Page 59 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
The house looked magical as she walked down the staircase, her fingers brushing the garland wound round the banister. She knew they’d got it exactly right, thanks in no small part to Ashley’s skill with the decorations. Flickering flames highlighted the stunning Christmas trees, every glittering bauble was a jewelled highlight among natural green foliage, and the scent of supper drifting into the hall promised more delights to come.
The drinks station was good to go, filled with craft beer from the pub, local gin and liqueurs, and whisky distilled in Cumbria. Ella had tasked Max with creating a playlist, the same in every room: Christmas carols, some classical and a few old favourites, to enhance the atmosphere. She wasn’t expecting to see him already waiting in the hall, changed into an indigo blazer with a white shirt and dark jeans. He was watching her, and she took her time, liking the smile lingering around his mouth and the intensity of his gaze.
‘Wow.’
‘That’s my line,’ she joked. ‘You look wonderful. But thank you, whether you’re referring to me or the house.’
‘I was absolutely referring to you, but the house looks incredible too. I can hardly believe it’s the same sad old place I bought.’
‘Ashley’s done a wonderful job.’ Ella joined him, aware of the students in the kitchen and the work she needed to do tonight. There were a dozen thoughts running through her mind, but for just these few moments while they were alone, she could allow herself to put them aside.
‘She has. But none of this would be happening without you and I wasn’t thinking about her while I was watching you walk down those stairs.’
‘May I ask what you were thinking?’
He dipped his head to speak softly against Ella’s ear. ‘This might not be the right moment to tell you. I’d hate you to be distracted, I’m really looking forward to eating supper with grown-ups and you might spoil it if your mind’s not on the job.’
‘I’m an excellent multitasker, Max.’ She placed a hand on his chest as he drew his head back, felt the warmth of his skin through the thin cotton beneath her palm. ‘I promise I won’t burn anything, whatever you might say.’
‘I don’t doubt it.’ He smoothed a thumb across her cheek. ‘Your hair’s different tonight. It suits you. I didn’t know you were blond beneath that crazy colour.’
‘I think I’d forgotten as well.’ Ella tried to shrug away her reply, and swallowed. ‘It’s been a while.’
‘Since what? You had blond hair?’
She nodded slowly. Maybe it was finally time for acceptance, to see herself as the woman she was now, not the girl she had been. ‘Twenty years, to be exact. I haven’t been blond since Lauren died. We were identical, even down to our hair.’ Ella took a breath. ‘It hurt too much to see Lauren every time I looked in the mirror. I started dyeing my hair the day after her funeral. You should have seen me in my goth phase.’ She hoped that last bit sounded funnier than it felt.
‘Ella.’ Max took her hands. ‘You’re beautiful just as you are, inside and out. You’re completely your own person, and I think you’re amazing.’ He lowered his head, and she felt the soft pressure of his lips skimming her cheek. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘Sorry if I’m interrupting. I am a little early.’ Ashley’s laugh seemed brittle, and Ella knew it was too late to hide what their body language had been suggesting. Ashley was stunning in a fitted plum-coloured floral dress. She hovered on the other side of the piano, her gorgeous brunette hair caught in an elegant chignon, revealing smooth shoulders.
‘Not at all,’ Max said easily as his hands fell to his sides. ‘I was just complimenting Ella on everything she’s done. And you too, Ash, of course. The house feels wonderful. Lily and Arlo will be over any minute and then we really should have champagne.’
‘I’ll go and check on Katie and Ethan.’ Ella was already on her way to the kitchen. ‘Let me know when the photographer’s here, Max.’
Supper had been a huge success and Ella was overjoyed with how her carefully planned menu had been received by their guests. By the time they moved on to coffee and petit fours in the drawing room, gathered around the fire with the Christmas tree glittering in a corner, she had a firm agreement from each of the producers to supply Halesmere. The community shop would play an important role in how this was to be achieved.
The four students supporting her, particularly the two young chefs, had excelled themselves, and they received a huge cheer when Ella brought them into the drawing room to receive the praise they were due. Tonight was something they could share on their social media, and she had found working with them a thrill. She planned to email their course leader as soon as possible with her enthusiastic feedback. The photographer had captured everything, including Lily and Arlo scampering down the stairs in their pyjamas and Max waiting with open arms, and Ella couldn’t wait to see her images.
Stan and Pearl spoke about the house and its history, of the family who had loved and lost it after the Great War and Pearl’s own connection to a young wife from those days. Stan had plenty of folk stories to share and everyone was quiet as he recited the spooky tale of a monk who had supposedly cried himself to death on the shores of Windermere for love of a woman, and the medieval king killed in battle whose crown had been thrown into a tarn and still lay waiting for him to reclaim it. Ella hoped it wasn’t the one at the bottom of the garden.
Pearl had uploaded more images to Instagram and new followers were increasing, along with enquiries about when the house was available to book. Ella was growing used to it now, familiar with the floorboards when they creaked, or her bedroom door when it rattled in the wind, or the house seemed to sigh. Tonight it felt alive, warm, glowing, and she almost didn’t want it to end, despite the tiredness she knew would follow the exhilaration.
A couple of people left, and she and Max went with them to the front door to thank them and say goodnight.
‘What do you think?’ His hand drifted to the grand piano in the hall, and he touched the black gloss lovingly. ‘Feels like it might be a nice moment.’
‘Do you mean it?’ Ella’s smile was suddenly wide. ‘Because there’s absolutely no pressure or expectation – not everyone knows you play. You don’t have to.’
‘I know I don’t.’ He slipped off his blazer, draping it on the back of a chair. ‘But I promised I’d play for you again and it just feels right, now, with the house like this. For everything you’ve done to help me, and Lily and Arlo, looked after them.’
‘For me?’ Ella’s throat felt tight. The door to the drawing room was closed, their guests talking in low voices behind it. ‘That would be amazing, Max, truly. I’d love it. But it doesn’t have to be now, in front of the others.’
‘Maybe it does. Playing at the school felt okay once I got going. I was thinking about the children, not who was watching. I love how the piano makes me feel and I should be a bit braver, not hold myself back and let the moment pass when it comes. Like now.’ He pulled out the stool, flexed his hands as he sat down. ‘Any requests?’
‘Whatever makes you happy.’ Ella saw how he touched the keys with his long fingers, already giving himself to the pleasure he knew would follow. She went to stand behind him, resting her hands on his shoulders as she reached round to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you.’
She couldn’t tell him the rest, that she loved him and wanted nothing more than to curl up, close her eyes and listen. To be alone with him as the fires faded away, lights were dimmed, and morning followed night. He began with ‘The First Noel’, and it was only a few moments until their guests joined them. The students and cleaners came out of the kitchen to listen too as Max moved onto ‘Silent Night’, playing with an instinctive ease that to Ella seemed effortless and incredibly beautiful.
