Mistletoe Mansion (40 page)

I turned back around and pushed through the crowd again. No. I couldn’t face talking to her. Bowing my head, away from tiny snowflakes, I walked away as quickly as I could.

‘Hey, you,’ said a voice and a strong hand curled around my arm. I raised my head. Unintentionally, I’d ended up at the drinks stall. The aroma of spiced chocolate teased my nostrils.

‘You must have a thirst on you, at that pace,’ said Luke and let go.

‘I…um… yes. Thanks for the cards… They look very… professional.’

‘No problem.’ His eyes crinkled. ‘So, after meeting the other competitors, do you need something strong, like a pint of mulled wine?’

‘I can’t stay,’ I said. ‘You must be busy anyway – things to do before your trip. Thanks though, for… for everything.’ I forced myself to smile and bent down to give Groucho a goodbye stroke.

‘You haven’t got time for even one drink?’ His eyebrows knotted. No doubt he was hoping to pump me for information about his latest conquest.

‘Enjoy Brighton,’ I mumbled. ‘See you around.’

‘Right. It’s just that we won’t, will we? See each other, I mean. Those cards, it was my way of saying…’

Saying what? Sorry for making a fool of you again? ‘It’s been fun, Luke. I’ve got to go.’ I barked and swivelled around, almost skidding on a patch of flat snow. If only real life were like Facebook and I could just delete him and block all contact. He took my arm to steady me.

‘What’s the matter? The cards, I hoped they’d show you that…’

‘Yadda yadda. They aren’t really my style – too twee by half.’ Throat aching, I shook him off and headed through the throng of people, hoping he hadn’t heard the wobble in my voice. Quickly, I past the Belgian chocolate stall, resisting the urge to buy comfort food.

‘Kimmy!’

I stopped and turned around. ‘Jess?’

‘Jess?’ said someone else, at the same time, and my friend and I both stared at a short, squat, middle-aged woman. She had a sensible, short hairstyle and was with a teenage boy who was trying hard to look bored.

‘Dana,’ said Jess. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Who’s running things back at Nuttall’s?’

The Dalek had taken a Saturday off work?

‘Andrew,’ said Dana. ‘It’s time he got used to a bit of responsibility.’

Jess paled. I knew what my best mate was thinking – surely Dana hadn’t come all this way to let her go? To tell her that she was priming someone else – Jess’s colleague Andrew – to take her job? The Dalek nodded at the teenager.

‘Off you go, Will. I’ll meet you by the raffle stall in ten minutes.’

‘Whatever.’ The boy ambled off.

‘I’d better get going.’ I cleared my throat and glanced again at my watch.

‘No! I mean…’ Jess frowned and clutched my parka sleeve. I got it. If the Dalek was going to terminate her, she wanted me around to pick up the pieces. I really didn’t feel like company, right at that moment, but she was my best mate.

‘I was wondering if we could have a quick chat,’ said Dana. ‘In private.’

Jess took out a pack of gum and pushed two tabs in her mouth. ‘I don’t keep anything from Kimmy,’ she said.

‘Fine. Your future at Nuttall’s. That’s what I want to talk about.’

Jess nodded and I slipped my arm through hers.

Dana folded her arms. ‘I’m making Andrew supervisor.’

‘But that’s my job!’ said Jess, top lip quivering. ‘I mean… I’ve got rights, you know. You just can’t get rid of me because I’m pregnant. It won’t affect my work, honestly. I need the money, don’t–’

‘Have you quite finished?’ she said. ‘I’m not going to fire you. I want you to manage the garden centre. Andrew will be your second in command.’

Jess’s mouth fell open. ‘What about you?’

Dana smiled and immediately looked years younger. ‘You know the big run-down greenhouses out the back? I’ve got planning permission to extend the garden centre onto that land. I’ll be running our new pet and aquatics shop. And a café.’

‘Pet and aquatics?’ I said. ‘Nice move. All the best garden centres have one now.’ And a café? She’d be needing cupcakes for that.

‘You… I mean… So…’ Jess stuttered. ‘You’ll be taking on extra staff?’

‘Yes.’ said Dana. ‘Of course, it’ll be months before it’s all up and running, but the garden centre’s been doing so well I came up with a sound business plan. I just wanted you to know, I mean…’ She cleared her throat. ‘You’re a hard worker, Jess. There’ll be a pay rise with your new role. Enough, I would have thought, to pay for child care.’

Wow. For a moment I even forgot all about Luke Butler. I nudged a speechless Jess.

‘Thanks,’ she stuttered.

‘You seem surprised?’ said Dana.

