Страница 59 из 70
‘How many people do you think will come?’ Daisy asked.
‘I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve done a few private parties before for hen parties and stag nights and I’ve done a few corporate team-building-type events but I’ve never just put out an open invitation for anyone to come along and have a go. It was Maggie’s idea, she said it would be another thing that would raise money for charity. And she’s not someone you ever say no to.’
Daisy smiled as she glanced over at Maggie on the phone. ‘No, I get that impression too. So how does this work, you just show people how to do it and let them get on with it?’
‘Pretty much. I’ll show them the basic skills. I have some templates here if anyone wants to use them and then I’ll just go round and give them pointers as they work. I’m not honestly expecting great things from anyone. People will just want to have some fun having a go. Whenever I’ve done the hen or stag parties, everyone always does willies.’
Daisy burst out laughing. ‘Seriously?’
‘Yeah.’
‘What, everyone?’
‘Yes, pretty much. Gra
‘That’s hilarious.’
Pe
‘What’s all this talk of willies?’ Henry said, carrying over three small ice blocks and setting them up on the tables. ‘Are you corrupting my daughter?’
Daisy giggled. ‘Wellies, Dad, not willies. You need to get your ears checked, old man.’
Henry slung an arm round her neck and strangled her against his chest. ‘Less of the old, you, and stop talking about willies with my i
Pe
She tried but failed to look i
‘And what colour did you decide on?’
‘Pink,’ Daisy said.
‘Purple,’ Pe
‘Pinky purple,’ Daisy said, unable to control her laughter as they carried on the lie.
Henry suppressed a smile as he walked back to the freezer van to collect more blocks.
‘We should talk about something else sordid for when he comes back,’ Daisy said. ‘How about drugs or prostitution or bestiality?’
Pe
‘Don’t swear in front of my daughter,’ Henry said, as he came back and Pe
‘Yeah, Pe
Pe
At least with more people inside the marquee, it might start to warm up a bit, although they would need hundreds more people to make a difference to the temperature. It was so bitterly cold Pe
A few more people arrived, some of them Pe
Henry looked around the group anxiously. ‘Why don’t I take orders from these guys for some hot drinks? There’s a coffee shop just down the road, I could be there and back in about fifteen minutes.’
‘That’ll be perfect, thank you so much,’ Pe
‘Soon, I promise,’ he whispered. He touched her hand just briefly but it was enough for her to know that he wanted to kiss her too.
He went around and took orders from everybody; they were all beyond grateful at the prospect of something hot to warm themselves up.
After he had left, Pe
There were three girls in their early twenties who had come together and were giggling about what they were going to carve. Pe
She walked past Daisy, stopping briefly to examine what she was drawing on the side of her block.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not going to be a willy,’ Daisy said.
‘Nothing else dodgy either, if you don’t mind. Your dad will never forgive me.’
Daisy smiled and carried on with her carving. Pe
She stopped in the middle, watching her students immersed in their work and smiled at what a lovely feeling it was to see her tuition in progress, to see them enjoying themselves because of what she had shown them. Maybe she really would take Jackson Cartwright up on his offer to come in and teach his students.
But it was too cold and although her students were having fun with the new challenge, she could see many of them were having to stop to blow on their hands. Working at low temperatures was never fun. She had sometimes been forced, for one reason or another, to carve inside her walk-in freezer, but she could only stand it for short periods before her hands and feet got too cold to work, despite wearing gloves and steel-toecapped fur boots. Even Daisy, who was used to working in the cool room with her, was having to stop momentarily to put her tools down and rub her hands together. She had rolled her sleeves up, as she did every time she worked, and her bare forearms were exposing her to the cold more than was necessary.