‘You were cutting it fine, ladies,’ the air stewardess said, with a grin. ‘We literally just did our final call before shutting the aircraft doors.’
‘We were in the Land of Lippy,’ Pippa gasped.
‘Oh you won’t be the last ones to be sucked in by the mystique of Clinique!’ the lady said, as she tore off their boarding-card stubs and ushered them towards their plane.
‘It’s so handy that you had your car at the airport, Pippa,’ Lucy said. ‘Thanks for offering to drive us both home. I couldn’t bear the thought of getting on the bus right now.’
‘Ugh! Neither could I,’ Skye agreed.
By the time she’d dropped them off and driven to her own apartment, all Pippa was fit for was her bed. Somewhere in the back of her exhausted mind she had an inkling that she might soon have to sit down and sort out her finances. But she was far too wrecked to go there. That little matter could wait until another day.
4
Little Drummer Boy
Joey was delighted that Sophia had agreed to spend the weekend at Huntersbrook House. Dublin was fun and buzzy on a Friday or Saturday night but every now and again he craved the calmer pace of home. ‘There’s nothing like the view of a frosty Wicklow field in winter,’ he said, as he put his foot to the floor and raced up the straight stretch of the N11 that Saturday morning.
‘We have frost in Dublin too,’ Sophia said, sounding irritated.
‘I know, but it’s not the same when it’s on rooftops rather than paddocks,’ Joey said, with a faraway expression on his face. ‘Mum will be like a child. She gets so into the build-up to Christmas,’ he said, laughing. ‘If she could cover the entire place with decorations, she would! Dad pretends to get narky with her about it, but deep down I reckon he’s as bad as she is.’
‘Maybe he genuinely hates the tackiness,’ Sophia pointed out. ‘Just because your mother likes defacing the place with tat doesn’t mean he has to love it too.’
‘Perhaps not, but he enjoys watching Mum. She’s infectious when she gets going.’
‘Hm.’ Sophia pulled on her shades and relaxed into her seat.
‘I know it probably sounds silly to you, but I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about Christmas,’ Joey continued. ‘It’s such a magical time, isn’t it?’
The silence made him look to the passenger seat. Sophia was having a power nap. He knew she was using the journey time to recharge her batteries but he couldn’t help feeling a little stung that she didn’t want to share his buzz.
Fifteen minutes later, the sound of Joey’s tyres on the gravel outside the house brought Holly to the front door.
‘There’s Mum to greet us,’ Joey said, patting Sophia’s leg to rouse her before he leaped out of the car.
‘Joey!’ Holly said, rushing to hug him. ‘How are you, son?’
‘Good, thanks, Mum. Yourself?’ Joey had inherited his parents’ best features: he had Paddy’s strong frame and height, with Holly’s dark hair and sallow features. His cheeky grin and happy-go-lucky nature made him a real hit with the ladies, not least his mother.
‘The Christmas transformation is under way, I see.’ He gestured towards the front door, on which the wreath was displayed.
‘You like?’ Holly said.
‘Looking good, Mum.’ He hugged her again, then stepped back to open the car door for Sophia. ‘You awake, sleepy-head?’
‘Yup,’ Sophia said. She clambered out and stretched her arms high above her head.
‘Sophia dear, how are you?’ Holly was keeping her smile in place as Sophia came towards her.
‘Hi,’ Sophia said, with a limp wave.
‘How was the journey?’
‘All right. It’s very cold here, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, but I guess that goes with the time of year. It is December after all,’ Holly said.
Joey was desperate for the weekend to be fun. He knew Sophia wasn’t ecstatic to be here – she’d told him often enough that she didn’t want to come: ‘I’m a town mouse, not a country mouse. You go on down to Huntersbrook and I’ll see you when you get back.’ Her favourite excuse was, ‘My lungs aren’t used to all that clear air. I always end up with a cough or cold.’
They’d been dating for almost a year and living together for the past five months. It had all happened so quickly. Joey had joined the work triathlon team. In the beginning it had been a calculated move to keep in with his boss, who was triathlon crazy, but he’d quickly discovered he enjoyed it. The fitness level required to race was high, though, so he’d sought the help of a personal trainer through his local gym.
He’d automatically expected an ex-army type or an oiled muscle man and had been over the moon when Sophia had greeted him. With her pert bottom and breasts, she was everything he’d wanted in a woman.
‘Take your running up a few paces,’ she’d called over her shoulder as they’d ventured onto the running track the first time. ‘You need to push yourself. Get that heart pumping.’
If he hadn’t been so desperate to impress her, Joey might’ve caved and told her it was too energetic, but she was the best reason he had to get fit, never mind the triathlon.
They’d clicked immediately. She’d giggled at his jokes and he’d noticed she was quite touchy-feely with him. After three weeks, and at the end of a particularly rough track session, he’d poured what remained in his water bottle over his head to cool himself down, and said breathlessly, ‘Fancy going for a bite to eat with me some time?’ He’d been pacing up and down, trying to look as if he wasn’t bricking himself.
‘I thought you’d never ask,’ she replied, smiling.
‘Tomorrow night? I’ll meet you in Pasta Italiano at eight?’
‘See you then. It’ll be nice to discover what you look like when you’re not chasing me and dressed in Lycra.’
The date couldn’t have gone better. The food and wine, then the dancing blew him away. As did what had happened later at his place.
‘You don’t hold back once you get going, do you?’ Joey observed, as he lay propped on his elbow beside her in bed.
‘I like speed and excitement. Why do you think I eat, sleep and breathe triathlon?’
His colleagues and friends were wildly impressed the first time he’d brought her to the pub.
