Chapter Fifteen

‘ T hanks for the help, Angie.’ Robyn placed the last of the boxes in the kitchen of Penworth Bay Care Home and turned to the manager. ‘Shall I empty them out onto plates or trays or something?’

‘Thank you for bringing them over.’ Angie grinned. ‘Yes, that would be lovely, please. We’ve got the children from the primary school coming over to sing in a few minutes and then we’ll eat before popping some music on for the evening.’

‘Sounds like you’ve got a lovely event planned.’ Robyn pulled a stack of red and green serving trays from a shelf to her left.

‘I hope so. I love Christmas here with the residents.’ She grinned. ‘You’ll stay, won’t you?’

‘Yes, if you’ll have me.’ Robyn began placing pasties, still warm from the bakery, onto a tray.

‘Absolutely. Oh look, here comes the first of our other volunteers, Jasper. I’ll ask him to help you set the food out.’ Angie began waving her hand in the air, trying to catch his attention.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll cope.’ Robyn bit down on her bottom lip. She should have known he’d be helping out today too. If she’d guessed, she might have been tempted to make up some excuse as to why she couldn’t stay this evening. Spending another three or four hours with him wouldn’t exactly be on her Christmas list of things she wanted to do.

‘Nah, he’ll help. He’s so lovely. I’ll ask him to pop back here when he’s finished out there.’ Angie titled her head and smiled as she watched him walk over to the home’s kitchen staff and help them set the tables. ‘He’s wearing one of his grandmother’s gorgeous jumpers again.’

Robyn glanced up, squinting her eyes in an attempt to work out the wintery theme for today’s Christmas jumper. Deep emerald trees lined the bottom of the pale blue jumper while a sleigh and reindeer flew across his chest. She snapped her head across to look at Angie. ‘His grandmother bought them for him?’

‘Not bought, no. She knitted him them. One every year, as far I recall. I’ve never known someone to get so excited about the festive season.’

‘Does she live here?’ Robyn automatically glanced around the empty kitchen as if she expected her to be making a coffee or something.

‘She did.’ Angie nodded sadly.

‘She did? She’s passed away?’ Robyn swallowed. She hadn’t exactly been very complimentary about his jumpers. In fact, she’d been quite the opposite, making snide comments under her breath. No wonder Jasper hadn’t welcomed her with open arms. She’d criticised the jumpers his grandmother had knitted for him.

‘Sadly, yes. Seven months ago yesterday. Jasper took it hard, as anyone would. But he was so close to her. He used to visit every day, spend hours chatting, playing cards or just keeping her company as she watched her favourite TV show.’ Angie reached for a tissue and wiped her eyes. ‘Sorry, I know it’s part of my job, but I still get upset. We’re like a big family here.’

‘I can imagine.’ Robyn kept her eyes fixed on Jasper. She’d criticised his grandmother’s jumpers. Why? Why had she done that? The detailing was intricate, the pattern cosy, and they had clearly taken a lot of time, effort and talent to knit. She closed her eyes momentarily. She’d only criticised them because she wasn’t a fan of Christmas. If the designs had been anything else she’d have marvelled at them but, no, she’d let her humbug side shine right through and gone and said one of the most hurtful things she could to him. No wonder he hated her.

‘You okay, Robyn?’

Opening her eyes, Robyn let out a small sigh before fixing a smile on her face. ‘Yes, I’m just fine. Thanks.’

‘In that case, I’m going to go next door to the lounge to listen to the children’s carol service. Why don’t you come on through?’ Angie nodded towards the door leading from the dining room to the lounge.

‘I’ll finish up here, then I’ll come on through.’ Waiting until Angie had left, Robyn turned around and leaned against the counter. Guilt gnawed in the pit of her stomach. She’d been so horrible to him.

Hearing chatter, Robyn turned around, her eyes finding Jasper again as she watched him disappear into the lounge. He hadn’t been especially nice to her either, though. Yes, not on the same par as her mistake, but he had yelled at her and blamed her for his dog running off, and that hadn’t been her fault.

She shook her head as she placed the final pastry on the tray. It was no use. However much she tried to convince herself it was Jasper in the wrong, she couldn’t justify what she’d said about his grandmother’s jumpers. She’d have to apologise.

