Page 4 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Chipper, their golden Labrador, stuck his head up from under the table. His sixth sense that food was on offer was notorious. He put his soft head between Ruby’s legs and she ruffled him under his ears, just the way he liked it.
“I love you Chipper, but you’re not getting a crumb of this biscuit,” Ruby told him.
“Besides making home-made crackers—”
“Call them artisan,” Ruby interrupted.
Mum frowned. “Arty-what-now?”
Chipper barked as Ruby stopped petting him. She began again.
He dribbled on her thigh as a thank you.
“Artisan. It’s the new way of saying home-made. Sounds posher. You can charge more.”
Ruby had Mum’s attention now. Mum grabbed her phone and made a note. “Good job you live in London and know these things, isn’t it, Paul?”
Dad nodded. “We’d have no idea, that’s for sure. Although maybe Michael and Dale might.”
“Anyway,” Mum interrupted. She gave Dad a stern look. “Besides artisan crackers, the other big news in the village is that the new owners of Hollybush Cottage have finally moved in. They’re called Michael and Dale.”
Hollybush Cottage was next door to her parents’ farm. Sort of on it if you were going to be picky. When Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm had been going through a lean patch around ten years ago, Mum had the bright idea of portioning off a section of the land and renovating one of the outbuildings into a three-bedroom home.
“Are they nice?”
Mum nodded. “Very.” She leaned in closer. “And gay.” She whispered those two words as if Michael and Dale might hear if she spoke any louder.
Ruby smiled. Cool as her parents were, sometimes she forgot they still lived in sleepy Suffolk. Although having a lesbian daughter put them ahead of most. “It’s about time our little hamlet of Mistletoe had a bit of male gay in the mix, isn’t it? Sue and Penny will be pleased the spotlight’s off them.”
Chipper huffed at her.
Ruby ruffled his fur. “I know, you’re a gay male, I’m not leaving you out.”
Dad snorted. “I dunno. Sue and Penny revel in the spotlight. Their noses might be put out of joint now they’ve got competition.”
“Anyway, Michael and Dale are lovely; I met them the other day.” Mum brushed the front of her pale pink jumper. “Their daughter’s visiting from London, so I told them to come over for a glass of wine. I thought it’d be nice, as you’re here from London, too. Make her feel more at home.”
Ruby’s stomach dropped. She’d been looking forward to the opening night ofStrictly Come Dancingand a glass of wine in front of the fire, not making small talk with strangers. Then she frowned. Did her mum have an ulterior motive? “Are you trying to set me up again? Apart from anything else, just because Michael and Dale are gay, it doesn’t mean their daughter is, too.”
“I know that!”
Mum sounded hurt. But Ruby would bet money that had been her logic.
“I just thought you’re both from London. They lived in Surrey before, so coming to Mistletoe is a bit of a change.”
“I’ll say.” Mistletoe wasn’t so much a Suffolk village, it was more a hamlet. It had a church, a Christmas tree farm, a shop, and a part-time bar. If you wanted a proper pub, you had to walk 20 minutes to the next village, Snowy Bottom.
Ruby checked her watch. “What time are they due? I have a couple of calls to make.” Even though she was home for the weekend, she still had work to do.
“After seven. Drinks and nibbles. Just to welcome them.”
Ruby glanced around the kitchen, with its peeling units and trusty AGA. ‘Lived-in’ was what some would call it. ‘Weathered’ was another term that could be applied. If this festive season was a success, maybe they could get a new kitchen. That was her mum’s dream.
“Why don’t we take the newbies to The Bar?” Ruby said. “That way, they can meet the whole village.”
Mum wiggled her nose. “They’re coming here first, but maybe afterwards if they want to. So long as it’s not too late.”
“Is Scott showing his face?” Ruby hadn’t seen her little brother since she arrived this morning.
