Further down the road, in the middle of the market, a small brass band were playing Christmas songs complete with a few singers. In matching Santa hats, they collected money for charity and Nell watched as the people who passed them mouthed the words to songs or sang along. Couples snatched kisses, children wiggled and danced, and everyone was merry. Even though it was only the start of December, Christmas spirit was everywhere, and everyone seemed to be embracing it making the most of the short time they had to enjoy it, especially if like her, you looked forward to it all year round.
They stopped at a stall and Kieran grabbed a traditional German potato pancake filled with gooey melted cheese, and munched happily. Cat was sadly absent. She’d told Kieran she wanted to come but her mum had called a last-minute meeting about the wedding. Nell hadn’t been invited but it seemed something else wasn’t quite right and Brenda was getting herself involved. Nell missed her best friend so much and her worry ebbed and flowed like the tide depending on how Cat was behaving. They’d had a few snatched phone calls but even those had been focused on the wedding as Cat was now ordering Nell to change the colour scheme for the party balloons and ribbons to go on the chairs. She could only imagine Brenda was forcing it on Cat because Cat had been perfectly happy with the silvery blue they’d chosen at the beginning of their preparations. Nell didn’t want to question Cat’s decisions, but she was torn between keeping their friendship trouble free and the duty she felt in helping her get the wedding of her dreams. Kieran had spent the first half an hour of the evening telling her how he wanted to be involved but Cat just wouldn’t let him. Nell desperately wanted to see Cat face to face but tonight was Cat’s only night off and with her night shifts, it wasn’t to be. Kieran dribbled melted cheese down his chin and Nell snapped a photo to send to Cat. Hopefully this would cheer her up.
‘This is delicious,’ Kieran mumbled, and Tom and Nell burst out laughing.
‘I’m after the roasted chestnuts down there,’ said Tom. ‘I always have a bag of those at Christmas time. Nell, have you seen the wreaths dotted around?’
The leftover wreaths had been placed at the ends of benches, on some of the shop doors and a few even hung from long red ribbons down from lampposts. They added to the traditional feel of Swallowtail Bay. There was nothing overly fancy about the decorations. Classic round, twinkling lights hung across them, zigzagging from building to building. A large Christmas tree stood proudly at the bottom of the high street. It wasn’t enormous like the one in Covent Garden, or the one in the Langdon Mansion Hotel for that matter, but it was perfect, and everyone gathered around, admiring the baubles and decorations that hung on its full, bushy branches.
‘The whole town looks great,’ she replied. ‘You should be so proud, Tom.’ As she stepped backwards, she spotted the waitress from the Langdon Mansion Hotel and St Herbert’s Welcome to Christmas carol service. The one who had been a bit shady about her earring and had lingered around Nell’s little reception desk. The girl spotted her too and paused then darted her eyes away. She looked so awkward, Nell went to speak to her. It was about time the air was cleared and she told the girl that she hadn’t deliberately put a spider in her soup, but before Nell could get near, she virtually ran away and was lost in the crowd. ‘That was weird.’
‘What was?’ asked Tom.
‘I just saw the waitress from the Langdon Mansion again and she just looked … I don’t know … like she was avoiding me?’
Tom checked the crowd then returned his gaze to Nell. ‘Why shouldn’t she avoid you? She doesn’t know you and you keep making crazy eyes at her.’
‘I am not making crazy eyes!’ Nell exclaimed. ‘Kieran, am I making crazy eyes?’
Kieran stepped closer and still munching on his potato pancake, examined her face. ‘Do the face you did just now.’ Nell did and Kieran scowled. ‘Sorry, Nell. Definitely crazy eyes. You look like a nutter.’
‘Huh,’ she huffed. Though she did her best to immerse herself in the festive fun, she couldn’t help but feel that she’d enjoy it more if she hadn’t read what she’d read that morning. ‘That’s a bit mean considering I’ve had yet another bad review.’
She’d checked HotelRater that morning to see if the video had been taken down, but it hadn’t and to make matters worse she’d been met with a new bad review.
‘Another one?’ asked Tom.
Kieran took a few steps away and brought a large bratwurst from another little wooden stall, eyeing it lasciviously, then shoving it in his mouth with childish delight. ‘Bwhahshw hishtiun.’
Nell tried to decipher what he was saying but couldn’t. ‘I’m sorry, what?’
‘Oi! Didn’t your mum ever tell you not to talk with your mouth full?’ Tom said. Nell loved that he was enjoying himself. He’d been so stressed of late; it was nice to see him joking again.
Kieran swallowed and was finally able to say, ‘But isn’t that the third one?’
‘Yes, it is, Kieran. Thanks for keeping count.’ Nell rolled her eyes and Kieran looked abashed then stuck the sausage back in his mouth.
Tom stood at her side. ‘What was this one about?’
‘Frustratingly, it’s another random one I can’t place. I genuinely think they must be moaning about some other Holly Lodge and tagging me by mistake.’
‘Have HotelRater got back to you yet?’
Nell
