Page 19 of A Year at Appleyard Farm
‘Okay, well happy hunting.’ He grinned at her and wandered off again.
Freya had only moved a little way around the corner when he was back again, almost fizzing with excitement.
‘You need to come over here,’ he urged, and grabbed her hand, not caring about the other shoppers in their path.
They were near the back of the shop now, standing in front of a small section of more expensive decorations, all made from the most beautiful glass, a myriad of colours and sizes. Her eyes scanned this way and that, and then she saw it, seconds before Sam’s hand reached out to take it gingerly down from its hiding place. It was about the size of an apple, a handmade glass ornament of pale cranberry glass, a single perfect white feather curled within it in perfect suspension. Her breath caught in her throat as she reached out a trembling hand to take it.
‘What do you think?’ asked Sam anxiously.
Freya held her breath, hardly daring to move. ‘I can’t believe you found it,’ she said, her voice choked with emotion. ‘This is it; this is absolutely it.’ She turned to him, her eyes shining. ‘How did you know?’
‘I didn’t, I saw it…and it just seemed…right. Like the sort of thing you should have.’
Freya was still gazing at the ornament in her hand. ‘Can we buy it?’ she asked, handing it back to him. ‘Is it very expensive?’
Sam cleared his throat which felt a little constricted. ‘It’s twenty pounds. I’m sorry, I should have checked the price first, but Freya…’ He faltered for a moment, trying to find the right words, ‘I want you to have this…I’d like to buy it for you…please.’
She paused for a moment, but then to his surprise, she gave a slight nod. ‘I’d like that,’ she said, looking up at him. ‘Because then I’ll have something to remember you too.’ And she did something she’d sworn she’d never do again. She kissed him.
‘I don’t want to sound rude, Amos, but I was wondering what your plans for Christmas were?’
Amos looked up from his book and gave her a warm smile. ‘Not rude at all,’ he said. ‘It’s a busy time of year, only natural that you would want to know.’ He placed his bookmark back in the book and laid it on his lap. ‘I’ve been thinking about it too as it happens, and I thought maybe I would go at the end of the week if that’s all right with you? The work will pretty much be done by then, and there’s heavy snow coming in after.’
‘Is there?’ Freya replied, surprised. ‘I hadn’t heard that…but…what I meant was more, well, whether you had definite plans, that sort of thing. Do you have somewhere you’re meant to be?’
Amos considered the question for a moment. ‘No, nowhere I’m meant to be, but often the place I am, well, it’s the same thing.’
Freya grinned, giving an amused tut at his enigmatic answer. She was beginning to expect nothing less from him. ‘Good, because what I really meant was, if you don’t have to be anywhere in particular, would you like to stay here for Christmas? It won’t be very grand because everything will be in boxes, but I’d like it if you were here.’
‘Then I accept,’ replied Amos. ‘Thank you. I didn’t like the thought of you being here by yourself. It didn’t seem right.’
Freya stared into the fire for a moment. ‘No, me neither,’ she said finally, giving a huge yawn. ‘I might head up to bed now actually. I’m so tired, and it’s going to take me an age to get ready anyway.’
‘Do you need anything?’
‘No, it’s fine, thanks, I’ll just take my book.’ She eyed the glass bauble sitting on the mantelpiece.
‘I could bring it up for you if you like?’ ventured Amos, watching her.
She smiled again. ‘Sorry, I just thought I might have it beside my bed.’
‘Then that’s where you shall have it.’
When her head eventually met the pillow, she lay for a few moments looking at the bauble lost in thought. This morning she had wished that she could be on her own for Christmas. She had thought she wanted nothing more than to see out the last few days at Appleyard by herself so that she could say her own goodbyes, but something had changed during the course of the day. She’d realised it in the car driving home earlier that afternoon, and she was trying desperately hard not to admit it to herself. Perhaps having Amos stay would help to keep the thoughts chasing around her head at bay. Perhaps. She closed her eyes and willed sleep to come and claim her.
9
‘And here’s another festive treat for this fine Monday morning to get you in the mood. After all, the big day is now only four away.’
Sam switched off the radio irritably, he didn’t need any more bloody reminders of how little time he had left. The last week or so had passed in a blur. He drained his coffee mug and stared morosely at the toaster. He was due back at Appleyard tomorrow to help with more packing, and although he had no great expectations of the day, at least it meant he wouldn’t have to suffer Stephen’s smug comments at home. He could hear him now, arguing on the phone with someone. It was only nine o’clock in the morning, for God’s sake.
He concentrated on buttering his toast, trying to ignore his brother’s strident tones as they grew louder. Stephen was still a little wary around him since getting punched, but it didn’t stop him from reminding Sam at every given opportunity that he would soon own Appleyard too.
‘Have a heart, mate, even the wankers – sorry, bankers – don’t work at the weekend. I’m doing the best I can. My man’s on it, believe me, and I’m expecting to hear from him later today.’ Stephen paused for a moment, nodding intermittently. ‘Yes, of course, I will, cheers, Paul.’
He ended the call, pulling an exasperated face at Sam. ‘That man has no bloody idea, but you have to keep ’em sweet, don’t you?’
‘Do you?’ countered Sam. ‘I really wouldn’t know,’ he added, feigning disinterest, although the mention of the name Paul had caught his ear. He knew better than to quiz his brother, though; that was the quickest way to get him to clam up.
