10. Scarlett
CHAPTER 10
Scarlett
A h, great. Not only have I lied to Ryan’s face, but I’ve also stepped back into the hall to find Greta in her element. You’d think after the scandal she was embroiled in last year that she would’ve changed. But, no, Gossiping Greta is holding court in front of the hall’s stage and the mention of my name, along with Ryan’s, is undeniable. There are ooohs and aahhhs and a few comments such as: he’s an absolute catch, I’d love to pash him (this one from Ingrid, bless her eighty-six-year-old heart), and it’s a Christmas miracle. But … there will be no miracle as I won’t be staying in Point Perry.
‘Ouch!’ Two bike wheels run over my open-toed slip-ons. Cursing under my breath, I grab the back of the rider’s tee and, with my other hand, grab the handlebars, bringing the bike to a halt. I squat. ‘Hey, Evie, how about you hop off your bike as the way you’re riding it in the hall is a bit dangerous?’
Two big, round, piercing blue eyes stare back at me. Her bottom lip wobbles. There’s the faintest of nods. ‘Sorry, Aunty Lettie. I didn’t mean to run over you.’
‘We don’t want any more accidents, and you don’t want to hurt yourself either by crashing.’ I quickly scan the hall for my sister-in-law, Justine.
‘She’s just gone to the loo,’ someone calls.
‘How about we set you up with another activity?’ I ask my niece and receive another nod in exchange. ‘Would you like a piggyback?’ Another nod.
Once she’s climbed onto my back and all but strangled me with her arms, I skip over to the hall corner—eliciting giggles—where the makeshift creche has been set up. As she slides down my back like a slippery dip, she tickles me under my ribs, the little bugger, and it’s just the cutest thing. It’s so cute that I exaggerate my laughing and fall to the floor, pulling Evie with me. Then it’s an all-in pile-on tickle fest with the other half a dozen kids who swarm in like flies.
And for a few minutes, nothing else seems to matter. Not the fact I have no job or that I’m starting to fall for a guy … who I’ll be walking away from in less than a week.
I catch sight of Ryan leaning against the foyer doorway, his legs crossed at the ankles and his arms full of boxes brimming with light bulbs and electrical cords. The expression on his face is a sight to behold.
A smile reaches from ear to ear, and it’s not one of those wincey, half-try-hard smiles. But one that lights his entire face. Laugh lines crinkle out from his eyes, and he nods, a knowing nod that says: you look right at home.
Something slams into my chest. I’d like to think it’s a child’s elbow or knee, but it isn’t.
Whatever it is, I want to keep feeling it if it means I’ll keep seeing that smile. I will tell him about the last six months of my job, the mental load, the therapy. Lay it all on the table.
As he pushes off the doorframe, he awkwardly waves his hand from under the box before disappearing.
‘Okay, you lot, up and off me, please.’ I gently push bodies to the floor amid more tickles and squeals. ‘Let’s get you busy with something else while the grownups are finishing their singing.’
‘Can you play with us too, Aunty Lettie?’ Evie’s cheeks are flushed from the wrestling match.
To be honest, hanging out with the under-fives sounds like more fun than wrangling out-of-tune locals into something that resembles a choir. But I can’t let Lilac down.
‘Pleeeaaase?’ Evie pulls me over to a large wooden box in the corner where the creche is set up. ‘What can we do?’
‘Well, just give me a minute, sweety.’ I turn to face Greta, Ingrid and the rest of the choir who are all still huddled together. ‘Point Perry Choir members,’ I call, ‘back to your places, please. Let’s do one more run-through of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with the changes I made earlier. Graham, remember to come in lower on the partridge in a pear tree, and Verity, try and take the five golden rings a touch higher. Everyone else, just try and stay in tune, and remember I’m soloing the last verse just as Lilac was, okay?’
There are nods, foot shuffles and murmurings as everyone takes their places. On my count of three, Greta presses play on the music system and off they go.
‘Now, Miss Evie, what are your friends’ names?’ The kids have my full attention now as I block out the choir and … oh dear … there goes Mabel’s screeching.
Evie goes around the circle. ‘This is Asha, Ned, Kya, Bella and Remy. They are all my friends.’ She slings an arm around Remy, who is wearing the most adorable red tutu with tiny gold bells that tinkle every time she moves. If only they made it in adult sizes.
‘Okay, let’s see what’s in this box.’ Rummaging around, I find a bundle of hula hoops, some hacky sacks, a bucket of chalk and three frisbees—not ideal inside toys. Hoisting the hoops out, I ask the kids to grab a sack each.
‘Follow me, troops.’ They fall into line behind me as I march away from the choir. When I stop suddenly, they all bang into me and each other, causing another raucous round of giggles. ‘Listen up. Who can stay the stillest while I set the game up? No one can move.’
‘Can we talk?’ Ned swipes at a piece of hair hanging over his eyes.
‘No. You have to be as quiet as a mouse.’ I place the hoops out in a hopscotch pattern, stopping and twisting with exaggeration after each hoop to check if anyone is moving or talking … causing more giggles. Just as I place the final hoop, someone farts, and, well, that’s it. The entire population in the hall, choir included, loses the plot and erupts into mayhem.
Someone bumps into my shoulder before skirting their arm around my waist. ‘You are so good with the kids, Scarlett. It’s a shame you’re heading back to Adelaide as Point Perry desperately needs day care or a new childcare centre.’ Justine smiles and shakes her head as the kids all pinch their noses, and the choir clamours out the side door for some fresh air.
First Mum’s suggestion of day care and now Justine’s. Is it an option? Could I do it? Not with my paltry savings and a mortgage, no bank will loan me the cash, and starting up a new business isn’t cheap with securing a location, insurance, marketing and supplies. And do I want to put myself through more stress so soon? I chew on my bottom lip as scenarios flash through my brain.
Then, clarity hits me like a wrecking ball.
Turning, I clasp Justine’s cheeks between my hands, and a buzz of excitement vibrates through me. ‘Actually, Justine, I think you’ve just delivered the best Christmas gift a girl could ask for.’
She looks at me with raised brows. ‘Oh?’
‘I need to fill you in; it’s not common knowledge. I only told Mum yesterday, but I quit my job in Adelaide last week. And you’ve just planted a seed of hope.’ I pull her into a bear hug— the Rudolph nose on her tee squeaking as we press together—and whisper my thanks in her ear.
However, can I abandon my city lifestyle completely, or will my demons follow me home to Point Perry?