Page 8 of Christmas in Mistletoe
“How long have you lived here?”
“I live in London.”
Fran suppressed an eye roll. “I mean your family. They seem quite settled.”
Ruby nodded. “They are. We moved here when I was nine. So, 20 years. At first the farm paid its way, but as time’s gone on and people don’t come to farms to get their Christmas trees, things are always hanging in the balance. But somehow, my parents make it work. Doing up and selling Hollybush Cottage kept them in business for a good while. They inspired me to go my own way, too.”
Fran stuffed her hands further into her pockets. The chill wasn’t just coming from the air. “I admire that. I’m not out to change that. You made your feelings very clear when we met before.” She glanced at Ruby. There was maybe six inches difference between them, but Ruby seemed a few feet taller tonight. “Do you earn enough doing it on your own, though? I’m genuinely curious.”
Ruby took a moment before she answered. “I do. I have a core group of fans, I gig, and I’m a voice coach. I get by. My parents told me to audition for a reality TV show, but I never think they’re about singing. I don’t want to be judged on my looks or who I am. I want it to be about my songs, my art.”
Fran nodded. “I get that. But if you were judged on your looks, it wouldn’t deter from your music. You’ve got a great voice, great songs, and a great look. You’re the full package. I know you don’t want to sign with me, but you will get other offers.”
“I’ve had other offers. I’ve turned them all down.” Ruby’s tone held a warning. “I signed with a label a few years ago. It didn’t work. They blew very hot, and then very cold when I didn’t want to do exactly what they wanted. It wasn’t a great experience, to say the least. I like having full control of my life, now.”
Fran was getting that. “But isn’t it a whole lot of work? Wouldn’t you like some help?”
“I cope just fine.”
“I won’t say another word about it.” Fran clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and they walked in silence to the end of the road. Mistletoe Stores was on the corner of Mistletoe’s one and only junction. Propped up on the bench outside was a chalkboard, with ‘This way to The Bar’ written on it.
Ruby pointed. “My sister and her husband run Mistletoe Stores and its attached bar. They named them both. I think I got the creative gene.”
Fran smiled. “I think you’re right.”
Chapter 4
“Ruby O’Connell!Look at you! Did you get taller in London? Are they feeding you some kind of weird magic beans that make you shoot up?”
Audrey Parrot said this to Ruby every time she came home and they met, invariably in The Bar. Audrey was one of the many locals who’d known Ruby since she arrived in the village in knee-high socks, with ribbons in her hair. Ruby had altered drastically in that time, but Audrey hadn’t changed much at all. Her grey hair had always been welded to her head, and she had far too many opinions about everything under the sun. Including Ruby.
“Just the usual, Audrey. Tofurkey and vegan bacon, you know what London’s like.” Even though Ruby ate meat, she always replied with what wound Audrey up the most: veganism. She wasn’t sure why Audrey was so offended by those who shunned meat and dairy, but she was.
Audrey leaned forward and patted Ruby’s flat stomach. “You should be eating steak, and lots of it.”
“I do eat steak, Audrey.”
But Audrey wasn’t listening. “It makes you good and strong and it’ll fatten you up. If you just eat plants, how are you going to stay healthy? Look at that girl who wonStrictlyCome Dancingwho announced she was vegan. Nothing but skin and bone.” Audrey wagged a finger in Ruby’s face. “Shall I come to visit you and bring some steak-and-ale pies?”
It was tempting. Audrey’s pies were the stuff of legend. However, telling Audrey her address would be a catastrophic error, because she’d definitely use it.
“Who’s this you’ve got with you? A new friend?” Audrey might as well have put the word ‘friend’ in air quotes, such was her stress on the word.
Fran wasn’t a friend. She’d simply landed in Ruby’s lap tonight. It wasn’t how Ruby had expected her Saturday night to go, but then again, Mistletoe always held twists.
Mum came to Ruby’s rescue. “This is Fran, Michael and Dale’s daughter. She’s visiting from London. Would you believe she works in music and knew Ruby already?” Mum pushed Michael and Dale towards Audrey. “This is Audrey, the village oracle.”
“Village gossip, more like,” said Sue. She was the village yoga and Pilates teacher, as well as the local artist. If you looked close enough, there was always a splash of paint on Sue. Tonight was no exception; Ruby spotted flecks of yellow on Sue’s elbow. Her wife Penny looked at her adoringly. Sue and Penny were what Ruby aspired to be.
“I was being polite the first time we introduce her to the newbies,” Ruby’s mum replied. “Audrey will know what’s happening in your life before you do. You might be surprised at first, but the sooner you accept that, the better.”
Michael and Dale laughed like that was a joke.
Ruby smiled; they’d learn. She moved past Audrey and towards the bar, where her brother-in-law Eric was pouring a pint of cider. Her sister Victoria sat on a bar stool. Ruby gave her a hug, before blowing a kiss to Eric. She had a lot of time for both of them, and after opening the village shop and bar, they seemed to have found their calling. Victoria claimed she’d always wanted to be likeEastEnderslandlady Sharon Mitchell as a young girl, and now her dreams had come true.
“Busy in here tonight,” Ruby said.
“There was something on at the church today, so everyone’s having a debrief.” Eric ran a hand up the back of his closely cropped hair. This time last month, he’d had the biggest afro Ruby had ever seen. He’d shaved it for charity, but now kept complaining his head was cold.
