Page 79 of The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field

‘Not speaking to me.’ She sighed. ‘You might as well come in now you’re here, but don’t expect Sara to be thrilled to see you. As far as she’s concerned, I’m public enemy number one and you’re number two.’

‘She knows about the pre-loved stuff?’

‘My mother told her. For someone who doesn’t champion your way of life, she stuck up for you. Said the idea is a good one. Then she gave me a good telling-off for not coming clean to the kids in the first place. Bobby is all for not buying anything new ever again, but I’m afraid it’ll take a while for Sara to come around to the idea.’

Kelly was already in the kitchen, getting the milk out of the fridge. The kettle was coming to the boil and several cakes sat in an open cardboard box on the table. She popped tea bags into three mugs. ‘Catrin wanted to come, but she’s got this ballet thing. Her dad’s taken her.’

‘I doubt Sara would have spoken to her if she had. She has already told me she’s not going to school tomorrow. She’s too embarrassed to face anyone.’

‘She needn’t be,’ Kelly said. ‘Nearly all the girls in her class stuck up for her. The only ones who didn’t were those kids that used to go to Darlene’s primary school, and Catrin reckons they only took Darlene’s side because they’re scared of her.’

‘That’s what worries me,’ Harriet said. ‘I don’t want to keep Sara off school, despite her not wanting to go, but what if she gets picked on? I know she has to learn to stick up for herself, but kids can be very mean.’

Kelly patted her hand. ‘That’s why I’m here. I’ve been thinking about the reasons you aren’t buying anything new if you can help it – cost aside – and I think they’re sound. It gave me an idea. What if we hold a Christmas Fayre, just selling second-hand items? Nothing new whatsoever. I’ve got an attic full of clothes, toys and household things that I’ve been meaning to get rid of, and most of it is in jolly good nick. Some things are brand new – yeah, yeah, I know what I just said, but this is different.’

‘You mean, we do a boot sale?’ Harriet didn’t look impressed.

‘Yes and no. It’ll be a Christmas-theme sale, specifically for pre-owned goods with an emphasis on toys and other items that can be given as gifts. I’m sure there are loads of people who struggle financially at this time of year, plus they’ll also be doing their bit for the environment. And that’s how we should pitch it. What do you think?’

Owen thought it was a brilliant idea, but he would, wouldn’t he? This sort of thing was right up his street. Or right up his blog!

He didn’t say anything, though, wanting Harriet to make up her own mind. After the dress debacle, the last thing she needed was him trying to influence her.

‘I’m not sure…’ she said after a while. ‘Where would we hold it? On the green?’

‘I was thinking of Holly Field.’

‘But there’s a boot sale there every Saturday anyway,’ Harriet pointed out.

‘That’s why it’s so perfect. It’s already geared up for this kind of thing. I was thinking we could have it on a Sunday, a couple of weeks before Christmas, if Aled is willing, and we can make it a real village affair. It will be heldbythe villagers,forthe villagers. We could have a cake stall – help yourselves by the way.’ She pulled out a chair, sat down and picked up a cake.

Harriet followed suit, and Owen, not wanting to feel left out, also took a seat. He didn’t bother with a cake, too het up to eat one even if they were vegan, which he highly doubted.

‘What do you think?’ Harriet asked him.

‘You know I’m going to say it’s a great idea, don’t you?’

‘I know, and it is, but I’m not sure it’ll work.’

‘Why not?’ Kelly asked. ‘If it’s marketed right, people will buy into it.’

‘Kelly used to work in marketing, if you hadn’t guessed,’ Harriet told him wryly.

‘I was good at it, too. It’s all about perception, which is why I don’t think we should piggyback on the boot sale. Don’t thinksecond-hand, think “saving the planet” and saving money. Everyone likes to believe they’re doing their bit and everyone likes to save money.’

‘People will still buy the latest Lego set, or Xbox,’ Harriet pointed out. ‘If that’s what their son or daughter wants for Christmas, they’ll buy it for them.’

‘Agreed,’ Owen said. ‘But even if they buy only a quarter of their Christmas presents from the Fayre, that’s better than nothing.’ He could see by her slow nod that she was coming around to the idea. ‘If we remove the stigma – not that there is much of one these days, apart from snobs like Darlene – then Sara might not feel so bad. In fact, we might be able to convince her that she’s spearheading the cause.’

‘I’m not sure she’ll go for it,’ Harriet said doubtfully.

‘We can try,’ he insisted.

‘I know Catrin would back us up,’ Kelly said, licking the last crumbs from her fingers. ‘She felt awful for Sara yesterday. OK, folks, I’m going to have to dash off. Gavin’s got a rugby match this afternoon, and I need to make him lunch before he goes. Gavin is my fourteen-year-old,’ she added for Owen’s benefit.

Harriet saw her to the door, leaving Owen in the kitchen wondering whether he should go too. He rose and stood there awkwardly.

‘I’m sorry,’ he repeated. ‘I didn’t mean for this to happen.’

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