Page 66 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘It’s not decided. I haven’t made up my mind, I have to do more research, look at the courses available.’
‘So you’re planning to stay in Cumbria then?’ Max’s tone was level. Ella heard the cool note as he returned his gaze to the television.
‘I don’t know. It was just a suggestion from the course leader and I’m thinking about it.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yes.’
‘I see.’
Ella felt him edge away, and misery set in as the movie progressed. She’d seen it before and she laughed in all right places, offered Lily and Arlo cheery smiles whenever they turned round to share a funny line or their favourite scene. But there was a new rigidity in Max’s frame, and she wasn’t surprised when he stood up the moment the film finished and said he was taking the children back to the cottage.
‘But Daddy,Frozen’s on later and we want to watch it here.’
‘You can do that at home, Lily. And you don’t even like it.’ He lifted Arlo into his arms and held out a hand to his daughter. ‘You’re both very tired after an exciting day and we’ve got a long journey tomorrow.’
‘I likeFrozentoday,’ Lily grumbled, and ignored Max’s hand to go to Ella and wrap her arms round her. ‘Bye Ella, thank you for our presents, I’m taking my bag to Granny and Grandpa’s tomorrow. Will you come and wave us off when we go?’
‘I doubt Ella will be around, Lily.’ Max’s gaze on her was sharp over Lily’s head. ‘We may as well make the best of you both being early risers and get away in good time. I think it’s her turn for a lie-in, don’t you?’ He looked over at Stan and Pearl. ‘Thank you for everything you’ve both done today, you’ve made it very special for all of us. I really appreciate it.’
‘Our pleasure,’ Pearl said, knitting needles still flying as she smiled at the children. ‘You two have a lovely time and we’ll see you back on New Year’s Day, okay?’
‘In time for Daddy and Ella’s swim!’ Lily grabbed Max’s hand and swung his arm. ‘The dog shelter’s going to be so happy, Daddy. Please will you talk to the guinea pigs and the chickens while we’re away, Ella? I don’t want them to be lonely without us.’
‘Of course I will. I’ll see them every day.’ She felt bereft as she trailed out of the room behind them, Arlo’s head resting on Max’s shoulder.
‘See you when we get back,’ Max said as Lily scampered off ahead, Prim trotting beside her. ‘Thanks for all you did today.’
‘You too.’ Ella wanted to delay him, explain somehow. ‘It really helped.’
He nodded once and set off.
‘Max?’ She darted after him and caught his hand. ‘Nothing’s decided, and I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure.’
‘Right.’ He hesitated and she saw the questions, the doubt following. ‘At least I know now you’d have turned it down if I’d offered you a job here.’ Arlo was grumbling and Max put him down so he could follow Lily. He waited a few seconds, until Arlo was in the cottage. ‘You’re going to leave, that much is clear, Ella. Us, if not Cumbria. My children and me.’
‘And if I didn’t? Leave you all?’ Her voice was a whisper and she’d never been closer to confessing what she felt for him, and Lily and Arlo too.
‘Do you mean it?’ There was a yell from the cottage and Max sighed impatiently. ‘Look, I’ve got to go, those two should be in bed. Let’s just take some time to think and I’ll see you when we get back.’
‘Okay.’ Ella knew she couldn’t delay him, not when his children needed him. ‘I’d offer to help but…’
‘Better not.’ The briskness was back, and he was already walking away.
‘I hope you have a lovely time.’
‘Thanks.’
Ella didn’t wait to see Max bang the cottage door behind him, instead trailing back to the drawing room.
‘I’m sorry if I’ve spoken out of turn, Ella, and said something I wasn’t meant to.’ Pearl’s look was sympathetic. ‘Marta just mentioned it in passing because she thought I already knew.’
‘It’s all right, Pearl, really.’ Ella dropped onto the sofa. The fire was still warm and she felt suddenly exhausted, ready for bed herself. ‘I needed to tell Max about the college at some point. I do love the idea of teaching a subject that would put my training and experience to good use.’ She bit her lip. ‘I’d have to find somewhere to live as well.’
‘Not stayin’ ’ere, then, young Ella? Halesmere?’ Stan was eyeing her beadily. She shrugged.
‘Whatever I do, Stan, I don’t want to work for Max for ever.’ She didn’t want to be his colleague with a professional distance coming between them again; she wanted so much more. But perhaps now, because she’d kept her thoughts about the future to herself, her chance had gone.
