Christmas for Beginners - Carole Matthews Page 0,114

remain stupidly stoic and the alpacas will always be naughty.

After yesterday’s drama and subsequent lack of sleep, I feel all wobbly today and it’s more of an effort to heft the food around, but this lot won’t wait for their breakfast. I take more time with each of them, handing out a little extra food, sneaking a little extra cuddle. It works with the students and it works with me too – animals are calming and their love is unconditional. I sit in with the bunnies and guinea pigs and they all come to have a snuggle on my lap – after which, my equilibrium is greatly restored.

Bev and Alan turn up. I wait while they kiss and cuddle as if they are to be parted for ten years. Eventually, Alan disappears into his workshop.

Bev scrutinises me with a laser gaze. ‘How are you doing?’

‘I’m OK. I did, however, not have the restful evening I’d planned.’ I fill her in on the events of last night.

‘You should have phoned me,’ she admonishes, as I knew she would. ‘We could have come to look with you. Fancy going out on your own – after what you’ve been through.’ The last bit in a stage whisper.

‘All’s well that ends well,’ I say. ‘Lucas is still in bed for now.’ ‘That poor boy,’ Bev tuts. ‘He’s had a bucketful.’

‘Better that he’s found out now.’

‘You’ve not told Shelby?’

‘He remains blissfully unaware of all of our issues.’

‘Probably for the best,’ she says.

‘Least said, soonest mended.’

‘Promise me that you’ll take it easy today, Molly. Otherwise, I might just have to march you down to the doctor’s.’

‘I fed the animals, but promise that I’ll do nothing more remotely strenuous.’

‘It’s a glorious day. We could take the animals out for a walk. I’m sure kids and creatures would appreciate that.’

‘As long as they’re all wrapped up.’

‘I’m going over to clean the cottage tonight,’ she says. ‘And you’re not coming. Alan and I will do it.’

‘But . . .’

She holds up a hand. ‘Talk to that.’

‘Can I come if I promise to sit on a chair and watch?’

‘Yes,’ Bev says. ‘But don’t make me tie you to it.’

‘OK.’

‘I do have some good news,’ my friend offers. ‘We counted up the money from the open day last night and we took a shade over two thousand pounds. How about that?’

‘We did? That’s fantastic.’

‘People were very generous and I have plans for lots more,’ Bev says with a wicked twinkle in her eye.

‘It’ll be like Alton Towers,’ I tease.

‘Never,’ she says, ‘But it will help our finances considerably. More importantly, the kids love it too. It’s good for them to be involved in something like this. They were all so proud of themselves, they were buzzing.’

‘I know and I’m very grateful to you for pushing me out of my comfort zone too. Just be gentle with me. This is all very new.’

Then the students start to turn up. ‘I’ll sort this lot out,’ Bev says. ‘I bet they’ll all still be hyper today. You tend to Lucas.’

‘Thanks. You’re an angel. I’ll go and see how he is.’ But before I can do that, Matt’s car turns up too.

‘Aye, aye.’ Bev nudges me. ‘Hot Mayor alert.’

With a grin at her, I go over to the gate and Matt jumps out of his car. ‘Can’t stop,’ he says. ‘On the way to an event. Christmas craft fair to open.’

‘It’s good to see you.’ And seeing him has, indeed, lifted my spirits. ‘I was going to contact you to thank you for all your help at the open day. Bev’s just told me we raised over two grand plus we had a very generous donation from our celebrity Santa.’

‘Wow. That’s great.’

‘Thank you for being part of it.’

‘You know if there’s anything else you want me to do, you only have to ask.’

‘Well . . .’ I say hesitantly. ‘There is one thing. Penny and her mum are moving into the cottage at Shelby’s manor. I was wondering if you were free at all on Friday. They need to get out while her husband is at work. If you have any time at all . . .’

‘I’ll make time,’ Matt says. ‘Tell me when and where you want me and I’ll switch my diary around.’

‘You’re so very kind.’

‘There is, however, a price,’ he says with a grin. ‘You have to come to my charity ball.’

‘I thought you’d be taking Victoria. She seemed very nice.’

‘She is.’ He holds out his hands. ‘It didn’t quite work out