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He grins as he heads off, leaving me to stare at the costume in my hand, and I sigh heavily. I never expected my first undercover operation to be in fairyland, but I guess as disguises go, this will be the perfect one. Seasonal work will explain my appointment and it’s as good a place to start as any, I suppose.
CHAPTER2
JESSICA
Ifeel like a fool and as I studiously try to ignore the interested looks thrown my way, I hold my head high and stride though the department, looking as if I have every right to be here.
In fact, as grottos go, this one is fantastic. Like the rest of the store, no expense has been spared and if I had any interest in fantasy land, I would be in heaven right now.
It’s like an explosion in a glitter factory and the entire place shines like the brightest star in heaven. Sparkling Christmas trees in pink, white and silver, contrast with the more masculine theme of a dark glittering forest, where it appears the boys like to hang out.
The girls’ department is stereotypical pink frills and fanciful nonsense, and I can’t fail to be impressed with the displays of fairy castles and snow-covered grottos that would be any little girl’s dream. Pretty pink dressed dolls and fluffy toys are stuffed everywhere and even the air smells of candy floss with its slightly sickly aroma of excess and sugar overload.
In direct contrast, the boy’s area is pure fantasy with its dark glittering trees filled with weapons and soldiers that guard the royal palace next door. Clockwork trains and bubbling cauldrons sit alongside smart electric toy cars and toys from the galactic.
I approach a woman dressed as a fairy, grateful I’m not the only one and as she smiles at me in a friendly manner, it strikes me that she is probably as grateful as I am that she’s not the only idiot in the room.
“I’m here to see…”
“Oh, you must be Crystal’s replacement. That was such a sad story.”
“Really.”
My ears prick up because this could be just what I’m looking for. “Yes. She found her boyfriend cheating on her when she returned home, and they had a huge fight.”
“They had a fight.”
My mouth drops to the floor, and she giggles. “Not literally. Anyway, he told her to leave and as it was his name on the rental agreement, she had no choice and was homeless overnight.”
“Where did she go?” I am horrified on her behalf, and she says sadly, “What we all do I suppose, when we have no other option. Go home to our parents.”
“That’s not so bad.” I’m lying through my teeth because if I had to return to the mother ship, I would consider I had failed at life.
“In Edinburgh.”
“I see.” Now I know why there’s a vacancy because I’m guessing the wages don’t allow a person to commute from the other end of the country and she sighs. “She’s working in Poundland now. Such a tragedy.”
I’m not sure I agree with her because wearing a costume like this is most definitely a tragedy and I say quickly, “So, Mr…”
She points to a smartly dressed man wearing a black suit that makes him stick out like a sore thumb.
“Over there. Good luck.”
Dusty Bennett is nothing like his name suggests. He has the look of a lord, and his clipped British accent tells me he didn’t go to the local comprehensive. He appears almost bored as he casts a cursory gaze the length of me, causing me to bristle in indignation wrapped in feminism.
“Miss Taylor, I presume. I have you assisting Santa today.”
“Really.”
I can’t think of anything worse as I gaze at the line of excited children waiting patiently for their turn in Santa’s grotto.
“Yes, just act like this is the most exciting day of your life and show the next ones in after two minutes.”
His eyes narrow as he says fiercely, “Every two minutes, Miss Taylor, or we’ll have a problem.”
He waves his hand towards what appears to be a wooden cabin in the North Pole and says quickly, “You can swap with Sonia. She’s not the best fairy there is and has scared more children than she’s charmed. I expect you to be better.”
“I am the best, Mr Bennett. You have my word on that.”
