There followed a high-speed run-through of themed zones around the village and Leonora’s plans for some signage. A number of dads had been tasked with erecting an elf house on the green and, once Phyllis had untied the lights, a winding path lit by a multitude of fairy lights would lead to it, with a variety of animated scenes for children to look at on the way. It sounded impressive and Blythe had to give credit where it was due: Leonora had got the whole village engaged. Her Christmas committee was a well-oiled machine of happy helpers.
‘Other fast-approaching key events are the Christmas tree auction.’ Leonora pointed at Christmas Carol who jumped like she’d been tasered.
‘All on track,’ said Carol. ‘Trees ordered and paid for and are being felled as we speak. Will be delivered on the day. Greg has confirmed he’ll be the auctioneer.’ He gave her a double thumbs up. ‘And as long as the PA system works tonight we’re good to go.’
‘Excellent,’ said Leonora. Carol looked relieved. ‘Christmas fayre is a sub-committee that I’m happy to report is all on track. Due to demand there will be more stalls than ever. Next…’ She checked her flip chart. ‘Sexy Santa dinner.’ Leonora pointed at Blythe and she experienced the same fright as Carol – it wasn’t fun being in Leonora’s firing line.
‘All on track. I’ve signed up the rugby club guys who were only too happy to be our sexy Santa waiters for the night in exchange for a barrel of beer for their Christmas party, which I’m getting at a reduction from Sarvan. Caterers are confirmed and menus have been approved by you.’
‘Is it coq au vin?’ quipped Carol, and everyone laughed, apart from Leonora and Blythe.
‘Turkey dinner or vegan lentil bake.’ Blythe ignored the continued tittering and returned to her list. ‘Temporary event licence has been granted so there will be alcohol. We’re using this hall, and Vicky and I will dress the tables. Tickets all sold out within a week.’
‘I can’t wait,’ said Phyllis, clapping her hands together.
‘I think most of the WI are coming,’ said Blythe. There had been a stampede for tickets, with the WI leading the way and the rest of the local women close behind.
‘Good work.’ Leonora clicked her fingers. ‘Let’s stay focused on today. Now get going; there’s a lot to be done. Chop, chop,’ she said with a clap of her hands, and everyone scrambled to their feet and hastily put their coats back on.
*
Blythe was thinking over what she was going to say to Sam but as she approached the cottage it appeared she needn’t have worried. There was Sam already up a ladder screwing something above the front door. Blythe could have hugged him if only he’d been at ground level.
‘Good morning,’ she called up, brightly.
‘Hiya. How’s Eden?’
‘She’s fine. Appendix removed by keyhole surgery. Vicky said she was sat up having toast and marmalade this morning for breakfast. She might even be home later today.’
‘That’s brilliant news.’ Sam looked genuinely relieved.
‘What’s going to be hung up there?’ she asked.
‘It’s a security camera,’ said Sam, coming back down the ladder.
‘Oh, right.’ Her hope had been misplaced.
‘State of the art. I bought it just before I moved because I knew this place didn’t have one and then what with moving in and everything and the village lulling me into a false sense of security I didn’t bother to put it up. Last night has taught me a lesson.’ He admired the tiny camera proudly. ‘Any movement and it automatically pings a message to my phone and streams the footage, as well as recording it so it can be used as evidence. How cool is that?’
‘Yep. That’s cool all right. As we’re talking about putting things up I wanted to have a little chat to you about Christmas and decorations. Nothing scary so don’t freak out. And I would do all the work and you could take the glory as the man who saved Holly Cross’s Christmas. I’m thinking just a little sprinkle of festive. I mean, what could be more fun?’
‘Root canal?’
‘Ha, ha.’ His expression had immediately changed so she hurried on. ‘Please hear me out. There’s no expense because Murray’s lights are in the shed. I’ll do all the work of decorating. I’ll keep it as low-key as I can. Front garden only apart from lights along the guttering and around the windows. You don’t need to do a thing. What do you say?’
‘Absolutely not.’
Blythe blinked a few times. Maybe he didn’t understand exactly how much work that was. ‘But I’ll be doing all the work. You don’t need to lift a finger.’
‘No way. I told you. I don’t do Christmas. And that means my house doesn’t do Christmas either. I don’t want to be reminded of it every time I leave my home.’
‘To be fair almost every house in the village and definitely all the houses around the green…’ she indicated with a sweep of her arm ‘…will be screaming Christmas so I don’t think a couple of snowmen on your own lawn is going to be an issue.’
Sam’s nostrils flared. ‘It’s an issue for me. I appreciate the offer but no thank you.’
‘But the whole village is coming together to make this year extra special. You don’t want to be the one person who spoils it. I’ll make sure—’
‘No,’ he said, firmly making Blythe blink again. This guy was the epitome of stubborn.
