Page 107 of The Winter of Second Chances
‘There’s going to be a next time?’
Annie realised she’d jumped right into that one. She felt her cheeks flush.
‘I don’t see why not,’ she said, trying to be cool and collected. ‘There’s bound to be things that need to be discussed at some point and we may as well do it over a good meal.’
John smiled and helped her into her coat.
‘We may as well,’ he said.
Annie called her goodbyes to Raye and Aiden. John said he would be back in when Annie’s taxi arrived and Aiden promised not to lock him out.
Annie shivered as the outer door gave way with a creak and opened out onto a wall of navy blue cold. She pulled her coat closer around her and parked herself on a wooden picnic bench. Across the road she watched the lights go out one by one in The Sunken Willow and imagined Pam and Bill making their weary way to bed.Bed.She shivered again, a convulsive full-body shudder. John sat down beside her and she forgot the cold; suddenly all she could think about was his nearness.
It was quiet but for the occasional hoot of an owl and the breeze whistling through the naked trees. The grass was diamond-studded with the glisten of frost.
‘I’ve been swatting up on Mari’s notes for the Christmas Festival,’ said Annie.
‘It’s a pretty special night, a lot of fun,’ said John. ‘It’s kind of a last hurrah before the December festivities begin proper.’
‘It’s not really a last hurrah if there are a load more festivities to come and there’s been loads before it, is it?’ said Annie. ‘It’s more of a halfway hurrah.’
‘Well, it’s the last hurrah before the proper winter hurrahs begin.’
‘I have never known a place to have so many hurrahs.’
John laughed.
‘You wait till the dark days of January, that’s when they really get going!’
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
‘I’m glad,’ said John. ‘You suit Willow Bay.’
‘I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not,’ said Annie wryly.
‘It’s a compliment. I promise. Not everyone would embrace it like you have. And everyone thinks you’re great. I can’t turn around without somebody telling me what a bloody marvel you are.’
Annie laughed.
‘How very discomforting for you!’
‘I’m getting used to it.’
‘My sources inform me that Pam keeps the Ghosts of Christmas in the cellar.’
‘She does indeed.’
‘Can I ask what form these ghosts take?’ asked Annie.
‘They’re like giant papier-mâché puppets. Provided it’s dry, they’ll be walked along the promenade to the beach and fixed to bases where they can view the proceedings.’
‘You don’t do things by halves, do you?’
‘Do it right or don’t bother,’ John replied.
Annie felt John shift on the bench, and she turned herself to look at him. He was looking at her.
‘I’m glad it’s you who’s staying at the Nook,’ he said. ‘Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t exactly made my life easier. A straightforward, non-cafe-opening tenant would have been easier. But still. I’m glad that the thorn in my side is you.’
