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‘Honestly, Tamara, you can’t tell he’s got lean muscles, he’s got a bloomin’ Barbour on.’
‘Oh, I cansotell. And those cheekbones and those long fingers. What does he do? Who is he? And what were you doing snuggling up in The Ship with him?’ She took Honor’s arm again. ‘Spill the beans on the new talent in town, hon.’
‘He’s called Jago Pengethley. He’s a glass artist, he’s just moved into Christmas Tree Cottage on Harbour Hill. He’s Merryn’s dad who is in my class and, most importantly, he’s extremely happily married to Merryn’s mother. Oh, and we bumped into one another the other evening and grabbed something to eat. It was all perfectly innocent.’ If she said it enough, even she’d believe it. But there was nothing innocent in how she was beginning to feel about Jago Pengethley.
‘Oh.’ Tamara was deflated for a second. But only for a second. ‘Are yousurehe’s happily married? I didn’t get that vibe from him at all. And, if he’s Merryn’s dad, why does she call him by his first name?’
‘I’m absolutely positive he’s very happily married. I’ve seen him and Avril together. She’s lovely and they looked a very happy family unit.’
‘But why does the kid call him Jago?’
Honor shrugged. ‘Some children do call their parents by their Christian name. Now, come on, before my toes get frostbite, let’s go and find a good place to see Santa.’
CHAPTER12
‘CHRISTMAS LIGHTS’ – COLDPLAY
Jago and Merryn joined them at their spot at the top of the steps which overlooked the beginning of the prom, but which had a raised view up the high street. Surrounding them, and below them in the square gathered around the huge Christmas tree, was a huge crowd of people and the anticipation was at fever pitch. It looked as if most of the town had turned out. People had come through a long couple of years, with only greyness and illness in view. They needed the childish thrill that was the age-old lighting against the darkest time of year. The excitement was palpable. So was the cold.
Somehow Honor ended up standing next to Jago. She was glad. His bulk cut her off from the biting wind whipping off the sea behind them.
‘Can you see?’ she heard him yell to Merryn. The sound system had gone into overdrive. ‘I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday’ played so loud it was distorted. Honor winced and shrugged ever further into her coat. She didn’t think she’d ever feel her ears ever again. Stamping her feet, she regretted her choice of suede boots; she always forgot they weren’t very warm, and buried her icy nose in her scarf.
Jago bent and said against her ear, warming it with his breath, ‘It’s freezing, isn’t it? Wish they’d hurry up and switch on the lights.’ He looked above him, at the three tiny Christmas trees fixed above Seasalt’s shop window. ‘It might not be much of a heat source, but we could do with all we can get!’
She grinned. ‘Think we might have to endure the mayor’s speech first.’ She was so cold her voice trembled.
He shook his head. ‘Can’t hear you.’
She stood on tiptoe and repeated what she’d said.
‘Come here,’ he indicated. He positioned Merryn on one side and Honor on the other, slightly to the front of him. They huddled together, sharing body warmth and it helped a little. She liked it. She’d been looking after herself for so long, she’d forgotten how nice it was to be protected by a man, even if was only from the cold. The knowledge she was beginning to like Jago,reallylike him, made her shiver again, only this time not because of the chilly weather. She muttered admonishments to herself and hardened her resolve. It just couldn’t happen between them, for all sorts of reasons. Even if the feelings were mutual, she was no home wrecker – how could she do that to a nice woman like Avril and little Merryn? Besides, it would be career suicide. In a close-knit community like Lullbury Bay, she had to keep her reputation intact. It was hard enough teaching and living in the same place as it was; the lines became blurred all too often. Any hint of scandal and she’d be forced to move, and she didn’t want to do that. Her roots were here and she loved her little adopted seaside town.
At last, there was movement amongst the officials standing at the base of the tree. The sound system cut out and the town crier, looking like a highwayman, in a coat with broad caped shoulders, breeches, boots and tricorn hat shook his hand bell. The crowd cheered.
‘Fancy costume,’ Honor heard Jago say drily, and she giggled. She put her arms around Merryn who cuddled into her. At last the mayor, in a similar but much warmer-looking full-length coat, his chain of office gleaming in the streetlights, began his address. It went on a while and Honor sensed the crowd getting restless. Eventually, he announced, ‘Boys and girls, ladies and gents, the countdown starts now. Ten, nine, eight…’ the count roared to its conclusion as the crowd joined in and yelled, ‘Three, two, ONE!’
All around them was flooded with light. Each little tree on the walls of the shops flashed with gold and white lights and the main Christmas tree had lights wound all around it with a lit star on top. Icicles of white shimmered in diagonal lines from one side of the high street to another, interspersed with huge silver stars and gold lights filling in the space between.
The crowd gasped then cheered, looking up and admiring the display. ‘Here Comes Santa’ blasted out of the sound system to announce the arrival of the great man on his sleigh.
‘Are thoserealreindeer?’ Honor asked as she screwed up her eyes to look up to the top of the hill. ‘And is that Tom Catesby leading them? How wonderful.’ Tom did indeed look wonderful. Wearing a leather jerkin over a white pullover, with his jeans tucked into knee-length boots, he looked like a cross between a blacksmith and Prince Charming.
Merryn jumped up and down in excitement. ‘ItisTom! And that’s Elsie and Morag,’ she explained importantly. ‘I met them at the animal sanctuary. Did you know reindeer have really thick coats to keep them warm and they can’t see or hear very well but they’ve got an amazing sense of smell? And they can run really fast, faster than Urain Broke.’
‘Usain Bolt,’ Jago corrected gently, tweaking her hair.
‘And they eat leaves and,’ she frowned trying to remember, ‘licky stuff.’
‘Lichen,’ he helped out. ‘Not like Usain Bolt then.’
‘And did you know male reindeer’s antlers fall off in the winter so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are all girls.’
‘Quite right too,’ Tamara said. ‘And if the three wise men had been women, they’d have taken a catering pack of Pampers and a casserole to the Nativity.’
Merryn ignored her. She was on a roll. ‘And they click as they walk. It’s something in their feet.’
Honor caught Jago’s eyes and they laughed. ‘What can I say?’ she apologised. ‘We did a mini animal research project this week.’
