Chapter 19
Alice
Alice walked into the B&B to see Jamie, Benny and Luna huddled by the desk. It was obvious they were all waiting on news about Lizzie.
Luna was the first to rush forward. ‘Where’s your mum?’
Alice thumbed behind her towards the door. ‘I’ve just settled her indoors. She’s a bit worn through.’
‘She’s not the only one.’ Luna grabbed her coat from the chair where Benny was sitting. ‘And how are you?’
‘I’m fine, Nan. Just tired. It’s been a long night.’
Luna nodded. ‘Right. I’m off home to see Lizzie.’
Alice kissed her grandmother’s cheek, then followed her to the door to wave her off.
‘Thanks for ringing with the update,’ said Benny, getting up. ‘Granny’s been worried sick.’
‘Everything’s sorted now, so you can go to bed as well.’ Alice yawned. ‘I think we all need a good night’s sleep.’
Benny frowned. ‘I still don’t think it’s fair Alan got off with a warning.’
Jamie agreed. ‘What exactly did he tell the police?’
Alice took a calming breath before replying. ‘He said he thought if it looked like someone was messing with me, and he showed up, I might ask him to stick around and help.’ She shook her head and sighed once more. ‘Honestly, even the police were baffled by his logic.’
‘He created trouble for you hoping he could come along and be your hero.’ Jamie shook his head. ‘That was his logic?’
‘Pretty much, but it’s just so weird.’ Alice didn’t have much energy to dissect Alan’s mind. ‘Anyway, he has been well and truly warned to stay away from me, and he was scared enough to listen. He didn’t like being locked in a cell.’
‘They should have thrown away the key,’ spat Benny.
As long as Alan kept his word and stayed away, she really didn’t care. She was simply glad his nonsense was over. ‘They said he kept apologizing. Reckons he only meant to scare me a little bit.’
Benny huffed. ‘What a loser.’
‘Yeah, he’s definitely that,’ said Alice. ‘And now he’s on the police radar, I can’t see him messing with anyone ever again.’
‘Doesn’t he have to pay for the damages?’ asked Benny.
Alice shook her head. ‘Nope, because he said he didn’t do any of the things he was being accused of. It was just the snowman he was going to tamper with, but Mum jumped on him first.’
Benny flung a hand to the back room. ‘But we have footage.’
Alice nodded. ‘Of a masked man removing lights from the tree, putting the gnome back, and placing the wreath on the doorstep. It doesn’t show who it is.’
‘And they can’t arrest him for harassment?’ asked Jamie.
‘They told him they will if he comes near me again.’ Alice yawned once more. ‘Oh, I’m so tired. Let’s lock up and forget this night happened.’
Benny headed off to his room. ‘I’ll go see Nan in the morning.’
Jamie went with Alice to the front door. ‘How is your mum really?’
‘As tired as me, but okay. I’m just glad all she got was a warning as well. And Alan told the police he wasn’t going to press charges against her for jumping on him.’
‘That was big of him.’ Jamie shook his head.
‘At least things can get back to normal around here now.’ Alice turned to face him. ‘And thank you for not hitting him. You wouldn’t have got a warning. We both know that.’
Jamie shrugged. ‘Who knows. Just because I’m ex-crim, doesn’t mean I don’t get to defend my family.’
Alice rested her head on his shoulder. ‘What a nightmare that man is.’
‘Yeah, well, he’s gone now. He won’t come back.’
She glanced up, trying to read his expression. ‘The police really scared him, so I don’t want you doing anything to add to that.’
Jamie held a small smile. ‘I won’t go after him, I promise. But if he does show his face round here—’
‘I’ll call the police.’
‘Fine.’
‘Honestly, Jamie, he was so scared. And he knows he’s been caught out now.
Let’s just leave it be and move forward.
He’s a sad little man who has proven himself to bully women, and one day he probably will end up in prison if these are the stunts he pulls on his ex-girlfriends.
Who knows? I really don’t want to waste any more of my time thinking about him. ’
Jamie tipped her chin as she went to flop on him again. ‘All right. When we wake in the morning, all this will be behind us, and we’ll be okay.’
Alice smiled softly. ‘That’s what Mum said.’ She pointed at his cheek. ‘I see you washed off your blusher.’
Jamie grinned. ‘I lost my scarecrow hat as well.’
‘I don’t know what was more surreal, Mum scrambling with Alan and Buffy the snowman, or you looking like a scarecrow, diving in.’ She walked with him over to the stairs. ‘This has been one really bizarre night. I’m not sure I’ll get much sleep.’
‘I can see you’re exhausted. I can sit with you for a while, if you want. Help you settle?’
Alice gave a small smile. ‘That would be nice.’
‘Give me two secs to get my PJs, and I’ll be right with you.’
She watched him go upstairs, then headed for her bedroom. Benny had gone to bed, so she got changed into her nightclothes and snuggled beneath the covers, waiting for Jamie to join her.
Regrets about giving Alan a chance hit hard. She wished so badly she could go back in time and unmeet him. She’d never felt that way about anyone before. A shiver went down her spine at the memory of being with such a creep. She was so glad the police had scared him.
Alice sat up. ‘Right, that’s it. He no longer exists. I’m at the church hall tomorrow, helping with Christmas toys for the kids in hospital, and that’s all I’m going to focus on.’
‘Good to know,’ said Jamie, entering her room.
‘Oh. I was giving myself a positive push.’
‘So I heard.’ He sat on her bed. ‘I double-checked the door was locked.’
‘Thank you. And thanks for being here tonight.’
‘I would have liked to have gone to the police station with you.’
‘No, you were right where I needed you. Here with Benny.’ She nudged his side as he rested against the headboard. ‘Anyway, we’re not talking about that anymore, remember?’
‘Yep, sorry. So, tomorrow, Christmas toys, church hall. You need another pair of hands?’
‘Ooh, yes please.’
‘Count me in then.’
Alice felt so much better already. She just hoped all the gossips wouldn’t question her about Alan as soon as they saw her. ‘Jamie,’ she said quietly.
‘Hmm?’
‘I’m so glad you’re here.’ She closed her eyes, smiling as his arm leaned into hers.
‘Me too,’ he whispered.
Alice relaxed. Being with Jamie had always been where she felt safe.