Page 72 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
‘Got to go, Flo. Tavie’s about to switch on the treelights.’
‘Aww, lovely. Are you two okay now?’
I smile at Tavie, who’s tweaking a length of tinsel in placeand standing back to admire the effect. ‘You know what? I think we are.’
‘That’s brilliant. Listen, one of the reasons I called wasto tell you that I got to thinking about what you said – you know, that maybemy family might miss me if I didn’t see them on Christmas Day. So I called myeldest, Rachel, and she sounded quite emotional when I told her I could jointhem, after all. She said that she and Margot had both been really worriedabout me after the split, but they hadn’t wanted to pressurise me into doinganything if I didn’t feel like it.’
‘So you’re going down to London for Christmas?’
‘Yup. Getting the train later.’
‘Oh, that’s great, Flo.’
‘I know. I can’t wait, actually. We’re all gathering forlunch at a posh hotel. And don’t worry. No alcohol for me. I’ll be on thesofties.’
‘Nice. Just promise me one thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Don’twear your sprout jumper.’
*****
‘So if Flo’s not coming for lunch tomorrow, can I do mything instead of the turkey?’
It’s late – going on for midnight on Christmas Eve – andwe’ve just finished watchingHome Alonefor theone-hundred-and-fifty-seventh time.
I stifle a yawn. ‘What a great film. My ribs actually achefrom laughing. Yes, of course you can do Christmas lunch. Fish fingers, is it?’
She gives me a mysterious smile. ‘Wait and see.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
I wake early on Christmas Day and I lie there,snuggled in the duvet for a while, thinking about everything that’s happenedover the past week.
It feels as if this Christmas is a turning point – for bothTavie and me.
We’ve both had the year from hell. But hopefully, we canbuild on our new understanding and move into a much brighter new year…
I slide out of bed and draw back the curtains. It’s stilldark out there – it’s only seven-thirty – but all is calm. The scary snowstormof the night Tavie went missing seems a million miles away, thank goodness. Andthe back garden is like a strange alien planet, peopled by the gentlyundulating shapes of bushes completely covered in snow.
It reminds me of Bob’s ‘Invasion of the Alien Snowmen’, Ireflect with a smile. I’d have loved Tavie to see that. I wish I’d takenphotos.
Shivering, I pull on my dressing gown and slip downstairs,flicking the heating on and boiling the kettle. Then, as Tavie’s room is stillsilent, I take my tea upstairs and get back into bed, snuggling into the warmthand wondering what we’ll be eating for Christmas lunch today. There’s a fridgefull of festive turkey and trimmings, but we can have those another time.
Today is Tavie’s day…
My mind wanders to the house party at the manor. It was suchan amazing week and Marjery was apparently delighted with the food. She thankedme in person on the phone yesterday, and then a Christmas card arrived in whichshe added a little note, saying:Hoping your business goes from strength tostrength in the new year. I’ve told all my friends how marvellous you are, soexpect some calls soon. You deserve success! Regards, Marjery.
I wonder what they’re all doing today. Have they all gonetheir separate ways, after their cosy Christmas week at Brambleberry Manor?
Are Melanie and Fergus a couple now? Looking back, I can seethere were little signs that they really liked each other. Little awkward smilesand glances. The way Melanie grabbed onto Fergus and wouldn’t let go of him at Bob’salien snowmen reveal. And the way Fergus leapt up when Melanie spilled the redwine at the dinner table and was first to go to her aid. I guess each wasreluctant to risk rejection, and possibly spoiling a long friendship, bydeclaring their true feelings. When I talked to Fergus that time in thekitchen, he said he’d been apprehensive about seeing everyone again. I guess hemeant Melanie. But I’ll bet he’s glad he made the trip now.
They looked so perfect together, Melanie whirling around theballroom dance floor, smiling into her handsome partner’s eyes.
My heart sinks, thinking about another pair who almost hadtheir dance – but not quite.
Noah.
