Page 10 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

‘You know she’s an artist.’ His voice rang with pride. ‘She’s so talented, she paints these amazing pictures – here, let me show you.’

He reached for his phone and showed her some photos of a blonde woman with a big smile. She wore a denim pinafore dress with mustard tights and a matching scarf tying back her slightly wild hair, and was stood next to a large, slightly abstract painting of a vibrant sunset over fields.

‘Wow.’ Jen was genuinely impressed. ‘Super talented.’

‘I know.’ Ted said, looking smug.

‘So are you taking a leaf out of her book? She inspiring you to get all arty on us?’ Jen asked.

‘Art you mad?’ he asked, and she rolled her eyes. ‘Nope. I’m more Van Gross than Van Gogh, you know that.’

Remembering all those games of Pictionary, she couldn’t disagree.

He took a handful of the salted peanuts that were on the table, shoving them into his cheek as he chewed so that he looked like a hamster. ‘No, I leave all that to the expert.’ His voice was somewhat muffled by the chewing. ‘She teaches classes in the village hall and she designs cards, that’s her day job.’

‘Cool. So it’s serious between you two? I can tell you like her a lot.’ Jen found herself anxious to hear his answer. He’d had girlfriends in the past, of course, but like her, hadn’t been one for long-term relationships. There was something different about how he talked about this one, and she felt a little stab of sadness; she would be the last one standing in the dating scene if he settled down like all their other friends had.

He shrugged. ‘I guess so.’

Jen sighed dramatically. ‘Ugh, who knew I’d have to spend my birthday surrounded by boring loved-up couples?’ She pulled a face and pretended to throw up. ‘Playing board games in the café! When did you all get so grown-up?’

‘Well, maybe this is your year to join us. Maybe on your birthday you’ll suddenly get all sensible too.’

‘Better not!’

‘Anyway, tomorrow we’ve got a hike and then a meal in the pub planned, so that’ll be more exciting, eh?’

She genuinely thought he was kidding, until she saw the sincerity in his expression.

He heaved himself up, yawning, then reached out a hand to help her stand. ‘And speaking of, it’s time I went to get my beauty sleep, otherwise I’ll never manage that walk tomorrow.’

She grinned. ‘What? You should have gone to bed hours ago if you wanted to wake up beautiful. I mean, hours and hours. Like, days really . . .’

She laughed and skipped out of the way as he made a playful swipe in her direction.

‘Oh, shut up,’ he said, gathering the empty glasses like the adult he was and heading towards the kitchen. He paused in the doorway, smiling at her over his shoulder. ‘Hey, you never know. Maybe you’ll meet your prince charming this weekend and become part of a boring loved-up couple like the rest of us?’

She pulled a face to show her horror, and he left, shaking his head and chuckling.

And Jen found herself standing in the light of the Christmas tree, in the warmth of the fire, thinking of the way time had seemed to stop when Train Guy looked at her. Just like in every black-and-white romance film she loved.

Chapter Five

She could hear movements downstairs, the clinking of someone busy in the kitchen, the cheerful, hushed voices of her friends. Jen sighed and stretched, taking a moment to luxuriate in the comfort of the king-size bed with its expensive mattress and cosy down duvet – they’d given her the best room, naturally; it was her birthday, after all.

She’d slept like a baby, unused to such comfort. Her boxy room in the shared flat had an aging futon that had thinned over the years and was now more like sleeping on a raft than a bed. She couldn’t afford to replace it. Her haphazard work patterns had given her freedom, but not luxury.

She dozed for a minute, taking in the soft twinkling of the lights in the wreath that hung from the headboard, the warm weight of the holly-patterned duvet that cocooned her.

She would give herself five more minutes. If she couldn’t lie in on her birthday, when could she?

The smell of bacon drifted from below, and she immediately felt more motivated to get up. Throwing off the covers, she pulled a jumper over her PJs and padded down the stairs. The kitchen was buzzing as her friends busied themselves preparing a cooked breakfast.

‘Here she is!’ Ted said, and they all sang ‘Happy Birthday’, out of time with each other and out of tune, but she was still touched.

Ted enveloped her in a hug; he was a big, gentle bear of a man, and she found herself squashed against his chest, breathing in the smell of aftershave and bacon. Her preference was to ignore her birthday altogether, but she had to concede that this wasn’t a bad start to the day.

He released her, and the others immediately piled in for hugs. Lou led her to the table, where a stack of cards and presents sat at one end.