Page 75 of Love Letters on Hazel Lane

She’d been intending to wear her Scrabble pinafore dress, the one she’d bought in the hospice shop, for the final day of the festival, but she felt too deflated and pulled on her usual jeans and T-shirt instead. Then she made an instant coffee in the Mr Perfect mug, the one that Razz had drunk out of, and picked up the speed-dating forms that she’d left there the previous night. Yes, Razz had definitely ticked Zoey. And she had definitely ticked him.

Kate had only ticked one man: Matthew the technology co-ordinator. And he had ticked her box – and only her box – too.

Jo glanced through the forms, looking to see if anyone had ticked her. A grand total of three. Three out of twelve: 25 per cent. Not bad. She’d have been pleased with that a few weeks ago. But Razz wasn’t one of them. Her admirers were Dictionary Man, Zach – he’d been quite good-looking, hadn’t he? – and Number Six. Jo couldn’t even remember Number Six.

She ought to be happy. Three matches from speed-dating; not that she wanted anyone other than Razz, but it was still flattering. Far more attendees at the festival than she’d ever imagined. As far as she knew, Malcolm hadn’t bored too many people about insurance and there’d been no fist fight between Florence and Mr B over proper nouns in the tournament. Admittedly, Jo had fixed the draw so that there was little chance they’d play each other. And the PTA were delighted with the amount of money that was coming in. Sal couldn’t quite believe her eyes as she’d counted up the money last night from the alcohol ‘sales’.

‘Those mojitos were well worth the effort,’ she’d said. ‘Even though there’s no mint left in my herb garden.’

She, Jo Knox, introvert and Scrabble fan, had managed to organise an entire festival. She had stood on a stage and addressed a crowd. She’d given an interview on live radio and had found her tribe in the Scrabble club.

But Razz liked Zoey.

Jo checked his form again to be certain, but he had ticked Zoey. Of course he had. Later, when she sent everyone their matches, she could miss them out, ‘forget’ to let them know that they were a match. But if Razz liked Zoey and she liked him, who was she to stand in their way?

*

The cooks were already working in the kitchen when Jo arrived. Matthew had rigged up an enormous screen on the stage and was fiddling with cables, and Annie was laying out a fresh batch of letter biscuits on her stall.

Alfred was sitting on a chair in the corner, his mother leaning over him. She looked like a boxing coach, stoking a fighter up before a big match. It was still only quarter to nine and they didn’t officially open till half past so Jo wasn’t sure who’d even let them in.

In the opposite corner, Malcolm was talking to – or rather at – Mr Morgan.

‘Do you know what sort of policy you’ve got?’ he was saying. ‘I’d be happy to have a look at it if you like.’

‘I see Malcolm has collared Mr Morgan.’

Jo hesitated for a moment before turning to see Razz standing behind her.

‘Yes, desperate to sell insurance as usual,’ Jo said.

‘He’s not selling it.’

‘He’s not?’

‘He used to but he’s retired now. He just likes talking about it.’

Razz looked tired. Had he gone out with Zoey last night after speed-dating? To a late-night pub in Halifax, perhaps? Or a club? She didn’t think clubs were his thing, but how well did she really know him?

‘We need to clear all the tables but one and put the chairs out,’ she said. ‘In a kind of U shape around the table for the tournament matches, but not too close. We want to give the players some space. Matthew’s rigging cameras up so everyone will be able to see the board on the screen.’

‘Hi-tech,’ said Razz. ‘I didn’t know that was happening.’

‘Last-minute idea,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t believe Matthew was kind enough to give up his Sunday lie-in. Such a nice bloke and a techie whizz too.’

She nearly added, Did you enjoy the speed-dating? but she was scared she’d hear a bit too much enthusiasm in his voice, so said instead, ‘Come on, let’s sort those chairs.’

When all the chairs were in place, when she’d checked that the crafts room was ready, that the children’s room was all set up with Junior Scrabble boards on each table and one of the teachers supervising, she grabbed herself a cup of coffee and went outside for a few minutes of fresh air. The rain clouds of the previous day had vanished and the skies were clear and blue.

Jo sat down on the friendship bench, wondering about the children who usually sat here during playtimes and lunchtimes. Remembering how it felt to not fit in, to find making friends difficult. She thought she’d turned a corner, thought she’d found a real friend – and maybe something more – in Razz. Would things change between them now he’d met Zoey? Why had she ever dreamt up the idea of Scrabble speed-dating? Why had she suggested a festival in the first place? If they’d gone with a simple Scrabble afternoon one Saturday in the church hall, he would never have met Kate’s glamorous colleague.

‘May I join you?’ said a voice.

As she looked up to see Matthew, the IT teacher, towering over her, she realised that a tear was rolling down her cheek and wiped it away hastily. She hoped he hadn’t seen.

‘Yeah, sure.’

He sat down beside her and took out an e-cigarette.