Fairytale With The Single Dad. Alison Roberts

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СКАЧАТЬ that meant her life was going to change again?

      ‘Let’s get started, shall we?’ suggested Malcolm. ‘First off, I’d like to welcome Dr Nathan Jones to the committee. He has taken over the role from its previous incumbent, Dr Richard Preston.’

      The group clapped, smiled and nodded a welcome for their new member. Sydney stared at him, her face impassive. He looked ridiculously attractive today. Fresh-faced. Happy. She focused on his hands. Hands that had just recently delivered a baby. And she felt guilty for having allowed herself to succumb to that brief, petty jealousy. She looked up at his face and caught him looking at her, and she looked away, embarrassed.

      ‘I’d also like to welcome Sydney back to the committee! Sydney, as I’m sure most of you know, took a little…sabbatical, if you will, from the organisation of this annual event, and I’m most pleased to have her back in full fighting form!’

      She smiled as she felt all eyes turn to her, and nodded hellos to the group members she knew well and hadn’t worked with for so long. It did feel good to be back here and doing something for the community again. The Christmas market and nativity was something she hadn’t been able to find any pleasure in for some time, but now she was ready.

      At least she hoped she was.

      ‘The market is going to be held in the same place as always—the centre of the village square—and I believe we’ve already got lots of things in place from last year. Miriam?’

      Miriam, the secretary, filled them in on all the recent developments. Lots of the same stalls that came every year had rebooked. Music was going to be covered by the same brass band, and the school was going to provide a choir as well.

      Sydney listened, scribbling things down on her pad that she’d need to remember, and thought of past activities. There was a lot to take in—she’d forgotten how much organising there was!—and as her list got longer and longer she almost wished she could write with both hands.

      She’d also forgotten how soothing these meetings could be sometimes. The hum of voices, the opinions of everyone on how things should be done, the ebb and flow of ideas… She truly appreciated the need for all this planning and preparation. Even though sometimes the older members of the committee enjoyed their dedication to picking over details a little too much.

      Briefly, she allowed her mind to wander, and the memory that sprang to her mind was of a happier year, when Olivia had played the part of Mary in the nativity. In the weeks beforehand Sydney had taught her how to ride the donkey, shown her how to behave around the other animals. She remembered holding her daughter’s hand as they walked through the market stalls, making sure she didn’t eat too many sweets or pieces of cake, and listening to her singing carols in the choir.

      She smiled, feeling a little sad. She had those memories on camera. Alastair had videoed Olivia riding the donkey in the nativity, with her fake pregnancy bump. Olivia had loved that belly, rubbing her hands over it like a real pregnant mother soothing away imaginary kicks.

      ‘And that brings us back to our star players for the nativity,’ Malcolm continued. ‘I have been reliably informed by Miss Howarth of Silverdale Infants School that our Mary this year will be played by Anna Jones, and Joseph will be Barney Brooks…’

      Sydney was pulled from her reverie. Anna? Dr Jones’s Anna? She was going to play Mary? Visions flashed through her mind. Anna wearing Olivia’s costume… Anna riding Olivia’s donkey… Anna being the star of the show…?

      It simply hadn’t occurred to her when she came back that someone else would be playing Olivia’s part. But of course. There had already been new Marys in the years that she’d stayed away. She’d just not seen them, hiding away in her house every year, longing to clap her hands over her ears to blot out the sound of all those Christmas revellers. It had been torture!

      It hurt to hear it. It was as if Olivia had been replaced. Had been forgotten…

      Her chair scraped loudly on the floor as she stood, grabbing her notepad and pen, her bag and coat, and muttering apologies before rushing from the room, feeling sick.

      She thought she was on her own. She thought she would get to her own car in peace. But just as she was inserting her key into the lock of her car she heard her name being called.

      ‘Sydney!’

      She didn’t want to turn around. She didn’t want to be polite and make small talk with whoever it was. She just wanted to go. Surely they wouldn’t mind? Surely they’d understand?

      She got into her seat and was about to close the door when Nathan appeared at her side, holding the car door so she couldn’t close it.

      ‘Hey! Are you okay?’

      Why was he here? Why was he even bothering to ask? Why had he come after her?

      ‘I just want to go, Nathan.’

      ‘Something’s upset you?’

      ‘No, honestly. I just want to get home, that’s all.’

      ‘Is it Lucy? Are you worried about work?’

      ‘No.’ She slipped on her seatbelt and stared resolutely out through the windshield rather than looking at him. Her voice softened. ‘I’m thrilled for Lucy. Of course I am!’

      ‘Is it me?’

      Now she looked at him, her eyes narrowing. ‘Why would it be you?’

      He shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Things haven’t exactly been…straightforward. There’s a…a tension, between us. We didn’t exactly get off to the best start, did we?’

      ‘It’s not you,’ she lied.

      ‘Well, that’s good, because they’ve asked me to work closely with you, seeing as I’m new and you’re an established committee member.’

      What? When did I miss that bit?

      ‘Oh.’

      ‘That’s quite good, really, because—as you heard—Anna came home from school today and told me she’s been picked to play the part of Mary. Apparently that means riding a donkey, and she’s never done that before, so…’

      ‘So?’

      Push the memory away. Don’t think about it.

      ‘So we’ll need your help.’

      He smiled at her. In that way he had. Disarming her and making her feel as if she ought to oblige him with her assistance. His charming eyes twinkling.

      ‘Know any good donkeys? Preferably something that isn’t going to buck and break her neck?’

      There was someone in the village who kept donkeys. They were used every year for the nativity. And she trusted the animals implicitly.

      ‘Do you know the Bradleys? At Wicklegate Farm?’

      He pretended to search his memory. ‘Erm…no.’

      ‘Do you know where Wicklegate Farm even is?’

      He shook his head, smiling. СКАЧАТЬ