Page 31 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

Jen felt a chill come over her, remembering that her picture was once on a board like this, telling the world that she was ‘Miss Ward, Reception Class Teacher’. Not for long. She breathed in the smell of school dinners and clean carpets, and was transported back to the days of her teacher training.

Ted appeared round the corner, carrying a folder and wearing a frown. ‘Jen!’

He sounded surprised. She didn’t know why.

‘Yes, you said you’d meet me after work. Remember?’

‘Well, yes, but – I don’t actually finish at three thirty. There’s loads to do after the children leave. Remember?’

She stared at him. Now he said it, she did recall the hours after the children had left, working in the peace of a quiet classroom, drinking tea and eating biscuits as she put up displays or prepared lessons for the next day. She supposed a deputy head would have even more on his plate.

Embarrassed, she laughed. ‘Of course I know that. I just – I thought I’d help. With all the – you know. Extra jobs.’

His expression brightened. ‘Oh, that’s nice of you! Great, I’ve got so much to do and I still need to prep some stuff for tomorrow, so . . .’

She followed as he led the way to his classroom. ‘Right, I’ve promised them a Christmas craft activity tomorrow afternoon because they’ve done really well with their core subjects this term but, honestly, this fair thing is turning into a nightmare and it’s taken all my spare time, so I haven’t had the chance to prep anything.’

They arrived at a door with a sign reading ‘Year Five’, and Ted led the way in. The room was bright and tidy, with tables grouped together and colourful boards on the walls displaying the pupils’ artwork and poetry. Tinsel lined the windows and paper chains hung across the ceiling.

‘I could just give them a load of glitter and glue and let them get on with it, but they deserve better and I . . .’ Ted sounded stressed.

‘No worries, I’ll get something ready for them. You do your fair stuff.’

He looked doubtful. ‘You sure?’

‘Of course. Remember I was the crafting queen when we were at college.’

Ted didn’t look any more convinced, but he was clearly distracted by other tasks. Jen’s mind was already whirring; she remembered a fun activity that had involved making gingerbread houses out of lolly sticks. That seemed suitable for Year Five.

Ted disappeared in the direction of his office, already talking anxiously on his mobile as he walked down the corridor, and Jen made herself at home in the craft cupboard. By the time he returned, still frowning and with his hair sticking up as though he’d run his hands through it multiple times, she had organised all the resources needed for the activity. She’d arranged lolly sticks, paint, glue, colourful pompoms, beads and the obligatory glitter so that there was a set for each group of children.

‘There you go, Mr Piper,’ she said, beaming and spreading her hands to demonstrate her handiwork. ‘Lolly-stick gingerbread houses. I’ve emailed you the instructions so you can print them off.’

‘Wow,’ he said, staring at the craft supplies as though he couldn’t believe his eyes. ‘I’m shocked.’

‘Hey!’

‘Impressed! I meant impressed. Thank you.’ He held out his arms and she stepped into them, feeling more relaxed in his bear hug of an embrace than she’d felt all day. She rested her head against his warm chest, breathing in the faint scent of aftershave that clung to him, as he squeezed her. ‘Thank you. You achieved more than I did, that’s for sure.’

‘My pleasure,’ she said as he released her. ‘You can buy me one of those amazing hot chocolates of Marnie’s to thank me.’

‘Well, you did do a brew-tiful job.’ He grinned.

Jen groaned. ‘Now you owe me two. But while we’re there, I could use your help on a project of my own.’

Ted held the door open for her and pulled a face. ‘Train Guy?’

She nodded. ‘Train Guy.’

Chapter Fourteen

The lighting was cosy and the buzz of conversation low as they entered the café. The snowy scenes outside were just visible through the steamed-up windows with their colourful twinkle of fairy lights.

There were groups of people sitting at tables, a few couples, a few families with small children sitting in the area where little tables and chairs were supplied for them, reading the books from the shelves there or doing colouring with the crayons provided as they drank milk and ate biscuits in the shape of snowmen and reindeer.

Ted greeted an older couple who sat in the corner playing Scrabble as he walked in, and they smiled warmly. Jen did a double-take.

‘Is that old lady wearing bike leathers?’