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Honor listened to the words and let them float over her, the age-old story of an angel appearing to Mary. Then the congregation stood for the first carol ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. She looked around again but there was no Jago. Disappointed, she threw her energies into singing. The service was wonderful. Moving and thoughtful, a celebration of what was to come and a way of bringing the community together. Verity even made reference to the knitted figures outside saying how the mysterious knitting community was enriching the town. Secretly and without expecting any thanks.
After the service was over Honor shook Verity’s hand on the way out and thanked her. Pulling the hood of her coat up against the driving rain, she was just about to stand to one side to wait for Avril and Merryn to wish them a Happy Christmas when Lucie ran up to her.
‘Oh, Honor, I’m so glad I caught you!’ Lucie’s hood blew down and her hair flew wildly in the wind. ‘Jamie wanted me to get a message to you. They’ve gone out on a shout.’
The wind snatched Lucie’s words from her mouth. Honor went nearer. Something about a shout? But why would Jamie need her to know?
‘He told me to tell you Jago’s gone out too,’ Lucie continued. ‘They had no alternative. They’re short of crew. Lots have gone away for Christmas and two are stuck on the A35. There’s just been a shunt apparently and the road’s closed.’
Honor’s blood ran cold. She stared at Lucie in horror. ‘Jago’s gone out on a shout?’ she asked stupidly.
Lucie nodded.
‘In this?’ As if to answer, a howl of wind whipped around the corner of the church.
‘A Mayday from a yacht. Sounds like it was trying to get into the harbour before the storm came in.’ Lucie gazed up at the dark unrelenting night. Rain poured down her face, soaking her. In the distance they heard the throbbing of a helicopter. ‘Coastguard’s out too, although not sure for how long in this weather. Look, I’ll get back to the station to wait and I’ll let you know any more info as soon as it comes in. Okay?’ She stopped, seeing the stricken look on Honor’s face. ‘Or do you want to come with me? Have a cuppa, wait together? It could be a while.’
‘No, I need to be with Avril and Merryn. Oh, Lucie, they don’t know. They don’t know where he is.’ She looked at her friend white-faced with worry. ‘They don’t even know he’s volunteered to be crew again.’
‘Oh, babe. That’s a shocker. Look, check you’ve got my new number. I’ve just changed phones.’ Lucie pulled Honor back through the crowds leaving the service and into the church porch.
Honor switched her phone back on which she’d turned off for the service and saw she had a voicemail from Jago. Listening to it she heard him say briefly he’d been called out as lifeboat crew. She put her friend’s new number in.
‘I’ll let you know everything just as soon as I can,’ Lucie said. ‘Will you be all right? Jamie said you and Jago are an item now.’
Honor nodded numbly. ‘Turns out he’s not married to Avril after all. She’s his mum.’
‘I know, babe. Haven’t had a chance to tell you.’
Honor was too distraught to ask Lucie how she knew. ‘I was hoping to see him here at the service but he didn’t turn up.’
‘Jamie and I were on the way here when his pager went off. He began running back, bumped into Jago and they ran back to the station together. I came on up to let you know.’
‘Thank you.’ Honor waved her mobile. ‘Jago left a message as well. Bit short.’
‘They don’t always have much time.’ She shrugged. ‘Plus it’s priorities, and we’re not at the top of the list. Are you going to be okay? It’s never much fun being the one waiting, take it from someone who’s experienced at it.’
‘I’ll be okay.’ Honor gasped and put a shocked hand up to her mouth. ‘What about Avril though?’
‘What about Avril?’ The woman herself came into the porch just as Verity was blown back in from outside. She must have overheard the last part of their conversation. ‘Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on? Lucie? Honor?’
‘My goodness,’ the vicar said, tidying her hair, ‘it’s got really rough out there.’ She looked from an unhappy Honor to a worried Lucie, and then to Avril whose face bore a mixture of bewilderment and burgeoning anger. Seeming to sum up the situation, she added, ‘Can you bear with me, ladies, while I lock up then perhaps we can all go into the vicarage. What do you say to hot chocolate, Merryn?’
‘Ace-erooney, yes please.’ The little girl looked up from the service programme she’d been studying; she’d been mouthing the words to the carols. Instantly picking up on the tension, she tugged at her mother’s hand. ‘What’s wrong? You look worried. What’s wrong, Mummy? Where’s Jags?’
Avril shot Honor a look through narrowed eyes and soothed her daughter. ‘It’s fine, my little mermaid.’ She stroked the girl’s head. ‘We’ll go to Verity’s and have a nice chat.’
The last few of the congregation were hustled unceremoniously out of the church by Verity, she locked up and then led them next door to the vicarage. The next few minutes were spent getting rid of their wet coats and hanging them on chairs thrust up to the Aga.
They sat down at the vast kitchen table where Verity made a few ineffectual attempts to clear some space. The atmosphere was tense and the harsh fluorescent strip lighting emphasised everyone’s white faces. They watched, mutely, as Verity bustled about, filling a saucepan with milk. ‘We definitely all need some cocoa,’ she announced. ‘And shortbread. Possibly mince pies! Come on, Merryn, give me a hand.’
When they settled at the table again, mugs in hand and a plateful of shortbread biscuits ignored by everyone except Merryn, Avril began speaking. ‘Is this about what I think it is?’
‘Avril, I really think–’ Honor began. She’d never been so uncomfortable in her life.
‘Yes. Jago’s volunteered to be crew at Lullbury Bay Lifeboat Station,’ Lucie stated baldly. ‘And I for one think it’s a wonderful idea.’
‘Mum?’ Merryn questioned.
