Chapter 31

THIRTY-ONE

SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER

‘Did you find what you were looking for when you came back here the other day?' Florrie asked, taking a bite out of the chunky slice of toast she slathered with marmalade. She was sitting opposite Ed at the small, scrubbed pine table in the kitchen. The cosiness of the little room belied the below freezing temperatures outside where night was keeping daylight at bay. Even with all that had been happening, what with PC Nixon's visit and Jean and Jack's business proposal, whenever there'd been a gap in her thoughts, she'd found herself being pulled back to how he'd sloped back here on Thursday. That he'd offered no explanation had only heightened her suspicions; he could've made some excuse, said he'd forgotten something, but he hadn't even bothered to do that. She had to keep reminding herself that Ed wouldn't be considering Jean and Jack's offer if he were having second thoughts about the bookshop, but it wasn't enough, and a lingering doubt remained.

‘Huh?' Ed flashed her a look she couldn't quite fathom.

‘Thursday morning, when PC Nixon called round, you'd nipped back here. I thought you must've been looking for something.' Rummaging around the attic again, no doubt.

‘Oh, that.' He smiled, making eye contact for the briefest of moments. ‘I, er… I've been looking for a little painting I made years ago. Came to mind last week, thought it'd make a good Christmas gift for Maggie and Bear. It's of a cottage that reminds me of theirs. Been struggling to lay my hands on it.'

‘Okay.' This was the first Florrie had heard of such a painting. ‘The men aren't usually involved in the gifts, it's just us lasses that buy for each other.' Surely he could remember that from last year. ‘Which is why we've clubbed together and bought Jazz the tickets for—' She clamped her hand over her mouth. ‘Oh, um, this thing we thought she'd like.' Yikes! That was close!

Ed gave her a puzzled look. ‘Tickets for what thing you thought she'd like?'

‘S'just this thing , that's all. Wouldn't interest you.' She turned her attention to brushing toast crumbs off her dressing gown, hoping he wouldn't pursue it.

‘Surely you can think of a better way of describing it than a "thing"? I hope, for Jazz's sake, it's more exciting than it sounds.' He gave a deep chuckle before adopting a faux cheery voice. ‘Merry Christmas, Jazz, here's a ticket for a "thing" you like. Enjoy!'

Though he was laughing it off, Florrie could tell he wasn't convinced by her explanation. At least he would get a taste of how he regularly made her feel, not that it was what she'd intended. ‘Can't say. Sorry. Don't ask anything else, cos I won't tell you, even under pain of death.' She gave a wide smile. She only had one day left before she could let him know about the tickets for the sleigh ride at Danskelfe Castle and she'd nearly let it slip. She'd got it all planned how she was going to tell him, and she didn't want to risk spoiling it at the last minute.

‘How about torture by tickling your feet?' Ed raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘Would that get a straight answer out of you?'

‘Don't you dare!' She chuckled, tucking her slipper-clad feet under her chair and well out of his reach, the awkwardness of moments earlier floating away. Time to move on to a different subject! She reached for the teapot, topping up their tea. ‘I'm still getting my head around Jean and Jack's offer. I keep thinking it must be a dream. I mean, it's been a bonkers week, what with everything that's happened. Talk about being one of wild contrasts.'

‘You're not wrong there.' Ed picked up his knife and started buttering another slice of toast. ‘At least we've got tomorrow to devote to properly thinking their proposal through.'

The words, ‘Not quite all of tomorrow,' were just about to leave her mouth but she pulled herself back in time. They would have to leave a good hour before the sleigh ride, probably sooner if the roads were dicey with the snow. ‘I don't think I'll be able to think about much else today, actually.'

‘I reckon you will. With it being the Christmas market, we'll be rushed off our feet if last year's was anything to go by,' Ed reminded her.

Each year, on the third Saturday in December, the town held its Christmas market. It was always a popular affair, filling the square with a mixture of festive aromas from roasting chestnuts to mulled wine. The traditional sweet stall was a particular favourite of Florrie's, the smell of candy infusing the air around it. Adding to the air of nostalgia were the musicians who played at the Jolly of a Friday evening. They pitched up at the entrance to the station, their cheerful, lilting tunes blasting forth. The stallholders did a roaring trade, as did the local shops, reaping the rewards of the extra business the market brought in. The event was topped off by carol singing around the large Christmas tree at the head of the square, accompanied by the local brass band and the Micklewick Bay choir. Florrie only hoped a certain dodgy businessman didn't seize upon the moment to cause more mayhem, especially since she and Ed had decided to give the carol singing a miss. They were going to use the time to decorate their home for Christmas since they hadn't had the chance to do it before now. Florrie had never been so late getting her home decked for the festive season!

Florrie told her friends of her concerns over Dillon Swales and his uncle when they'd had their catch-up at the Jolly the previous evening. They'd all offered much-needed words of reassurance, just as she'd hoped they would.

‘You might find things quieten down now, flower,' Stella had said. ‘Especially if Dodgy Dick thinks the police are watching him and his grubby little sidekicks.'

‘I'm sure Stells is right. Just don't let it dominate Christmas and your exciting plans for Ed and The Happy Christmas Memory Project. Focus on having a wonderful time instead.' Lark had smiled kindly at her.

‘I always say there's no point fretting over something that hasn't happened yet,' Jasmine had said.

‘Do you, Jazz?' Maggie had asked, scrunching her nose up.

‘No.'

‘Didn't think so.'

‘Just thought it sounded good.' Jasmine had given a mischievous smile, making them all laugh, which was just what Florrie had needed.

‘Anyroad, what's the goss with Jack and Jenna? I heard they'd been seen snogging at the end of the pier.' Jasmine had skilfully changed the subject, lightening Florrie's mood in the process.

Though she'd kept it to herself, Florrie had considered inviting Jenna to join them for their get-together that evening, knowing the others would be fine with it – as Alex's sister Zara did whenever she was in town – but had thought better of it. With Jenna heading back up north the following day, she'd no doubt be keen to spend as much time as possible with Jack.

‘Doesn't surprise me, the sparks flying between them at her book reading the other night were pretty obvious.' Stella had arched a knowing eyebrow. ‘Even when the lights went out.'

‘More so when the lights went out!' Maggie had added with a chuckle.

Their good-natured banter had gone some way to easing Florrie's disquiet over Dodgy Dick, and she'd managed to put him to the back of her mind. Until his reappearance that afternoon.

She'd been taking Gerty for a walk when she became aware of a large car crawling along on the road beside her. She'd been startled to see it was the one that belonged to Dodgy Dick, the blacked-out windows magnifying his menacing air. She'd eventually shaken him off by ducking into a narrow snicket that led back into town, her feet losing purchase several times on the icy path, causing her to slip over. By the time she got back to the bookshop she was trembling, panic squeezing in her chest.

This was getting out of hand. And it made her all the more determined to accept Jean and Jack's offer.