Page 43 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘I’ve already invited Stan and Pearl as their daughters can’t get up on the day. One’s a nurse and the other’s in Germany with a partner in the military.’ Max halted and turned to face her. ‘I know what it’s like when Christmas becomes something you need to get through, Ella. This will be our first at Halesmere and I’ve been thinking it might be good to make it open house, invite those around us. Those quiet family days we had with Victoria are gone and I want to create something new, something to see us down the years here.’
‘That’s a lovely idea.’ Ella recognised the rush of emotion in his words, the desire to begin a new tradition and find a way to fit it around the old ones. ‘So is this the bit when you tell me you need a chef to help cook the lunch?’
They were strolling again, and he tucked his arm through hers. ‘Ice, remember? I need you to hang onto me. Of course I’m not expecting you to work. Obviously my talents in the kitchen don’t come close to yours, but Stan’s apparently a dab hand with a roast and Pearl’s promised the best stuffing I’ve ever tasted. You can just join us, Ella. You don’t have to do anything.’
‘What, and be waited on hand and foot all day? I’m in.’ She liked his quiet chuckle, gone when he skidded on a frozen puddle, and she grabbed his arm. ‘You were right. You did need me to help you.’
‘Maybe more than you know.’ His voice was very low, and her heart bumped in shock as their arms straightened and the back of his hand brushed against hers. Her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own and one hooked around his, waited a beat. She could see the entrance to the drive up ahead, they were going to run out of road very soon. Her pulse was hurrying, and it turned into a roar when his warm fingers slipped between hers to hold them.
‘Thank you for all you’re doing for Lily’s party. She’s so excited. Stan wouldn’t let me in his workshop this morning. Said it was top-secret and he was trying something on.’
‘He wouldn’t let me in either. I’ve got a funny feeling he’s planning to dress up.’ If they weren’t holding hands then Ella might’ve believed their relationship was back to discussing practicalities and parties, not this simple connection that felt more intimate than holding hands had ever done before. ‘And it’s a pleasure to help her, Max. I’m glad she’s happy.’
‘She definitely is. Pearl’s got a friend who makes cakes, so that’s sorted at least. Before you came along, I was just planning to invite a few of her friends over and hope none of them broke something important or threw up before I sent them home again. Now Lily’s marching round the cottage consulting her iPad and asking me if I’ve remembered to order the stockings for the party bags and exactly how many chocolate biscuits do I think we’ll need for the s’mores. You’ve got quite a bit to answer for, Ella Grant.’
‘Is that right?’ They were approaching his cottage and the security light came on, driving away the dark and illuminating their faces. ‘Sounds like Lily’s a perfect party planner in the making. It’s all about the detail.’
‘Either that or a dog trainer. She’s always on YouTube watching training videos and telling me exactly where I’m going wrong with Prim.’ They drifted to a halt outside the front door of the house. ‘You were brilliant tonight, Ella. Everyone loved your enthusiasm for Halesmere, and you’ve got them totally on board.’
‘Hardly brilliant, Max. It was just a few ideas, and I can’t see any of them through without their help. I shouldn’t get too carried away.’
‘Is that a metaphor for the fact that we’re still holding hands?’ He shook their arms gently. ‘I think we’re both in danger of breaking the “don’t get involved at work” rule.’
‘It’s not too late to reinstate it.’ She slipped her hand free, saw him watching.
‘If that’s what you want.’
‘Was that a rhetorical question?’ Ella’s heart was hammering as she hovered between what she wanted and what was wise. ‘I don’t think either of us need any more complications, Max. Especially not you.’
‘I know you’re right, at least in theory.’ He shoved his hands into his pockets and his smile was rueful. ‘I was going to ask if you wanted me to come in, just to switch the lights on.’
‘Better not. I am getting used to it. I hope you’re planning to find room for a roll-top bath in the flat. This house is spoiling me.’
‘Hardly, but I’m glad you’re enjoying it. You don’t seem like someone who allows herself too many indulgences.’
‘Work has always been enough.’ Ella shrugged, trying to bring her thoughts back to the flat and not the reminder of living her sister’s dream. ‘I think there’s room for a rainforest shower head in there at least.’
‘I was going to suggest I have a word with Pete but maybe you should instead. He seems to have taken to making himself scarce whenever I show up. Think he’s been taking lessons from Stan.’
Ella unlocked the door, Max behind her. Noelle was still at his cottage with the children, and they couldn’t keep her waiting all evening. ‘I’m planning to have a working lunch on Friday and I wondered if you’d like to join me?’ Ella said. ‘Strictly business. I know you’re out tomorrow.’
‘I am. On site all day then dinner with Ashley to talk about a client. My mother’s having the kids once they’ve eaten with you. And lunch sounds good. Do you have somewhere in mind?’
‘I do, it’s a bit different and I’m certain you won’t have been before. I’ll book a table for noon if that suits you?’
‘Let me check.’ Max found his phone and it was only a moment until he nodded. ‘That’s fine. It’s in my calendar now, so it’s a date. A working one,’ he finished quickly, and Ella smiled. She’d loved the feel of their hands wrapped in one another’s, the press of their arms, as they’d walked home together. But they were right to reinstate their rule before anything else changed and a bit of light flirting led them along a path neither was able to keep treading. He lifted a hand as though he was thinking of running a finger down her cheek, but seemed to change his mind, his arm falling away. ‘See you Friday.’
The following morning Ashley was friendly and enthusiastic as she took Ella on a tour of all she and Max had done to restore the house to its former glory, and over coffee in the kitchen they agreed on a theme for the Christmas decorations. Ashley seemed in no hurry as she spoke of knowing Max back in London, how much in love he and Victoria had been and how he still needed time to come to terms with his family’s loss.
Ashley was interested in hearing about Ella’s career, and she confessed she’d turned down another approach just this morning. She really hoped she wouldn’t regret revealing why after Ashley managed to elicit from her that the executive head chef who’d got in touch was her former boss and her dodgy ex to boot. Ella had no desire to work with him again, even after Ashley’s casual suggestion that Ella might want to take more time to think it over as the job sounded perfect.
Ella had promised to help Pete and his team of two in the studios and after Ashley left, they worked flat out for the rest of the day. The builders had already finished a couple of the spaces and Sandy was due to move her ceramics into one of them after Christmas. Each of the five studios was a good size, but the last one at the far end of the courtyard was larger than the others and Stan told her it used to be a forge. Evidence of the blacksmiths’ presence still lingered in the tools and bits of broken nails from the horseshoes they found.
Pearl popped in to show Ella her ideas about social media, bringing everyone a very welcome lunch. They crammed into Stan’s workshop, where he brewed up and lit the stove. Ella gave Pearl her approval to go live on social media and sent her some images she’d taken of the work they were doing to prepare for the open day. Pearl knew as well as Ella that creating interest early was vital.
By the time she finished for the day she was filthy, but happy, especially when Pearl messaged to say they’d already filled three tables in the barn and two of the artists were interested in viewing the studios as potential places to work.
Marta had messaged as well, inviting Ella to supper on Friday night. Marta and her gorgeous candles were a big part of the atmosphere Ella hoped to create in the house and she’d already ordered a dozen for the supper next week. She saw a school mum she recognised dropping off the children outside the cottage about five thirty. They disappeared through the arch towards Noelle’s flat, trailing their belongings as ever. Just before six Ella locked up the last studio, ready for a shower. Stan, in his pickup, stuck an arm through the window as he headed off down the drive. She waved back as she headed to the front door of the house, and then jerked to a halt as she heard Noelle shouting behind her.
