Page 58 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

Sarah pulled a face. ‘I prefer the older ones, I never know what to say to little kids.’

Jen shrugged. ‘You can say anything, really, they don’t care. That’s probably why Ted ended up doing it, they’re the only ones that can put up with his jokes.’

They laughed, and he grinned. ‘Rude.’

‘Truth. But hey, I have been thinking about what else to do with the kids actually – what do you think about maybe some salt-dough ornaments, or sewing little felt stockings or something? That might be a bit much for the café, I suppose, but . . . what?’

Ted was smirking. ‘So what’s your plan here?’

She shifted in her seat. ‘What do you mean, plan?’

‘Well, are you going to stay in Babblebrook? You obviously love it.’

She laughed nervously. ‘Hardly, I’m used to the city, I mean, Babblebrook’s not exactly . . .’

Sarah was nodding emphatically. ‘This is what I keep saying. We’re too young for Babblebrook, right? We need to be in a big city, with galleries and theatres and, you know, interesting stuff.’

‘Well, we’re not quite in Babblebrook, are we? Waterfield’s a metropolis by comparison.’

‘Hardly,’ Sarah muttered.

‘And anyway, Babblebrook’s interesting in its own way,’ Ted said. He looked at Jen and grinned. ‘That open mic night, right? It was certainly – different!’

Jen spoke at the same time, laughing. ‘Interesting! Yes, you could say that. Oh, it was fun, though! And the little—’

‘Dog!’ Ted said.

At the same time, they both did an impression of the dog bowing, and burst into laughter.

‘So cute,’ Jen said, wiping her eyes as her laughter subsided.

‘You should teach again,’ Ted said, pointing his fork at her.

‘I – what?’

He leaned over the table, reaching for her hand, his earnest gaze on her. ‘Look, I know – I know it was in the middle of all that terrible stuff, and I know you felt you couldn’t afterwards, but that was so long ago. And you were so good, Jen. You are so good, look at what you’re doing with the kids in the village, they all love you, you’re like – a Babblebrook legend or something – the magical Train Lady!’ He laughed.

Jen’s heart was crashing. Occasionally, this thought did slip into her mind, more often these days. She loved being with children, it was true. But when she thought about it, she felt like she was back there, in all that turmoil and heartbreak. In the worst time of her life.

She didn’t know if she could face it again.

She shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’ Her voice came out as a whisper. ‘I just don’t think I can—’

He squeezed her hand tighter. ‘You can. I know you can. And I’ll be there for you, I can help, I’ve had an idea that—’

Sarah stood up quietly, jerking upright, taking her empty bowl and walking out, her movements stiff and awkward.

Jen looked at Ted, removing her hand from his grip and placing them both in her lap. She stared down at them as he stood and walked after Sarah, muttering ‘shit’ under his breath.

Jen tried not to listen to their hushed argument through the wall. And tried not to feel guilty.

For a moment there, she’d forgotten that Sarah was in the room. And Ted had seemed pretty shocked to see her, too.

Julia was waiting in the kitchen when she came in. ‘How was your night?’ she asked.

‘Oh. Fine, thanks.’

Julia frowned. ‘You OK?’