Page 53 of All Wrapped Up

‘I’m not,’ I confirmed. ‘Because I know for a fact that your deductions about his feelings for me are entirely wrong and I would hate to ruin a beautiful friendship by bringing them up.’

‘How do you work that out?’

‘Because he’s seeing someone else,’ I said, grinding the words out. ‘And he can’t be in love with me if he’s seeing someone else, can he? Or if he is in love with me and still seeing someone else, then he’s certainly not the guy for me.’

‘I thought he wasn’t the guy for you, no matter what he felt?’ Jason said cleverly.

‘You know what I mean,’ I tutted. ‘Now, let me get on. Why don’t you go and select your prize-winning pumpkin? The competition is going to start as soon as the dogs have been judged.’

Pixie and I stood and watched the parading pooches in their array of autumn themed outfits.

There were dogs of all sizes, including Bella’s spaniel, Tink, strutting their stuff and, for the most part, not looking too mortified.

That said, the whippet dressed as a witch didn’t look overly impressed with life.

‘And the winner is,’ shouted the head of the yarn bombing squad, who had counted the show of hands from the large and laughing crowd who had gathered to watch, ‘the Yorkshire terrier dressed as a pumpkin!’

‘There, Pixie,’ I tutted, as the owner claimed their prize. ‘That could have been you.’

She didn’t look as though she cared either way and scratched at the bandana in another attempt to pull it off.

‘I’ve seen it all now,’ Jason said with a wry smile, before he went to claim the pumpkin he wanted to carve.

I watched him walk away thinking that at least the sight of the dogs dressed up had stopped him thinking about the man who looked after a lot of them.

I could then see that Jake and Amber, who were in charge of the pumpkin carving, were getting ready to call everyone together to explain the rules and make a start.

‘You haven’t seen my deputy, have you?’ I asked Joanne, who took Jason’s place next to me, once he’d gone off.

I still didn’t really want to see Ash, but there was plenty for us to do and we wouldn’t have to be together while we did it.

‘Jason wasn’t giving you a hard time, was he?’ Joanne scowled in his direction.

‘Absolutely not,’ I told her. ‘Did you not know he’s turned over a new autumn leaf?’

Not only had I still not told Ash that Jemma had found a note about the missing ballot box, I hadn’t spread the word about Jason now being a good guy either. My brain, since the night I’d realised I’d fallen for Ash, had been completely distracted and it was time I got it properly back on track.

‘Yeah, right!’ Joanne snorted, then seeing the look on my face, added, ‘You’re kidding?’

‘I am not.’

‘Really?’ She was agog.

‘Really. He’s all for the festival now. Look, he’s even joining in with the pumpkin carving. Apparently, he has plans to trounce the competition.’

‘I don’t believe it.’

‘Well, you must,’ I told her. ‘And you can spread the word about that. He’s an entirely different man now.’

‘I wonder what’s brought that on?’ she asked, and I noticed she had turned a little pink as a result of me suggesting she could share the news.

Clearly, she was still feeling guilty about revealing my identity as the person behind AutumnEverything, but I truly didn’t mind.

Rather than being the nightmare I had once predicted, the revelation had set me free and stopped me being so guarded and preoccupied with putting my foot in it every time I opened my mouth.

Being able to simply talk, as opposed to constantly planning what I was going to say, was liberating.

‘If Jason wants us to know, I’m sure he’ll tell us,’ I shrugged, because his story wasn’t mine to tell. ‘Now, any thoughts on my deputy?’

‘Oh, he’s not here today,’ Joanne then told me casually. ‘He’s watching the pumpkin field for Amber and Jake. With it being so close to Halloween they didn’t want to shut it for the day, so he said he’d take care of it.’

‘Well, he might have told me,’ I tutted.

Though perhaps he was too preoccupied with other things, or another person, to factor me in to his thoughts now.

‘I told him I’d let you know when I saw you,’ Joanne then said, which made me feel bad for being stroppy.

‘He popped in to the café to pick up some lunch and explained what he was going to be doing then. He also said he’s been looking after some horse that got stuck on the riverbank last week.

Did you hear about that? It was a full-on drama from what I can make out. It was all over the paper yesterday.’

‘Good,’ I said. ‘That’ll take the last of the heat off me.’

‘Has it been really bad?’ She winced.

‘No,’ I said, feeling abashed for making more of it than it warranted. ‘It’s actually been fine. I’ve barely heard a peep, though I have been told that there’s plenty being discussed when I’m not in earshot.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me,’ she said, acknowledging Jemma who was standing in the café doorway and waving a tea towel to get her attention. ‘Folk love nothing more than a good gossip.’

She grinned and gave me a nudge as she made the pronouncement, so clearly, she now recognised herself as one of those folk.

