Page 58 of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
“She’s gone to her mum’s for the day,” he said, heaving a crate full of jam jars into the back of the van. “Christmas stuff to organize, apparently.”
“Oh,” said Kate. “Who’s helping you with the stall, then?”
Matt grinned.
“I was hoping you might,” he said.
He flashed her a lost-puppy look and she almost caved, but instead she mentally slapped herself hard across the cheek and said, “Sorry, I’m busy today.”
“What, getting ready for tomorrow’s date?” asked Matt.
“Tonight’s, actually,” said Kate.
“You can’t go hiking in the dark,” said Matt.
“I’m not,” Kate replied. “I’m hiking tomorrow. Tonight is a different date, not part of the twelve dates.”
Matt blustered.
“What, two dates in two days?” he said.
“Since when did you become the date police?” asked Kate.
“It’s that Richard bloke, isn’t it,” said Matt. “The one with the cauliflower ear.”
“Not that it matters,” said Kate. “But he doesn’t have cauliflower ear. And yes, it isthat Richard bloke: hero of the hour.”
“Ooh, all hail Richard!” said Matt in a snarky voice.
“If he hadn’t come to my rescue, I’d have had to call you,” said Kate.
“I’d have let you freeze,” said Matt.
“Then it’s just as well Richard came along when he did,” said Kate.
Matt grinned.
Carla called out from the café, “Do you need more coffee, Kate?”
“She hasn’t done anything yet!” shouted Matt.
“Yes, please, Carla,” called Kate sweetly.
Kate strode into the storeroom at the back of the kitchen and began to transport various crates and plastic containers filled with Christmas goodies to the van. At the back of the van, surrounded by rolled-up rugs—presumably for buffering during transit—was a coffee machine.He’s doing coffee as well!thought Kate.No wonder he asked for help.When the van was thoroughly loaded, Kate laid the box containing her truffle bags gently on top of Evelyn’s Christmas cakes.
“Sure I can’t change your mind?” asked Matt.
“Quite sure,” said Kate.
She waved Matt off as the van disappeared down the lane behind the café and joined the track to the manor. Then she went back in through the side door to get her second caffeine fix.
“It’s going to be insane up there today,” said Carla. “There’s twocoach companies running Christmas market visits from Chelmsford and Watford, and one from Calais! And that’s before people coming by car.”
“Ah,” said Kate. “One second.”
Kate pulled her phone out of her pocket and fired off a text to Matt.
If it gets too busy give me a ring. I’ll come and help.
