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Taking it from her, Flora shifted in her seat. ‘Oh, sorry, love. There’s been some issue with it or something. I’ll transfer you the money and give the bank a call in the morning.’
‘No rush. Wait until it’s sorted, if you like.’
‘No, no, I’ll transfer it tonight.’ Flora stood up. ‘Right, I suggest we all head home to bed now. Everyone come in a bit later tomorrow morning, too.’
‘Good idea. I’m bushed.’ Susan yawned before walking across to Alex and gently shaking him by the shoulder. ‘Time to wake up, sleepyhead.’
14
‘Help yourselves to buckets, people.’ Alex held up two blue collection buckets with the Wagging Tails’ logo on.
Poppy took one.
‘Ready, Percy?’ Flora held out a Santa’s hat.
Percy took the plush red hat from her, pulled it on, flicking the white furry pom-pom to the back, and grinned. ‘I am now.’
‘Good, good. Up you go then.’ Flora indicated the trailer which had a wooden cut-out of a sleigh attached.
Gripping hold of a metal pole, Percy clambered into position on his sleigh.
‘Are we all ready?’ Farmer Nichols, who had volunteered to pull the trailer with Percy’s sleigh on with his tractor, looked behind him.
‘Ready.’ A chorus of agreement rose from the small crowd of Wagging Tails’ volunteers.
‘Your hat.’ Ginny nudged Poppy with her elbow.
‘Oops. Thanks.’ She pulled the green elf hat over her head. At least it should keep her warm.
Music boomed from the row of speakers lined up on the trailer, and the fairy lights on the sleigh began to flash. Slowly, the tractor pulled away from the side of the road. They were off.
Poppy fell into step behind Alex and Susan and, holding the bucket in one hand, she tried to button up her coat. She should have done it earlier. Trying one-handed was no mean feat.
‘Here, let me.’ Flora caught up with her and took the bucket from Poppy’s hand.
‘Thanks. I should have been more organised.’
‘It’s supposed to get colder still by the time we’re due to finish.’ Flora looked towards the sky. ‘I wouldn’t be too surprised if we didn’t have a bit of Christmas magic and it began to snow.’
‘Really?’ Poppy squinted into the evening sky. Flora was right, there was enough cloud, and it was certainly cold enough for snow.
‘Maybe.’
Glancing behind, Poppy frowned. ‘Why are so many people joining us?’
After hearing the music of the sleigh, people were rushing out of their houses, shrugging into their coats, and were beginning to form a crowd trailing behind them. Didn’t people usually just watch and then retreat back into their homes? That’s what had always happened when she’d been a child and Santa’s sleigh had made the rounds for the local charities.
‘It’s a tradition in West Par. They’re showing their support. We’ll all congregate at the village tree soon for drinks and snacks.’ Flora shrugged before putting her arm through Poppy’s and pulling her close. ‘When you were younger, you used to love Christmas? Do you remember?’
Poppy frowned. ‘No, I didn’t. The only part of Christmas Day I ever enjoyed was going over to Grandma’s for the morning. I hated the rest.’
‘Ah, yes, your dad’s mum was a lovely lady. I only met her twice, mind. Once at your parents’ wedding and once more after.’ Flora shook her head. ‘No, I mean before that. Before the arguments between your parents began.’
‘Before?’
‘Yes! Don’t sound so shocked. Even your mum and dad loved each other once upon a time. Admittedly, only a short-lived time, but they did. They used to travel down here the weekend before Christmas Day, and you loved it. I remember you dancing to the Christmas music, handing out gifts for the dogs because you weren’t going to see them on Christmas Day. We’d have the whole works, gifts under the tree, crackers at the table. Your mum would make the biggest roast you ever saw.’
Poppy paused. ‘I don’t think I remember.’
