JL Merrow

Stranded in a remote country village in 1920s England when his car breaks down, shy young Arthur finds himself drawn to the rough mechanic who comes to his aid, Bob Goodman. Forced to stay until the May Day holiday is over, Arthur makes the best of it, enjoying the village procession and fete.<br><br>But the villagers seem to know more about him than they should, and there’s a second, darker, May celebration that starts when the sun’s gone down. In the drunken revelry that follows, Arthur is whisked off in a wild dance by Goodman, who plays the part of Jack in the Green, the spirit of the greenwood.<br><br>Dancing turns to loving, but is everything what it seems? And is one night all Arthur can have?

Jack in the Green

“Oh! Well, yes, I am, as it happens, Mrs Ives—I am addressing Mrs Ives, aren’t I?”


“Oh, jolly good. But I’m afraid I’m in need of more than some liquid refreshment. Fellow at the motor garage said you might be able to provide some accommodation while he fixes my car?”


She beamed. “Of course, sir. Let me just get out of this apron and I’ll show you to a room.”


Arthur gave an awkward smile of thanks. “Sorry to interrupt you in your work, Mrs Ives,” he began, but she cut him off.


“Oh, no trouble at all, sir. Now, how long will you be wanting to stay?” she asked, bustling up the steep staircase in front of Arthur, who had stepped aside in deference to her sex. Nanny had been a stickler for that sort of thing.


“Ah, well, I’m afraid I can’t say for certain. Depends rather on how long it takes friend Goodman to fix my motor. Rather clueless about the things myself, I’m afraid,” Arthur told her with a self-conscious little laugh.


Chapter 2