Page 34 of The Merry Christmas Project

‘I’ll be as cool as Frosty the snowman,’ I whispered back, pulling her in for a hug.

‘Listen,’ Daniel said, when Nell had gone. ‘I was thinking, could we get together one day soon for a chat over a coffee ?’

He shifted from foot to foot, looking as nervous as I felt.

‘OK,’ I replied, trying to act nonchalantly when it was all I could do not throw my arms around his neck and kiss him.

‘Not now,’ he said looking over my shoulder, ‘I’ve got to shoot off, but one day soon ?’

‘Why not visit me at Holly Cottage ?’ I suggested. He hadn’t seen it yet and it would be a good opportunity to show him how my kitchen-table business was flourishing.

He nodded. ‘I’d like that.’

We held eye contact and I could feel the heat in my face. There was a piece of fluff on the front of his jacket. As I reached up to brush it away, I heard him take in a breath.

‘Merry, I—’

‘Hey, congratulations !’ Tasha appeared at Daniel’s side and startled us both. He took a step back to bring her into the conversation. ‘I think it’s a lovely idea. Especially with the old-fashioned lamp posts around the market square ; it’ll look like Narnia.’

‘Oh. Thank you,’ I said, taken aback. That was very magnanimous of her. ‘I thought yours was very good too.’

‘I think I blew it by focusing on the kids.’ She pulled a comical face, making me smile. ‘Occupational hazard.’ Then she pressed a hand to her forehead. ‘Oh no ! What a wally. Me and my big mouth, I’ve already mentioned it to Mrs Flowers, who’s in charge of the choir. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s already told the kids, who’ll have told their parents. They’ll be so disappointed and my name will be mud.’

‘I don’t know,’ said Daniel. ‘Maybe if you’re expecting parents to produce Victorian outfits, they might be grateful it’s not happening.’

She shook her head. ‘We’ve got costumes left over from a production of Oliver. I’d worked it all out.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m sure we can accommodate the school choir,’ I said, secretly quite enjoying wielding my newfound power. ‘I’ll add it to the agenda for the next meeting.’

I slid my eyes to Daniel to make sure he’d registered how organised I was these days and was rewarded with a warm smile.

‘Really ? You’re a lifesaver,’ Tasha sighed with relief. ‘You wouldn’t believe the politics involved in making sure everyone’s little darling gets the part they deserve in our various Christmas performances. I mean, bless them, they’re all gorgeous but I’m sure if I had children, which I don’t plan to, I wouldn’t blithely assume I’d spawned the next Chris Hemsworth or Jennifer Lawrence.’

Daniel laughed. ‘I do believe it! I remember Mum trying to persuade Tom’s form teacher that he should be allowed to be Angel Gabriel and it was sexist to always give the part to girls.’

‘Happens all the time,’ said Tasha.

I smiled along with the conversation, but all I could focus on was the fact that Tasha had said she didn’t want children.

‘Right, Merry,’ she turned her attention back to me, ‘as a thank you, I insist that you come to our Christmas Fair at school on December the eighth.’

‘Thanks but I don’t think so,’ I said quickly. I’d had a bad experience as a child at a school Christmas event and had no wish to revisit it.

‘But you must,’ Tasha insisted. ‘We’re inviting lots of small businesses to sell their goods. I’ll make sure you get a stall. I haven’t seen your candles but I’m sure they’d be very popular as gifts for Christmas. Am I right ?’

‘Yes,’ I admitted reluctantly. ‘But—’

‘Great !’ Tasha looked very pleased with herself. ‘Daniel will be there too, won’t you ?’

He nodded. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m running the raffle.’

‘Two Robinson brothers, what a treat,’ Tasha teased. ‘And Merry’s candles too. You’ll love it. It’s the perfect start to the Christmas season.’

I took a deep breath as the memory popped into my head, as clear as if it had been yesterday. I must have been around seven. At school the reading corner had been decorated with signs saying ‘North Pole This Way’. Inside, on an armchair covered with a red blanket, sat Santa. We all took turns to sit on his knee and receive a present from his sack … No sooner had I clambered onto his lap, than there was a power cut and we were plunged into darkness. Santa cuddled me perfectly kindly and told me not to panic. However, there hadn’t been many men in my young life and his grip took me by surprise so much so that I wet myself. Luckily he saw the funny side and made sure I still got my present, but I was mortified and I would never sit on Santa’s lap again.

‘Daniel, what’s the name of the lady who offered to make mulled wine ?’ Tasha smiled at him sweetly, completely changing the subject.

‘Sadie,’ he supplied. ‘From the Bristly Badger.’