‘Yeah. Fine. Why?’ He’d answered far too quickly, and she didn’t feel reassured in the slightest. Tom began to talk of inane things and the subject seemed to be closed. If she pressed too hard, he’d clam up and she’d never get anything out of him, so she carried on with the setting-up and they laughed and joked together, and sung carols.
At five minutes to six, the first of the choir started to arrive and within ten minutes they were all there clad in their school uniform. The tiniest was in reception class and looked like a pretty china doll, the eldest, at 11, thought himself too cool for school, but their headteacher soon had them all in line.
Nell explained where she’d set up and the treats she had in store for afterwards. Even the 11-year-old was excited at the prospect. Another couple of teachers arrived bearing a makeshift nativity scene and Nell directed them to where it could go next to the Christmas tree. A small manger containing a dirty, slightly bald doll took centre stage and next to it they positioned something that was supposed to look like a donkey but was actually more like a rhinoceros. From the centre window they hung a north star that kept veering off to the west.
‘What a beautiful setting,’ the headteacher said. ‘This is lovely. Much better than our cold, draughty, not to mention damp, school hall.’
‘When will it be fixed?’ Nell asked.
‘Not for another few weeks yet. You know how these things are. We have to get lots of quotes for the work then the board has to decide who to give the job to. It’s not like the old days when we could just get a local builder to do it, or someone’s husband.’
Nell didn’t know when the old days that she was referring to were. The head didn’t look more than 40 and had beautifully glossy, long, dark hair. She seemed far too young to have the experience a headteacher needed, but when she spoke all the children listened.
‘If you don’t mind,’ the head continued, this time speaking to Nell, ‘I’ll stand in the hallway and welcome all the parents in then once we hit six-thirty, I’ll come and get the kids started.’
‘Lovely,’ Nell replied, glad that she knew what she was doing. She and Tom stayed in the dining room offering a second welcome and helping with any seating problems. ‘Where were you yesterday by the way?’ Nell asked Tom. ‘I kept ringing you. Janie said you disappeared mid-morning, not telling her where you were going and didn’t get back till four. What were you up to?’
It had been four days since Tom had cut his finger. To now have him disappearing off without telling Janie where he was going, and being cagey with her, was worrying.
Tom stared, caught off guard by the question. ‘All right, Sherlock Holmes,’ he teased. ‘I was out.’
‘Doing what?’
‘I umm, went to see Grandad Nigel.’
‘No, you didn’t because I called him, and he said he hadn’t seen you either. So come on, where were you?’ The idea that Tom had lied to her stung; what could be the reason for him not telling her the truth?
‘Just out.’
‘Why won’t you tell me?’ She tried to say it in a jokey manner.
‘Shush, people are arriving.’
‘Fine, but you’re telling me later.’
With an effort, she left her inquisition of Tom to welcome the first few arrivals. By six-thirty the room was full with parents, teachers and other pupils and an air of excitement buzzed around them. Despite her fears, she’d been able to fit everyone in which boded well for the mayor’s party. The choir fiddled and fidgeted with anticipation, waving nervously at parents. Nell scanned the room and her eyes found the young couple who had checked in earlier and the way they watched with such appreciation told her how happy they were. With Harry as well, that meant she had seven empty rooms, but with her offer running she hoped she’d have some more guests soon. Then she spotted the waitress who had served her and Tom at the Langdon Mansion Hotel. Her neck grew hot as she recalled the embarrassment. She didn’t think the shame would ever totally leave her. It seemed to have stained her blood and seeped into her bones. Though Nell smiled to try and show she wasn’t an evil con artist after a free meal, the young woman turned nervously away. She clearly felt as uncomfortable as Nell did and Nell decided a wide berth would be the best plan for both of them.
The head stood up in front and all the chatter died away to an expectant silence. ‘Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for coming along to St Herbert’s Primary School’s Welcome to Christmas carol concert. I’m so excited to hear our wonderful choir. I know the children have been working extremely hard on their songs so without further ado, let’s welcome St Herbert’s choir.’
She walked away clapping and the children lined up in the lounge. Nell stood back, proud of the time she’d spent that morning moving the tree and decorating the windowsills. The children were framed beautifully. Standing tall in three rows with the three tiniest children in front, they gave big cheesy grins and fiddled, crossing and uncrossing arms, clearing throats, tightening ponytails. Their music teacher walked in front of them and Nell’s stomach churned with nerves for them and her. The music teacher nodded to an assistant who was stationed in the corner with a laptop Tom had helped connect to her speakers. He clicked a button and ‘Jingle Bells’ began to play out. Nell stood at the back of the room with bated breath and the children, in between nervous coughs and some rocking from side to side, began to sing.
Their voices were quiet at first, but they soon warmed up and Nell found herself surprisingly moved. She glanced around for Harry,
