Page 54 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘Watch this space, Lily,’ Max replied easily. ‘I think I might have just challenged Ella to swim in the tarn with me to raise money for charity.’
‘In winter,’ Lily breathed, looking admiringly from Ella to Max. ‘Are you raising money for the dog shelter, Daddy? Does that mean you’re giving up swearing?’
‘Probably not,’ Max said, diving down to swing Lily off her feet, and she squealed. ‘But I’ll definitely give it a try.’
Stan was working in the barn when Ella, changed for lunch, went to find Noelle to say goodbye before she flew to France. She was anxious about leaving Max and the children. She hugged Ella, telling her how thankful she was that Ella was here and making her promise to call if she had any concerns. Ella assured her they would be fine, and she would keep a close eye on the children. It was part of her job after all, no matter how much she was coming to feel for the family. Once Noelle had left, Arlo was ready for a change of scenery as well and Max drove them to the pub.
Phil the landlord was happy to see them, and Max took the children off to a table while Ella brought them drinks and found menus. The pub was busy with walkers as well as locals, and she made a mental note to remind future guests to book in advance if they wanted to be sure of a table. Another link to add to their website. The Zoom on Friday with Marcus about the website had gone well and she had some provisional ideas to go over with Max. Once they’d ordered their meals Arlo needed the toilet and he left the table with Max. Lily, who was colouring, put her crayon down.
‘What should we do for Arlo’s birthday, Ella? It’s in May so a winter wonderland party like mine wouldn’t really work. He loves animals and farms. Maybe Daddy could find someone to drive a big tractor round in the garden, like the horses and carriage.’
‘I’m not really sure, Lily.’ Ella made herself sound vague on purpose, thinking of spring at Halesmere when she would probably already be gone. ‘You need to talk it over with your dad.’
‘But you know more about parties than Daddy. Mine was amazing.’
Here it was. The bit of the conversation Ella didn’t want to think about, much less have with Lily now. ‘I’m sorry, Lily, I don’t think I will be here in May. My job is only temporary and that means I won’t be staying.’
‘But couldn’t you stay?’ Lily’s eyes were troubled, and Ella hated wounding her. If she needed another reminder why getting involved with Max was not a good idea, then she had one sitting right next to her with a curly red ponytail and looking adorable in her green winter dress and boots.
‘Daddy likes you, Ella, I know he does. He laughs more since you came, and Mamie says that sometimes he’s too cautious to know what’s good for him.’
‘She said that to you?’ Ella’s voice rose along with the flush on her skin.
‘No, I heard her telling Stan when she didn’t know I was there. Arlo and me were playing in her flat and Stan had brought boxes into the studio for her. She said it was time Daddy stopped thinking he’d always be alone and that he needed more people around him.’
‘Lily.’ Ella touched her hand gently. ‘Sometimes people say things that aren’t meant to be overheard or shared with anyone else.’
‘But why would Mamie say that to Stan if she didn’t think it was true or she minded other people knowing?’ Lily made it all sound so very simple. ‘I think Mamie’s right. Daddy’s not alone because he’s got us but when I grow up, I want to be a dog trainer and he’ll need someone to look after him. I don’t want him to be alone all the time.’
‘Oh, Lily.’ Ella squeezed her fingers. ‘You mustn’t worry about that, your daddy won’t want you to. It’s going to be a long time until you leave home and he’ll make his own decisions about who he might want to share his life with. And not everyone does want to share.’ She smiled, trying to lighten the worry she saw in the little girl’s face. ‘And he will always love you both so much and want you to be happy, whatever he’s doing.’
‘Arlo doesn’t remember Mummy.’ Lily’s bottom lip was trembling, and Ella wanted to gather her up and tell her everything would be okay. But she couldn’t, it wasn’t her promise to make. She settled for sliding an arm across Lily’s shoulders, stroking one gently. ‘I remember her, she was fun, and she made Daddy laugh. I want him to laugh and remember Mummy when I’m not there. But Arlo won’t know how to do it.’
‘Arlo will always know how to make your daddy laugh, Lily.’ There was a tightness in Ella’s throat clutching at her words. ‘He’s always getting into mischief and your dad will be fine.’ She hadn’t really wanted to leave home when it was time either, and it was only the thought of failing to live Lauren’s dream for her that had forced her away from her family.
‘But what if he doesn’t want to be alone when Arlo’s gone too? Will I have to stay home to look after him?’
‘No Lily, you won’t.’ Ella gripped her shoulder, hoping to help her understand. ‘Your daddy won’t let that happen. He only wants you to be happy and safe, and if that means you leaving home to be a dog trainer, then he’ll be there to cheer you on and watch you become the very best trainer. You’re getting lots of practice with Prim already.’
Max and Arlo were back, and Ella saw the flash of concern in Max’s expression as he settled Arlo, made sure he was comfortable and had a cushion to support his cast. ‘Everything okay?’
‘It is.’ She nodded firmly, giving him an ‘I’ll tell you later’ look, and he nodded back once.
‘I’ve had an idea for our next kindness from the calendar, Daddy.’ Lily’s words were almost tumbling over one another in her excitement.
‘What now?’ Max was amused as he leaned back, holding his bottle of non-alcoholic beer. ‘Does it involve getting anyone up early or dragging some poor unsuspecting person from their bed to make breakfast?’
‘No, we’ve done that already.’ Lily dismissed his question as though it were the stupidest remark she’d heard all day. ‘I’m giving it to Ella as an invitation to our nativity at school.’ She turned a pleading glance on Ella. ‘Will you come? I know we have a spare ticket because I heard Daddy telling Ashley last night, as Mamie’s gone away. I think Daddy would be happy if you came.’
‘Lily, you hear an awful lot of things that sometimes you’re not meant to. You two eating your lunch when it arrives would make me happy.’ Max put his glass down with a clatter. ‘Maybe it’s kinder to Ella, not inviting her to a school nativity play. Those things can be torturous.’
‘Daddy! We’re really good, we’ve been practising for weeks. Mrs Graham will be very cross if she hears you.’
‘Well, she won’t hear me, will she?’ He gave Lily a prod and she giggled. ‘And don’t you go telling her, either.’
‘That’s fine if it’s better I don’t come.’ Ella thought it prudent to offer Max a way out.
‘Oh, I don’t mind, Ella, if you’re sure you can stand it.’ He gave Arlo a sideways look. ‘Arlo’s been practising at home, and I found him the other day trying to whack Lily with the shepherd’s crook Stan made him because she wouldn’t let him pen her like a sheep. Absolutely anything could happen on the night.’
