Page 55 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
I’m just emerging from one of the department stores onto thesnowy main street when I spot Fen and Katja walking towards me, with Madison,who I met in the Swan Hotel bar that time.
‘Christmas shopping?’ asks Fen.
‘Yes. Just getting one or two things for Tavie.’ I grin. ‘I preferredit when she believed in Santa and found the boxes more enchanting than theactual gifts!’
‘It’s a shame they have to grow up,’ says Katja. ‘How old isshe?’
‘Fifteen.’
‘Ugh, I had raging acne and a mad crush on my historyteacher at fifteen,’ says Madison. ‘It’s a tricky age. Have you told her yet?’
I frown, not sure what she means.
She shrugs. ‘Does she know you weren’t just being horrible,saying she couldn’t go to her dad’s funeral?’
I shake my head. ‘I’m not going to tell her.’ It’s clear Madisondisapproves of my decision, but surely a white lie is permissible when you’reprotecting someone you love?
‘She’s sure to find out the truth one day – and in themeantime, you’ll have wasted all that time when you could have been close, theway you used to be.’ She shrugs. ‘Also, kids are far more resilient than youthink they are. She sounds like a strong-willed teenager who knows her ownmind. I bet she could handle the truth.’
‘About all of Harvey’s lovers? Are you sure about that?’ Isay testily.
‘Well, she might be upset for a day or two, but she’d getover it. And at least then you’d be singing from the same hymn sheet, as my mumalways says. Although why she says it, I’m not sure, because she’s not in theleast religious. But you know what I’m saying.’ She shrugs. ‘It seems to me youhaven’t a hope in hell of communicating honestly about anything, until Tavieknows the truth.’
There’s an awkward silence. Then Fen says diplomatically,‘It’s up to Jenny, though, how she wants to handle it. Tavie is herresponsibility.’
Katja nods. ‘It sounds so easy when you say it, Madison. Ofcoursewe all want to be honest about things. But maybe it’s not always quite thatsimple…’
‘Actually, I agree with Madison,’ says a voice behind me.‘The truth is the most important thing.’
My heart lurches.
I turn to find Tavie standing there. Her face is stark whiteand she’s staring at me, a strange expression on her face.
Katja gasps and Fen grabs my arm and squeezes gently.
‘Oh, shit,’ murmurs Madison, looking horrified. ‘I take ityou’re Tavie?’
Tavie nods slowly, then she turns an anguished look on me.‘Why didn’t you tell me, Jenny?’
‘Tavie.’ I take a step towards her, but she backs away. ‘Iwanted to protect you, love. I certainly didn’t want you to find out this way.’
She stares at me and I hold my breath. Then she turnsabruptly. ‘I’m going back to the car. I’ll see you there.’
‘Sorry.’ Madison looks upset. ‘Sorry, sorry, sorry.’
I shake my head, my insides in turmoil. ‘I need to go afterher.’
Hurrying away, I hear Fen call, ‘She’ll be fine, Jenny.’
Panicking now, I press my lips together.I doubt thatsomehow!I’m desperate to get to Tavie but she’s faster than me, weavingher way through the crowds. She collides with a shopper laden with a dozenbags, and the woman turns round angrily, but Tavie doesn’t stop. She blunderson and I follow as fast as the slippery pavement underfoot will allow me.
Back at the car, I find her leaning against the passengerseat door, arms folded, staring into space. I unlock the car and go over toher, and this time she doesn’t try to move away from me.
I slip my arm around her slim shoulders. ‘Come on. Get in.’
Once we’re in the car, she turns, angling herself towardsme. ‘Tell me,’ she says calmly. ‘I need to know everything, Jenny. Don’t leavethings out just because you think I might freak, okay?’
I nod.She’s mature enough to know the unvarnished truth.Why didn’t I realise that before?
