AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They ate in silence for some time. Around them the pub gradually got busier. They weren’t the only ones seeking warmth and succour on a cold night. Quiet conversation and clinking of cutlery filled the space as people ate. In the corner near the fireplace, a Christmas tree glowed with gold tinsel and flashing red lights, and in the background the Elton John classic Christmas song followed Slade.
Eventually Jago sat back, replete. ‘That was so good. I must bring the family in.’
‘The Ship’s pies have a reputation and sometimes it’s the only thing that will hit the spot,’ Honor answered. ‘I’ve been too busy to eat at all today so it was much-needed. Thank you for saving me from eating on my own.’
‘The pleasure’s all mine. Why have you been so busy?’
‘On top of all the usual madness that is Christmas in a primary school, we had another rehearsal for the nativity this afternoon. It was absolute chaos. I was trying to herd thirty Reception age angels at one point. They were all over the place.’ She sighed and then giggled happily. ‘I love it though. There’s something very magical about working in a primary school at this time of year.’
‘I can’t wait to see it.’ It was true. Hewaslooking forward to seeing it – and he couldn’t believe it. ‘Merryn’s talked of little else. That is, when she’s not pestering us for a dog.’
‘A dog?’
Jago filled her in as their plates were cleared and replaced by coffee.
Honor sat back, nursing her cup. ‘She’s a sensible girl. I think, for once, you can believe the “I’ll look after it” promises.’ Putting her cup down, she glanced at her watch. ‘Oh my goodness, is that the time? The evening’s flown. I really must go,’ she added regretfully. ‘At this end of term, I can’t manage with anything less than nine hours of sleep. There’s a reason teachers have a reputation for being boring. We’re too tired to be anything else!’
Jago laughed. He couldn’t imagine anyone less boring. She had a slightly old-fashioned quality he found endearing, but he’d never think she was boring. He got up and paid at the bar, refusing her offer to contribute. ‘You can treat me next time,’ he said and was perturbed when she looked uncomfortable. ‘Walk me home? I’m heading down the high street and then along the prom.’ He pulled a face. ‘It’s scary in the dark.’
She giggled. ‘I can go as far as the bottom of the hill but no further. You’ll need to pull on your big boy pants and walk along the prom all on your own.’
As they stood at the pub door, putting on coats and scarves and putting off leaving, Jago looked up. Some wag had hung a sprig of mistletoe over the door. For a second he considered using it as an excuse to kiss her then dismissed the idea as crass.
Honor followed his eyes, blushed furiously and became very busy tugging on her woolly hat.
The cold air, when it hit them, made them gasp. They didn’t talk as they marched downhill and, all too soon, she pointed out the narrow lane off the high street that led to her flat.
‘Are you sure I can’t take you all the way?’ He didn’t want to leave her, didn’t want to end the evening.
‘Quite sure.’ She smiled up at him. ‘Lullbury Bay’s a safe place and it’s not late. Besides, I’ve taught most of the teenagers who hang around. They see “Miss” coming and scarper.’
He laughed and then didn’t know what to say. ‘Well goodnight then.’
There was a horrible pause. Neither of them knew what to do next. Eventually, Honor put out her hand and they shook awkwardly. ‘Thanks for a lovely evening.’
‘You’re welcome. Thank you for keeping me company. I’ve really enjoyed it, Honor. Goodnight.’ He turned to go.
Honor stomped bad-temperedly along the lane, cursing under her breath with a very out of character venom. A black and white cat approached, tail curling, looking for some fuss. It took one look at her and fled, disappearing into the shadows.
Oh, why was Jago so wonderful? She seethed silently. He’d been brilliantly easy to talk to andinteresting. She’d loved hearing about his ambitions for the new year. He’d listened to what she had to say, too, seeming to hang on her every word. Although, goodness knows why. Why had she bored on about local history? Good going, Honor. Way to go! Why hadn’t she scintillated with wisecracks and clever zesty remarks? Instead, she’d gone on about Lullbury Bay’s history and the dull routines at a primary school. And she’d eventoldhim she was boring! She kicked at a pebble and stubbed her toe. Ouch! Now she had a sore foot as well as a foul temper. Oh, he was so clever, talented and close to his family. He was about as perfect a man for her as possible. A dream man. And he was sosexy! At one point she’d found herself staring, fixated, at his long fingers, feeling long forgotten and unaccustomed lust heating her. If he had even slightly kissed her under the mistletoe she would have responded, and she was shocked by how much she wanted to. It had been a wonderful evening. She had a glow inside that had nothing to do with good food and drinking mulled wine. She also had an awakened sexual longing and a bad temper to boot.
Unlocking the front door and slamming it behind her, she ran up the stairs to her flat. Cursing all the while that, while Lullbury Bay may be full of gorgeous men, they all seemed to be firmly attached. Still in her coat, she threw herself onto the bed, lay on her back, and stared furiously at the ceiling.
She’d caught a snatch of the phone call he’d made before they’d walked up to the pub. She hadn’t meant to; the wind had carried his words. He’d told the person on the other end of the call, she assumed it had been Avril, he loved her. She deflated. A wistful sadness gradually replaced the excited horniness and left her feeling flat.
She blew out a gusty breath. ‘Dangerous waters, Honor my girl.’ She addressed the navy-blue lampshade and the glittery handmade paper chain decoration that hung from it. ‘You simply cannot, absolutelycannotdevelop feelings for a parent no matter how gorgeous he is and especially one who is obviously so happily married.’ Closing her eyes to ward off any thoughts of how lovely Jago Pengethley was, a vision of his sexy green eyes and smooth skin flooded her imagination. Oh, why did he have to be sonice? She thrummed her heels on the bed in frustration.
‘Repeat after me, Honor Martin, you willnotfall in love with Jago Pengethley!’
As her downstairs neighbour banged on his ceiling to complain about the noise, she repeated it three more times for good measure.
CHAPTER9
‘THE HOLLY AND THE IVY’ – TRAD.
Saturday 11th December
The Pengethleys’ car rattled along the pot-holed track and parked up on a gravel drive in front of a dilapidated thatched house. An oversized wreath made of prickly holly with shiny red berries and dripping with variegated ivy hung on the front door. The air hung heavy with a hoar frost and when they got out of the car, their breath misted in the cold. Everything was iced-white and it felt very Christmassy. Spotting a sign pointing them around the back of the house, they followed it, with Merryn bouncing along in excitement and tugging on Avril’s hand.
