Page 29 of Christmas in Mistletoe
“And we totally understand.” Dad gave her his understanding smile. “But do think about coming home. Even on Christmas morning if you have to.”
Fran nodded. “I will.”
Under the table, Ruby squeezed her hand and let go.
Fran quivered, but didn’t dare look Ruby’s way.
“It was a good job the crackers sold, but the trees didn’t move quite as well as we wanted.” Paul sighed as he sipped his pint. “I blame Ikea.”
“What’s Ikea done?” Fran wanted to get the conversation moving again. Away from her.
“Last year, they built a store 15 miles away, and offered customers a £20 voucher if they buy their tree from them for £30. That makes the tree a tenner, and we can’t compete with that. The festival was always our biggest-selling weekend of the year until Ikea opened. Our sales were down 25 per cent last year.”
“Still, it’ll all work out. We’ve been through worse!” Mary gave the table a decisive nod. “I believe in the power of community. We told enough people today to tell their friends to come to us. Hopefully, the word will get out and that will happen. I have faith.”
“Or people will give all their money to Ikea,” Audrey chimed in. “The coffee’s cheap, too. And the cinnamon buns are delicious.”
“Audrey Parrot! Tell me you didn’t buy your tree there?” The vein on the right of Mary’s neck began to throb.
“Of course I didn’t! What do you take me for? I just go there for tealights and kitchen goods. Also, for the cinnamon buns.”
* * *
Two hours later,Victoria and Eric turned out the lights, and the O’Connells and the Bells walked home together. The Christmas trees lining Farm Lane rustled in the breeze as they passed. It was still freezing, and Fran had her coat back on which wasn’t a patch on Mary’s. The first thing Fran was going to do in London was buy a better winter coat.
They arrived at Mistletoe Farm in five minutes. Mary and Paul hugged everyone, as did Fran’s dads. Their respective parents left, leaving Ruby and Fran together.
“No chance I can persuade you to come back to London and do the gig on the 22nd at The Pennywhistle?” Fran took a gamble. “There’s still a slot on the bill and you’d be perfect. Great way to showcase ‘Pieces Of You’.”
Ruby smiled, but shook her head. “I’m in Mistletoe for the season. I told you that; my family needs me. Plus, The Pennywhistle is hardly my crowd. You know my gig rules.”
“I disagree. It’s under new management and they’ve mixed things up. Plus, rules are made to be broken.”
Ruby ignored her comment. “I should be asking you the same question. No chance you’ll be coming back before the end of the year?”
“Not unless something drastic happens. My schedule doesn’t permit it.” Fran got caught in Ruby’s stare.
Something boomed in her chest, and Fran was taken right back to the hand holding earlier. She wasn’t sure what to do with these new emotions. She stuffed her hands deep in her pockets.
“Have a great Christmas. I’ll see you in the New Year?”
Ruby’s gaze dropped down Fran’s face, before returning to rest on her eyes. “I guess you will.” She gave her a nod, then walked down the drive.
Fran watched her go. Half of her wanted to walk with Ruby, to keep chatting. She was enjoying their time together. Enjoying this new level of friendship they seemed to have encountered. However, Fran’s sensible half knew she had to go.
Back to her normal life. Back to work. Back to reality.
She was just about to do just that, when Ruby stopped, then turned back to Fran.
When she saw Fran was still there, Ruby smiled.
She gave Fran a half-wave.
The world stood still for just a few seconds, the moonlight bathing the pair of them.
Fran sucked in a deep breath.
Then Ruby turned back, and walked to her front door.
