Page 45 of Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #3)

Cain had clearly dressed for the occasion and bore a startling resemblance to most people’s idea of Ebenezer Scrooge, whether by design or unfortunate coincidence I wasn’t sure.

Shona and Max managed to find their way to us as Callie and Brodie introduced the celebrity party to the station staff.

‘Isn’t it exciting?’ Shona said. ‘I managed to wangle a seat through Callie because I wanted to travel with Pippa. Blimey, though, that Cain Carmichael looks ancient. Mind you, he was a big star in the seventies, so he must be getting on a bit. That’s his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren with him.

’ She leaned over and whispered, ‘American accent, unlike Cain. The son I mean. Should have got him to open the event, if you ask me. Miles more photogenic. Isn’t he gorgeous? ’

‘I am standing right here,’ Max reminded her with a twinkle in his eye.

‘Aw, and I’m very glad you are, liebling .’ Shona gave me a wink. ‘Look at Pippa over there, next to that cameraman. She’s reporting on the event. She’s already interviewed Cain at Much Melton. I’m so proud of her.’

‘What’s a cameraman doing here?’

‘Pippa’s not the only one reporting,’ Max explained. ‘Would you believe we have a television crew with us?’

‘Oh wow, really?’ Ashton looked thrilled.

‘A television crew? Callie pulled it off then.’

‘Well, it’s only local television,’ Shona said. ‘ Your Cotswolds . To be honest, I think they’re only here for Cain Carmichael. He’s big news since he got his knighthood in the King’s birthday honours in the summer.’

‘A knighthood? For singing that terrible music?’ Max asked, puzzled.

‘Services to music and charity. To be fair, he does loads of charity work. He’s set up some organic farms specially for underprivileged city kids to stay and get a taste of life in the countryside. Can’t fault him for it really. He seems devoted to the cause.’

‘I don’t suppose Callie’s going to get a chance to talk to us,’ I said. ‘Ooh, look! There’s Jack!’

We all turned to see Jack and Tom heading down the platform towards the press party. I watched, almost bursting with pride, as my husband was introduced to Cain and his family and shook hands with them all before they began posing for photographs.

‘Callie’s got to give the Carmichaels and the media a tour of the station, and introduce them to the staff in the Tearooms, so they’ll be a while yet,’ Shona said. ‘Shall we get the bus into the village? I’m dying to see the market with a whole bunch of people in costume wandering around.’

‘We have the perfect weather for the occasion,’ Max said, smiling up at the snowflakes that were falling even faster now. ‘It could not be more A Christmas Carol , could it?’

‘I thought Dad said there was going to be a scary ghost story here,’ Ash remarked. ‘ A Christmas Carol isn’t scary. It’s full of Muppets.’

‘Funnily enough, there aren’t any Muppets in the book,’ I told him. ‘And yes, The Signal-Man is scary but it’s not happening here until it starts to get darker. Frankly, I’m glad I won’t be here. Ghost stories are too much. A Christmas Carol is about as scary as I get.’

‘Oh, the irony,’ Shona said, laughing.

‘I wonder how long Jack will be,’ I mused. ‘I was hoping we could all go back together.’

As I spoke, I saw Jack peering round the crowd at me. He held up his hand, indicating that he’d only be five minutes.

‘We’re going back in the car,’ I said apologetically. ‘I’m really sorry. We’d give you a lift, but there won’t be enough room.’

‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ Shona said cheerfully. ‘Max loves the old bus, don’t you? We might as well go and catch it now, because Pippa will be with the official crowd so there’s no point waiting for her.’ She linked arms with Max. ‘See you back at the market. So exciting!’

‘You must come to the teashop and try some of my Christmas cookies,’ Max told us.

‘His gingerbread mousse is to die for,’ Shona added. ‘Pop in if you get the chance.’

‘Will do,’ I assured her, my mouth already watering at the thought of gingerbread mousse. ‘See you later.’

‘ I want some gingerbread mousse,’ Freddie announced.

‘Do you know what gingerbread mousse is?’ Declan asked him.

Freddie shrugged. ‘No, but I want it.’

I winced as the Braxton Hicks started again. So annoying! Like I didn’t have enough to deal with already, since the backache hadn’t eased.

‘Hey, you made it!’ I forced a smile as Jack ran up to us and hugged the boys in turn before putting his arm over my shoulder. If I let onto him that I was having these pains he’d bundle me home to rest, and there was no way I was missing out over something so trivial.

‘What a palaver that was,’ Jack said. ‘ Your Cotswolds is here, as well as the Courier . Of course, they were more interested in Cain Carmichael than the Dickensian weekend, although they did admire the costumes that Callie and Brodie and little Immi were wearing.’

‘Did you get your photo taken?’ Declan asked, wide-eyed. ‘Will you be in the papers?’

‘And on the telly?’ asked Ash.

‘I don’t know,’ he admitted. ‘They took loads of pictures, and the cameras were rolling, but who knows if anything of me will end up being used. Not that I’m bothered. All I want to do now is take my little family back to Rowan Vale and treat us all to hot chocolate at the market. Are we ready?’

‘We’re ready,’ the boys chorused, clearly raring to go.

‘I’ve got some news for you,’ Jack murmured to me as we walked towards the car park. ‘It turns out, Aubrey and Agnes have made up, and he’s asked her to marry him.’

‘Marry him?’ I gave a puzzled laugh, not sure what to make of that. ‘But how? I mean?—’

‘That old ghostly vicar Callie’s told us about has offered to perform the ceremony.

Callie says it’s going to be on Christmas Day at All Souls after Amelia’s finished the Christmas service and everyone’s gone home.

But don’t let on, because Aubrey wants to tell you himself, and he’s going to invite you. Us. He’s going to invite all of us.’

‘So why did Callie tell you?’ I asked.

‘Because…’ He gave me a sheepish look. ‘She wanted to tip me off, in case I decided to be funny about the whole Wyndham situation again.’

‘And are you?’ I asked, knowing the answer anyway.

‘No, love. And really, I can’t think of anything nicer than a Christmas Day wedding, can you?’

‘Maybe one where we can see all the participants?’ I suggested with a grin.

‘Or one of them. That would be useful. As it is, there’s only you who’s going to see even Aubrey.’

‘Ohhh.’

He gave me a suspicious look. ‘What does “ohhh” mean?’

I linked arms with him and gave him a sweet smile. ‘Nothing much. But there is something I forgot to mention. About Freddie…’