Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
JACK
‘ W ell, this is a turn-up for the books!’ said Brian, shooting Jack an intrigued look as he clambered into the front passenger seat of the taxi. ‘Who’d have thought you’d fancy coming to Crumbleton when everyone in town’s going to be out and about?!’
‘Well… it is Christmas,’ said Jack vaguely. ‘I fancied a bit of company.’
‘Rubbish,’ said Brian, catching his eye and giving him a penetrating look. ‘There’s something else going on, isn’t there?!’
Jack grinned. It was basically impossible to keep a secret from Brian, and now that he was on the way to Crumbleton for the big event at last, he couldn’t really see any reason not to come clean.
‘It’s like this,’ said Jack, ‘I simply can’t miss the big switch-on of the Christmas lights.’
‘Lad, I hope you haven’t been getting too excited,’ chuckled Brian. ‘I mean, all that happens is someone flips the switch off, and someone else flips it back on again.’
‘Yep, I know,’ said Jack. ‘Because I just happen to be the “someone else” in that scenario.’
‘What? You aren’t… are you?’ gasped Brian. ‘You’re the top-secret special guest?’
‘Yep, I am,’ he laughed.
‘You just wait until I tell Trish!’ said Brian. ‘She’ll be that proud. So… I’m guessing Caroline Cook got to you and turned the thumb screws then?’
‘Something like that,’ chuckled Jack, staring straight ahead in case his friend spotted the excitement in his eyes at the sound of her name.
Jack had practically driven himself to distraction over the past few days. Ever since Caroline had left the morning after the snowstorm, he hadn’t been able to sit still. He’d wanted to call her… to visit her in Crumbleton… to spend time with her…
He’d felt like a teenager, hovering over his phone, waiting for Caroline to call with the promised details of the Crumbleton Christmas Lights event.
To stop himself from making an epic prat out himself, Jack had upped his number of daily sea swims to keep himself busy - but even those hadn’t been enough to keep the bubbly, bouncy ray of sunshine out of his head for long.
‘Mind you,’ said Brian, dragging Jack’s attention back to the present, ‘this does mean our efforts have been wasted.’
‘What efforts?’ said Jack, blinking as he did his best to catch up with the conversation.
‘Me – dashing around, keeping your presence quiet,’ laughed Brian. ‘Poor Trish – I still don’t think she quite believes it, even though she’s been working for you for more than a year.’
Jack laughed. ‘Well… just to say – your efforts weren’t wasted. At all.’
‘I was just pulling your leg, boy,’ said Brian, shooting him a warm smile.
‘I know, but I’m serious,’ said Jack. ‘Thank you, Brian, for all your friendship. I don’t know what I’d have done without your help. Trish’s too.’
‘Oh, good lord, you’re going all soppy on me,’ said Brian. ‘I wish you wouldn’t when I’m driving and can’t give you a hug!’
‘Now who’s a softy?!’ laughed Jack.
‘Takes one to know one, boy,’ said Brian seriously. ‘But… you’re welcome. We’re always glad to help.’
‘You and Trish have been my safe space whenever I’ve come home – and there aren’t many people I can say that about.’
‘Quit it, or you’ll make me cry,’ huffed Brian. ‘And then I won’t be able to focus on my darts.’
‘Okay, fine,’ said Jack. ‘But I owe you. I’ll find a way to repay you both for your kindness one day.’
‘Well,’ said Brian, ‘that’s easy enough. You can pay us both back this evening.’
‘Oh yeah?’ said Jack, suddenly feeling slightly uneasy. Was his friend about to ask him to sign his wife’s butt cheeks or something? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d endured that request… but it would definitely be a bit more awkward, given the small-town setting.
‘Yeah,’ said Brian. ‘I can’t get no blighter to come and join me for darts later tonight. Ruby’s busy with her book deadline, and I think Oli’s making sure she stops to eat and drink occasionally.’
‘Darts?’ said Jack.
‘I’d consider it a great favour,’ said Brian. ‘Besides, if you want to get the locals on-side, a trip to the Dolphin and Anchor is a good plan anyway.’
