Page 58 of All Wrapped Up
‘Honestly, hon,’ Lizzie insisted, ‘you were great.’
‘I can’t believe I’ve just spoken in front of all those people.’ I gulped.
‘Go and get yourself a drink.’ Lizzie smiled. ‘You deserve it.’
My legs were shaking as I edged around the stage and climbed down the steps.
‘Good luck with the judging!’ Lizzie called after me and I realised I’d also forgotten to mention that there was going to be a separate public vote on the shop windows, too.
I made a mental note to upload a promo post highlighting it later. I thought it was only fair that everyone else had the opportunity to vote for their favourites, too.
‘You got your own way then,’ said a gruff voice as I stepped on to the cobbled square.
‘Excuse me?’ I frowned.
I looked up to find Jason standing rather closer to me than I would have liked.
‘All this,’ he said with a dismissive nod to the stage and the packed market.
‘Everyone who was in favour of the festival happening hasgot their own way, as you put it,’ I corrected him. ‘It’s wonderful, isn’t it?’ I continued, refusing to show him that I felt intimidated. ‘A truly great way to honour Moses and boost the town economy at the end of the summer season.’
‘You didn’t even know him,’ Jason sniffed. ‘And time will tell, won’t it? I wouldn’t count your chickens.’
‘I haven’t got any yet,’ I said, refusing to back off. ‘And I wouldn’t try any more of your tricks about disrupting things if I were you. Everyone’s on to you now, Jason, so you’d soon be found out.’
He went to say something else but sensed someone was behind him. It was Ash.
‘Bloody incomer,’ he muttered and strode off.
‘Are you all right?’ Ash frowned.
‘Yes,’ I said, though I wasn’t really. The adrenaline from making my speech had only carried me so far and I hopedJason’s opinion about me wasn’t shared by everyone else. The crowd had seemed warm enough, but it might have been far cooler behind closed doors. ‘Never mind him,’ I further rallied.
‘You did really well up there.’
‘Did I?’ I asked, as I picked Pixie up and took comfort in holding her little warm body close to mine again.
‘Yes,’ Ash said, firmly. ‘You did. I know I haven’t done anything to help with the festival yet, but I’m feeling properly proud to be a part of it after listening to you.’
‘Well,’ I nodded, as I determinedly shrugged off what Jason had said and the subsequent negative thoughts his meanness had evoked, ‘that’s just as well, because I have a very special festival job to do and it requires both of us.’
‘Go on…’
‘We’re going to judge the shop windows… together.’ I smiled.
‘Oh, no,’ said Ash, trying to take a step away, but I quickly put Pixie down and caught his jacket sleeve. ‘You’re not roping me into that.’
‘Yes,’ I said, keeping a tight hold on him, ‘I am. And we’re going to look at them all right now.’
‘I’m sure you don’treallyneed me for that—’
‘Yes,’ I cut in, ‘I do. You’ve just said you’re proud to be a part of the festivalandyou also said earlier that this was one task that was fraught with danger, so I insist on having my deputy’s support to carry it out.’
He was wavering, but not entirely convinced.
‘And I’ll buy you lunch after we’re done,’ I added.
‘Pub or café?’
