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Greg was chatting to Athene and, catching his name, glanced up with an enquiring smile.
They walked through the lakeside gardens past the statue of a famous dog called Max, who was bedecked in a Santa hat. Arlo explained that Pongo and Gin had been left at the farm rather than bring them shopping. Soon they were in Keswick centre where dozens of stalls lined the central street.
There were stalls selling door wreaths, Santa hats, Christmas knitwear, jams, chutneys and toys alongside vans hung with pheasants and rabbits, and cheesemongers’, fishmongers’ and bakers’ vans. A brass band had set up outside the Moot Hall, a former market and courthouse on the market square, and was playing Christmas carols.
Worried about dodgy phone signals and keeping Greg waiting, Katie arranged a time for everyone to meet back at the Moot Hall. While Jess made a beeline for a stall crammed with vintage accessories, Wanda was lured to one festooned with fleeces in a rainbow of colours.
Athene gave the market a miss and headed off to a gallery.
The band launched into ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ while Katie splurged on some adorable tiny Herdy sheep bootees and mittens for her nieces. No matter what had happened, there was new life in the world and that’s what Christmas was really about.
With shopping bags in both hands, she realised that the two hours had flown by and that Arlo was scrolling through his phone outside the Moot Hall.
Before she reached him, Wanda bustled up and opened her coat to reveal a pale blue and pink striped fleece. ‘Look at this! I couldn’t resist.’
‘That’s very … cheerful,’ Katie replied, noting her aunt’s cheeks were almost as pink as the fleece. The fresh air and the brighter colour really lifted her aunt’s pretty features. Her eyes were shining.
‘Your uncle once told me that khaki was the only acceptable colour for bird- and wildlife-watching in the country but I’m not here to spot lesser spotted whatsits, so …’ She smiled. ‘… I thought: Sod it!’
‘You go for it!’ Katie laughed and her aunt seemed relieved.
‘I – really am sorry, you know. About N—’
Katie held up her hand. ‘Shh. Don’t worry about it. He’s my—’ She almost said problem, but that wouldn’t be the right word for the man she’d shared three years of her life with. ‘Let us deal with it.’
Wanda’s shoulders visibly lowered and they were both interrupted by the arrival of Athene carrying a smart cardboard bag in one hand and a shepherd’s crook in the other. ‘Am I late?’ she asked and nodded approvingly at Wanda. ‘Pretty colour, Wanda. Really suits you.’
Wanda positively glowed. ‘You think so? I couldn’t resist.’
‘It’s lovely on you,’ Athene added.
Wanda smiled. ‘Thanks. You’ve bought a crook …’
Athene held up the crook with its beautifully carved shaft and ram’s head. ‘I thought I ought to support the local craftspeople.’
‘Is it one of Greg’s?’ Katie asked, amused. The last thing she ever would have expected to see Athene with was a shepherd’s crook.
‘Well, yes. The stallholder had dozens by different craftspeople and, by coincidence, this one jumped out at me.’
‘It’s beautiful,’ Katie said.
‘It is gorgeous …’ Wanda’s gaze drifted to the opposite side of the market area. ‘You know … I did see a hat and some gloves I like on the same stall but didn’t like to go mad.’
‘I don’t think you could ever be accused of going mad, Wanda,’ Athene said.
‘Why don’t you go and get them?’ Katie urged.
Wanda’s brow knitted. ‘I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.’
‘You aren’t. Jess and Greg aren’t here and, anyway, we don’t mind waiting. Go on, this is your last chance for shopping.’
Grinning like a kid, Wanda hurried off down the street.
‘So Jess isn’t back yet?’ Athene said. ‘I have to be honest, I’m slightly worried about her. She’s been quieter than usual.’
‘I agree she’s not herself. I think she still feels bad that she even mentioned the Lakes to Ned, even if she didn’t invite him. I’ve tried to reassure her.’
Athene glanced over to Arlo, who had noticed them while he was on his phone and nodded briefly.
