Jamie nudged Benny. ‘Come on, let’s go get them.’
Alice went to the main door, watching them as they rummaged around the bush. ‘I’ve never heard of this kind of thing happening before.’ She shook her head.
‘I’ll switch them on, see if they still work,’ Jamie said.
‘Do you think I should call the police?’ asked Alice. ‘I know we’ve got the lights back, and we can’t identify the masked man, so I’m not sure what to do.’
Benny nodded. ‘Yes, let them know. Even if they can’t do anything right now, at least they know someone has done this. There might be other reports in the area.’
Alice nodded. ‘True.’ She smiled at Jamie, on his knees by the plug socket, then went to the desk to make the call.
‘This one’s working,’ he said.
Benny took it from him as soon as it was unplugged. ‘I’m surprised they didn’t try to hide the extension lead.’
Jamie frowned. ‘It’s a lot of bother popping in here just to unplug fairy lights only to dump them in the bush. Anything else happened around here?’
Alice was half listening to the woman on the phone and half listening to Jamie and Benny.
‘No,’ said Benny. ‘Oh, except that fire we had the other month.’
‘What fire?’
Benny pointed to the entrance. ‘Just a small one that burned the carpet. That’s why we have wooden flooring now.’
‘How did it start?’
‘We think one of the guests was smoking.’
Alice got off the phone. ‘They’re sending someone over to see the footage. Not that it’ll help, but at least it’s been reported now.’
Jamie looked up. ‘All the lights still work. Should we put them back up?’
‘Yes. Let’s not let them beat us.’ She gestured to the front. ‘Seaview B&B will look festive, whether they like it or not.’
It wasn’t long before the lights were back in place, the police had arrived to check everyone was okay, and dinner was finally finished.
Benny had gone to bed, and all the guests were in their room for the night, so Alice locked up, hoping her fairy lights were still there come morning.
‘Oh, what a day,’ she said quietly as she climbed the stairs with Jamie.
He turned at his door, smiling her way. ‘Is there any reason you’ve walked me to my room?’
Alice hadn’t even realized what she had done. ‘Oh, I’m too tired. I’m not thinking straight. Sorry.’
‘Ah, and there was me thinking you were worried about me, what with the Grinch on the loose.’
Alice managed a chuckle. ‘Let’s hope tomorrow is less eventful.’ She peered into the room as he opened the door. ‘I reckon you’ll get a good night’s sleep.’
He glanced at the bed, then her. ‘It’ll be different, that’s for sure.’
‘If you need anything, you know where I am.’
‘Same.’
Alice stood there for a moment, simply staring at him. It was all she could do to stop herself from reaching out and giving him a hug. ‘Welcome home, Jamie,’ she said softly.
‘Sleep well, Angel.’