‘Never mind waving back.’ I nudged her in return, with a nod to the café. ‘I think it looks like Jemma needs you over there, don’t you?’

‘I daresay she does,’ she smiled. ‘She sent me over here to ask you if you wanted me to count the public window display votes.’

‘Oh my god!’ I choked. ‘I’d forgotten all about that.’

‘That’s not like you.’ Joanne frowned. ‘We just thought you were a bit pushed for time, not that you’d forgotten completely. What’s up?’

‘Nothing,’ I squeaked. ‘It just slipped my mind.’

‘So that’s a yes to me doing it then, is it?’ she further asked. ‘And I’m sure Lizzie will be able to quickly print out and frame the certificates if that would be a help.’

‘Are you sure that would be okay?’ I asked, feeling so bad for forgetting.

‘No problem. And if Lizzie’s too busy, I’ll do it, shall I?’

‘Yes, please,’ I said meekly. ‘If it’s not too much hassle. And you know,’ I further confessed, ‘I still haven’t told Ash about the note that was left about the other box yet.’

‘That will explain why he was so surprised when Jemma mentioned it.’

I really needed to get my backside in gear before things slipped further out of my control.

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I suppose it will. Thank her for me, will you, and thank you, Joanne, for counting the votes. I’ll come over and get the certificates as soon as I’ve checked everything’s okay in the town hall.’

‘No rest for the wicked, is there?’ She winked and sashayed off.

I let out a breath and felt my shoulders relax a little. At least I wasn’t going to have to face Ash again just yet, but I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about the vote.

‘Three cookies and two teas, please.’

‘And I’ll have that last slice of pumpkin pie and a coffee.’

‘Did you expect it to be as busy as this?’ I asked Dorothy from Wynthorpe Hall, later in the day and as the orders for snacks and drinks came in thick and fast in the town hall.

I had dropped Pixie – minus the bandana – at the gallery and come along to help. Lizzie was then sorting the certificates I’d forgotten about and, to make amends for my forgetfulness, I was doing my bit as Dorothy’s assistant.

‘I had a bit of an idea,’ she said, as she plated up yet more of Jemma’s leaf-shaped ginger and iced biscuits, ‘because of how busy it always gets at the festive bake sale.’

I had been told about a whole host of Christmas town traditions now and didn’t think I would need to feel worried about not having anything to do once I’d finished curating the autumn festival. Christmas, combined with the job in the gallery, would mean there’d never be a quiet or dull moment.

I had been ready to tell Lizzie that I was going to accept her offer, but since I’d been struck with Cupid’s bow, or something resembling it, I’d held back.

I was already doing my best to stuff Ash back in the friend box, but until I’d got the lid secure, I wasn’t going to make any long-term plans.

It was a relief that I hadn’t already said yes, but I hoped my feelings would settle soon, because if I couldn’t be in the same town as him, I didn’t know what action I would have to resort to…

‘I asked for three cookies and two teas,’ said the woman I was serving. ‘Not two cookies and three teas.’

‘Sorry,’ I apologised, making the switch.

‘You just can’t get the staff!’ Dorothy grinned, then seeing my expression, added, ‘I’m only joking, you’re doing brilliantly. It’s full on in here today!’

‘It’s certainly keeping me on my toes.’

‘Hello, you two!’ Dorothy then beamed at an elderly gent and younger man who had reached the front of the queue. ‘What can I get you? And more importantly, are you here as spectators or are you going to show us how it’s done?’

I eyed the pair with interest.

‘Have you met Albert and Brodie?’ Dorothy asked me.

‘No.’ I smiled politely. ‘I haven’t.’

‘Well, you’re in for a treat,’ she gushed. ‘This is Clemmie,’ she added, by way of introduction.

‘The festival organiser,’ the elderly gentleman said and doffed his hat.

‘And Instagram success story,’ the younger man added.

‘Both correct,’ I said modestly. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘Brodie here,’ said Dorothy, indicating the younger man, ‘and Albert are famous, too.’

‘I’m not famous,’ I laughed. ‘Well-known perhaps, but not famous.’

‘And neither are we,’ chuckled Albert.

‘Yes, you are,’ Dorothy insisted. ‘Both of your work is in ridiculously high demand now. When I was in the gallery earlier in the week, I noticed there were red dots on every painting in the place. You can’t say you aren’t successful.’

‘Well, we’re getting by,’ Brodie smiled.

‘Is it your work for sale in the gallery?’ I gasped.

‘It is,’ they said together.

‘Oh, my goodness,’ I said, feeling starstruck. ‘Your paintings are stunning! I was hoping to buy something for myself, but as Dorothy has just said, everything was sold.’