Chapter Twenty-Seven
If it was possible for a person to literally burst with pride, then Anna was going to make a mess right here, in front of a school hall packed to the rafters with parents, friends of the school, past pupils, local press, possibly even national press .
. . heck, she’d never seen so many people want to attend their Christmas production.
And every single one of them was on their feet, applauding, whistling, cheering.
Tears snuck out of her eyes and Anna hastily wiped them away.
‘Hey, we can’t have you crying,’ Bridget whispered from her seat next to her. ‘You’ve got a speech to make.’
‘Don’t remind me.’
Yet how could she be expected to remain dry-eyed in front of this?
The children on the stage looked awestruck, grinning away, waving at their mums and dads, pointing every now and then.
And then bursting into giggles and clapping their hands together excitedly.
They knew they’d done themselves proud, done the school proud. Done their parents proud.
Her eyes caught Maisie’s and a giant lump formed in her throat at the sight of her daughter, flushed with excitement.
She tried to find Dan, but couldn’t. Sid was on the front row with her, next to Bridget, Anna noticed slyly.
Dan had refused the seat they’d left for him though, explaining it was a school production, and he’d watch it from further back.
He’d done the same at the dress rehearsal, too.
As if he didn’t want to encroach on Sid’s territory.
And God, that generosity of spirit, the compassion towards a man who, at least at the beginning, had been determined to make Dan’s life difficult, tumbled her even further into love with him.
Before she succumbed to the emotion flooding through her, Anna cleared her throat and walked up onto the stage.
She eased past the shepherds, now carrying toy lambs because Shaun — a definite star of the show — was already safely tucked up in his trailer.
The kings still clutched at their neatly wrapped gifts.
Mary, standing next to a dazed but smiling Joseph, still carried ‘baby Jesus’.
Thankfully, he’d even managed to keep his head.
‘So.’ She paused, waiting for the applause to die down, and the audience to return to their seats.
‘Can I take it you enjoyed that?’ Laughter rippled across the hall.
‘I won’t keep you. First, I wanted to remind you that, thanks to the kind agreement from the parents of our amazing cast, a video of the play will be put on a private YouTube link so that grandparents, aunts and uncles, anyone else who wanted to see the play but didn’t get a chance, will be able to view it.
’ A cheer went up. ‘And now I’d like to thank a few people who helped make tonight what it was.
First, of course, a big thank you to our star performers.
’ She turned to the children clustered together on the stage, who grinned as another round of applause echoed around the hall.
‘And thanks to each of you, for being an appreciative and attentive audience, for helping the children with their lines, getting them to rehearsals, responding to our strange requests for handbags, dolls, straw, tablecloths, belts, headbands, crooks . . .’ More laughter.
‘I’m sure you’d like to thank Bridget Hammond, who managed to turn a dull old school hall into a Bethlehem stable, and all the props and clothing you provided us into kings, shepherds and, it has to be said, very smart-looking teachers. ’
The audience were easy, listening, laughing almost on cue.
It helped Anna push her emotion into one corner, and keep the professional firmly in place.
‘I’d also like to thank Sid, for giving up his time, and a huge amount of energy and patience to put on yet another spectacular Christmas production.
’ Here she paused, again trying to find Dan.
‘This year though, he had some help. And this year, thanks to that help, we were able to put on not just a Christmas play, but a unique Christmas play. One that only this school has ever performed, because it was written especially for us by Daniel Ramsey.’ A loud murmur hummed through the audience, followed by a spontaneous round of clapping.
‘So I’d like to thank Daniel for volunteering to help the school this year.
His script, and his insight into acting, provided the pupils with an experience I’m sure they will treasure.
’ As she said the words the audience started to look around, clearly trying to locate Dan.
Fearing he might be mobbed if she asked him to stand up, she wrapped the evening up.
‘Finally, on behalf of all the teachers and pupils at Riddlescomb Primary School, I’d like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. ’
As the audience started to move away, and the pupils left the stage to find their parents, Anna caught sight of a tall, broad-shouldered man in a baseball cap slip out of the back of the hall.
Despite the night they’d shared, the tender way he’d made love to her in that big new bed she’d blown a hefty amount of her savings on — totally worth it for last night alone — she felt a trickle of unease.
His obligation to the school was over now.
When he got back to his hotel room, away from the emotion of the evening, would he really stay on, as he’d said he would, until the staff party tomorrow?
Or would he actually feel like breathing a huge sigh of relief, knowing he was finally free?
* * *
Dan would rather have stayed in the hall, rushing up to congratulate the kids because they thoroughly deserved all the praise currently being heaped at them.
They’d totally acted their socks off. Instead he disappeared off to the classroom the kids were using as a changing room.
Partly because he didn’t want to steal any of Sid’s thunder.
Dan had turned up Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sid had been there all week, and then given up time after school, too.
He’d been the go-to man, the one who’d put his reputation on the line.
For Dan, it had just been an exercise in good PR.
He shook his head. No, it might have started like that, but it wasn’t how he’d felt about the project, not after the first few weeks.
Which brought him to the second reason he’d darted off to the classroom.
Here he could breathe, pull himself together after hearing all that applause, seeing the thrill on the kids’ faces.
And he dare not think about Anna’s speech in case it set him off again.
It was fair to say, he’d had more than one tear in his eye.
Some had actually started creeping down his face.
His sacking no longer felt like a curse, but a blessing.
And though the path ahead wasn’t totally clear — there was the small matter of Anna living up here, him in London.
Him being without a job. Still, he thought he could see a way forward.
