“Yes, we should. If they don’t have a list, they need to start collating one. Then we can get each shop to email their customers about the Christmas market.”
My ribcage lifted in my chest. “That’s a great idea. I should have thought of it.”
I glanced at Ivy and she winked at Sebastian. “I knew you’d be great for us.”
Sebastian shrugged.
Ivy turned to me. “Isn’t he wonderful?”
The heat radiating off my cheeks could have melted Olaf the snowman. “It’s a really great idea. These next couple of weeks can make or break some of the families of this village. Without the Christmas market, many of the shops would be forced to shut and the families that have been in this village for generations would have to move out. You being here to help us is so important.” He might not be in sunny Barbados, but what he was doing here was making a difference. To the entire village. To me.
“We’ll figure it out,” Sebastian said—not for the first time today. I realized the phrase wasn’t dismissive—it was a promise. And for just a second, it felt as if I was as light as a snowflake, without a care in the world. I believed him. I could look into those silver-flecked blue eyes and know that everything was going to be okay.
“Celia’s right,” Ivy said. “You’re here because your Granny asked you to come and you’d do anything for me. I’m grateful for that. But you need to see that it’s not just me that needs you, Sebastian. It’s Celia. It’s the entire village.”
“I understand,” Sebastian said.
“We’re back on track, which is great, but we need to stay vigilant. Keep ahead of things. I’m relying on you two.”
“We’ve got it handled,” Sebastian said. “Just focus on resting and getting better.”
“I’m going to be just fine,” Ivy replied. “I’m all ready for hanging the annual bauble on the Snowsly Christmas tree at the opening of the market.”
“Granny,” Sebastian said with a growl. “You’re going to be resting at the opening of the market.”
“Over my dead body. Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve hired a wheelchair so I can get to the green. Can one of you pick it up for me from Moreton tomorrow morning?”
“A wheelchair?” Sebastian asked as I tried to think how we’d get a wheelchair into my Mini. I’d have to ask Howard for a special favor, even though he’d be busy decorating his stall tomorrow.
“I don’t want to hear anything about me not going out in a bloody wheelchair. It’s not like I’m telling you I’m going to ice skate over to the tree. I’ve been putting the annual bauble on the Snowsly Christmas tree for forty years. A sprained ankle won’t stop me from doing it for the forty-first year.”
Sebastian sighed but didn’t respond, presumably knowing Ivy better than to argue with her. His grandmother was a force no one wanted to reckon with.
“Nope,” he said, suddenly. “There’s no way you’re going up to the green tomorrow. But there’s nothing written in the rulebook that says you have to put the bauble on the tree before the market opens. Maybe it would be better to make a ceremony out of it when the market is in full swing. You’ll feel a little stronger and everyone will be there to watch.”
Ivy said nothing but I could almost see her brain whirring.
“Yes,” I said. “A bauble ceremony might be another attraction to draw in the crowds. If not this year, then in the future. I’ll have a think about what else we could add to the occasion. Maybe a brass band playing carols or—”
“You and Sebastian should put your heads together,” Ivy said. “You’re a great team.”
Sebastian was a great team all by himself, that much was clear. All I did was hand him the problem. He solved it.
“This time next week then,” Ivy mumbled.
“If you’re feeling better,” Sebastian said.
“This time next week,” Ivy repeated. “Now, it’s time for bed. Mary,” she called out. “I need a hand upstairs. Sebastian, will you see Celia home, please?”
“I’m completely fine,” I said. “Just across the green.”
“It’s dark out there. The Christmas stalls have been put up and goodness only knows what those men left behind. I don’t want you tripping over something. The last thing we need is you down with a bad ankle or a broken leg or something. Sebastian doesn’t mind walking you home, do you, Sebastian?”
“Be happy to,” he said, his surly expression giving away what an inconvenience it was to him.
“And maybe you can come up with some good ideas about the bauble ceremony at the same time,” Ivy said. “You should show him your decorations as well, Celia. Your cottage always looks so pretty. Off with you, then.” She waggled her finger in our direction. Neither of us argued as we got up and left, Sebastian needlessly accompanying me across the green.