Last Christmas, Francis had a promising acting career and a budding romance with Duncan. This Christmas, it seems he's lost it all. When his mum persuades him to help her with the annual village production, he's drawn back into the wacky world of amateur pantomime. This year's production has all kind of new twists, the village players are eccentric although enthusiastic, and Francis isn't sure he ever saw himself as a director. And what his mother also didn't tell him was, he'd be working with Duncan by his side. But if he can cope with charity shop costumes, squabbling characters, cross-dressing, and all the corny jokes, can he also believe in the show's magical triumph of Good over Bad, and win a second chance with Duncan? After all, in pantomime, everyone gets their wish granted in the end.

He's Behind You!

Duncan was right: he hadn’t taken it well. He didn’t seem to think it a sensible decision at all. And guess what? It hadn’t taken me long to agree.


Now, in the chilly church hall, with Duncan beside me, I felt frozen in place.


I got scared. I regretted it. I missed you.


“I didn’t know you were here,” Duncan said into the awkward silence. “When I offered my help to Rose. I thought you’d gone back to London after the funeral.” A flash of something like pain darted across his face. “I just thought this would be something to do over the Christmas season. Something that could be… fun. While I settled back at the farm.”


I wondered at fate, bringing us both back to this sleepy corner of the West Country at the same time.


Chapter 7