‘Anyway, it’s good to see a few of you here today. I have had apologies from the other stallholders, and I will send a brief email out after the meeting to all.’
‘Great end-of-season party, by the way– thanks, Frank.’ Gideon Jones grinned. ‘Took me a week to recover.’
‘Hear, hear.’ A resounding thumbs up from the whole group.
‘My pleasure, but you bastards best keep coming in through the winter, now.’
They all laughed.
‘Has anyone heard from Brian?’ Nigel piped up as everyone started tucking into the sandwiches.
‘Yes.’ Frank nodded. ‘He’s loving Australia and his mum is so pleased that he has made the trip to see her. He emailed me this morning and wanted to wish you well, Jilly.’
‘Aw.’ Sabrina blushed, realising more than ever that she had to come up with a plan to put a stop to the huge and damaging changes to the outdoor market that were afoot.
Frank looked directly at her. ‘He also said that he’d got the signed contract from yourself, but the rent hadn’t gone through yet.’
Sabrina suddenly felt cold. ‘OK. I will check with Lowen Kellow as I paid him in cash directly, but can you share Brian’s email please so I can find out…umm…when he receives it.’
Frank scribbled on the scrappy piece of A4 paper in front of him.
‘I thought that useless so and so had been sacked?’ Charlie chipped in. Linda, who was polishing the glass counter, stopped what she was doing, ears pricked to high alert.
‘Bloody hope so. I never liked him– something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.’ Gideon Jones sniffed loudly.
Frank refilled his coffee cup. ‘Until we get confirmation of that, we carry on as usual. He’s been as much use as a chocolate teapot to be honest, anyway, so I shouldn’t worry too much.’ Frank stood up and checked his watch. ‘Let’s get going properly. I wanted to say that this is our tenth meeting and I think you’ll agree, that we have already achieved quite a lot between us. News, aside Jilly joining us, is that the Christmas lights are going to be going up at the start of November and mydecentcontact at the council, Roger Terry, has promised that they will be slightly more decadent than last year’s paltry offering. Also, Ben, thanks to your suggestion, a bi-weekly rather than monthly street clean has been confirmed as I agree market days do take their toll on the pavements.’
Star raised her hand. ‘Are we going to be doing the Victorian Christmas Fair again this year? It was on the first Saturday in December, from memory, and it did attract a huge crowed.’
There was a mumbling in the group.
Frank tapped on his cup with his pen. ‘I guess it just involves us dressing up and Charlie roasting his chestnuts on an open fire. Plus, we got the Salvation Army band playing before and the snow machines I managed to acquire were also a nice touch. Hands up if you’d like to go ahead with it this year.’
‘You know me, I’ll get my old chestnuts out any time of year.’ Charlie laughed, and the group joined in.
‘That’s unanimous, then.’ Frank made another note on his piece of paper.
Star interjected. ‘Sorry, but I won’t be able to be as hands on this year with the marketing of it. One toddler, a newborn and keeping my bespoke service running is proving quite a challenge.’
Kara tutted. ‘Just the two babies… come see me in January, you’ll feel like you’re on a permanent holiday.’ Star smiled and dug her sister in the ribs.
‘I’ll take it on.’ Alicia piped up. ‘I’m sure Glanna will produce some flyers for us, if we ask her nicely, and I’m happy to contact the local papers and all that.’
‘Good idea– and thanks, Alicia,’ Frank said. ‘She’ll be back in the gallery later; she’s doing a talk at the university this morning.’ He sat back down. ‘OK, that’s all sounding grand. Let’s set the Victorian Fair running and if anyone has anything else during the month they want to discuss, just pop down to me or send an email. Before we go, any other business?’
Everyone shook their heads.
As chairs scraped back for everyone to leave, Frank looked directly at Sabrina. ‘So, definitely no other business from your side, then…Jilly?’
Being faced with all these lovely people whose livelihood depended on market days and who generally did care about each other’s wellbeing caused a gnawing of guilt within her. Maybe Dee had been right, as she usually was, that her being selfish here was not for the greater good. But her fear of having to face everything, including herself, was just too much to bear at the moment.
But Frank was asking her very pointedly… did he know about Lowen’s plans? Her gut told her that he did. And yes, Conor had promised her, but blood was thicker than water and she had come to realise that Brady blood was undoubtedly thicker than most.
She smiled weakly back at him. ‘Not yet, Frank, no.’
He put his big hand on her shoulder. ‘We’ve got your back.’
Without her needing to reply, Frank began to put the tables back into their original café positions.
