Chapter 13
Alice
Old Market Square was buzzing with visitors for Port Berry’s annual Christmas tree lighting.
Food stalls lined the cobbled area, selling delicious snacks and beverages, and over in Anchorage Park a small funfair jingled and chimed, illuminating the green with twinkling lights and colourful sparkles.
The steeple of a beautiful stone-built church peeped over a small hill, no more than a two-minute walk away, where Alice and Jamie headed first.
The door to All Saints Church was wide open, welcoming guests inside, and the attached hall had tables outside, selling an array of Christmas gifts and ornaments.
Alice gazed up at the stained-glass windows either side of the tall building as she sat along the back pew while Jamie went to light a candle down by the altar.
He’d slept soundly throughout the night, peering at her only once during the early hours as she shuffled off the bed to go back to her own quarters. His smile had been small as she’d taken one last look his way before closing the door.
The B&B had kept her busy all day, and Jamie had worked in Ginny’s Tearoom. Benny had gone to the supermarket with his nan, then helped out in the newsagents for most of the afternoon, so there’d been no chance to stop and chat.
Looking up at the ornate ceiling of the church, Alice hoped Mabel was somehow able to see Jamie.
She wished his grandmother had found it in herself to send those letters or visit him, but it was never her place to interfere in Mabel’s life choices, so she never did, but now she regretted not being a voice in the dispute.
Perhaps she could have changed the outcome for them both.
If you can hear me, Mabel, I’m sorry I never told you I kept in contact with Jamie. I just couldn’t bear the thought of him being alone. I wish we could all speak properly. I miss you.
She smiled softly as Jamie came to sit by her side, his face a lot happier than last night. ‘Nice in here, isn’t it?’ she said.
‘Yeah, but cold, eh?’
‘Shall we grab a hot chocolate, then go make a Christmas wreath for our door?’
He nodded, putting on his gloves as he stood.
‘I always wanted to get married in here,’ she told him absentmindedly while looking down the aisle. ‘It’s so beautiful.’
‘I just heard a couple by the candles talking about renewing their vows in here.’
Alice shared a warm smile with him as they headed outside.
Snowflakes started to gently fall as they made their way along a winding road leading to a row of quaint cottage-style shops and a small lopsided pub called The Crooked Hole.
‘Ooh, how pretty is that?’ said Alice, holding out a hand to catch the snow.
‘As long as it doesn’t get any heavier.’ Jamie tapped her fingers, reminding her to put on her gloves.
Alice giggled. ‘Now who’s the worrywart?’
‘I only worry about you. You, however, worry about the world and its sister.’
‘What can I say, I have a big heart.’
They entered the square, scanning the stalls for the hot beverages trailer, while listening to the bell-ringers playing a tune over by the entrance to the park, their table lined with big and small brass hand bells, and the church choir was close by dressed in Victorian clothes, holding storm lamps and hymn books.
Children ran around the tall green Christmas tree in the middle of the square, eagerly awaiting the lighting ceremony, and a small queue had already formed to write wishes on stars, ready to hang on the tree.
Jamie ordered two cinnamon hot chocolates with cream, then walked with Alice over to the park to sit by the pond for a moment. ‘We’ll get that wreath sorted as soon as we’ve finished these.’
Alice was in no rush. Even the racket of the fair behind them had become white noise. Sitting on a bench staring at the calm water while light flurries of snow fell was nothing short of tranquil.
‘Hello, Alice,’ came a familiar voice from out of nowhere.
A shiver ran down her spine as she glanced back to see her ex-boyfriend, Alan. She had no words for him, not even a polite smile. She turned back to face the pond, knowing full well Jamie was staring at her.
‘Bye then,’ said Alan, walking away.
The chinking music of the funfair filled the air while Alice quietly sipped her drink, pondering over whether or not to go home, as all her peace had vanished the moment Alan appeared.
He had the ability to do that to her. Suck all positive vibes out of the air just by existing.
She hated that she had let him into her life.
To steal away time and make her miserable with his narcissistic personality.
His controlling, bullying behaviour was all too much.
At least she’d got away from the energy-sucking vampire in the end.
‘Are we going to talk about what just happened?’ asked Jamie.
‘That was Alan, my ex. I don’t talk to him.’