‘I am,’ replied Jess. ‘I didn’t think… You’ve been…’

Dana bit her lip. ‘I know. Probably harder on you than usual. I was upset for you, that’s all. I know how hard it is. I was left to bring up my son as a single mother. I’ve been there, Jess. You’re such a sensible girl, I figured you’d do things the right way – you know, engagement, marriage, then get pregnant, all in that order.’

‘Who’s to say what’s right, nowadays,’ Jess muttered.

Dana nodded. ‘I know. And I wouldn’t change a thing. But I hated myself for years. Felt so stupid for getting myself into that situation. Guess you getting pregnant brought all of that back.’

‘But you’ve done so well,’ I said. ‘Nuttall’s – it’s one of the most popular garden centres around here.’

‘Thank you,’ said Dana. ‘But it’s been bloody hard. I used to take Will into work with me when he was a toddler, when I first got my parents’ inheritance and started things up. It wasn’t easy.’ She smiled at the teenager who had wandered back. ‘Talk of the devil.’

Will sloped up. ‘Got any money for a cola, Mum?’

‘So, see you first thing tomorrow, Jess?’ said Dana.

Jess nodded. ‘Yes. Thanks.’ She waited a minute until her boss had disappeared into the crowds. ‘Am I dreaming? That’s the most that woman has opened up to me in the last three years.’

I grabbed her hands and Jess’s face crumpled into a smile.

‘I can’t take so much good news in one day!’ she said.

‘Why? What else? How did it go with Ryan?’

Tears filled her eyes. Blimey. Hormones again.

‘Julie stage-managed it perfectly.’ She sniffed. ‘Ryan and me bumped into each other and ending up having a latte in the Spoon & Sausage – just the two of us, brother and sister.’

‘What did he say?’

‘That he missed me. Well, I had to translate that from Ryan-speak of course. I think his actual words were “it would be nice to dare to sit down on the toilet seat again”.’

‘Yuck!’

‘Then I told him – about the baby.’

I nodded, on tenterhooks to hear about Ryan’s reaction. Once I’d got over the shock, butterflies had been building in my stomach at the prospect of becoming some sort of auntie. No, kids weren’t on my own agenda yet, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t wait to get my mitts on a gorgeous baby. Over the last few days, I’d hugged my knees at the prospect of trips to the park with Jess’s little kiddie. When I was younger I’d always loved babysitting. Plus I liked the warm sense of responsibility this auntie business gave me. Like my decision to go all out to start my own business. This was grown-up stuff, which felt so different – so much better – than the responsibility I used to carry, as a child, for a mum who was often drunk. What’s more, it was my version of being mature, not Adam’s…

‘And?’ I said, eyebrows raised.

‘This Julie… He’s smitten with her. Apparently she’s a single mum. He’s been to toddlers group and Mothercare and started telling me about the time this kid accidentally called him “Dad”.’ She squeezed my hands. ‘Even though he wanted to “go around and sort Phil out” he’s one hundred percent supportive and insisted I had to move back in, right away. In any case, the bloke who was sharing with him is leaving, because of a new job. Julie doesn’t want to move in at the moment because her kid is dead settled – they live at her parents’ house.’

I hugged her. ‘Our plan worked, Jess! Well… kind of. You get to move back with Ryan.’

‘Of course, I’m spending Christmas with you at Mistletoe Mansion.’

‘No, don’t be sil–’

Jess’s eyes had narrowed and I knew better than to argue with that look.

‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘hasn’t Terry invited us both over for a Boxing Day drinks party he’s hosting?’

I grinned. ‘Yes – he’s super excited because someone’s bringing a blind date along for him, who loves pets and golf.’

‘And Luke… What’s he doing?’ Jess eyed me closely.

I shrugged. ‘Who knows?’ I couldn’t dampen her spirits with my tale of woe. I checked my watch again. ‘Better get off. See you later. But yay! I’m so pleased for you.’ I hurtled through the crowd, desperate for a few seconds on my own. I needed to pull myself together. Tickling tears were still threatening, at the backs of my eyes.

‘Yoo hoooo! Kimmy! Don’t run off this time!’

Aargh! I glanced to my right.

‘Hello, Melissa,’ I said as she loomed into view. A trail of photographers followed her. She stopped right in front of me, brushed down her clothes and stood in a model pose.

‘Luke was over at the hot chocolate stall last time I saw him.’ I mumbled and nodded towards the cameras. ‘They probably want a photo of you both.’

