taste in music, Alan and I can stay ahead of the curve.’
Which is true.
‘I’ve got pains in my hands,’ Lucas complains as he tucks them under his arms. ‘I’m so numb, I can’t tell whether they’re hot or cold.’ He stamps his feet, his boots covered in frost.
‘Good job we’ve got indoor activities,’ I say, rubbing my own hands together. ‘It’s a cold one out there. I think everyone would dig their heels in if we tried to make them go outside today. We can set up the crafting activities in here where it’s nice and warm.’
‘We had trouble starting the car this morning. Bloody thing. Alan’s going to have a look at it later.’
I wish that I could pay Bev more as that would help them both out. Alan volunteers here too and I know from Bev that he has a good pension, but they could probably do with some extra money coming in. Everyone likes a few quid put by for a rainy day or a broken-down car.
‘Asha’s here. He can help Alan.’ We have an eleven-year-old boy with ADHD who can strip down and fix any machinery you care to mention. Getting stuck into Alan’s car engine would make his day. The pair of them often hang out in the barn, exchanging barely a word all day bar asking to pass a spanner or something. It’s when they’re both at their happiest.
‘Would you like a hot drink, Molly? I’m using my favourite kettle today.’ Making tea is Jack’s comfort zone. He’s a fantastic kid, always willing and he just needs a bit of a support. It’s rare now that he has a bad day. ‘We have Yorkshire Tea today and a selection of excellent coffees – Gold Blend, Nescafé or Kenco. I can offer you semi-skimmed or soya milk.’
Our tea break offers are generally reliant on donations from our supporters. We are gifted a lot of biscuits. We also get nearly-out-of-date bread and cakes from our nearest supermarket chain.
‘Thanks, Jack. Tea would be great with a bit of semi-skimmed.’
‘How much is a bit?’ Jack queries. ‘Is that more than a splash? Bev had a splash and that was quite difficult to judge.’
‘Shall I put my own milk in, Jack?’
‘Yes.’ He looks relieved that the responsibility has been taken away from him. ‘Would you like a biscuit with that? We have chocolate digestives.’
‘Excellent up-selling.’
He holds the packet of biscuits to his chest, protectively. ‘I don’t know what that means.’
‘In a coffee shop you’d ask your customers if they’d like something else with their drink so that it makes more money for the café.’
‘But this is free.’
‘I know. I was pretending to be in a coffee shop.’
‘Oh. Why?’
‘For a bit of fun, Jack. I was paying you a compliment.’
‘So do you want a biscuit or not?’
‘Yes, please.’ You know when you wish you’d never started something? Jack carefully hands over my biscuit. Just the one. For a moment he looks as if he might not let go of it. ‘Thanks, Jack.’ I prise it from his fingers.
‘They’re my favourite biscuits.’ He looks longingly at it.
‘I know. You can have one too. Just don’t spoil your lunch.’ He’s wolfed one down before I get the sentence out. ‘Do you want to help Bev with preparation today?’
‘What is it?’
I look to Bev who supplies, ‘Jacket potato and baked beans.’
‘I don’t really like baked beans,’ Jack says firmly. ‘It’s the colour. And they’re slimy.’
‘I’m sure you can manage. It would be good experience.’
Jack grimaces at me. ‘I’ll try.’
‘Good lad. Bev will right there with you.’
‘By the way, Mols,’ Bev says over her shoulder. ‘The new mayor is popping by today.’
‘He’s what?’
‘He wants to see what we get up to here before he comes to the open day. I said it would be OK.’
‘Are you going to deal with him?’
Bev stops what she’s doing and puts her hands on her hips. ‘No,’ she says. ‘You are.’
‘I can’t.’ What would I say to the mayor?
‘I’m sure you can manage.’ Bev echoes me with a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘It would be good experience.’
‘Sometimes I dislike you intensely,’ I tell her.
‘But you love me more,’ she bats back.
‘You see the mayor,’ I beg. ‘Please. I’ll make lunch.’
‘No. You’ve got this, Molly. Charm him so that he wants to make us his Christmas charity.’
‘Good luck with that,’ Lucas says, sarcastically.
‘Shut up or I’ll rope you in too.’
‘I’d rather wash horse dicks.’
All the students titter behind their hands. This is why they love Lucas. They see