“He looks like a ladies’ man,” Sorrell said. They were at a table that held three huge vats, manned by three women who all looked to be over sixty and glamorous with it.
“Jake is a ladies’ man. Or man-whore if you want a more appropriate term. He was seeing three girls on the go at one point,” Zack said, putting their mugs down on the table. “Unfortunately, it ended well. They all ‘understood’ him and two of them carried on dating the fucker even when they found out.”
Sorrell was genuinely laughing now. Zack clearly had a lot of affection for his cousin and she didn’t read any jealousy in his comment.
“And who’s this lovely young lady?” The grey haired woman gave her a broad smile that didn’t hide the visual examination she was also giving Sorrell.
Sorrell would’ve shaken her hand, but she was brandishing a ladle. “I’m Sorrell Slater…”
“The woman who’s starting a hotel up at the manor house?” The woman smiled. “You need say no more. I believe you’re holding Christmas dinner there for the Sunrise residents?”
Sorrell nodded, feeling just a little like a schoolgirl again. “It was the least I could do.”
The woman’s eyes switched between Sorrell and Zack. “Hmmm. I’m Veronica Moore. I run the post office. And I’ve knownhim—” she directed the ladle at Zack, “—since he was in nappies.”
Sorrell noticed Zack redden slightly and she realized she was fighting a smile.
“He’s a good lad,” the woman said. “Anyway, everyone around here calls me Gran, so you do the same. Would you like a mug of spiced apple cider? We’ve made it ourselves.” Gran cast a glance at the other two women who were serving up mugs of the stuff.
Zack touched her shoulder, resting his large hand there for a long moment. “It’s really strong,” he said. “Be warned.”
Gran tutted. “Give over with yourself, Zack Maynard. You could do with a couple of mugs of it to put some hairs on your chest.”
“I’ve seen his chest, Veronica, and he doesn’t need any hairs there. It’s fine enough. And there are a few hairs, going from his belly button to, you knowthere…” one of the other women chirped in.
Gran shook her head. “You’re embarrassing the lad, Maud. For all we know, he’s trying to court the girl.”
Sorrell felt her cheeks start to heat up and took a quick sip of the cider she was passed.
The third woman, who was taller than the other two, simply shook her head. “Why are you staring at men’s chests, Maud? You know it doesn’t do your heart any good.”
“Probably for the same reason you read those books, Marian. Who’s today’s author? Jessica Peterson, you were saying?” Maud snapped back.
“Get your drinks and go,” Zack whispered, his hand on Sorrell’s back again. “The last time this conversation started they were comparing me to the man on the front of the book they were all reading. It’s too cold for that again.”
Sorrell turned to look at him. “You mean they made you strip?”
Zack nodded. “And Scott too.”
She looked horrified. “And you agreed?”
Zack shrugged. “Kind of. It’s hard to say no to Gran. And it did seem fairly scientific.”
“Did one of them promise you a modelling contract too at the end of it?” Sorrell said. They were heading outside where she could see a wicker man being placed on the bonfire. Crowds of people had gathered now, some already eating the hot pot and potato pie that was being dished out inside.
“Hilarious,” Zack rolled his eyes. “Are you warm enough?” He turned to her, his eyes containing something she didn’t recognize.
“This cider will keep me warm,” she said. “And laughter at you being had by Gran and her cronies.”
“I shouldn’t have told you that,” Zack said. “Although if I didn’t, you’d hear it from Jake or Alex at some point.”
The noise from the crowd grew louder; children’s excited voices mingled in the air along with laughter from the adults. She heard the gaggle of teenagers nearby trying not to be as enthralled by the burst of flames from the bonfire as the younger children and struggling to hide it.
Flames started to spurt towards the night sky, sparks showering around the rest of the wood that had been piled high. She had seen two firefighters nearby, controlling the smolder and then adding something to the fire to bring it to life, making it dance like an enchanted spirit. She was captivated by the colour and movement, the chatter around her blurring into pure noise.
“You look mesmerized,” she heard Zack say. “Do I need to warn Jonny that we have a firebug in Severton.”
She pulled her gaze away and focused on the man who was still standing next to her. “No, sorry—I just find them fascinating.”
