Chapter 6
SIX
The moon walking experience last night would have been better in the spring I realise, although it wasn’t a complete disaster. There was one particularly nervous young lady though, who I must admit I felt a little concerned about, and even thought about this morning when I woke up.
I received a text from Eileen this morning, telling me she slept like a log and I send her a thumbs up emoji, feeling happy that some good came from my staying and having a brew with her.
‘So how was the walk in the forest? What did you say it was called, moon bathing?’ Gemma raises an eyebrow.
‘Not quite what I imagined,’ I tell her, which is a bit of an understatement to say the least. ‘It was absolutely freezing for a start.’
‘What do you expect in December.’ She laughs. ‘You wouldn’t catch me out there in the middle of December, that’s for sure.’ She gives a little shiver as she reaches for her coffee, placed under the counter at work in a travel cup. It’s lovely having this time in the morning, before the main doors open and the customers drift in.
‘True enough. Anyway, the path through the forest was so dark we could barely see in front of us. I was annoyed that the flashlights I supplied weren’t very bright,’ I tell her. ‘I could actually kick myself about that, but luckily the group were fine about it and used the flashlights on their phones.’
‘Not the best start then.’
‘Not really. It was really slippy, and the sound of nocturnal animals was a bit disconcerting, to be honest,’ I tell her, recalling the sound of a screech owl and what sounded like a gunshot that had us all gasping. ‘It was only a firework from someone having a Christmas party somewhere, but in the darkness of the forest…’
‘Your imagination runs away with you?’
‘Exactly.’
She pulls a face. ‘It doesn’t sound that relaxing, although I don’t know exactly what you were expecting.’
‘Neither do I really. I guess I imagined a calm, mindful experience. I had even asked a lady from the community centre along, who is a trained counsellor. She was happy to volunteer her services, maybe in the hope of picking up some business, as she runs forest retreats. Anyway, we eventually reached a clearing where we set up our chairs and I managed to get a campfire started.’
‘That sounds nice though?’ says Gemma, restocking a drawer with some gift bags.
‘Yes, it was nice and very warming, briefly anyway. After that, we were asked by the counsellor lady to tell the group three things we were grateful for.’
‘I hope I was one of them,’ says Gemma, giving me a nudge.
‘Naturally.’ I smile. ‘Anyway, after that, she wafted a sage stick and played some relaxing music for us to meditate to, which on a warm summer’s day would be really lovely.’
‘But not in a dark forest in winter?’
‘Not really, no. The fire had gone out by then because it was so damp, and I had feet like blocks of ice,’ I recall. ‘Thankfully I had the flasks of tea, and, of course, the home-made cake, so that cheered us all up a bit.’
‘Thank goodness for that.’ Gemma laughs. ‘Your cake could cheer anyone up.’
‘Thanks. Anyway, just as we were beginning to relax a bit and enjoy a nice chat with each other, the screech owl we had heard earlier came swooping down and almost lifted the beanie hat from a particularly nervous member of the group. I think it had been attracted by the fur bobble.’
‘Oh no, what happened?’ asks Gemma, her eyes widening.
‘All hell broke loose. She started crying and saying she wished she had stayed at home and that it had been her mum’s idea for her to go and do something relaxing, as she had been suffering with anxiety after losing her beloved dog. I felt so sorry for her.’
‘Oh, my goodness!’ Gemma covers her mouth with her hand. ‘The poor girl. Did you get her name? Maybe we should ask her to the gingerbread evening, if there are any places left.’
‘Yes, her name is Audrey, and you know, that’s a great idea! I also know she works in Boots on the high street. I was going to call in at some point, and see if she is okay. I will text Jo now, see if there are any places left.’
The group assured me at the end of the evening that they had enjoyed themselves, especially the sitting around and chatting, but I can’t help thinking that it could have been better. There was no charge though, just a suggestion to contribute to the community centre Christmas fund, which everyone did. Oh, and the counsellor lady took three bookings for a weekend forest retreat in March.
I tap out a text to Jo, the local bakery lady who judges the gingerbread house competition, and unbelievably she has had a cancellation, so I book Audrey in. I can always cancel after I have spoken to her, if she isn’t free.
The juddering of the exterior metal shutters being lifted signals the start of opening time as a security guy heads to the glass doors to open them. There are already a few people standing outside, ready to have a browse through some of our special Christmas offers.
An hour later, the store is as busy as ever, and traditional Christmas carols are playing over the Tannoy once more, rather than the Mariah Carey ear-splitting type tunes.
A young child buys a gift set for her mum and counts her money out at my counter, which I automatically add a sample face mask to. She races over to her dad, and shows him the bag excitedly, and he nods in my direction with a smile on his face.
