Page 78 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

‘And I’ve been thinking about some other stuff too, some literacy activities and things, that – well, they’d be too young for the children you teach, but maybe they could be useful for—’

‘Jen.’ He cut her off. ‘Jen, just – this is great, and I’m glad you’re excited about something new, but I don’t really have time for this.’

‘I – what?’

George wriggled on her knee, and she kissed his fat cheek, grateful for the physical presence of him anchoring her in the here and now. She was taken aback. In all the years she’d known Ted, he’d always made time for her.

‘I’ve got a lot on my plate. Which you’d know, if you ever bothered to ask.’

Jen caught her breath and her cheeks flushed hot. That was unfair.

‘Look,’ he said. ‘I’m glad you’re spending time with Amy and George, I really am. I know your ideas will be great, it’s just, right now . . . I can’t always be the one you call to pick you up when things go wrong, or cheerlead when they go right. There should be more to this. You know?’

‘I—’ The truth was, Jen did not know.

Ted sighed. ‘Look, I’m happy for you, I really am. I just – I can’t do this right now.’

He hung up. Jen stared at her phone, trying to process what had happened. She hadn’t even had the chance to tell him she’d had a good talk with Julia, and they were building bridges. Surely he’d have been pleased for her; after all, it was his meddling that had landed her in Babblebrook in the first place, and he’d been badgering her to patch things up with Julia.

‘Train Lady?’ Lottie called. ‘I’m going to give mine to my mummy, do you think her will like it?’

‘I’m sure she’ll love it,’ Jen murmured, on autopilot, adjusting as George squirmed on her knee.

Marnie came over to collect their crockery, making admiring noises as she looked at the girls’ artwork. She stopped to tickle George under the chin, and smiled at Jen.

‘Another successful craft session. I’d love to make it a permanent thing, if you’re up for it,’ she said. She caught sight of the stricken look on Jen’s face and frowned, sitting next to her. ‘You OK? You look a bit pale.’

‘Yeah, I’m just a bit – I had a rough night last night and then I, uh, overindulged a bit, so . . .’ She pulled a face. ‘Feeling a bit fragile.’

‘Ah.’ Marnie nodded. ‘Well, we’ve all been there! Would you like another coffee? On the house, of course.’ Jen hadn’t paid for a single thing at the café since she’d been helping out with the children’s activities.

‘Thanks, but I should probably get these scraps back home.’

‘OK.’ Marnie smiled.

Jen made no move to leave, and Marnie stayed as she was, sitting next to her.

‘I just called Ted,’ Jen said. She didn’t know why she was confiding in Marnie, but there was something about her warm presence that was comforting.

‘Oh yes?’

‘Yeah, and he was – I don’t know. He’s been kind of off with me today, I think I’ve upset him, or . . . I don’t know. He’s never – he’s always been . . . kind.’

Marnie sighed. ‘I’m sure he has. But I suppose even Ted has his limits, and with what’s happened, perhaps he’s finally reached the end of his tether.’

Jen frowned. ‘I mean, I know he’s stressed about the school fair, but . . .’

Marnie nodded, her expression sympathetic. ‘Yes, and everything feels so overwhelming after a break-up, doesn’t it?’

‘A break-up? Wait, he and Sarah split up?’

‘Oh – he didn’t tell you?’ Marnie bit her lip. ‘Me and my big mouth.’

‘No, it’s – I’m glad you said.’ Jen slid George off her knee and began putting him into his snowsuit. Not an easy task, it was like getting an octopus into a suit and tie. ‘Come on, girls,’ she said. ‘Time to go, let’s put your coats on, please.’ She glanced up at Marnie, who was clearing the cups. ‘Thank you. Delicious, as always.’

Marnie smiled and nodded, stopping to button Amy and Lottie into their coats and admire their wreaths one last time.

George finally encased in his snowsuit, Jen heaved him onto her hip, took Amy by the hand and instructed her to hold Lottie’s too, as they made their way outside. She marched them into the crisp air and down the street as fast as two six-year-olds distracted by snow and Christmas lights could reasonably go.