Page 116 of All Wrapped Up
‘Really. He’s all for the festival now. Look, he’s even joining in with the pumpkin carving. Apparently, he has plans to trounce the competition.’
‘I don’t believe it.’
‘Well, you must,’ I told her. ‘And you can spread the word about that. He’s an entirely different man now.’
‘I wonder what’s brought that on?’ she asked, and I noticed she had turned a little pink as a result of me suggesting she could share the news.
Clearly, she was still feeling guilty about revealing my identity as the person behind AutumnEverything, but I truly didn’t mind. Rather than being the nightmare I had once predicted, the revelation had set me free and stopped me being so guarded and preoccupied with putting my foot in it every time I opened my mouth. Being able to simply talk, as opposed to constantly planning what I was going to say, was liberating.
‘If Jason wants us to know, I’m sure he’ll tell us,’ I shrugged, because his story wasn’t mine to tell. ‘Now, any thoughts on my deputy?’
‘Oh, he’s not here today,’ Joanne then told me casually. ‘He’s watching the pumpkin field for Amber and Jake. With it being so close to Halloween they didn’t want to shut it for the day, so he said he’d take care of it.’
‘Well, he might have told me,’ I tutted.
Though perhaps he was too preoccupied with other things, or another person, to factor me in to his thoughts now.
‘I told him I’d let you know when I saw you,’ Joanne then said, which made me feel bad for being stroppy. ‘He popped in to the café to pick up some lunch and explained what he was going to be doing then. He also said he’s been looking after some horse that got stuck on the riverbank last week. Did you hear about that? It was a full-on drama from what I can make out. It was all over the paper yesterday.’
‘Good,’ I said. ‘That’ll take the last of the heat off me.’
‘Has it been really bad?’ She winced.
‘No,’ I said, feeling abashed for making more of it than it warranted. ‘It’s actually been fine. I’ve barely heard a peep, though I have been told that there’s plenty being discussed when I’m not in earshot.’
‘That doesn’t surprise me,’ she said, acknowledging Jemma who was standing in the café doorway and waving a tea towel to get her attention. ‘Folk love nothing more than a good gossip.’
She grinned and gave me a nudge as she made the pronouncement, so clearly, she now recognised herself as one of those folk.
‘Never mind waving back.’ I nudged her in return, with a nod to the café. ‘I think it looks like Jemma needs you over there, don’t you?’
‘I daresay she does,’ she smiled. ‘She sent me over here to ask you if you wanted me to count the public window display votes.’
‘Oh my god!’ I choked. ‘I’d forgotten all about that.’
‘That’s not like you.’ Joanne frowned. ‘We just thought you were a bit pushed for time, not that you’d forgotten completely. What’s up?’
‘Nothing,’ I squeaked. ‘It just slipped my mind.’
‘So that’s a yes to me doing it then, is it?’ she further asked. ‘And I’m sure Lizzie will be able to quickly print out and frame the certificates if that would be a help.’
‘Are you sure that would be okay?’ I asked, feeling so bad for forgetting.
‘No problem. And if Lizzie’s too busy, I’ll do it, shall I?’
‘Yes, please,’ I said meekly. ‘If it’s not too much hassle. And you know,’ I further confessed, ‘I still haven’t told Ash about the note that was left about the other box yet.’
‘That will explain why he was so surprised when Jemma mentioned it.’
I really needed to get my backside in gear before things slipped further out of my control.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I suppose it will. Thank her for me, will you, and thank you, Joanne, for counting the votes. I’ll come over and get the certificates as soon as I’ve checked everything’s okay in the town hall.’
‘No rest for the wicked, is there?’ She winked and sashayed off.
I let out a breath and felt my shoulders relax a little. At least I wasn’t going to have to face Ash again just yet, but I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about the vote.
‘Three cookies and two teas, please.’
