Page 60 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
He lightened the mood with ‘Jingle Bells’ and everyone joined in, singing loudly, then carried on with ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ and a rousing rendition of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’. ‘Joy to the World’ came next, and he finally stood, to a round of loud applause and calls for an encore. His gaze found Ella’s for a second and she knew her own was revealing her pleasure and pride. He was still smiling as he sat down again.
He finished with ‘O Holy Night’, and she knew she’d never be able to hear the carol again without thinking of him. He played as though he and the piano were one, soaring together as he found the notes with graceful ease, and the music was both simple and profoundly moving. No one sang this time; they could only listen, and she was certain she couldn’t be the only one whose eyes were shimmering. She hadn’t moved, couldn’t seem to put one foot in front of the other or think about what should come next for their guests.
‘Well.’ Stan seemed stunned into as near silence as he ever got as Max rose, trying to shrug off handshakes and praise. ‘You’re a dark ’orse, boss. Never ’eard playin’ like that before.’
‘Max, you were wonderful!’ Ashley found her way to his side and slipped her arms round him. ‘It’s been so long; I haven’t heard you playing in for ever. You really have to do it more often.’
‘Thanks, Ash.’ Max was looking around at the guests as she let him go. ‘Who’s for whisky? Ella’s chosen some amazing dark chocolate to go with it.’
Once the last of the guests had complimented Ella and Max on a wonderful evening and disappeared into the night, she saw the cleaning team out and thanked them for all they’d done. The four students had already left and only she, Ashley and Max remained. Stan and Pearl had left after the first whisky, tottering down the drive, Stan promising he’d be back at work first thing to hang the new barn doors with Pete’s help. The fires had burned themselves out and Ella switched off the lights in the dining room, emerging into the hall just as Ashley left the drawing room. Max was outside, chucking empty bottles into the recycling.
‘Thank you for today, Ashley, the decorations are perfect. They make such a difference and I’m sure the photographs are going to be stunning.’
‘My pleasure. It’s been a wonderful evening, I think the house is going to be huge hit with guests. I just hope Max can find the right person to take good care of it for him.’ Ashley was fiddling with her phone and her voice was light. ‘You’re giving him a lot to think about with all your ideas, Ella, and he really doesn’t need any more pressure or work landing in his lap once you’ve left.’
‘That’s the last thing I want, Ashley. I’m here to support him and the family as much as possible and if he decides to make this role permanent then I’d be happy to help him explore all options.’ Ella was equally cool. She wondered if her feelings were plastered all over her face. Had Ashley recognised that Ella was already in love with Max and thought he loved her back? Or worse, did she know he didn’t and never would?
Ella had no idea if there could be a future at Halesmere for her and very much hoped she hadn’t revealed to Ashley that she might want to find a way to stay. She switched off the lamps in the hall, leaving the Christmas tree lights flickering over the grand piano, wishing Ashley’s taxi would turn up. Max would be back any minute and Ella wanted to be alone with him, even for just these final few moments before he had to relieve the babysitter.
‘Thank you.’ Ashley accepted the sumptuous winter coat Ella was offering. ‘I’m sure he’ll appreciate that before you go. He was only telling me the other day he hadn’t realised how much work was involved in running a holiday business and was looking at what a management company could offer.’
‘Hell, it’s perishing out there.’ Max was in his shirt, without the blazer, and came in blowing on his hands. ‘You two look very serious. Ash, your taxi’s arrived. That was well timed.’
‘Wasn’t it?’ Ashley’s laugh was sharp, and she reached up to hug him and kiss his cheek. ‘Thanks both, for a fabulous evening. Ella, I’d love to get your advice about a dinner I’m planning for friends after Christmas? Your menu was stunning.’
‘Of course, if I can help at all.’ She registered the quick nod Ashley gave her, still trying not to reveal the shock that Max was thinking of outsourcing her role and hadn’t thought to discuss it with her. But she didn’t want to dwell on that now. Their evening was almost over, and thoughts of work could wait. He saw Ashley to the car, then he was back in the house, closing the door and looking at Ella.
‘What an incredible evening, thank you for everything. I think we could give Stan another job as resident storyteller, he was in his element with all those folk tales.’
‘My pleasure.’ Ella wondered if Max knew how much she wanted him to stay as she watched him pick up his blazer. ‘That’s not a bad idea about Stan, he was brilliant. Maybe we could get him to do a few tales at the Christmas open day.’
‘Sure. You ask him, he likes you more than he does me.’
‘Oh, he likes you, Max, he just doesn’t want to show it too much because you’re his boss.’
‘He might say I’m the boss, but you’re the one he comes to.’ Max shrugged back into the blazer. ‘So when do you need me to sign the contract for the website?’
‘Tomorrow. Marcus has emailed it over and we should have images from tonight by early next week. I hope this is okay – I’ve asked the photographer to come again on Saturday for the open day. She’s already got a booking, but she can give us an hour.’
‘No, that’s fine, good idea.’ Max covered a yawn. ‘Sorry. I suppose I’d better go, those two alarm clocks will be set bright and early. And I can’t keep the babysitter hanging around all night.’
‘I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow, after school. I’m out in the morning, remember? No coffee.’
‘Oh. That’s a shame. Am I allowed to say I’ll miss it?’
‘Me or the coffee?’ Ella followed him to the door, hoping she’d hidden her disappointment that he had to leave.
‘The coffee for sure.’ He was laughing as he stepped down into the porch, his eyes on a level with hers as she stood in her boots. ‘I think you know which, Ella. Make sure you lock up. I’ve already checked the other doors, it’s just this one. Will you be all right?’
‘I will. I’m slowly getting used to being on my own and it’s okay, most of the time.’
‘Good. I’m happy you’re more comfortable here.’ Max reached to hold her hands. ‘I feel as though I’m on a first date and trying to make the goodbye last as long as possible.’
‘And how would you normally say goodbye on a first date?’
‘It’s been a very long time since I had one, so I’m out of practice.’ His eyes dropped to her mouth and her breath caught. ‘How would you end a first date?’
‘It would depend on who the date was with and how it had gone.’ The pulse in her throat was rushing and Ella felt desire stirring in her stomach. ‘If it was bad then I’d make my excuses and leave before the end. If it was okay, then it would be thanks for a nice evening.’