Jamie glanced behind them. ‘Not sure he realized that.’
‘Oh, he knows, but he doesn’t understand the concept of boundaries, so whenever he sees me, he thinks it’s okay to come say hi.’
‘Do you see him often?’
‘Not if I can help it, but he’s one of those people who pops up every so often like a bad penny.’ She shivered just thinking about him, and Jamie’s arm suddenly came up around the back of the bench as if to block out the cool breeze.
‘Do you want me to have a word with him if he pops up again?’
She met the seriousness in his eyes. ‘No. I find ignoring him works best. In fact, I prefer to pretend he doesn’t exist.’
‘That bad, was it?’
Alice shrugged. The last person she wanted to talk to about Alan was Jamie.
She could sense his tension already. ‘It was a long time ago now, and I’d rather leave that section of my life in the past. Dead and buried, as far as I’m concerned.
’ She took one last sip of her drink, then tossed the cup into the nearby bin as she stood.
Jamie reached for her arm, gently turning her to face him. ‘Look at me, Angel. Tell me if he’s a problem.’
‘He’s not, honestly. It took a little while to get rid of him at first. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, then he kept showing up until Mum threatened him with the police.
After that, he stayed away, but every so often we cross paths — he only lives next door in Penzance.
But it’s been a long while now, and I’ve not had any bother from him.
There’s nothing for you to worry about, okay? ’ She watched him studying her eyes.
‘Okay,’ he said, finally.
‘Jamie, I mean it. I don’t want you back inside. No fighting. You just saw what happened. He said hello, I ignored him. He walked away. Done.’
‘I’m not going to fight. Just so we’re clear, I haven’t had a fight in six years, and I don’t plan on going back to those methods to sort things. I’m checking you’re all right, that’s all.’
Alice raised her eyebrows. ‘This is me you’re talking to. I know what you’re capable of.’
He lifted her scarf so it was snuggled to her chin. ‘I won’t hit him. You have my word.’
‘Can we get back to enjoying our night now?’
‘We can.’ He gestured at the square. ‘Ready for some wreath making?’
‘Yes, let’s make our front door look really Christmassy. Councillor Seabridge has a competition this year for best door wreath, so we can enter. Winner receives a cheese platter.’
Jamie chuckled. ‘Just what I’ve always wanted.’
‘It’ll go down well in the dining room.’
‘In that case, let’s crack on. We’re going to need lots of pine cones and ribbons to stand a chance of winning.’
Alice laughed. ‘Why does it sound like this isn’t your first rodeo?’
Jamie raised a palm. ‘Hey, I’ve hidden skills.’
They continued to joke as they made their way to Lottie’s stall, where long tables were set out for anyone wanting to participate.
Alice and Jamie snagged seats next to each other as Lottie told them what to do.
The Berry Buoys choir started to sing sea shanties close by while rattling collection buckets, so everyone stopped what they were doing to watch for a while.
‘Will’s had about three honey and lemon drinks in the last hour,’ said Lottie, grinning at Alice. ‘Bless him. If he’s not miming, he’ll feel it tomorrow.’
Alice felt Jamie lean closer, almost cuddling her, and she just knew he had gone into protective mode, but before she could assure him she was just fine, Benny came over, munching on a burger.
‘Oh, so that’s your dinner sorted then,’ said Alice.
Benny licked ketchup off his lips. ‘Yep. Nan bought it. Have you eaten yet?’
‘We’ll grab something in a minute.’ She turned to Jamie for confirmation.
He nodded. ‘Burger sounds great.’
Benny went back to his group of friends, and Alice continued to watch Will sing, or mime, she couldn’t tell.
Jamie nudged her elbow. ‘I’ll just grab us some food now. Won’t be a sec.’
‘All right.’ She smiled his way, then stopped when Beth plopped herself into Jamie’s seat, grinning. ‘What?’
‘You two.’
‘What about us?’
‘Are you a couple now?’
Alice shook her head. ‘No.’
Beth raised her brow. ‘Looks that way.’
‘Oh, we’re just hanging out.’
Lottie nodded. ‘Best friends since childhood. Never could stay too far from each other for long.’
Alice snorted as she laughed. ‘Slight exaggeration.’
