Page 73 of The Winter We Met
Helplessly Lynn looked on. ‘Jess. Come in.’ I hurried indoors, welcomed by Bing Crosby’s crooning. Lynn marched up to the man and grasped the door handle. ‘Well, that’s your lot for this evening. I’m ringing head office first thing. Now bugger off.’ She yanked the door and pulled it close. We stood behind it and looked through the glass, Lynn glaring until he shook his head and left.
‘They didn’t even ask to see me,’ she muttered. ‘I’d just been checking a leak in one of the bathrooms, the emergency plumber hasn’t turned up. I came back for the crafting session and those men were already here, door wide open, carrying out a box of the decorative plates.’ She glanced into the lounge. ‘Nik and Oliver said they’d keep everyone busy – try to lessen the blow.’ I glanced at the entrance’s silver Christmas tree with colourful fairy lights, twinkling intermittently. Lynn had been working so hard to give Willow Court an air of normality.
Oliver had managed to find thirty suitable sized stones in Springhaye Forest and was bringing them tonight, after cleaning them. He’d texted Nik who’d been chuffed. He’d got back from Paris last night. I’d had to stay a bit later, at work, to help with a stocktake. For a Wednesday we’d been surprisingly busy. I loved watching children becoming more excited as the season of Santa approached and was feeling more confident with the window displays. Our latest idea was one based around the theme of carol singing, with fake snow on the ground and toy dolls and plushies wearing beanie hats and standing around in a circle. We’d printed out sheet music and attached it to their hands. Then in the window we’d also placed our stock related to instruments such as a penny whistle, harmonica and a mini battery-run piano for toddlers. After that I was going to put Seb in sole charge of creating a new display – not to save myself work, but because he’d been brimming with ideas and deserved the opportunity. In fact, Angela had taken me to one side and said that showed true management skills. She said delegation was important but was also about making staff feel valued.
After those words I’d felt as if I was floating on air. Jess Jagger was a manager. Responsible. Independent. With Gran and Angela’s support I’d been able to achieve the most important things I’d ever wanted.
Lynn headed off to find Betty. She had a scheduled video call with her daughter. Radiator heat and radiant smiles welcomed me into the lounge– along with a bark from Buddy who was with Nik as Oliver set out the stones on a table. I couldn’t see Gran. Nik crossed the room.
‘How was Paris? And Si Tu Veux?’ I asked. My heart leapt a little. As Pan might say, he was so dashing. His striking looks and infectious charm had swept me away, on the plane. It was time for my feet to settle properly back on terra firma and forget about my love life for the moment. There was no time for getting close to a man – apart from Buddy. I crouched down to stroke him properly, took the lead and then stood up. Nik told me about Si Tu Veux’s range of toys and the interesting chat he’d had with the manager.
‘I don’t need to visit any more stores,’ he said. ‘I’m coming to a decision about how Junior Magic might expand its customer base. I just need to research that a little more online. I video-called my colleague Lachlan this morning. He’s finishing up the southern Europe leg of our research trip, in Italy, and likes my idea so is going to look into it as well. My neighbour, Rob, is lending me a spare laptop for the rest of my stay.’ His face lit up. ‘Hold on a moment – I almost forgot.’ He went over to his coat that lay on another table, next to the one covered in stones. Seconds later he was back, one hand behind his back.
‘Close your eyes,’ he said.
‘Nik. We’ve been here before. You’re not holding a jar of Vegemite, are you?’ I did as I was told and felt long fingers open up my hands. He placed a box in them.
‘Wow. Mini bronze statues? I love the dog and the horse. And that frog is adorable.’
‘Awesome, aren’t they? They’re actually chocolate and handmade by one of France’s top chocolatiers. They had a section in a big department store I visited.’
I kissed him on the cheek, surprised to feel… nothing much. ‘They look too good to eat.’
‘I’d better polish them off then,’ he said and reached for the lid.
I grinned and put the box onto a nearby chair.
‘Did Alice like Darkthorn House? How’s everything going with her? Are you going to contact your mum?’
‘I told Gran on Monday about the email. It was a huge shock. Hopefully I’ll find out today what she wants to do…’ I didn’t feel up to talking about our fallout. Buddy pulled at his lead, tail wagging furiously. I followed his gaze and gasped.
‘Is that a King Charles Spaniel puppy asleep on Phyllis’s lap? She’s not even fiddling with her activity apron. I’ve never seen her so relaxed.’
‘It’s just something I spotted in a department store.’
‘It’s not real?’
‘No – it’s an electronic breathing pet made especially for dementia patients. I had to walk through that part of the store to get to the toy section. It’s meant to be especially beneficial for those sufferers who are restless. I remembered that Phyllis used to run boarding kennels. They had an offer on, so…’
‘That’s so lovely. She’s never looked happier.’
Oliver came over. ‘Could I have a quick word with you both?’ he said and we followed him into the corridor. Lynn hurried past and went into the lounge.
‘I just wanted Jess here, Nik, whilst I apologise to you whole-heartedly.’ He rolled up his sleeves of his lumberjack shirt.
Nik’s brow furrowed. ‘What for?’
‘That’s decent of you to pretend you don’t know. I… I haven’t been exactly friendly. I’ve been suspicious of your intentions towards Jess and Glenda and I’m not proud of it.’
‘Oliver, mate – it’s okay. I understand.’
‘You do?’
He looked from him to me for a moment. ‘Sure, I’m a stranger from the other side of the planet. You wouldn’t be a good friend to Jess if you weren’t looking out for her. It’s a cynical old world out there that’s made us wary. I get it. But cheers for the apology. It takes a certain kind of person to accept they’ve made a mistake.’
‘Right. Um, thanks… I’d like to explain…You see, I’ve never told you this, Jess. I couldn’t face it when I first moved in as the wounds were still raw, but meeting Krish…’ He looked at Nik. ‘A woman I’ve recently got to know… it’s helped me open up because she’s in business and understands.’
Didn’t he think I would?