SLIPPING INTO THE LOUNGE , Robyn stood at the back behind the members of staff and other volunteers as the children from the local primary school stood by the large Christmas tree, singing their hearts out. She smiled. Now, this was a Christmas tradition she could appreciate. She’d loved singing in her school choir, and she had lovely memories of performing at the local care home one year, too.

As she let the words of We Wish You a Merry Christmas wash over her, she began swaying to the tune. She watched Jasper out of the corner of her eye. He was all but dancing on the spot, and he had a good rhythm for it, too. She smiled. Maybe he wasn’t as awful as she’d first thought. Yes, he was to her, but now she’d figured out the reason. He didn’t seem as bad as he had before.

She slowed her swaying as the children began another song, Away in a Manger , and frowned. Actually, he had no excuse to be rude to her, not in the beginning. He’d all but yelled at her when she’d reunited Dasher with him. And she hadn’t said anything about his chosen attire until she’d slunk back into the bakery afterwards.

Umm. She pinched the bridge of her nose. She just couldn’t work him out. Watching him now, he was the perfect gentleman as he leaned forward to check on one of the residents who was sitting in an armchair in front of him. Plus, he volunteered here – that must have been a difficult decision to keep coming back after losing his grandmother. But to Robyn, he’d been nothing but hostile.

With the carol finished and the show now over, the room burst into a round of applause and cheering. She again found herself looking at Jasper as he cheered heartily.

‘Hey, Robyn.’

Tearing her eyes away from him, Robyn realised Teresa was standing next to her. ‘Oh, hi, Teresa. I didn’t know you were coming.’

‘I wasn’t, but my daughter, Pippa,’ Teresa pointed to a young girl with pigtails wrapped with golden tinsel. ‘Suddenly dropped it on me that the school choir was singing here. I’m not sure whether I missed an email or letter or whether the school had entrusted the children to tell us, but I missed the memo until ten minutes before she had to be here.’

‘Oops. At least you both made it.’ Robyn smiled as Pippa and one of her friends broke into a dance, the residents clapping a beat as they performed for them.

‘Yes. Knowing Pippa, I’ll find a scrunched-up letter in the bottom of her book bag amongst a mouldy banana from before they broke up for the holidays last week, and an array of small trinkets she thinks I don’t know she takes to school each day.’ Teresa laughed before looking across at Jasper. ‘Anyway, sorry I interrupted your view.’

‘What?’ Robyn felt a deep heat flush across her face. ‘No, no, it’s not like that!’

‘No, of course not.’ Grinning, Teresa checked her watch before waving across at Pippa, signalling her to join them. ‘Anyway, must dash. I’ve got to get Rueben and Toby to their club in Trestow for half past.’

Robyn nodded. ‘It really isn’t what you think. I hate the guy.’

‘Uh-huh.’ Teresa nodded as Pippa skipped across to them.

‘I do.’ She glanced across at him again. ‘And he definitely hates me.’

‘Here, pop this on, Pippa. It’s chilly out there.’ Holding out Pippa’s coat for her, Teresa turned to Robyn. ‘I very much doubt that, too.’

Robyn shrugged. She knew all too well his feelings towards her. He’d made them perfectly clear after all.

‘Anyway, enjoy your evening and I’ll see you in the morning.’ Teresa shooed Pippa in front of her as she waved at Robyn.

‘Yep, see you. Have a good evening.’ Robyn waved to Pippa. ‘And super singing, Pippa.’

‘Thanks!’ Grinning, Pippa turned around and danced her way to the door, the tinsel in her hair becoming loose and swinging behind her.

Robyn held her palms over her cheeks, waiting for the telltale heat to disperse. Why did Teresa say what she had? She didn’t fancy Jasper. She didn’t even like the guy.

‘Evening.’ Jasper nodded at her as he helped one of the residents out of the lounge and into the dining room.

‘Morning.’ Robyn clamped her hand over her mouth as Jasper gave her a quizzical look before walking on. Morning? Thanks, Teresa. Now she was so flustered she didn’t even know what time of the day it was. Spinning on her heels, she followed everyone into the dining room.