets her hair fall over her eyes, but it doesn’t disguise the fact that one of them bears a livid bruise. Her daughter looks exhausted. I’m guessing they’ve both had yet another rough night.
‘I’m Molly.’
‘Jess,’ she replies.
I hold out my hand. Penny’s mum takes it, but I see her wince when I touch her fingers. I’d like to get my hands on the man who does this. Jess is a petite woman – she looks as if a stiff wind would blow her over. How could someone begin to think it’s right to do this to her, let alone her own husband?
‘A sprain,’ she says, nursing it to her. ‘A fall. I’m very clumsy.’
‘Penny’s told me,’ I say quietly. ‘There’s no need to make excuses here, Jess. You’re among friends.’
She flushes, but says nothing else.
‘If I can help, will you let me? This is an awful situation for both of you.’
Then she does look at me and I see the pain in her face that’s not just because of her bruises. The emotional toll is written large too. ‘What can you do? I have no money, nowhere to go.’
‘Will you leave it with me?’ I hope that I do have a plan and have everything crossed that I’ll be able to find a solution. ‘You know that you can’t stay.’
It’s awful to see the resignation on Jess’s face.
‘You can lean on me,’ I say. ‘I’m used to hefting around hay bales and sheep. My shoulders are broader than they look.’
Jess manages a laugh at that. ‘Thanks,’ she says. ‘Penny tells me that you’re a good woman. This . . . situation . . . makes you distrust everyone.’
‘I can understand.’ I open my arms and, with only a slight hesitation, she steps into them for a hug. ‘Come up for coffee one morning next week. We can have a proper chat then. But, for now, enjoy the afternoon. Penny has proved to be quite a dab hand with the crafts.’ I give Penny an encouraging wink. ‘I’ll catch you again later.’
As I move away, my blood is boiling. If it’s within my power, I will do something about this. It’s been going on for too long and has to stop. And I know exactly who can help.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Up by the barn, I see Lucas mooching about and looking a bit lost. There’s no sign of Aurora either, so I head straight for him.
‘Have you seen Christian?’
‘Yeah. Cool Santa. He looks like something out of RuPaul’s Drag Race.’
‘I don’t know what that is.’ I hope it’s a good thing.
He huffs at me. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Everything OK?’ I ask. He looks a bit down in the dumps.
‘Yeah. Just waiting to bring the animals out. Bev didn’t want to get them set up too early or they’d all get tetchy.’
‘She’s a wise woman.’
‘The alpacas already seem a bit frisky.’
‘That’s worrying.’
‘I’ll keep my eye on them,’ Lucas says.
Then, before I can stop myself, I ask, ‘No Aurora?’
Lucas hangs his head and now I can tell just how miserable he is – which is a shame as he should be enjoying the fruits of all his hard work. ‘She should be here by now, but I’ve messaged her and she’s not replying.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t miss it intentionally. She knows that this is important to you. Perhaps she’s not feeling well. She might be having a nap.’
He looks at me as if to say that’s something only old people do. Lucas has much to learn.