‘Really. Now can I please have that kiss?’
Vicky smiled. ‘I guess.’ She stepped into Owen’s arms.
‘Mummy! Owen! I think I heard Santa’s sleigh on the roof!’
They started to laugh.
40
25thDecember
Christmas Day
Sam was woken by Turpin trying to get inside his pillowcase. It was the cat’s new favourite place to sleep and it was a minor inconvenience to him that Sam’s head was on it. Sam had hoped he’d be a long way from Holly Cross today but all the drama on the green the day before had made him cancel his plans to escape to a cottage in the Cotswolds. So now here he was. He was going to treat it as he usually did – as just another day. The only difference was that he avoided the television, internet and his phone. All those things would do their best to remind him what day it was.
He yawned as he made his way downstairs. He was surprised to see a large white envelope on the mat. There would be no post today. He hesitated. If it was a Christmas card he didn’t want it. He picked it up. His name was on the front in black marker pen. It didn’t look very festive. Sam went through to the kitchen and put it on the table while he made himself some toast.
With no TV or phone it was quite boring sitting eating his breakfast. The envelope intrigued him. He opened one end and peered inside. It wasn’t a card and he was hugely relieved. He tipped out the contents onto the table.
He blinked at the handwritten map. His eyes were drawn to the title:Sam’s Treasure Hunt. It made him smile for a moment. He knew exactly who was behind this. He studied the map. All the key places and people in the village were featured on it and he had to admit he was intrigued. At the bottom it read –Clue Number One: Hot on the tail of a highwayman.
Sam had a shower and got dressed but all the while the map and its clue were on his mind. He made the bed carefully so as not to annoy Turpin, whose paw darted out of the pillowcase each time Sam came too close. A possible answer to the clue popped into Sam’s head. Without thinking too much about it he picked up the map, grabbed his coat and rushed out of the cottage. It would only take a few minutes to find out if he was right and then he could squirrel himself away for the rest of the day.
The pub was busier than he had expected but at least that meant nobody was really focusing on him. He made his way between the people to the big fireplace. For a moment he was stumped. He’d assumed this was the answer to the clue but as there was a full log fire burning he wasn’t sure where the next clue might be. People had come in behind him and were now wishing each other a merry Christmas. This was a bad idea. Sam turned to leave.
‘Hiya, Sam,’ said Sarvan. ‘Over here a minute.’ He beckoned Sam into the restaurant area.
‘It’s okay. I’m not stopping,’ said Sam.
‘I know, but I thought you might like to see where some of the Holly Cross charity money goes.’ Sarvan pointed to a long table surrounded by elderly folk. ‘If it wasn’t for the money we raise they’d be on their own today. Have a chat to them.’
‘Actually, I’ve—’
‘Are you Sam?’ called out a lady at the head of the table.
‘Er, yeah.’
‘We’ve been expecting you,’ she said, and she waved an envelope.
Sam went to get it, but the woman wouldn’t hand it over until they’d had a chat and she’d sung the praises of the village and shared how much the Christmas lunch meant to her. Sam eventually escaped with the envelope. Outside, his breath plumed in the cold as he ripped it open. The piece of paper inside read –Clue Number Two: Knit one, purl one.
He was sure it was something to do with the two old ladies but where did they live? Then he remembered the cottage on the way into the village where the wall and gate were festooned with crochet and he set off in that direction, checking the map as he went.
Sam knocked on the door whilst trying to think what to say when they opened it.
‘Sam! You worked it out. Come in,’ said the first sister, ushering him inside.
‘Right, I’m just after the next clue really,’ he said.
‘We know,’ said the other sister, appearing with a white envelope. ‘We’ve been briefed not to say…’ She lowered her voice. ‘You know what.’
‘But we are allowed to give you this.’ She handed Sam something wrapped in tissue paper.
He tentatively unwrapped it. It was a beautifully knitted scarf. ‘Thank you. I feel bad that I didn’t get you anything.’
‘But that’s not why you give presents, Sam. We love to knit and the best thing is to see our knitting find a happy home. Really, that’s a gift to us right there,’ she said, watching Sam put the scarf on. ‘Anyway, here you go.’ She handed him the envelope. ‘This one might be tricky so you may want to open it in here.’
‘Thanks.’ Sam took out the clue and read it out. ‘Clue Number Three: Carry yo-ur hartin a bucket.’The ladies looked at it with him.