Maybe, hopefully. If Anna felt the same way he did.
His peace was shattered as the door opened and a flood of overexcited kids burst into the room.
‘OMG, that was totally awesome,’ Priti exclaimed, throwing the poor doll she’d been carrying onto a chair.
‘My mum was crying when she saw me.’ Riley shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal. ‘Said it was ’cause she was proud.’
‘My mum said it was the best play she’d ever seen. Ever.’ Taran was starting to get as loud as everyone else.
‘So did mine,’ Maisie added, grinning. Suddenly she spotted him. ‘You’re here. We were looking in the hall for you.’
‘Thought you’d gone,’ Riley added, yanking off the suit jacket he’d been wearing and making Dan wince as he threw it on the floor.
‘How could I go without telling you all how incredible you were?’ Dan became aware that the chatter had died down, and the kids were all looking at him.
‘Were we, like, as good as real actors?’ Priti asked.
He smiled, feeling so crazily attached to them all.
To think a few months ago he’d believed he couldn’t connect with kids.
Now he didn’t want his time at the school to end.
‘Maybe not as good as me,’ he replied, laughing as they all rolled their eyes at him.
‘But sure, I’ve worked with actors who wouldn’t have been able to pull off what you guys did tonight.
’ He nodded over to Riley. ‘I’m glad your mum was proud of you.
Hell . . . I mean heck,’ he corrected hastily, making them snigger.
‘We’re all proud of you. Most of all though, you should be proud of yourselves. ’
Dan could almost hear his words sink in, and when they all nodded, he felt that damn lump in his throat again.
Thank God for Riley, who broke the emotional tension by puffing out his chest and proclaiming, ‘I’m proud of me.’
The door opened again, and Anna stepped inside, clearly waiting on Maisie to get changed so they could go home. As his gaze found hers, she gave him a slow smile and he didn’t need to be an expert at reading expressions to know she was happy, and a little relieved to see him.
Dan stood up from his perch on the table. ‘Okay, guys, I’m off. I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas.’
‘Are you coming back next term, sir?’ Riley asked.
Automatically, he caught Anna’s eye.
‘I doubt Mr Ramsey will have the time—’
‘I’d love to come back,’ he cut in, smiling as he saw Anna’s eyes widen. ‘That’s if Ms Dalton will let me.’
He could see he’d taken her by surprise because the usually unruffled head was looking a little flustered now. ‘The school always needs volunteers.’
Her prim reply made him smile. She clearly wasn’t impressed at being put on the spot like that. Still, if she’d not wanted him back she would definitely have made it clear, so Dan turned back to Riley. ‘I’m going to take that as a yes. See you next year, everyone.’
There was a chorus of goodbyes as he made his way towards the door, navigating various abandoned props; a gift-wrapped box, a toy sheep, a crown. When he brushed past Anna, he whispered. ‘I’ll be in the car park.’
* * *
Twenty minutes later — every time she’d tried to leave she’d been accosted by another effusive parent — Anna headed towards her car, Maisie still chattering by her side.
‘Did I tell you Shaun pooped a bit when he got to the stage? I mean it wasn’t a big poo, ’cause sheep only do little bits, don’t they? Like lots of black peas.’
Anna listened with half an ear, the rest of her attention focused on the cars. Dan’s Range Rover was still here, and unconsciously she relaxed, her mouth edging into a smile. ‘Jump into the car, Maisie. I’m just going to have a quick chat with Dan.’
‘Oh goody, is he coming home with us again? Tell him if he does, he can read the next chapter of The Christmasaurus.’ She started to giggle. ‘I think he likes it more than I do.’
How easy it was for her daughter, Anna thought. She wasn’t beating herself up, wondering if she was doing the right thing by allowing Dan not just into their life, but their hearts. Maisie liked Dan, she wanted to see him tonight. She didn’t look any further ahead than that.
As she neared Dan’s car he opened it and climbed out.
‘Hey there.’ His handsome face smiled at her, his gorgeous blue eyes slightly amused.
‘First you thought I’d buggered off after the play, now you’re surprised to still see me in the car park.
’ He tutted. ‘Don’t think much of my staying power, do you? ’
‘I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d left.’
His lips found hers in an exquisitely soft kiss. ‘And miss tomorrow’s staff party?’ he murmured.
‘It’s not that exciting.’ Her breath caught as he ran a finger down her cheek.
‘Then it’s a good job it’s not the party I’m staying for.’
She didn’t know why it was so difficult to ask him.
Maybe because he’d stayed last night and she’d been terrified by how right it felt.
And by how easily Maisie had accepted him into their home.
‘Would you like to stay with us again tonight? I understand if you don’t want to.
You were there last night, and then at the school all day.
You’re probably looking forward to the peace and quiet of your hotel room—’
‘I’d love to,’ he interrupted, kissing her again.
‘Oh, okay.’ Feeling breathless, her pulse racing, she stepped away. ‘I’ll see you in a bit then.’
He nodded, eyes intent on hers. ‘If I forget to say this later, thank you for giving me the chance to write the play, and for letting me help the school put it on.’ She watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. ‘And for the kind words you said tonight.’
Her turn to touch his face. To kiss his lips. ‘Thank you, for proving I was right to let you write the play, and right to let you help us put it on.’ Once again she stepped back, but now she felt calmer, steadier. ‘I do love to be proved right.’
He laughed, and she realised she almost enjoyed making him laugh as much as she enjoyed kissing him. And how wonderful that tonight, she would enjoy both.