Butterflies took flight in Freya’s stomach as she helped Mimi unload their banner from the car outside the village hall.
‘Careful,’ Mimi warned. ‘It’s icy and this thing is heavy.’
It felt as if half the village was there, checking lighting and sound systems, setting out chairs and busying themselves in the kitchen area ready for the concert that evening. The vicar was the compere for the evening and was in deep discussion with two women who were acting as ‘stage managers’. The sound of excited kids singing and laughing came from the room behind the stage that had been designated as a warm-up area.
With its tinsel-covered walls and tree adorned with handmade decorations, the hall had a homely feel that she’d always found rather comforting. This afternoon, the usual odour of floor polish had been eclipsed by the scent of mince pies and mulled wine from the kitchen area.
She and Mimi fastened the banner to the rear of the stage. Several members of the traders’ association were helping to set up including the electrician, Brian and Jos Beresford.
They’d almost finished when Jos came over. ‘Do you need a hand?’
‘We’re OK, thanks.’
He stood back and admired the banner – at least she thought he was admiring it. ‘It looks impressive,’ he said.
Freya smiled.
‘You don’t think I mean it?’
She glanced up in surprise then laughed. ‘Of course I do. Thanks.’
‘Good because I only have your best interests at heart. I always did – I still do.’
Freya was lost for a reply. She didn’t want to say anything that might start an awkward conversation, or to hurt or encourage him.
‘Ah, Freya. Glad I caught you!’ Brian interrupted, brandishing a clipboard. It was one time when Freya was grateful for his officiousness. ‘I’d like to check that your banner is securely fixed. It could cause a nasty injury if it fell off the stage during the performance. There are children around.’
‘It’s very securely fixed, thank you, Brian,’ Freya said with a sweet smile but steel in her voice. ‘So there’s no need to worry.’
Jos patted Brian on the shoulder. ‘Brian, I’m sure it will be fine. Freya and Mimi know what they’re doing and this isn’t an official traders’ association event so we don’t need to be concerned about insurance issues – in the very unlikely event of an incident, I’m sure Freya and Mimi have their public liability insurance sorted out.’
‘We certainly do,’ Freya soothed.
Brian puffed up. ‘Well, better to be safe than sorry, but as I’m not required, I’ve plenty of other jobs to be getting on with.’
‘It’s very kind of you to give so much time to the event,’ Freya said, feeling guilty and slightly miffed at being ‘saved’ from Brian by Jos. There was something slightly paternalistic about him that she’d only noticed since they’d split up. He was a decent man, but she could never have been wholly herself with him.
The thought filled her with a mix of relief, sadness – and shame that she hadn’t recognised how unsuited they were before she’d let things go so far. Being unsure of her feelings had caused them both a lot of pain and she wouldn’t let that happen again, with Travis or any man.
After Brian had scuttled off, Jos lingered. ‘Is Travis coming? I know he’s been asked to take the photographs, but you never know if he’ll actually turn up.’
‘Of course he’s coming,’ Freya said. ‘He wouldn’t let you down.’
Jos raised his eyebrows. ‘You seem very certain of that.’
‘If he commits to do something, then he’ll do it,’ she said firmly.
‘I’m glad some people do,’ he muttered.
She bridled. ‘That’s hardly fair.’
‘I know and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it, but I can’t stop caring about you.’ His eyes held desperation that filled her with dismay.
‘I’m sorry too, but you have to try. We both have to go on with our lives and now’s definitely not the time to talk about this.’ She waved frantically at Mimi. ‘Mimi! Can you help me collect the children’s goody bags?’
He nodded and she walked outside to the car, feeling his resentful eyes burning into her back. She was already on edge about the event and by defending Travis, she’d probably confirmed Jos’s obvious suspicions that the two of them were closer than friends. When she returned with the goody bags, she heaved a sigh of relief to see him halfway up a stepladder on the stage.
Freya and Mimi had spent ages filling the bags with colouring books, felt tips and Christmas chocolates, ready to hand out to the younger children at the end of the concert. Freya took the bags into the kitchen and finally, she and Mimi drove back to the office.
‘Right, I’ll be back after we’ve had tea,’ Mimi said, flicking the remote on her Focus.
‘I’m popping home to get changed too,’ Freya replied, though she felt too edgy for much food.
Mimi gave her a searching look. ‘Are you OK? You seemed a bit … twitchy at the hall. I noticed Jos talking to you. He hasn’t been a pain, has he?’
‘No. No … he was just being Jos.’ Freya smiled. ‘I am a bit twitchy because I want things to go well tonight. We are the main sponsors and it feels like a big deal.’
Mimi patted her arm. ‘Why is it a big deal? We’ve done our bit and provided the cash and prizes. All we need to do is sit back and enjoy the concert. See you soon.’
With an air kiss, Mimi left, leaving Freya alone in the car park. She checked her phone for a message she’d been hoping to receive for the past hour. There was nothing so she jumped in her car and drove home, wishing she really could just sit back and relax.
Early birds were already arriving at the hall by the time Freya returned, freshly showered and in an emerald velvet jumpsuit she’d bought specially for the occasion.
She went into the canteen area with a hamper for the interval raffle and left it on the table by the goody bags. On her way back into the hall, Travis met her.
‘I love the antlers,’ he said, tweaking the top of her reindeer headband.
‘You made me jump!’
He pinged her antlers again. ‘You look gorgeous.’
‘Thanks. I feel a bit nervous.’
‘I can’t think why.’
‘Maybe because Cottage Angels haven’t been main sponsors before. I want to make a good impression. Is, um, Bree coming tonight?’
‘She’s on her way. She always loved the concert. It wasn’t Mum’s thing but she hauled us along a couple of times. Said she’d never do it again though after Seb raided the goody bags for chocolate and was sick during “Good King Wenceslas”. He was banned by Mum after that, much to his delight.’
Freya laughed. ‘It doesn’t sound like his thing, I must admit.’
‘Nah. According to Bree, he’s gone to Lancaster to visit some mates apparently.’
‘Are you still worried about him?’
‘Yes. I always worry and that’s not right. I’m not his father but since I’ve come back, I’m in danger of trying to take on that role. The business with the camera was a disaster.’
‘Has he said any more about it?’
‘No. I’ve called him to try and smooth things over and he seems OK, but he won’t have the money back and I still don’t know where he got it from.’ He sighed. ‘I can’t worry about him tonight. I have enough to do.’
She nodded. ‘It must feel strange to be playing a key role after all this time.’
‘Strictly behind the camera. The idea of being the centre of attention makes me break out in a cold sweat. No one notices the photographer.’
‘You attracted enough attention at school,’ Freya said.
‘It was all bravado. It was a front. You knew that. Later, it suited me to be invisible.’ He held up the camera. ‘If I’ve got to be around people, at least I can hide behind my lens. I can make them the focus of attention, not me. It suits me to be invisible.’
With the way he looked tonight, rugged, handsome and in his element, Freya thought otherwise. She’d spotted a lot of the villagers taking a very great interest at him, though she certainly wasn’t going to tell him that.