Page 37 of The Secret Christmas Bookshop
‘That goat’s just hanging out, doing goaty things.’ Jazz shrugged. ‘Hey, why are you having a street festival when there’s the village green out there?’
‘You can ask Harry when he turns up,’ Dexter said.
‘It’s a sore point,’ Fiona added, her expression softening as she spoke to Jazz. ‘But this village wouldn’t be what it is without some drama here and there.’
Sophie folded her arms. ‘You’ve changed your tune. I thought you were as angry with Harry as anyone.’
‘It’s likeMidsomer Murders,’ Jazz said, leaning againstBirdie’s wall, ‘but without all the death. Everyone knows everyone else, you all chip in where you can.’ She shook her head. ‘Five people turning up to get a goat off an old woman’s roof, even though you’ve actually done fuck-all.’ She gestured at Felix, still happily munching.
‘Jazz,’ Fiona chided with a chuckle.
‘It’s nice,’ Jazz went on, sounding wistful. ‘The way this place is. None of you living in silos, being friendly and getting in each other’s business.’
‘It can be a bit claustrophobic at times,’ Sophie said, and got looks from Fiona and Dexter that made her wonder if she should have kept that thought to herself. ‘Just … you know. It’s so small. Everyone knowseverything.’
‘It’s nicer than people being lonely, though,’ Jazz pointed out. ‘I bet your events are more like giant house parties. Everyone bringing a dish, Scrabble tournaments.’ She smiled indulgently, then quickly flattened her expression. ‘You know – old people stuff. Book clubs, singsongs, all that rubbish.’
A flicker of something ignited in Sophie’s brain, but she had no time to grab hold of it because the unmistakable, throaty sound of Harry’s Land Rover cut through the quiet, and a moment later he appeared round the side of the house.
His jeans and shirt were covered in mud, his hair was more askew than usual and he had a smudge of grime mingling with the sweat on his forehead. He looked wild, angry and worried, and Sophie felt an unexpected twist of concern for this man she barely knew.
‘He’s OK,’ she said, hurrying over to him.
Harry glanced at her, then his gaze followed her outstretched arm to the shed, where Felix was lying, thecarrot-top sticking out of his mouth, looking like a cute farmyard poster.
‘Thank fuck,’ Harry murmured. ‘And I’m so sorry …’ He looked around. ‘Where’s Birdie?’
‘Inside,’ Dexter said grimly. ‘Teaching my daughter how to become a witch.’
Harry stared at him, agog, then winced. ‘Shit. Sorry, Dex. Seems like you might come off worse than me from this little … escapade.’
Dexter folded his arms, but his lips were twitching. ‘We followed your goat in here, trying to be good citizens, and now look what’s happened.’ He glanced at the house, then back at Harry. ‘Want help getting your pet down from there?’
‘Thanks.’
Sophie, Jazz and Fiona watched as the two men approached the shed. Felix eyed them curiously and made no move to get up.
‘Come on, Felix,’ Harry coaxed, stretching his arms up. ‘Playtime’s over.’
Felix gave a long, high bleat, dropping his carrot top in the process.
‘Felix,’ Harry said wearily. He glanced at Dexter, then caught Sophie’s eye before turning back to his goat. ‘If you don’t get down from there now, Birdie won’t knit you any more jumpers.’
Felix bleated again.
‘I mean it.’ There was more steel in his voice this time.
Sophie didn’t know if the goat actually understood what he was saying, or if it was the change in Harry’s tone, but Felix stood up, came to the edge of the shed and then, without any warning, jumped down into his owner’s arms.
Harry caught him easily, holding him against his chest and, as he turned, Sophie saw him give Felix a quick kiss on the head. At that moment, she thought thatshewould be the one who came off worst from this whole situation. It was so overwhelming: Harry, ruffled and muddy and handsome, holding the fluffy goat he clearly adored, which was wearing a purple knitted jumper.
‘This is too much,’ she said, then flushed. She hadnotmeant to say it out loud.
‘The peculiarities of Mistingham.’ Fiona sounded amused. ‘I’d better get back to the shop now the excitement is over. Jazz, do you want to help me this afternoon? I’ll pay you.’
Sophie bit her lip, waiting while Jazz considered her options. ‘Yeah, all right,’ she said eventually.
‘Excellent.’ Fiona beamed. ‘Coming, Sophie?’