‘I’ve got my eye on a bag over there,’ says Gemma, pointing to a bag and scarf display when there is a rare lull in sales. ‘I really hope it goes into the January sale. I could never afford it at its current price. Oh, and did you see that hot guy?’ she asks.
‘Don’t start.’ I smile, shaking my head at my friend.
‘I was about to say, I think he was checking you out.’
‘What guy, where?’ I glance around.
‘Oh, you’re interested now.’ She laughs as a lady approaches the counter with a woollen scarf and gloves set in a box.
‘The guy with the little girl,’ she tells me when the customer has departed.
‘The little girl?’
‘Duh, the one who counted out her money and bought the gift set for her mum.’ She laughs.
‘Oh right, that guy. Yeah he was okay, I suppose.’ I shrug.
The man in question was actually very attractive. Dark, slightly curly hair, wearing a brown casual leather jacket with a scarf tucked inside. Nice smile too, I remember that much.
‘Although, I don’t think he was checking me out,’ I tell her. ‘He was simply acknowledging the little extra gift I popped into the bag.’
‘If you say so.’ She grins.
‘And actually, why would he be looking at me if his daughter was buying a gift for her mum, surely that means he’s married?’
‘Not necessarily, he could be separated,’ she suggests.
‘Like the guy you went out with?’ I raise an eyebrow.
‘Point taken, but not everyone is like him.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘And why wouldn’t that guy be looking at you, you’re gorgeous,’ she says kindly. ‘He was definitely eyeing you up,’ she whispers as another customer approaches the counter.
The afternoon passes in a flash, as discounted knitwear, gift sets and perfumes fly off the shelves as people pop in for last-minute gifts. Gemma is still eyeing the bag stall, hoping the bag she has her eye on won’t sell and might go into the January sale.
I think about the cute little girl with pigtails, wearing the white quilted coat, and how she counted out twenty pounds, that included a five-pound note and fifteen pounds’ worth of coins, to purchase a pair of pyjamas in a box tied with a gift bow. Some of the assistants pull a face when children produce cash and wonder why their carers can’t pay by card. I like to remind them that Christmas is for everyone and not just those who can press a card against a reader. The joy on the face of a child who has saved up their money and bought someone a gift is absolutely priceless.
‘Any plans for this evening?’ I ask Gemma as we step outside into the frosty air, when the store finally closes.
‘No, I’m shattered. It’s a Netflix series and a hot chocolate for me,’ she says, already yawning.
‘Sounds good to me.’
‘How about you?’
‘Something pretty similar, I’m pooped today.’
We go our separate ways, Gemma’s place is in a modern block of apartments a short walk away, my house a five-minute drive away. I make my way to Boots before heading off, to see if Audrey might be on shift. If she isn’t maybe a staff member can advise me when she will be.
Pushing through the door, I have a quick look at the special offers, and end up heading for the checkout with a designer beauty bag filled with goodies that has a fifty per cent price reduction. It’s the kind of bag you might take to a hotel on a weekend away, and it occurs to me that I can’t remember the last time I did anything like that. My ex did splash out on an overnight stay at a luxury hotel once that cost as nearly as much as a week away in the UK, or at least a long weekend abroad, which kind of spoilt it a little, if I’m honest. I’m all for a bit of luxury occasionally, but sheer overindulgence leaves me cold. I might ask Gemma if she fancies booking something after Christmas to rejuvenate us a little after the Christmas rush.
As I approach the checkouts, I notice Audrey on the till closest to the door, chatting to the lady on the next till.
‘Hi.’ I place my basket down, that contains the weekender bag and a bottle of conditioner. I’m a bit obsessive over good quality conditioner, but it does keep my long dark hair shiny and in tip-top condition.
‘Hi.’ She smiles. I don’t think she recognises me as she wordlessly scans my items, although to be fair the last time we met I was muffled up with a heavy coat, a scarf pulled up to my chin and a hat. Plus it was dark.
‘We met last night on the moonlight walk,’ I remind her as I pay for my items.
She scrutinises me for a moment.
‘Oh gosh, yes, hi, it’s Lauren, isn’t it?’ she asks, her skin colouring a little.
‘It is. You’re Audrey, right?’
‘Yes. I’m sorry about my little outburst last night,’ she says in a low voice. ‘I made a right show of myself.’
‘You didn’t at all,’ I tell her. ‘We all have our moments, we are only human.’
‘Thanks,’ she says, placing my items into a bag.
‘Listen. Do you fancy grabbing a coffee?’ I ask. ‘You’re closing soon, aren’t you?’
‘In eight minutes,’ she says, glancing at her watch. ‘And, yes, I’d like that.’ She smiles.
We arrange to meet at the Blue Teapot in the village square.