Page 40 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
And a few minutes later, I’m stepping out of the back doorwith Flo into the winter wonderland of the courtyard, the snow so deep andcrisp and even that most of our wellies disappear underneath it.
Tucking our hands into our coat pockets, we start crunchinground to the front of the house and across the large expanse of lawn, nowcompletely covered in a thick layer of snow.
And as we walk, I tell Flo the whole story. How I’d no ideaabout Harvey’s infidelities until the day he had his fatal heart attack, and Idiscovered he’d been with another woman. And how I later found texts and photoson his phone – pictures of other glamorous women in provocative poses, so I’dknown this latest deception had been only one of many. How Tavie wasdevastated, but I couldn’t risk her going to the funeral because then she mighthave found out things that would have devastated her even further.
Flo listens in appalled silence to the whole sad story.
And at the end, she says, ‘It’s unbelievable the way somepeople think only of themselves. Didn’t that bast…Harvey…everconsideryou and Tavie in all of this?’
I sigh. ‘Apparently not.’
‘Well, he was a bloody idiot,’ she says with feeling. ‘And Ireally hope Tavie finds out he wasn’t the “perfect dad” she thought he was.Then perhaps you and she could be – ’
I shake my head. ‘No! Flo, she canneverfind out. Itwould break her heart. Tavie absolutely worshipped Harvey. I just couldn’t dothat to her.’
Flo sighs. ‘Well, you’re a better person than I am. I’d needher to know the truth. I don’t think I could live a lie like that…’ She gives astrange little smile. ‘Or maybe I could,’ she murmurs, almost to herself. ‘Ifmy future depended upon it.’
She stares out over the lawn towards the wood, where somecrows are squawking high up in the trees.
‘They’re a noisy bunch,’ I comment. But she doesn’t reply,and when I glance at her, there’s a far-away, sombre look on her face. ‘Flo?’
She turns. ‘Sorry?’
‘I said the crows are a noisy bunch.’
‘Oh.’ She looks confused. ‘Yes.’ Then she smiles. ‘So howare you feeling now?’
‘Better. Exhausted. I’m just looking forward to going homeand flopping out on the sofa in front of someStrictly.’
‘It’s not on tonight.
I shrug. ‘Recordings. I’ve got loads.’
She nods. ‘Good therapy.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Hey, what are those two up to?’ says Flo suddenly, pointingover at the woods.
I look where she’s pointing, in the direction of the wood,and I spy Rhoda and Bob hurrying along the line of the trees as if there’ssomeone behind them in hot pursuit.
‘Off for a walk, do you think?’
‘That’s some walk.’ Flo’s eyebrows rise as Rhoda’s peel oflaughter reaches us across the expanse and we watch her running past Bob thenturning to urge him on. He catches her up, grabs her for a quick kiss, and theydisappear into the trees. ‘Maybe they’re up to no good in those woods. Youknow, a little bit of hanky pankyal fresco?’
‘In the freezing cold?’ I squeak. ‘Hardly.’
She grins. ‘They’re so adventurous, those two, I wouldn’tput it past them.’
‘Really?’
‘Where’s your sense of romance and fun? Isn’t there someoneyou’dlike to have a romp in the snow with?’ she asks, her expression all innocence.
I frown at her. ‘What makes you ask that?’
‘Ooh, nothing. Just a feeling. I think our man Noah quitelikes you.’
My heart lurches. ‘What? Don’t be ridiculous.’
