Page 63 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

Julia cleared her throat, tearing her eyes away from Anthony just long enough to look pointedly at a non-existent watch on her wrist.

‘My sister,’ Jen said by way of introduction. Julia and Anthony smiled at each other. ‘And yes, we’re a bit late now, so if you’re sure, shall we just . . . ?’

They began to make their way, and as Anthony turned his back, Julia caught Jen’s eye, smirking and rolling her eyes around, fanning herself, pretending to faint. Jen couldn’t help grinning back, even though she gave Julia a very severe pack-it-in look. But she felt as proud of Anthony’s beauty as if she’d made him herself.

He glanced from one sister to the other, looking confused. ‘What?’

‘Nothing,’ Jen said, trying to look innocent. ‘Come on, let’s go.’

They held hands as they walked down the village street, Julia hurrying ahead of them, and Jen couldn’t help feeling smug. She knew everyone was taking an interest, peeking through curtains and casting surreptitious glances at them. The arrival of someone as glamorous and good-looking as Anthony in Babblebrook was the most exciting thing to happen in the village in years. Everyone smiled at her, nodding or raising their eyebrows to signal their approval.

Of course he was a hit. This would finally shut Julia and Ted up and stop them meddling in her love life.

As they walked, a motorbike came shooting down the village street, revving noisily and driving at quite a speed.

Anthony raised his eyebrows. ‘Didn’t expect there to be a gang of bikers coming through a tiny village like this,’ he said, laughing.

‘Never underestimate Babblebrook,’ Jen said.

He laughed. ‘Yeah, right.’

But she hadn’t been joking. And she was pretty sure that the ‘gang of bikers’ was actually Pat; Jen recognised the leathers she’d been wearing in the café that time.

Julia and George met Dan, who was waiting outside the school in his work suit. He frowned in confusion when he saw Anthony, and Julia dragged him off, talking quietly but animatedly; she was obviously filling him in.

Jen and Anthony found seats at the back of the hall, which was filled with adult-sized chairs in rows and sported colourful boards showing the children’s work. Jen glanced around at the displays of neatly written poems, cardboard houses covered in snow, and handprint Rudolph pictures. She imagined a board with salt-dough ornaments in the shape of Christmas trees and stars, brightly painted and covered in glitter, hanging from it.

Once everyone had settled, Ted came to the front of the stage. He looked a bit dishevelled, his hair unkempt and shadows under his eyes. It wasn’t like him. Jen would have to catch him afterwards, to check he was OK.

‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ he said, still sounding every bit the calm deputy head. ‘And thank you for coming to our Key Stage One Christmas nativity play!’

Beside her, Anthony rolled his eyes. ‘Look at this Suit,’ he whispered to her. ‘Bet he’s only the same age as us but he’s already got a mortgage and two kids.’

Jen leaned in, keeping her gaze focused on the front. ‘That’s my friend Ted,’ she said quietly. ‘We went to teacher training college together.’

Anthony’s head whipped around to face her. ‘Shit, sorry,’ he muttered.

She said nothing, still watching Ted as he talked about the upcoming Christmas fair, and how exciting it was for Babblebrook to be hosting this year, and how wonderful it would be if all the parents could support it.

‘And now,’ he said, with a self-effacing smile, ‘I’ll stop waffling and let the real stars get up here! They’ve worked so hard, and we’re very proud of them. Please welcome Key Stage One.’

The play was a sweet affair that began in a contemporary setting as a grandpa explained the nativity story to his grandchildren on Christmas Eve. Cue cute children in pyjamas and one in a fake beard.

Next to Jen, Anthony laughed in all the right places, and appeared to be delighted by the display of cuteness. He took her hand in his and ran his thumb idly over hers. And she began to forgive him for his rudeness about her best friend.

‘This is adorable,’ he whispered.

The nativity itself played out, Mary in blue with a cushion under her dress and Joseph with his arm around her, a donkey with cardboard ears who kept waving at her parents, and an innkeeper who looked like he might burst into tears at having to refuse Mary and Joseph a room.

‘I’m ever so sorry, you know,’ he said, clasping Joseph’s hands. An unscripted line, judging by Joseph’s reaction. He glanced over his shoulder at the teacher who kneeled in front of the stage, smiling encouragingly and cradling her belly, and shrugged.

‘It’s OK,’ Joseph said, patting the innkeeper on the head. ‘I expect we’ll find a stable or something.’

The audience laughed and cooed at this sweet little interaction, and then it was time for the arrival of the angels.

‘That’s my niece,’ Jen whispered. ‘The one at the end, with the halo halfway down her face and ketchup round her mouth.’

Anthony chuckled quietly. ‘Adorable.’