Page 57 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

Truthfully, she was glad of his terrible joke; somehow it set everything back to normal between them.

‘Here,’ he said ‘Hold on, you’ve got some . . .’ He picked a piece of cotton wool from her hair gently. ‘There.’

‘Hello.’

Sarah stood behind Ted. There was something guarded in her expression as she watched them.

Jen put on her best smile. ‘Hi, thank you for inviting me.’ She knew she had some ground to make up after the art class.

Sarah shrugged. ‘It’s Ted’s place, so I’m not really the one to thank. Not like we live together or anything.’

A glance passed between her and Ted.

‘Oh, well – it’s still nice of you. I brought wine.’

Ted’s place was a far cry from the room at college where they’d spent so many nights talking; this was clean and tidy, with brown leather sofas and a glass coffee table in the living room. The Christmas tree standing in the corner still displayed Ted’s enthusiasm for the festive period, though, dripping with coloured lights and baubles, and filling the room with the scent of pine. There was a framed painting on the living-room wall, a vibrant sunset with trees silhouetted in deep blue.

‘Wow,’ Jen said, admiring the picture. ‘Is this one of yours?’

Sarah smiled. ‘It is, actually.’

‘It’s amazing. Look, I’m so sorry about the art class, I was just – I’m obviously no good at it, and I’m sorry if I behaved badly.’ Jen’s words came out in a rush, her cheeks flaming.

Once again, a small look flicked between Sarah and Ted. But she smiled at Jen and placed her hand on her arm.

‘Don’t be silly, it’s fine! The most important thing is for people to have a good time.’ She smiled, and Jen felt even worse that she’d disrupted this perfectly lovely woman’s class.

Ted had made chilli, and they sat eating it out of bowls, drinking wine and chatting happily. Sarah had her leg tucked under her as she ate, and occasionally rested her hand on Ted’s leg or shoulder.

‘Jen’s been helping me organise the fair,’ Ted said.

‘Oh?’ Sarah’s expression was neutral.

‘Yes, she’s already got the decorations, and we’re well on the way to having the disco sorted, right?’

Jen almost choked on the wine. She’d been so caught up in Anthony that she’d forgotten to pick up the decorations, and she hadn’t yet got round to calling Michelle’s nephew. ‘Uh-huh, yes, well, I just need to collect the decorations, actually, but—’

Ted’s head spun around towards her. ‘I thought you’d already done that.’

‘No, but I – it won’t take long, they’re already there, so . . . and yes, I’ll get the band guy pinned down. You know what these musicians are like.’ She laughed, a little half-heartedly.

‘So I hear you’ve been working with the children at Marnie’s?’ Sarah asked, smoothly changing the subject.

Jen swallowed her mouthful, grateful for this intervention. ‘Hmm, well, I wouldn’t say working, exactly, but yeah, it’s been—’

‘Why wouldn’t you?’ Ted asked, refilling her glass.

‘What?’ She lifted her bowl. ‘Delicious, by the way.’

‘Thanks, I know it’s the hotter the better for you.’ He smiled. ‘Why wouldn’t you call it work?’

‘Well, it’s just – like a hobby, you know.’

She looked at Sarah for support, and she nodded as though she understood.

‘Putting a lot of work into something that’s not work,’ Ted said, raising his eyebrows.

‘Well, it’s fun, isn’t it? I like thinking of the activities and doing the prep and then, you know, with the kids. It’s cute, they’re fun, aren’t they?’