Page 75 of Escape for Christmas
Sophie wasn’t sure if she was included in the ‘you’.
‘I – er – arranged a surprise for the children,’ Brody said. ‘And some transport for the whole family. One of the local farmers is going to take them to Pete’s in-laws in the next village.’
‘So they won’t be here for lunch?’ Tegan asked.
‘That should make things a bit less complicated,’ Sophie offered, feeling like a spare part. ‘I needed some fresh air,’ she added, feeling as if she’d been caught out, ‘but I’m coming in now to help with lunch.’
‘Thank you,’ Tegan said with a winning smile. She linked arms with Brody. ‘Now, tell me about what you’ve been doing for the children. He’s full of surprises,’ she said.
‘Well, it seems that Christmas has been thrust upon us, despite our best efforts,’ Agatha remarked as they headed into the dining room.
The table was groaning with a buffet, made up of Sophie’s food and the Felltop leftovers. Tegan had added a centrepiece with a candle and had piled festive serviettes on the plates. Candles glowed in the deep-set windows, which were filled with holly and ivy. It couldn’t have looked more Christmassy if it had tried. A greatest festive-hits mix now played from the speakers.
‘Well, well, this is all very – jolly,’ Nico smirked.
‘That spread looks marvellous, I will say,’ Una added.
The others made appreciative noises.
‘Harold! Stop!’ Brody shouted, spotting a very waggy tail under the table. He caught hold of the dog’s collar. ‘I’d better keep him in the sitting room, before he eats his own weight in mini-quiche.’
Harold’s tail stopped waving as he was led away by Brody.
‘Should we help ourselves then?’ Amber asked.
‘I think so …’ Sophie said, painfully aware that they were still her guests – yet this wasn’t her home.
Hugo rubbed his hands together. ‘Well, I’m not proud – I’m going to be the greedy one who goes first.’
‘Wait!’
Tegan’s shriek stopped Hugo dead in his tracks.
She walked in with a cardboard box. ‘I forgot the crackers!’ She opened the lid. ‘Nobody minds a cracker, do they? Only itisChristmas Day, and I found these in the pantry. It seems such a shame not to use them.’ Her eyes lasered in on Sophie. ‘Unless it’s too triggering for you all?’
Sophie felt like the Wicked Witch of the West. ‘I’ve nothing against crackers …’
‘I think I can cope too,’ Agatha said archly.
‘We never had crackers at home when I was little,’ Suzanne commented. ‘Dad said they were a waste of money.’
Amber exchanged a look with her. There was pain in her eyes, and empathy. ‘I’ll pull one with you,’ she offered.
Sophie almost fainted in shock. The others were dumbstruck, apart from Nico, who was sniggering with delight at the reaction a humble box of crackers had caused.
‘Well, if we’re having crackers thrust upon us, let’s go for it, I say. We can wear the hats while we eat the buffet!’ He held one out to Agatha. ‘Will you pull my cracker, Agatha?’
‘Any time,’ she replied with a wink. She almost toppled backwards as the two ends parted with a loud snap.
‘Well done!’ Nico said, donning his hat with a grin. ‘Come on then. Get pulling!’
The others paired up to open the crackers and put the hats on, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Slipping hers over her head, Sophie fixed a smile on her face.
Agatha stuffed hers in her pocket. ‘I don’t mind a cracker, but I’ve never worn a party hat in my life and I don’t intend to start now.’
Brody walked back in. ‘OK, Harold and the food are safe now. Shall we all get some lunch?’
Tegan handed him a paper crown. ‘Don’t forget your hat,’ she said. ‘There’s no escape.’