‘Hey – no need for the made-up reasons,’ chuckled Jack, ‘I’d love a game. Does… erm… does Caroline ever play?’
‘Caroline Cook?’ said Brian, his beady eyes snapping to Jack – who instantly wanted to kick himself.
‘Yes.’
‘The one who’s somehow – mysteriously – managed to talk you out of your hidey-hole tonight to do her a favour?’ said Brian.
‘Yes.’
‘The one who hates your guts?!’ he added with a wicked gleam in his eye.
‘That’s the one,’ laughed Jack.
‘Yes, she does sometimes,’ he said. ‘Though if you’re planning on picking a fight with her, would you mind leaving it till after we’ve had a few games?’
‘I reckon I can manage that,’ said Jack with a grin. ‘Hey – you said something about repaying Trish too…?’
‘Yeah,’ said Brian. ‘She’s one of the carollers, and they’re always looking for more men. Unfortunately, I can’t help because I sound like a squashed frog. Any chance you’d be up for a few carols?’
‘Ah,’ said Jack. ‘Well… yes. Of course. In fact, I’ve already been roped in!’
‘That’s wonderful!’ said Brian. ‘Well, you’re full of surprises tonight. Trish is going to be chuffed.’
‘We’ll see,’ she Jack. ‘She hasn’t heard me sing yet!’
But apparently, Caroline had. When she’d called him to fill him in on the finer details of the event, she’d not-so-subtly dropped the bombshell that she’d heard him singing in the shower. Then, she’d promptly begged him to join in with the carollers for at least one song. Jack had been so happy to hear her voice again that he’d agreed to it before he’d realised what he was doing.
‘Well, I have to say, you’re probably the most exciting guest we’ve ever had for the lights switch on,’ said Brian. ‘Of course, it’s bigger and better than ever this year.’
‘Mmm,’ said Jack. He wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about the fact that the event had mushroomed into an entire Christmas market, complete with mulled wine and hot chocolate stalls as well as the carol singing.
Part of him – his inner excited four-year-old who couldn’t wait for Christmas – was thrilled, but the part of him that had been so concerned about maintaining his privacy and not ramming his presence down the locals’ throats was dreading it. Luckily, there was a third part in play – the one that simply couldn’t say no to Caroline Cook.
‘So… if you wouldn’t mind dropping me up near the museum, that’d be grand,’ said Jack as they neared the City Gates, and his stomach flipped with a mixture of excitement and pure fear.
‘You’re kidding, right?’ said Brian, his voice serious.
‘Erm… no…’ said Jack.
‘Sorry mate, but this sleigh doesn’t actually fly. The high street’s been officially closed to all traffic, barring emergency vehicles, since lunchtime to give all the stallholders time to set up!’
‘And… the museum’s at the top of town,’ said Jack, nodding slowly.
‘Yep – still where it was when you were a nipper,’ said Brian. ‘Quite a stretch, but nothing I can do about it tonight, sadly. Anyway… it’s not like there’s any point in you trying to hide, is there? You’ll be the focus of everyone’s attention in about an hour anyway!’
Jack nodded even as his knees quaked. This was ridiculous. He’d spent years dealing with the press – he was used to having cameras shoved in his face, both the movie kind and the paparazzi kind. He was pretty sure he could handle an evening hanging out with a tiny crowd of locals.
‘You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,’ chuckled Brian. ‘They won’t bite, I promise!’
‘I’m okay,’ said Jack, forcing a smile.
‘You’ll be grand, lad,’ said Brian. ‘Tell you what, I might have something in the back seat you can use as a bit of a disguise. Plus, I’ll walk up to the top of town with you. We can go up the back steps so you don’t get mobbed.’
‘What about your darts?’ said Jack.
‘Can’t start without you!’ said Brian. ‘Besides, you might need a bodyguard.’
‘I thought you said the locals don’t bite?’ said Jack, alarmed.
‘They don’t… but Caroline Cook might!’
Jack snorted.
‘I’m sure I can handle her,’ he said, unable to keep the broad grin off his face.
In fact, he couldn’t wait to see her. Jack had some news to share with Caroline Cook… he just hoped she was as excited about it as he was.