Lottie scoffed. ‘Please, you two always looked like a couple.’
Beth smiled. ‘As long as you’re happy, Alice. That’s all that matters.’
‘I am. Thank you, Beth.’
The Berry Buoys finished their last song, and everyone clapped and cheered, many popping money into their buckets.
Alice got on with her Christmas wreath, smiling widely when Jamie returned with burger and chips for them. She asked Lottie to keep their wreath to one side, then went for a walk with Jamie to eat their dinner.
‘I’ve never had a snow burger before,’ he said, grinning at the flakes falling on his food.
Alice had something else on her mind. ‘Hey, Jamie, has anyone ever asked you if I’m your girlfriend?’
He snaffled a chip as he nodded. ‘Loads of times. Why?’
‘Beth thought we were together, so it just made me wonder.’
‘Did it bother you?’
She shook her head. ‘No. But what if you wanted to have a girlfriend to go with your new life? Me hanging around won’t make you look available.’
He stopped chewing and stared at her. ‘I’m not looking for a girlfriend, and as far as I’m concerned, you and me, we’re like family. We are what we are, and I’m not about to change that. I don’t need anything else in my life anyway.’
It warmed her to hear him calling her his family, and they shared a look, an understanding of something only they knew, then went back to eating before heading to the Christmas tree as the lighting ceremony was about to begin.
Alice smiled on the inside as she glanced at Jamie. The public would see them and make assumptions. It didn’t matter. Over the years, they had shared so much, given each other parts of themselves they hadn’t to anyone else, and lived with a bond that couldn’t be broken.
She had tried once to forget him, move her life in a different direction, but all she got in return was nasty Alan.
Was that her punishment for going against her heart?
For trying to have a normal life? She owed Jamie nothing.
It was right of her to live her own life, but what a mess it had been, the gaslighting Alan would do, all the blame he would place on her for anything going wrong that was his own doing.
Councillor Seabridge stepped up to a lectern and made a speech about Christmas, Port Berry, and how wonderful the community was, then he had the children join in with the countdown for the lights.
Everyone cheered as the tree twinkled with multicoloured bulbs. Music came from the church choir once more, and people started to hang wishes on the branches.
‘Come on,’ said Alice. ‘Let’s make a wish.’
They wrote something on a star, then sealed it in a plastic bauble and went to the tree.
‘What did you wish for?’ she asked Jamie.
‘Same wish I always have.’
That intrigued Alice. She reached up to a high branch and attached her own wish. ‘I guess we’re not supposed to tell.’
Jamie shrugged. ‘I don’t believe in superstition.’
‘But you just made a wish.’
He grinned. ‘Yeah, but that’s for you. Whenever I have to make a wish, I do it for you.’
Alice tilted her head to one side as she watched him place his wish. ‘What do you always wish for me?’
He gazed into her eyes. ‘Happiness.’
Alice was quite sure her heart just melted into a pool of slush. Something definitely fizzed in her stomach, and her cheeks were starting to ache from smiling. ‘You don’t believe in such things, yet you make wishes for me?’
‘You’re my angel. You deserve all the wishes.’
Alice was so glad she had made a wish for his happiness now that she knew he wasn’t using wishes on himself. ‘You deserve good things too.’
His smile was small. ‘I have all I need.’
She went to tell him she had all she needed as well now but closed her mouth on seeing his glare directed over her shoulder. Her immediate thought went to Alan. Jamie must have spotted him for sure, but as she turned, she saw his twin, Shannon, marching their way.
‘Oh, there you are.’ Shannon’s dark hair and blue eyes were so like Jamie’s, but she had a natural sneer to her features that he didn’t. ‘You weren’t at Seaview.’
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked, making no attempt to greet her.
‘Hello, Shannon.’ Unlike Jamie, Alice opted for polite.
Shannon rolled her eyes up and down Alice’s coat. ‘Thought you’d got away with it, didn’t you?’
Alice had no idea what she was talking about. ‘Away with what?’
‘Taking my nan’s B&B.’
Before Alice could respond, Shannon closed in on her face.
‘Well, think again, Dipple. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow morning. Make sure you’re around at ten.’ And with that, Shannon stormed off, disappearing into the crowd.
Alice looked at Jamie. ‘What just happened?’