as I took the spectacle in, I wondered where he’d found the tree too because it was planted in a huge pot. Given the weight of it, it must have come on the back of a lorry. I really must have been out for the count, to have slept through the delivery of that!
The air was filled with the mingling spicy scents of mulled wine and warm mince pies, which Carole was hastily handing out before they got cold and it really was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I already knew my celebrations this year were going to be very different and, looking around at everyone’s happy faces, I was pleased about that.
Life in Nightingale Square might have been a bit overwhelming at times, but it was an honour to be a part of such a close-knit community and I was about to realise just how integrated I already was.
‘How did you and Finn get on on Thursday night?’ Chloe asked.
‘Oh,’ I said, trying to remember the finer details. ‘All right. We talked about family and stuff for a bit and then walked home.’
I thought the conversation had gone a little flat towards the end of the evening, but thanks to the excesses of micro-brewery bitter, I couldn’t get a clear grasp on why.
‘Well that’s good then,’ said Chloe. ‘You must be feeling relieved. There’s nothing worse than having to work with someone you don’t get on with.’
The cheeky tone of her voice didn’t quite match what she was saying, but there was no chance to clarify what she was really getting at.
‘Gather round folks!’ Luke’s voice rang out and we all huddled closer to the tree. ‘Gather round.’
Taking in the numbers, I saw there were even more than just those of us who lived in the square.
‘Who’s that?’ I whispered to Chloe, nodding towards a trio I didn’t recognise who were standing opposite us.
‘That’s the Stanton clan. Zak and his mum and dad,’ she told me, also looking over.
The two men were standing shoulder to shoulder, with a slightly shorter woman between them.
‘I didn’t recognise Zak with the hat on,’ I whispered.
‘Or the coat,’ said Chloe, with a wry smile.
She had obviously been privy to his posturing and preening too. Thankfully it was too chilly for him have his biceps out.
‘From what I can make out,’ Chloe carried on, scanning the crowd, ‘Luke’s invited everyone who has helped out at the house this year, all the trade staff and their families, as a thank you for their hard work.’
It was a generous gesture, certainly one he wasn’t obliged to make and, given the swollen numbers, I guessed there had been a lot of work carried out during the last twelve months. Everyone was tucking into the mince pies, enjoying the wine and looking very happy to be there. As was I.
‘Where’s Finn?’ I asked, ‘isn’t he coming? He’s not with his family.’
‘I’m here,’ said a voice close behind me, making me jump and Chloe squeal.
‘Thank you all so much for coming,’ said Luke. ‘After our trip into the city on Thursday night, I thought the square could do with a bit of festive cheer and as plans for the Winter Garden don’t extend to here, we thought we’d have our outdoor Christmas tree delivered here instead.’
Everyone cheered and raised their cups in approval.
‘When we ordered it, we were going to put it next to the house,’ said Jasmine, who clearly had no qualms about talking in front of so many people, ‘but then we said that if we put it here everyone would be able to see it all the time.’
‘Thank you, Jas,’ said Lisa, speaking for all of us, ‘that was a very kind thought.’
‘So,’ said Luke, his eyes searching the crowd, ‘let’s get it lit, shall we?’
‘It’s going to look amazing!’ said Jasmine, bobbing up and down.
‘Where are Freya and Finn?’ shouted Luke.
Chloe started to bounce on her toes, looking very much like Luke’s eldest daughter in her eagerness to point Finn and me out. Suffice to say, her antics quickly attracted everyone’s attention.
‘Come on, you two,’ Luke grinned, beckoning us over. ‘As the two newest recruits, we thought we’d leave the honours to you.’
I knew I had no choice but to step up, but I really didn’t want to. Being the centre of attention was the last thing I had expected when I arrived.
‘Come on,’ said Finn, nudging me in the back. ‘Let’s get it over with.’