Page 42 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
‘Come in, come in. Sorry about the pjs,’ I say sheepishly.‘If I’d known you were coming, I’d have at least kept my clothes on!’
Little Megan runs through the hall and Tavie holds out herarms, gathers her up and swings her around, as Megan shrieks with delight. Dannyis a little shyer, but even he goes over for a hug from his big sister.
Vivian smiles at Tavie, her eyes glistening suspiciously.‘Is it my turn now? How’s my precious first-born?’
‘Oh, Mum, you always say that. You’re so embarrassing.’ ButTavie’s smiling, flushed with happiness at seeing her mum, and the two hug eachother tightly, which brings an unexpected lump to my throat. Tavie misses themall, I know, but at least now she has the joy of spending a whole week at thisspecial time of year with her family.
A dark cloud passes overhead as I imagine how empty thehouse will seem without her this Christmas. But I’ll be fine. As Tavie saidherself, I’ll be able to do exactly as I please over the festive season…
‘Hang on, did you say you weren’t expecting us?’ says Viviansuddenly.
Tavie shakes her head. ‘No. Jenny didn’t tell me.’
‘Oh, but Jenny called the other day and I said we’d pop into see you both tonight.’
‘Did you?’ I stare at her, bemused. Then I nod. ‘I remember.I could hardly hear you, the line was so bad. Sorry.’
‘No problem,’ says Vivian good-humouredly. ‘Get the kettleon, Tavie. I’m parched!’
‘Right.’ Tavie flies off, with Danny and Megan in her wake.‘I might be able to find some gingerbread Santas. Anyone like one?’
‘Ooh, yes, please!’ shout both children in unison.
Vivian grins. ‘They’re both hyper. I’ll almost be glad whenit’s Boxing Day.’
‘Come through.’ Smiling, I lead the way, and we sit down oneither end of the sofa. ‘Tavie isso excitedabout this holiday, Vivian.Honestly, she’s talked about practically nothing else since she heard aboutit.’
Vivian’s eyes open wide as she looks at me, but when shedoesn’t reply, I chatter on. ‘She’s been out shopping today for clothes for thetrip. This is going to be the best Christmas ever, spending it with Danny andMegan, and you and Wesley, of course.’
‘Jenny?’ I hear the warning note in Vivian’s voice but don’timmediately process it.
‘She so deserves this holiday with you all, especially after…well,lastChristmas.’
Vivian sighs and drops her head into her hands, and my heartjolts in my chest.
‘What is it?’ I ask, alarmed.
She looks up and her face is wreathed in panic. ‘Jenny,she’s not coming with us. How on earth did she get the idea that she was?’
‘What?’ I gaze at her in horror. ‘But Danny was talkingabout it, saying you were all going. I thought it was a bit odd that you hadn’ttalked to me about it, but I just assumed that you were too busy.’
‘Danny told her? But when?’ The penny drops and she groans.‘The Zoom call. We were all chatting and then the phone rang and I took it inthe other room, but they carried on talking. They must have told her she wascoming with us. Oh, God, Jenny, I feel so terrible. I just didn’t think itthrough.’
No, you didn’t, Vivian! And poor Tavie is going to sufferfor it.
Footsteps clatter through the hall and a second later, Dannyand Megan arrive in the room, already half-way down their gingerbread Santas.
‘Tavie’s bringing your tea, Mummy,’ says Megan, bouncingonto the sofa beside her.
Vivian tries to smile, but I can see the agony on her face.My stomach is churning, thinking of Tavie.
‘I honestly thought she’d prefer to be at home, in familiarsurroundings with all her friends, after what happened last Christmas,’ Vivianmurmurs, her hand to her burning cheek. ‘How can this have happened? I supposeI could try and book Tavie a flight, but at this late stage, I doubt there’llbe a single seat left on the plane.’
‘It’s all right. I don’t want to go anyway.’
I jump – and so does Vivian – at the sound of Tavie’s voice.
We both turn.
