‘Are you sure? You looked a bit forlorn for a while there.’
Forlorn. Well, that just about summed me up. It certainly made me sound pitiable, which was not the look I was going for. I turned away rapidly, before he could see the tears that had sprung to my eyes.
‘I’m great, thanks,’ I called over my shoulder as I strode towards the twins, and didn’t catch his reply if, indeed, he had given one.
We arrived at the little village of Monkton Abbot after about twenty minutes. You could do it faster, but Phina and Caspy stopped every few paces to examine something that interested them: a pinecone, a mossy twig, a colourful dropped sweet wrapper. Given Lando’s terseness the previous day, I worried that he would be impatient with them, or even march on ahead to conduct whatever business it was he had in the village, but to my surprise, he was a model of tolerance, greeting their every find with a murmur of interest or approval and asking questions which got them thinking and lent a sense of importance to each piece of treasure. Who do you think could have dropped it? It looks as if it’s been nibbled – what animal might have done that? What do you think would happen if you planted it? I was tempted to offer him a job in my classroom; he had a wonderful way about him. So wonderful that I was greatly relieved when the lane developed into a road and buildings started appearing; arriving in the village meant that we would soon part ways and I could stop feeling so conflicted over this gorgeous, considerate man who was also great with children – but who had already shown a less friendly side and of whom any romantic thoughts were in direct opposition to Decision Number One.
‘Is it ten o’clock yet, Pixie, can we go straight to Present Box?’
I looked down at Phina’s excited face and drew her into a big hug.
‘You’re in luck, it’s five past ten, so our timing is perfect.’
‘Oooh, I’m so, so happy. Come on, let’s go!’
I felt a little hand seize each one of mine, and I let myself be dragged off down the road.
‘At least say goodbye to your uncle,’ I said, and they sang their farewells over their shoulders, their minds set now on the goodies that awaited them. I turned to smile my goodbye, but Lando had already gone, so I set my sights on Present Box and the treasures that surely lay within.
The shop sat snugly between a greengrocer’s and a florist’s. It had a charming bow window which was strung inside with golden fairy lights and decorated in such a sumptuous, festive way that I could hardly bear to leave it to go inside. A huge central vase held large branches, some spray-painted silver or gold, some frosted, some left natural and some heavy with red berries. These branches were hung with hundreds of Christmas decorations and small gifts; felt Santas bobbed next to glass deer, crystal earrings jostled for attention with sweet, embroidered satin purses, and there was every colour of bauble imaginable, many painted with pretty designs, from mistletoe to Chinoiserie-style birds and flowers. Under the branches teetered piles of presents, some elegantly wrapped with silky bows and vibrant papers and some half-opened, the paper torn as if their recipients hadn’t been able to wait till Christmas Day. These displayed beautiful cookery books, artisan soaps, bead necklaces and other tempting treats. Seraphina and Caspian were pointing to a branch bending under the weight of the hanging knitted creatures Bunny had mentioned.
‘I’mdefinitelygetting the otter, I love itso much,’ pronounced Seraphina, pointing to where it hung. It was lying on its back and the ribbon was attached to its hands – do you call them hands? – which were folded over a baby otter, nestled on its tummy. It was undeniably sweet.
‘Good choice. What about you, Caspy, which one do you like?’
He regarded them seriously.
‘When we saw them before I was very keen on the sausage dog, because it looks exactly like Garbo. But now I like the donkey. It’s more of a Christmas animal, and it has sad eyes. Maybe it will be happier on our tree.’
I squeezed his shoulder.
‘Lovely idea. Come on then, let’s go in and get them.’
The bell above the door gave a welcoming ‘ting’ as we entered, and the woman who had been sitting by the till stood up and came around the counter to greet us. I was immediately reminded of Mrs Tiggywinkle. She was small and very plump, with the twinkliest, most smiling eyes I had ever seen outside a children’s picture book. She beamed at each of us and held out her arms to the twins, who immediately ran to her for a cuddle. I rather envied them: the thought of resting my head on her soft shoulder and letting her solve all my problems was almost irresistible.
‘Phina, Caspy, how wonderful to see you, darlings. And who is this lovely lady you have brought with you?’
‘This is Pixie, she’s helping to look after us this Christmas. She’s good at cleaning up sick and didn’t mind seeing Grandpa in his pants.’
They both fell about laughing at this memory, and I stood slightly open-mouthed, not knowing quite where to start explaining all this.
‘Don’t worry, dear, it sounds as if you are settling right in with the Lords. So lovely to have Ben’s family back for Christmas. I do miss these two when they’re in London, but we see quite a lot of you down here during the year, don’t we? I’m Hetty, by the way.’ She offered her hand, which I shook. ‘Now, what have you come in for? A present for Mummy?’
The twins seemed a bit worried and glanced up at me.
‘Not this time.’ I smiled. ‘This is a special trip for Phina and Caspy to choose one each of the beautiful, knitted tree decorations you have up in the window.’
‘Ah, of course.’ Hetty looked delighted. ‘I make them myself, you know, I’m so glad you like them.’
She reached into the display and deftly plucked out the whole branch so that the children could pore over it and make their choices. Phina stuck firmly with her otter, and while Caspy vacillated more – in love with all of them and not wanting to leave any behind – he did eventually settle on the sad-eyed donkey.
‘Pixie, I think weshouldlook for something for Mummy. Can we?’
‘Well, I think Daddy will want to do that with you, but why don’t you get some ideas together and you can come back with him when he’s down?’
Mollified by the prospect of at least window, if not actual, shopping, they went off hunting. I hesitated, then unhooked the little dachshund from the branch and took it over to the till. I hadn’t thought about presents for the family, and I wasn’t sure what the protocol would be, but this dog was so like Garbo I was sure that it would be a nice gesture to offer Lando. Anyway, I could always change my mind. Once everything was paid for, Hetty and I watched the children for a while as they pointed out the different treasures they thought Bunny would like.
‘Such dears, aren’t they?’ said Hetty, beaming fondly at them. ‘A very nice family, although Lando hasn’t really been the same since…’
