35
Accident
Before heading back to the cricket ground, Tarquin stopped at a drinks stall and bought them two steaming hot chocolates laden with marshmallows, to “perk us up a bit”. Lucy was exhausted, and despite it being Christmas Eve, all she really wanted was a hot shower and an early night. When they reached the cricket ground, though, and found it crowded with people enjoying a series of Christmas-themed events and fairground rides, she realised she didn’t need the hot chocolate at all. She felt like she’d never sleep again as long as she stayed here.
‘It’s magnificent,’ she said, watching the hot air balloon, sparkling with Christmas lights, rise into the air. The children in the basket laughed with delight as the Christmas Extravaganza spread out below them. Over to the left, que
