Page 59 of Love Letters on Hazel Lane

‘I thought the festival would be more family orientated,’ he said.

‘And during the day, it will be family orientated,’ said Jo. If he said no to this, she was going to be stuck. Neither she nor Ras had any other ideas for something a little different – and lucrative – for the Saturday evening; it had taken her weeks to come up with this one.

‘Look at it this way, Nick,’ said Sal. ‘If people don’t meet and fall in love, there’d be no families. Any matches from Jo’s speed-dating night might result in a few more pupils on the roll in the next few years.’

He harrumphed. ‘But our reputation…’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake,’ said Sal. ‘The after-school football coach you took on last term is bonking the lollipop lady. One of your infant teachers is dating the mum of a child in her own class. And at the last parents’ evening, a father of a boy in 3C got chatting to a mother of a boy in 4A and they are now having a torrid affair that will probably break up both their marriages before too long. And you’re worried about a bit of speed-dating? I know this is a primary school but you are a bit of a prude sometimes. You’ll be banning the Year 6 end-of-term disco next.’

‘But I…’

‘Jo promised us all the ticket money and all the donations from the drinks. You want to buy new iPads? And revamp the library? Scrabble speed-dating is a brilliant idea.’

‘I suppose…’ he began.

‘Great,’ said Sal. ‘I’m glad we’re all agreed. Jo, you can count on me to spread the word amongst the single parents.’

*

‘Scrabble speed-dating?’ said Sylvia at Scrabble club the following Friday. ‘Can I have you as my date, Doctor Ras?’

Ras laughed. Linda shot Sylvia a ferocious look, and tugged the hem of her top so that even more cleavage was on display.

Jo took a bite of her chocolate éclair. Annie had surpassed herself with the cake offering this evening. These were superb.

‘You have cream on your lip,’ said Ras. He leaned over and wiped above her mouth with his forefinger, then looked away awkwardly. She found herself blushing and looked away too, to see Linda scowling at her.

‘How will people know about the speed-dating?’ said Florence.

‘Kate’s told the local paper,’ said Jo. ‘And I think she’s organising an interview on local radio about the festival so it can be included in that.’

‘I’ll give the interview,’ said Linda.

‘It’s got to be Jo,’ said Ras. ‘Jo, you’re the one who knows everything that’s happening, it was your idea and you’ve done most of the work.’

Her? On local radio?

‘I don’t think…’ she began.

‘It should definitely be you,’ Florence beamed and patted Jo’s arm. ‘You’ve worked so hard. And we’re all excited about the festival, aren’t we? Now, Annie, are there any more of those salted caramel cupcakes?’

Later, when everyone had gone and Jo and Ras were stacking the chairs, he said, ‘You are happy to go on the radio, aren’t you?’

‘I dunno. I’ve never done anything like that. And I’m not exactly outgoing.’

‘You could write down the main points in case you go blank. And I could practise with you.’

He grabbed a letter rack from one of the tables that someone had failed to put away in its box and held it up to his mouth like a microphone.

‘So, I’m here with Jo Knox who’s going to tell us all about Hebbleswick Scrabble Festival. Welcome, Jo.’

She cringed. This was worse than role-playing Scrabble speed-dating. Drama had been one of her least favourite classes at school.

He was holding his pretend microphone out to her now.

‘Thanks, Ras.’ She could feel her cheeks reddening. ‘Yes, we’ve got a lot going on at Hebbleswick Scrabble Festival. Something for everyone. You’d be crazy not to come along.’

‘You certainly would,’ he said.