Page 64 of Christmas All the Way

‘It’s good thing we put up the display of “What Christmas Means to Me” next to the kissing booth,’ Keeley murmured. ‘Score one for Freezy Tye.’

‘And I enjoy a multi-faith approach,’ the man cut in. ‘Before Christmas became Christmas it was Yule, and filled with traditions that go back a long way. It’s nice to see nods to those older, more pagan roots incorporated into the displays.’

And now Keeley turned to Raff. ‘Score another point with your mistletoe.’

‘But ultimately it’s about the overall aesthetic,’ the woman went on. ‘Can we see a consistent theme coupled with a sense of pride in the village that lasts all year round? That’s often what tips the balance in the end.’

The presenter beamed. ‘So what you’re saying is, a village is for life, not just for Christmas?’

The judges laughed. ‘I suppose that’s exactly the message we’re trying to send,’ the man agreed.

‘Well, I think we’ve kept everyone on tenterhooks for long enough,’ the presenter said, looking straight into the camera. ‘Without further ado, would you like to announce who has won Britain’s Most Christmassy Village this year?’

The female judge held up a large cream envelope and lifted the flap. Silence fell over the pub and Grace realised she was shivering with anticipation. Beside her, Keeley reached for her hand and gripped it tightly. On screen, the woman cleared her throat. ‘And the winner is…Freezy Tye!’

Grace’s hands flew to her face as Keeley let out a hoarse scream in her ear. Raff beamed in delight. ‘We did it!’ he said, turning to her and gathering her into a hug. ‘We only went and did it again!’

Behind the bar, Gavin was roaring. ‘Eight times! We’re eight-time winners! Get in!’

But Grace barely heard because the fact that she was in Raff’s arms was doing odd things to her brain. She only had a second or two to adjust before Keeley was pulling her away for a hug of her own. ‘We couldn’t have done it without you, Grace. Bloody well done, you superstar.’

In among the general celebration, Grace thought she heard Paul bellowing for calm. ‘Look,’ he shouted, pointing at the screen. ‘Look!’

With some effort, Grace managed to focus and saw the scene had changed from a shot of the judges in the studio to an outdoor location. Another presenter was talking into the camera, his expression animated as he waved a hand at the glowing village green behind him, and Grace realised with a jolt of unreality that the spectacular Christmas tree behind him was actually the one she’d decorated. ‘Wait, what?’ she managed, as the truth slowly dawned on her.

‘They’re here!’ Paul yelled, waving towards the windows. ‘The cameras are here on the village green!’

There was something of a stampede then, as everyone hurried to the door to peer outside. Grace hung back, unable to take everything in. When she’d offered to help with the village decorations, she’d never dreamed her idea would end up on national television. It felt like a dream and yet her knees were still shaking. She sank into an empty chair, watching as several people she’d been looking at across the pub suddenly materialised on the screen and she realised Gavin was no longer behind the bar.

Raff laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘I hope you’re proud of yourself, Grace. I know you’ll only be in the village for a little while longer but you’ve made a big impression.’

She smiled. ‘You know, I think I am proud. But not just of myself. Of all of us. Like the judges said, we won because everyone contributed something and I’m grateful to have been part of that, even if only for a few months.’

He gazed down at her, opening his mouth to respond but whatever he’d been about to say was drowned out by the triumphant return of their fellow committee members. Suddenly Gavin was next to her, topping up her glass with bubbles, and Helen was thanking her effusively for her hard work. Before Grace knew it, she was tangled up in what felt like ten different conversations and Raff was no longer at her side.

The celebrations carried on long into the night, growing louder as the alcohol flowed more freely. Grace found herself laughing so often her cheeks ached, and then the dancing began and her feet began to hurt too. The air inside the pub grew stuffy and hot, and she began fanning her face with a beer mat.

‘Too hot?’ Raff said, appearing from nowhere with a glass of water.

‘A bit,’ she said, taking a grateful gulp of the icy water. ‘Do you think Gavin would mind if we opened a window?’

Raff looked round, as though trying to decide if it were possible, and Grace felt beads of sweat forming on her upper lip. ‘Actually, I might go and get some fresh air,’ she said. ‘Cool down a bit.’

He eyed her with concern. ‘Are you okay? Would you like me to come with you?’

She was about to say no, then changed her mind. ‘Yes, please, I’d like that.’

Raff nodded. ‘I’ll get your coat. It’s cold outside.’

She knew that, of course; the walk from Keeley’s cottage had been chilly enough. But the freezing air still made her shiver when they left the warmth of the pub. Frost glistened on the grass and the chill nipped at her face but she was relieved to see there was no sign of the camera crew now.

‘They’ve packed up for tonight,’ Raff said, when he saw her looking around the almost deserted green. ‘Gavin says they’ll be back on Wednesday to capture some more Christmas content.’

His use of the word content instantly made Grace think of Xander. ‘Keeley should get Xander to come down,’ she said. ‘He might be able to arrange a feature on Eliza and Juniper Cottage.’

‘Good idea,’ Raff said. ‘Where do you want to walk? Shall we go and sit on the bench by the duck pond?’

Grace wrapped her coat more firmly around herself. Now that her core temperature was dropping, she was feeling a little better. ‘Actually, I’d like to do the light trail. Would you mind?’