Page 51 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘Thank you, Papa, I love you.’ Then Lily was racing to join the others and stare in wonder at the horses snorting gently through the frigid air. Someone screamed in nervous excitement when one stamped a large hoof, jingling the bells. Ella and Max followed with an awed Arlo.
‘Daddy, come on!’ Lily grabbed Max’s hand, dragging him towards the carriage. ‘It’s big enough for us all to ride together.’
She insisted that Ella join them and sit by Max, Arlo excited and secure on his lap, with Ashley opposite them. The children were nearly demented with glee as the horses walked forward and the carriage rolled gently after them along the drive. They were off, the fairy lights shimmering through the darkness as the bells jangled merrily.
Stan followed with the pickup and the horses circled at the bottom of the drive, snorting and blowing silvered breath into the air as they returned to the house. Ashley got out first to record the family, and Ella, inside the carriage until it was their turn to climb down. Arlo didn’t want to get out at all and took a bit of persuading from Max as tears threatened.
Everyone was watching as the horses returned to the lorry parked at the end of the drive. The fairy lights went out and the black horses seemed to vanish in the shadows, making the children gasp as though they’d just witnessed a magic trick. Then tiny Christmas stockings filled with goodies were handed out by Noelle and parents gathered up overexcited little ones still gushing about the horses. Max thanked everyone until it was just the four of them left, plus Ashley and her two girls. Stan, still in his merry elf costume, drove past in the pickup, tooting his horn and waving a green arm through the open window.
‘Christmas bonus for Stan, I think. Dressing as an elf is above and beyond his regular duties.’ Max put Arlo down, holding on to his good hand. ‘Time for a chill, buddy. You need a rest.’
‘How about that takeaway we talked about?’ Ashley smiled at Max. ‘The kids could do with a quiet couple of hours before bed and I’m famished. We could put a movie on for them.’
‘Sounds good.’ Max found his keys in his pocket. ‘Ella, you’re welcome to join us,’ he said casually.
‘That’s really nice but you guys go on ahead. I’m ready to crash too, don’t think I could last long enough to eat a takeaway.’ She had met Marta at her farm last night and had a lovely long evening that had seen her back at Halesmere much later than she’d expected. Marta had shown her the tiny room where she poured her candles and crafted her creations, already planning next spring’s range and wax melts for summer. She was very interested in a studio and had taken a table at the open day.
‘Sure?’
‘Absolutely.’ Ella bent down. ‘Lily, I hope you and your friends have had the best time – and don’t forget to give your dad a lie-in tomorrow, okay?’
‘Okay, Ella,’ Lily assured her with a serious expression. ‘Thank you for arranging my party, it was amazing.’
‘My pleasure.’ Lily’s arms around Ella were slight as they hugged. Then she shared a gentle high-five with Arlo on his good hand. ‘See you at work, Max.’ She dropped that in to try and suggest a professional distance she knew they were moving beyond. ‘Bye Ashley, hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.’
‘You too, Ella, I’ll see you Wednesday. I’m looking forward to trying your special menu. Ready, Max? We’d better order before it gets too late.’ Ella watched Ashley walk into the cottage and shrug out of her coat, draping it on the newel post at the foot of the stairs.
Lily was tugging on Max’s hand as they followed. ‘Daddy, is Stan one of Santa’s special elves?’
‘I don’t think so, Lily. I think Santa would need him to spend more time at the North Pole rather than here. But he is a very good elf, I was impressed.’
Ella watched them leave, already regretting refusing Max’s invitation to join them. But with Ashley there, her sharp attention always on him, Ella knew it would be very difficult to pretend she wasn’t coming to care for him and the children so much.
Chapter Seventeen
Ella had eventually fallen asleep after midnight and was still dreaming about horses galloping through the gardens when something crash-landed on her bed. She jerked up from her pillows with a scream to see Lily sitting on the end with a smile.
‘Lily! How did you get in here?’ Ella’s pulse was thudding as she sank back, thankful she hadn’t knocked her off the bed in shock. She checked warily for signs of Prim or anyone else coming to join them. The lights were blazing on the landing as usual, and it was still dark outside. Her eyes narrowed as she gave Lily a mock glare. ‘Your dad’s not with you, is he?’
‘He’s still asleep, so’s Arlo. I found Daddy’s keys.’ Lily was looking decidedly pleased with herself. ‘I’m sorry I woke you up.’
‘That’s okay.’ Ella stifled a yawn. ‘But I don’t think your dad would be very happy you’ve left the cottage on your own and come over here.’
‘But it’s his treat on our kindness calendar and he’s having a lie-in. I want to take him breakfast in bed, but I don’t know how to make it. I’m not allowed to use the kettle or his coffee machine.’
‘Ah.’ Ella smiled, despite the rude awakening. ‘So you need some help with breakfast and thought you’d ask me.’
‘Is that okay?’ Lily tilted her head, looking hopeful.
‘Depends.’ Ella grinned. She was enjoying teasing her. ‘What time is it?’
‘Half past six, I checked my iPad.’
‘Lily!’ Ella pulled a pillow over her face. ‘What about my lie-in too?’
‘You don’t need one as much as Daddy does.’
‘Is that right? And how do you know I don’t need a lie-in?’
