Page 58 of Christmas Ever After
‘Would you both like to tell us how the challenge we set you at the last meeting has been progressing?’ Mr Hastings gestures with his hand, inviting us both to stand up.
Somehow I’m not near Raff. Lissa arrived to look after his stall, and Mickey got held up on the way to cover mine, so he came in before me and the bosses arrived before I could make my way over, and now he’s standing opposite me as I push myself upright from the wall I was leaning against. He catches my eyes and gives me a smile, and I try to smile back but it comes out more like a grimace. The underlying fear is ever-present. It hasn’t dissipated since I realised how wrong I was about him, but today isit, and the fear has multiplied ten-fold. What if us being more than friends now isn’t enough? This whole thing is my fault. If it hadn’t been for my misplaced vendetta against Love Is All A-Round, we’d have got to know each other long ago, and neither of us would be in this position, and now I need to fix it for both of us.
‘I made a huge mistake at the November meeting.’ It comes out squeaky and only audible to dolphins, so I clear my throat and try again. ‘I was wrong to make Love Is All A-Round the target of my long-held grudge. I should have given Raff a chance long ago, and I’m sorry for all the upset that I’ve caused for this street.’
Mitch starts clapping, which gives Cedric a chance to step even further away from Mandy, and he has to quickly stop clapping and clamp a hand back on his shoulder.
Even so, his encouragement helps me to gain confidence and get into the swing of it. This is important. This is my chance toundo the mistake I made. I got it wrong about Raff, and despite that, he’s done everything he could for me. Neither of us deserve to lose our shops. It was my actions that set us on this path, and now I have to stop it.
‘All the negative things I’ve said were said without ever knowing the history behind Love Is All A-Round and without ever speaking to Raff Dardenne. As far too many people know, Raff and I had an… unfortunate encounter.’ I hold up the splinted hand. ‘And ever since then, I’ve got to know him and I’ve come to understand where the “love” in Love Is All A-Round comes from, and how important this magical little shop is to our street. It’s about so much more than making matches. Snow globes are a step outside of real life, a momentary escape from the world, and trying to imagine Christmas Ever After without Love Is All A-Round is like trying to imagine a Christmas without mince pies, Bing Crosby, or Brussels sprouts.’
Mr Hastings makes a face. Maybe Brussels sprouts were a step too far.
Raff takes over. ‘What Franca’s trying to say is that we’ve both done what you asked of us. Franca’s social media engagement is through the roof, people are talking about nutcrackers, and no matter how unfortunate that video is, people are talking aboutbothof us. The issues raised at the last meeting were about the conflict between us, but she and I have reached an understanding that we hadn’t reached before, and found a new appreciation for each other’s talents that we didn’t have before.’
I blush because afterthatwalk around the castle gardens last night, I’ve found a new appreciation for quite a few things about Raff that I didn’t have before, and I try to stop my mind going to inappropriate places in front of so many people.
‘Even so, you were both tasked with proving yourselves.’ Mr Hastings’ stern voice cuts through the glowy feeling that comes with thinking about last night.
‘And we’ve both done that,’ I say with a decisive nod. ‘The couples Raff has matched are right here.’
Imogen and Ali are sitting next to each other on chairs that Sadie and Witt have hastily gathered. Imogen’s hand is curled around Ali’s arm, and they both give Mr Hastings and Mrs Willetts a wave. Nina and Joshy are sitting on the floor nearby and they do the same. Mandy gives a begrudging thumbs-up and Mitch squeezes Cedric’s shoulder until he does an affirmative grunt of pain.
‘Only three?’ Mr Hastings and Mrs Willetts share a look.
‘It’s not about the numbers,’ I start. ‘You can’t force love in any set timeframe, but it goes some way towards proving that Dardenne Snow Globes aren’t a con and they can do what they say they can do.’
‘Bynotdoing what we asked in November?’
I get a sudden blast of fear at Mr Hastings’ sceptical look. What if this goes my way? What if three couplesaren’tenough and they choose me and throw Raff out? I’ll feel like I’ve failed him. I didn’t think those two extra couples would matter, but now I wish I’d tried harder to look for them.
‘As you so rightly pointed out, Mr Dardenne’s reviews are proving that customers are less and less likely to believe in the whimsical fairy tale he’s selling.Yousuggested this little task in order to?—’
‘We’re number four!’
I look up at the unexpected interruption, surprised to see Mrs Bloom jump to her feet, pull Jorge up by his ear, and then ram her arm through his, holding on so tightly that he might find himself swiftly de-limbed if he tries to escape.
‘You?’ Mr Hastings would look less surprised if a kangaroo had just hopped in and kicked him in the nether regions.
‘Yes. Why not us? Love can be found in unexpected places, you know. Isn’t that right, Jorge?’
‘Er…’
She elbows him and hisses something in the ear she’s still got twisted in her fingers. From lip reading and the way she inclines her head towards me, I translate it as something along the lines of, ‘Play along. You owe her that much.’
‘Er, yeah. Shop. Globe things,’ Jorge grunts, trying fruitlessly to free both his arm and his ear.
‘You’re old enough to be hisgrandmother!’ Mr Hastings says.
Mrs Bloom takes the Santa hat off her head and uses it to wallop him. ‘Mother at the most! Don’t you insult me like that, good sir!’
Surely Mrs Bloom is the only person in the room who is both brave enough to assault the council leader with a Santa hatandexpect anyone to believe that she and Jorge are an item. ‘Age is just a number. The snow globes can see what we cannot. It was a surprise to all of us.’
Raff catches my gaze with wide eyes, looking like he’s torn between laughter, shock and concern for her sanity.
She lets Jorge go and he looks like he wants to run away, but I’m touched by my friend trying to help in her own unique way, even though Mr Hastings and Mrs Willetts share another look that suggests they’re wondering if they’ve accidentally wandered aboard a flying spaceship.
‘And number five?’ Mrs Willetts looks around the room, but no one else volunteers like Mrs Bloom just took it upon herself to do.
