Page 36 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
‘Jenny?’
‘Yes?’
‘Sorry I’m such a pain in the arse sometimes. I’ve just beenso down after Dad and everything.’
I reach out and cover her hand with mine. ‘I know, love. Youdon’t have to apologise to me. But thank you. It means a lot that you said it.’I swallow. ‘I love you, you know, and your dad would be so proud of you.’
She smiles wistfully. ‘Drink your tea before it gets cold.’
‘Oh. Of course.’ I take another disgusting gulp that almostmakes my teeth ache, it’s so sweet. ‘Listen, why don’t I come clothes shoppingwith you some time?’ I shrug. ‘Unless you’d rather go yourself.’
‘That would be nice,’ she says, and my heart lifts.
‘Great! We could have hot chocolate specials at Raffles Café?’The last time we went to Raffles together was before Harvey died. It was ourfavourite place…
‘Okay.’ She springs off the bed and goes out, calling back,‘With a shot of caramel, of course.’
‘Of course!’ I smile. It feels just like the old days. Wealwayshad caramel in our hot chocolate.
*****
Getting in the car to go and pick up Flo brings back amemory. Driving home the other night, my heart full of dancing in the ballroomwith Bob…while Noah learned the steps with Rhoda.
If Melanie hadn’t arrived at that moment, Noah and I wouldhave danced together.
Suddenly, the thought of being in his arms, whirling aroundthe dance floor with him, stirs up so many conflicting feelings that for amoment, all I can do is sit there, my hands resting on the steering wheel,letting the emotions wash over me.
How would it have felt?
My heart pulses with longing for a moment as I allow myimagination to run wild.
Then a neighbour walks by and waves, and I wave back,reality intruding on my dream. I put the car in gear with a wistful smile.That’s all it will ever be – a tantalising image in my head of what might havehappened, had Melanie not appeared…
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Menu – Day 4
Buffet lunch
Salmon en croute, herb-stuffed roast chicken, lamb &courgette skewers, Yorkshire puddings filled with beef and horseradish
***
Strawberry pavlovas, mini treacle tarts, double chocolatebrownies with fresh raspberries and cream, tangy lemon tart, jam roly-poly
Flo and I are at the manor by nine in order to preparethe big buffet lunch Marjery has ordered for today. They’re all going out fordinner tonight, so by about two o’clock, we’ll be finished for the day. Maybe I’ll go shopping with Tavie and treat her to some new clothes for the trip, then come back and curl up with some nice food and someStrictlyrepeats on the TV. I tried to call Vivian about the holiday but the line was bad. I need to try her again…
Flo asks how I am today, after yesterday’s upset, and Ireassure her that I’m fine, although I’m actually anythingbutfine.
I’m dreading seeing Constance.
Did she recognise me last night as Harvey’s other half?Maybe she didn’t even know that Harvey had a live-in girlfriend. Perhaps helied and told her he was single.
But whether Constance knows about me or not, every time Ihear footsteps outside in the hall, my heart leaps into my mouth and my legsstart to tremble.
The suspense is horrible – but then at just after midday, Isee her through the kitchen window, going out into the snow with Melanie.They’re both wrapped up well, and I watch them striking out in their welliesacross the vast snowy lawn.
Seconds later, Rhoda and Bob appear, with Wilbur chasingaround their ankles, rootling in the snow. Rhoda points over at Melanie andConstance, who seem to be heading off along the drive. Then Bob nudges her andthey laugh, and do an about turn so that they’re walking in the oppositedirection, over towards the woodland walk, with Wilbur running ahead. I watchthem curiously. There’s something about the way they keep looking over theirshoulders and laughing, as if they might be being followed, that makes me smileand wonder what they’re up to.
