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‘Fairy cakes it is, then?’ Flora turned to Poppy. ‘Go and get yourself a hot chocolate, lovely. You’ll need it to help keep you warm before we carry on.’
‘And she said she was going to put sparkles on them.’ Spencer turned his face up towards Flora. ‘Will they be sparkles I can eat or will I have to pick them off? I hope I don’t have to pick them off. I’m hungry and I don’t want to have to wait.’
‘I’m positive they’ll be edible.’ Flora grinned at Poppy as she led the way to the cake and mince pie stall.
Poppy watched as Flora weaved her way through the crowd which had gathered beneath the village Christmas tree. Children queued to have their photograph taken on the sleigh with Santa, their parents wiping a tear or two from their eyes; people mingled with cups of hot chocolate, watching as a few brave people danced beneath the tree.
Poppy joined the queue to the drinks stall, taking a deep breath, breathing in the warm aroma of the hot chocolate.
‘Evening.’
Looking up, she saw Mack before her, picking up a cup before ladling hot chocolate in. ‘Mack? What are you doing here?’
‘Just doing my bit for charity.’ He grinned as he held up a can. ‘Cream?’
‘Yes, please,’ she said, still quite surprised that he would be here. He was doing his bit, supporting the village. ‘I didn’t think you believed in charity?’
‘Pardon?’ The last drop of cream dropped from the can onto the surface of the chocolatey liquid.
‘Sorry, nothing. Ignore me.’ She shook her head. It wasn’t her place to question his intentions. Or him. But it was odd, wasn’t it? That he’d give his time up to serve drinks and yet wouldn’t even contemplate upkeeping the previous vet’s agreement to give the dogs from Wagging Tails a discount or even just to provide his time free to help the dogs.
‘Thank you for letting my brother walk with you. He’s been so excited to see Santa, so being able to walk with an elf and help collect money will have been the highlight of his week.’
‘Spencer is your brother?’ Poppy took the cup. ‘Thanks.’
‘Don’t look so shocked! Though I’ll admit there’s abitof an age difference.’ Mack chuckled as Spencer bounded over, a cake in one hand, bucket still in the other. ‘Hey, buddy. Have you come over for some hot choc?’
‘Urgh, you know I don’t like hot chocolate.’ Spencer shook his head with such enthusiasm his bobble hat worked its way off, falling to the floor.
‘Just teasing, I’ve brought you a flask of blackcurrant. Let’s put your bobble hat back on, though. You don’t want to catch a cold, not for Christmas, do you?’
‘Nope, I don’t want a cold, but…’ Spencer pushed the hat away as Mack tried to put it on him.
‘But what, buddy?’ Mack leaned down and Spencer whispered something in his ear. Straightening his back again, he chuckled. ‘I’m afraid you can’t have Poppy’s hat. Thenshe’llget cold.’
Poppy pulled the elf hat from her head and pulled it down over Spencer’s head. ‘There you go, Elf Spencer.’
‘Wow! Really? Can I really be an elf?’ He shook his head from side to side, the yellow pom-pom on the tip of the hat bouncing against his cheeks.
‘I think you’ll make the best elf.’ Poppy grinned as she picked up her cup which she’d put down in order to help him.
‘Yes, look at you, buddy.’ Mack laid his hand on Spencer’s shoulder and nodded towards her. ‘Now, what do you say to Poppy?’
‘Thank you, Poppy. Thank you.’ Spencer wrapped his arms around her waist, the bucket knocking into her back and the cake coming very close to her side, a smear of icing trailing across her coat.
‘You’re very welcome.’
‘Now you can give Poppy your hat to wear, Mack, and then she won’t get cold.’ Spencer nodded to Mack’s red beanie hat before returning his attention to his cake. ‘I’m going to go and show Nathan my hat.’
He pointed towards a group of children playing under the Christmas tree.
‘Okay, stay where I can see you, though.’
Mack watched until Spencer had joined his friends before pulling his hat from his head.
‘Oh no, don’t really give it to me. I’ll be fine.’ Poppy held out her hand, palm forward.
‘Ha ha, you really think Spencer won’t notice? Besides, I’m warm enough and you’ve still got the other half of the village to cover.’ Stepping forward, he gently pulled the hat over Poppy’s head.