‘What
are
you going on about?’ She lifted my chin. ‘Why the sad eyes? This is your day. I’ve every confidence you’re going to win. And why on earth would the paparazzi want to snap me with Luke, when…’ Her mouth fell open. ‘Oh my God! Kimmy! You’ve seen that photo. Don’t tell me you took it at face value? After all your years of reading gossip magazines, you still can’t spot a fake shot?’

‘Huh?’

Melissa shook her head. ‘Luke. He’s been clearing out our guttering all week. One bit was damaged from that storm and when Luke touched it, it fell down and hit my eye. Luke brushed my hair out of the way and checked for mud and dirt. Surprise, surprise, a long lens was waiting.’ She bit her lip. ‘You must have thought me a prize bitch.’

‘No! Of course not!’ My insides tied into tight knots as I recalled how rude I’d been to Luke about the cards. Urgh! Had I got it wrong? They weren’t an item? She wasn’t off with him to Brighton?

My heart raced. Now I’ve messed everything up. ‘It wouldn’t have been your fault even if you and Luke were together,’ I stuttered. ‘I mean, you asked me often enough how I felt about him and I denied having any feelings.’

She chuckled. ‘You didn’t fool me. I’ve been trying to make you face your emotions for days, before it’s too late…’

‘That’s why you kept asking me how I’d feel if he met someone else?’

She wiped a snowflake off her nose and nodded.

Desperately, I searched the crowd of faces – for moss green eyes and bedroom hair. Would Luke forgive me, if I could ever find him?

Chapter 32

‘There’s a jolly good reason Luke and I aren’t together anyway.’ Melissa beamed, as blossom petals of snow stopped falling. She pointed to the left. Jonny was surrounded by a posse of kids, signing autographs. I told myself I hadn’t just seen him look down the cleavage of a young mum. Melissa’s eyes shone.

‘You’re not back with him?’ I said. ‘What about Saffron? He cheated on you. I thought you agreed, life was better without him around.’

‘Infamous let slip to Jonny about the planned photo spread with me and David Khan. Apparently he went mad – said that I was the sexiest golfer’s wife on the planet and, I quote, “out of that dickhead’s league”.’

‘He was jealous?’

‘Don’t sound so surprised!’

‘I’m not, it’s just… with the spring tournaments here before we know it… you don’t think he’s–’

‘Doing this for appearances’ sake?’ she interrupted.

I nodded.

She fiddled with her yellow diamond ring. ‘No. I truly believe he’s sorry. And well, me without… Jonny…’ She cleared her throat. ‘I’m giving him one more chance. Anyway, what more proof could I need when he suggested – wait for this – that we renew our vows!’

‘What?’

‘Fabulous, isn’t it? I always knew I was the love of his life.’ She caught my eye. ‘I have to believe that. Jonny and I were meant to be. Just you wait and see.’

I stared over at The Eagle again, women fluttering around him like moths around the Christmas lights back at Badgers Chase. ‘But you’ve burnt your wedding dress.’

She grinned and shrugged. ‘Infamous have offered us a ridiculous amount of money for the pictures. And guess what Jonny suggested I spent it on?’

‘Um… bigger boobs? Not that you need them,’ I hurriedly added.

She shook her head.

‘Adopting a baby from abroad?’

‘No! But we have discussed making our own little Winsford. Jonny’s promised to seriously consider it over the next year. He’s whisking me off to the Caribbean, after Christmas, so that we can have lots of one-on-one time.’

So that was her trip – Barbados, not Brighton.

‘He’d only been with Saffron five minutes and apparently she was already requesting the new soft top Audi and a nose job. He’s realised I’m not as high maintenance as he thought; that maybe asking for kids is more about “us” and less about what I want.’

‘Um, congratulations,’ I said. ‘So, spill…’ Time was ticking. I had to catch Luke. ‘What does Jonny think you should spend the money on?’

‘My own business as a party organiser! I’m always putting on get-togethers and have a book full of contacts, such as photographers, florists and musicians. And the best bit?’

I shrugged.

‘Name me a party that doesn’t need a cake? There isn’t one.’ She clapped her hands. ‘You and me – we could go into this venture together!’

My jaw dropped. ‘You’re not serious.’

‘We’re the perfect combination. My glamour coupled with your practical skills…’

‘But what about when you start a family?’

‘Mere details! We’d cope with that when it happened. So, what do you say?’

Surely this was everything I’d dreamed of? With Melissa’s contacts, I’d be cooking for celebrities within the month. Within the year I’d have that shiny van and pedigree dog called Chico that I’d always dreamed of. I’d be someone. People would love me. Want my photo. Ask for my autograph. I could afford to buy my kids anything they wanted. Give them the childhood I never had. Take them on cool holidays. Buy my daughter a brand new first bra of her own.