“So, shall I wrap?”
“Yes please. I saved that little box back there and will go get the rest of the money.” Rosie disappeared to the back. Charlotte put all the books for Lachie into a bigger box, then selected plain brown wrapping paper. This was her favourite, because then she could add some colourful ribbons and a bow and know it was fully recyclable.
“What time is this party?” Charlotte called as she finished wrapping.
“In an hour. Gives people a chance to get home from work and freshen up. I might go and do that myself, if you’re fine to close the registers?” Rosie returned to the counter with the remaining wad of cash. “I’m so happy. Do you know, the generous people of this town helped us raise almost five hundred dollars? I just put the last twenty in to round it up.”
“Oh, Rosie that’s wonderful! That much money might give the Forests a little bit of breathing space.”
“All thanks to your ideas.” Rosie collected her handbag and another full bag of gifts. “My goodness, I’m keeping fit just by lugging this around, but aren’t I spoilt?”
Yes, she was, and rightly so. Charlotte let Rosie out through the front door and locked it behind her, turning the open sign to closed. She was loved, respected, and admired in Kingfisher Falls.
Which made it all the stranger that people like the book club ladies were suddenly turning their backs. Charlotte hurried up. She wasn’t going to dwell on the idiosyncrasies of the few. Not when there was a Christmas party to attend.
A shower later, Charlotte stared at her open wardrobe. The only parties she’d attended in her life were workplace ones. This one was an outdoor, casual event, but she didn’t want to wear shorts and T-shirt. She held a dress in front of herself. Better to keep for dinner tomorrow. There was a tropical looking blouse she’d picked up somewhere, so she teamed it with a skirt and put sandals on her bare feet.
When she’d shopped before work this morning, she’d agonised over what to take tonight. Lewis had said everyone took a plate, and Rosie wasn’t even worried about her taking anything, but she was going to. She’d settled on a pile of cute gingerbread cookies, all in different shapes. Admittedly, they were from the bakery department of the supermarket, but baked in-house. One day she’d learn to do all of this herself.
With an apologetic glance at the gingerbread house kit pushed to the back of the counter, Charlotte covered the box of cookies with foil and threw her handbag over her shoulder.
Nerves almost got the better of her. She stared at the door, box in her hand, and bit her lip a bit harder than expected. This was her new home. Kingfisher Falls. And most of the people were amazing, she knew this from meeting so many customers. Plus, Esther and Doug, Lewis, and the lovely people at both restaurants.
Stop overthinking, Charlie.
But what if Sid was there? And the book club ladies? Or Veronica and the councillors and even worse, the blue ute boys, as she’d begun to think of them.
Charlotte walked out onto the balcony and looked down the street. Cars were pulling up along the kerbs on both sides, families wandered toward the plaza, and as the light slowly faded, the beautiful Christmas lights began to dance. Music drifted over.
Her little tree sparkled in the last of the sunlight.
“Tell me what to do.” She whispered. “Go, or stay here and hide?”
Even as she spoke, she grinned. “Guess I’ll be partying, huh?”
Down on the street, she almost changed her mind seeing Sid and Marguerite, arm in arm as they strolled ahead. It was a first to see him in anything other than a police uniform or his more standard attire of tracksuit pants and singlet. Tonight, he wore a bright Hawaiian shirt and shorts. His legs were even hairier than his shoulders.
“Bother.” She glanced at her own top, but at least hers didn’t have giant pineapples all over it.
The plaza was alive with movement and sound. Past the fountain, trestle tables lined up to form a long, narrow table filled with all manner of goodies. A giant seafood platter took pride of place on one table. Further along was a huge Christmas cake. In between was everything from salads, to cheese platters, and lots of turkey and ham.
Charlotte found an empty corner and sliding her box onto the table, took the foil off.
“Store bought! We make our own delicacies.” Octavia’s voice carried from three tables away.
Marguerite was with her, looking at Charlotte like something a cat dragged in. Although if it was Mayhem, he was more likely to take down Marguerite and spit her out. Charlotte giggled.
Octavia pursed her lips and Marguerite patted her arm. “I’m sure she’s been drinking, love. Who’d laugh at being told they don’t fit in and never will?”
“I think you are right.” Octavia picked up a skewer of some kind and it promptly spilled sauce all over her white dress. “Oh my God!”
Before she burst into laughter, Charlotte turned away. She should have offered a napkin but wasn’t in the mood. Darcy, Abbie, and Lachie stood back from the tables, their aloneness obvious. Lachie was wide-eyed at the laden tables, and then he spoke to his dad and a moment later, headed for the fountain.
“Hello!” Charlotte waved as she approached. Darcy and Abbie held hands. “Thank goodness you are here. I’m a bit nervous about all of this.”
“You are?” Abbie’s face was drawn. “But you live here.”
“I’m the newbie. And I’m shy by nature.”
“No need, Charlie.” Darcy grinned the way he did the first time they
