Page 16 of Escape for Christmas
‘Sophie’s car broke down. She’s going to wait here until the parade’s over and she can get a lift home,’ he replied, knowing the nurse would be wondering why he’d brought a client into the staff area.
‘OK …’ the nurse smiled again, before attending to one of the cages.
‘Here’s the staffroom,’ he said, enjoying Sophie’s reactions to his place of work. It was so familiar to him, but itmust seem strange to a lay person, and he felt proud of the practice he’d managed to build up here. ‘Please, help yourself to coffee. I’m just going to get changed.’
Brody was keen to get out of the old cords and sweatshirt he’d been wearing all day. He freshened up in the Gents, then half gassed himself with body spray before changing into the spare jeans and jumper that he always kept in his locker.
Through the open window, he could hear the sounds of Christmas music and a Tannoy. He glanced at his watch. The parade would be starting soon.
When he returned, Sophie was perched on a stool in the staffroom, sipping a coffee. ‘I wasn’t sure if you wanted one, but I made you one anyway.’
‘Thanks,’ said Brody, realising he’d have to make it a quick drink, because he’d had a message from some of the other staff asking where he was. ‘I – um – hope you don’t mind, but I have to go. I won’t be more than an hour.’
Sophie put down her mug in horror. ‘Oh no, please don’t rush on my account,’ she insisted, her cheeks flushing at the thought of causing him any trouble.
‘I don’t want to leave you hanging around here. You must have so much to do before your …’ he almost said ‘Christmas’, but checked himself in time, ‘before your next guests arrive.’
She smiled. ‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine. In fact when my phone has charged up, I can call a taxi.’
‘OK. If you want to, but it’s no trouble. You know,’ he took a breath, attempting a very long shot, ‘you could always come to the lantern parade with me?’
Sophie stared at him as if he’d suggested jumping naked into the lake together.
‘OK. Probably a terrible idea. Forget I said it,’ he mumbled, feeling like an idiot for bringing it up.
‘No. I can’t. I mean, it’s not aterribleidea,’ she said. ‘If I’m honest, Vee had already invited me and I’d turned her down, because I thought I’d be busy preparing for the guests; but if I’m already stuck, it seems silly to sit in here on my own.’
‘Well, I’m not the best company, but hopefully we can have a better time out there together than you would have in here with Sir Hiss, the guinea pig and a castrated pug.’
Sophie grinned. ‘Well, the bar was set high, so it’s a lot of pressure on you. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.’
If only … Brody thought to himself. ‘Let’s go. The parade has already left the community hall and will be coming past in ten minutes.’
A few moments later they were weaving through the crowds in the street, already jammed with locals and visitors. Brody instantly had goosebumps. The whole village was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Little ones sat on their dads’ shoulders, while older kids and adults were bedecked in LED glow-necklaces. The aroma of hot food and mulled wine made his stomach rumble. He hadn’t had dinner yet.
His stomach growled again. ‘Have you eaten?’ he asked Sophie.
‘I grabbed a stale croissant for lunch,’ she said. ‘But that seems ages ago. I’m starving.’
‘Me too.’ He nodded at a stall set up in front of the local bakery a few yards away along the street. ‘Fancy a hot dog? There’s just time before the parade starts.’
‘Won’t your friends be looking for you?’
‘There’s no chance of finding them in these crowds. We’ve arranged to at outside the Red Lion after the parade passes by.’
‘Well, in that case, my treat. It’s the least I can do.’ Sophie wandered over to the stall.
‘Thanks.’ Brody grinned when she handed him a hot dog loaded with spiced Cumberland sausage and onion relish.
Sophie licked her lips. ‘This is the best hot dog I’ve ever had.’
It was also the best one Brody had ever eaten, even better than they’d tasted when he was a kid. Sophie seemed OK so far. Despite what she’d said about ‘finding a gap in the market’ as motivation for her ‘Escape for Christmas’, he wasn’t sure he was hearing the whole story. This evening could be the ideal opportunity to find out more about her.
CHAPTER SIX
It never ceased to amaze Brody how popular a parade of people carrying lanterns on sticks was, even in an age of hyperreal computer games, blockbuster movies and AI.
In the past ten minutes more and more people had crowded onto the pavements, almost spilling into the roadway. Fortunately, the marshals made sure there was space for the parade to get through.
