Page 17 of All We Want for Christmas
‘Hmm. I might do that when it’s all over after New Year. You’ve done a lot in a couple of days, and I’m not sure we’d have been ready to open on time without you being here. Now Fiona and Henry can’t be as involved, I don’t think I could have juggled everything.’
‘We haven’t opened yet and I’ve only helped project-manage the final stages, but I’m glad I turned up too, even if you weren’t too sure when I first appeared.’
‘It was a shock. I’d expected to be …’
‘Consulted? I promise you there was no plan to keep you in the dark. Look, we both need a break. Why don’t we get off site and decompress and get to know each other properly? Is there somewhere we could go for coffee or a lunch later this week?’
‘I ought to stay here …’ Lara said. ‘But I agree that a few hours away from the castle would do me good, especially after all that’s happened.’
His eyes lit with pleasure in a way that made Lara tingle with excitement.
‘Where do you suggest?’ he asked.
‘A new café opened in the village a couple of months ago but I haven’t had the chance to try it yet. We could meet there?’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ Flynn said, digging his buzzing phone out of his pocket with an apologetic grimace. ‘Sorry. Need to take this. I’ll message you about coffee.’
Lara went back to her own office to make some calls and answer more emails – and agree on a time to meet Flynn at the Waterwheel Café later in the week. With the Christmas programme ramping up and her employers out of action for a while, she’d have precious few moments to herself and she sorely needed the café outing to look forward to. It wasn’t a date, so it didn’t break any of her rules. After all, what could possibly happen over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake?
The following morning, Lara was keen to see how Henry was when Fiona brought him home from the hospital. She found him sitting in his favourite armchair with a tartan rug over his legs and a cup of tea at his side.
‘I’m hugely relieved to be home, even if I’m on a cocktail of painkillers and antibiotics,’ he told Lara.
‘And strict instructions about his diet!’ Fiona declared. ‘Low-fat healthy eating from now on. No port, cheese or rich sauces.’
‘It’s the privation that hurts the most.’ Henry grasped his wife’s hand. ‘Seriously, I’m grateful it wasn’t my ticker.’
‘You need to look after that too,’ Fiona said.
‘I know, my dear. I’ll be a veritable saint from now on.’
‘Glad to see you still have your sense of humour,’ Fiona said wryly.
Lara was glad he had too, but she was also dismayed to see that Henry had aged years overnight, which was no wonder when he’d been in pain and wasn’t able to eat properly. Under his smile, he was a worried man, and Fiona’s face was grey with exhaustion.
‘We’re both going upstairs for a nap,’ Fiona said, before turning a sympathetic eye to Lara. ‘And how are you coping, my dear? I am so sorry to leave you in the lurch. How is the planning for the Winter Spectacular going?’
‘You mean, our own version of Blackpool Illuminations?’ Henry declared with a chortle that turned into a cough and a wince.
Lara smiled. ‘Not quite on such a grand scale, but I think you’ll be pleased when you have the chance to see them.’
‘And how’s Flynn getting on?’ Fiona asked. ‘He’s been thrown into the deep end.’
‘Don’t worry. I introduced him to the team and he seems to be getting on fine with them and the contractors. We did a walkthrough yesterday evening and they truly are spectacular. I don’t think the visitors will be disappointed.’
Fiona’s shoulders visibly relaxed. ‘That’s a huge weight lifted. I shall go and see them for myself tonight. I don’t know what we’d do without you.’
Lara managed a smile. ‘I only want the best for Ravendale.’
She had to hold off with any more shocks until after the New Year celebrations, and she only hoped Henry would feel up to those. He’d certainly be out of action for quite a time as far as work was concerned, and Fiona would be busy looking after him.
‘I know and it’s such a hectic time …’
‘Especially with us oldies beinghors de combat,’ Henry chirped up.
‘Quite, although I’m not sure I’d describe myself as an oldie yet, Henry.’ Fiona shared a knowing look with Lara. ‘Please make sure you have a break too. I know what an added burden you now have.’
‘It’s OK. Flynn being here and taking charge technically is a load off my mind.’
