Page 18 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
I pause for a moment, thinking about how Flo’s house must have felt so different when her daughters still lived at home. And now she’slost Ed as well…no wonder she likes to socialise.
She turns. ‘Cheer up. I bet she’s at home already,’ she says,mistaking my sad expression for worry about Tavie.
‘I’m sure you’re right.’ I hold the door open as she carriesthe box out, and I follow her with one of my own.
‘Oh, girls?’ We turn at the back door and Marjery isstanding by the Christmas tree. ‘That black cherry compote with the dessert wasutterly inspired. It cut through the sweetness of the white chocolate toperfection. See you tomorrow.’
Flo grins at me as we walk out into the courtyard, which nowhas a dusting of snow. ‘I think that’s congratulations. Ooh, look! Maybe wereally will have a white Christmas.’
I nod as we crunch over to the car. ‘Tavie will be pleased.’
‘That was a good first day,’ points out Flo, as we get intothe car.
‘Marjery liked the cherry sauce and we didn’t kill anyone,’I murmur. ‘It’s definitely a promising start.’
I feel lighter in spirit, driving home. Perhaps everythingwill work out, after all.
‘Say hello to Tavie for me,’ says Flo when I drop her off.
‘I will.’ I grin. ‘And try and get a good night’s sleep foronce.’
She nods, waves and disappears inside her cute mid-terracecottage.
*****
Arriving home, my heart sinks.
We live on a small, modern estate on the outskirts of Sunnybrook,just a ten-minute walk from the village. When she’s in, Tavie tends to floodthe four-bedroom detached house with light, but the house is in total darkness.
I let myself in and dig out my phone. Still no message, eventhough I’ve sent her three in as many hours, pretty much begging her to reply.(I even thought about promising to buy her some new trainers if she’d just letme know she’s okay, but I managed to resist. Bribery is a step too far.) I havethe number of the parents of her friend, Amy, but I’m reluctant to bother them.
Needs must, I think firmly, and I ring their number.
Then I really wish I hadn’t, because it seems Amy got backto the farm, where the family lives, an hour ago. Her mum, Angela, tries tocalm me down, saying, ‘Amy was feeling a bit tired so she left early, butotherwise, she’d still be there and I’d be feeling what you’re feeling if shehadn’t bothered to contact me. Which, let’s face it, has happened more timesthan I care to remember. She’ll be back soon, Jenny. I’m sure of it.’
‘Thanks, Angela.’
‘Shall I get Amy to ring her and find out when she’ll becoming home?’
‘Is she in bed?’
‘Yes, but that’s okay. I can wake her up.’
‘Oh, no, don’t do that. I’m sure you’re right. She’ll beback soon. I’m just worrying for nothing.’
I end the call, feeling only marginally better, and wanderinto the kitchen to make some tea. Then I sit in the living room in the dark,with the curtains still open, trying to drink it and rationalising that she’sactually only three-quarters of an hour late. I told her to be back by ten.Teenagers have no concept of time. I was the same myself when I was her age…
When it gets to eleven-fifteen, I wash out my mug slowly andgo upstairs. She’ll be mad if she finds me waiting up for her when she gets in.Probably best to be in bed when she arrives – although I know for a fact that Iwon’t be able to sleep until she’s safely back home and tucked up in bed.
*****
I first met Tavie’s dad, Harvey, when his car had apuncture, just outside the Sussex village where I was manager of the popularHalf Moon Bakery there. I was behind the counter when he came in, talking onhis mobile, and when he ended the call, he asked me what I could recommend totake the sting out of a flat tyre.
He was tall and quite handsome, with thick blonde hair, andwhen he smiled at me, I noticed his two front teeth were ever so slightlycrossed. It was a good smile and I had a feeling he was flirting with me, so Isaid, ‘Try a warm apricot and almond pastry, and all your troubles will floataway like magic.’
‘Sounds good.’ He glanced around and noticed the threetables over in the corner. ‘A coffee as well, please. I might be here a while.’
‘Are you from around here?’ I asked, as I poured him a blackcoffee.