‘You’re some snake, Joey,’ his boss, Clive, had said, bashing him on the back. ‘She’s a total babe and I’ve seen her shoot past me on the bike during a number of races. She can move when she needs to.’
‘That’s my honey,’ Joey said proudly. The only time Sophia wasn’t herself was with his family. But he was hoping that Christmas at Huntersbrook would help to change her mind about country living. They always had plenty of people buzzing around and Mum would have the place done up like a Victorian Christmas card. Sophia hadn’t had a chance to get to know Lainey and Pippa properly either. He was certain they’d love each other once they bonded. Whatever about Lainey, with her shy and slightly conservative approach to life, Joey was sure Sophia would love Pippa once she’d spent some time with her.
As Sophia stood on the steps up to the front door, shivering with her arms wrapped around herself, he urged her to go in and get warm. ‘But the bags and the rest of the stuff …’ She trailed off.
‘I’ve got them. Go on into the kitchen. Is Sadie there?’ Joey asked Holly.
‘Certainly is, and I’d say she’s pulling a loaf of soda bread out of the Aga as we speak. She has gorgeous soup ready, so we’ll have you warm and relaxed in no time,’ Holly promised.
As the women went ahead, Joey took deep gulps of fresh air and rubbed his hands. He’d a good feeling about this weekend.
By the time he’d deposited their things in his old bedroom and ventured into the kitchen, Sophia was sitting at the table having a bowl of soup with his dad.
‘Ah, Joey, there you are, son,’ Paddy greeted him. ‘Come and join us.’
‘I certainly will,’ Joey said. ‘Sadie! How’s it going?’ he asked.
‘Ah, sure I’m great, love. All the better for seeing you. Soup?’
‘Love some, thanks,’ Joey said. ‘There’s nothing like your soda bread straight from the oven either,’ he said through a mouthful. ‘It’s rather chilly upstairs.’
‘I must’ve forgotten to turn on the heating up there,’ Paddy said apologetically. ‘I’ve had the radiators off in a lot of the upstairs rooms. No point in heating them if they’re empty.’
‘True,’ Joey said, as he joined them at the table with his soup. ‘It’ll end up damp if you’re not careful, though.’
‘Here you all are,’ Holly said as she arrived. ‘I’ll have a cup of tea with you before I go and finish off in the dining room. It’s Lainey’s birthday so we’ve a few people popping in for supper this evening,’ she explained to Sophia.
‘Aw, shoot, I totally forgot to get her anything,’ Joey said.
‘I’m sure I’ve a trinket in the pantry you could give her,’ Holly said. ‘She’ll be delighted you and Sophia are here. I wouldn’t worry.’
‘You never told me it was your sister’s birthday,’ Sophia snapped.
‘Sorry, babe, it went out of my head,’ he said. ‘It’s no hassle. Lainey’s very chilled. She won’t be looking for a pile of expensive gifts.’
‘That’s right,’ Paddy said. ‘As Joey pointed out, the main thing is that you’re both here to celebrate and have a slice of cake.’
‘I’ve only brought jeans and a top, Joey,’ Sophia said, glowering at him.
‘That’s cool. It won’t be fancy,’ Joey said, grabbing the newspaper.
Sophia sighed and clenched her fists.
‘What?’ Joey asked, with a grin. ‘Am I in trouble?’
‘I’m going to head out for a run, if that’s okay with all of you,’ Sophia said tightly.
‘It’s a lovely day for it. You do that,’ Sadie said, as she picked up Sophia’s barely touched bowl of soup. ‘Are you finished with this, then?’ she asked.
‘Eh, yeah, thanks. I’m not that hungry. I’ll go and get changed.’
‘Right so,’ Joey said, returning to the paper.
There was brief silence after Sophia left the room.
‘I think you’d better go and see if she’s okay,’ Holly suggested.
‘Ah, she’s fine. I’ll finish this and check on her.’
‘I’ll see you later then. I’m off to do my jobs outside,’ Paddy announced. ‘Thanks for lunch, Sadie.’
‘You’re welcome, dear. At least you seemed to enjoy it,’ she remarked, as she cleared away his empty bowl.
‘I’ll be in the dining room if you’re looking for me,’ Holly said, over her shoulder.
Joey wandered upstairs to his room. Sophia had emptied her bags over the bed and was pulling on her trainers. ‘Okay?’ he said. He was about to throw himself onto the bed for a quick snooze when she lit into him.
‘Not really,’ she snarled. ‘Why didn’t you tell me it was Lainey’s birthday? I’ve a two-hour run to do now and I need to be back to Dublin at a reasonable hour to get a decent cycle in tomorrow.’
‘Whoa! What’s this about?’ Joey said, confused. ‘I’ll bring you back whatever time you like tomorrow. Although I’d thought we’d stay and have Sunday lunch with my folks. If you’re hassled we don’t have to.’
‘I’m training for the Ironman race in September. It means a lot to me, Joey. I know you’ve only been racing a few short months but I’m serious about my sport,’ she explained. ‘It’s my livelihood and my passion and I need to stay focused and disciplined.’
‘I know all that and it’s cool with me. I didn’t tell you about Lainey’s birthday because I forgot. Sorry, but I’m crap like that. I’m a bloke.’ He grinned. ‘You won’t need to get dressed up either – you’ll be gorgeous in your jeans. And, besides, I thought you were passionate about me,’ he said, sliding off the bed and pulling her into his arms.
‘Not now, Joey.’ She pushed him away. ‘I just don’t really need to have to stay up till all hours at a party tonight, that’s all.’ He must have looked as crushed as he felt because she softened and gave him a slow kiss on the lips. ‘I’ll see you when I get back.’
‘I’ll be waiting,’ he said. ‘Tonight won’t be a late one. You can go to bed whenever suits you, okay?’
‘Fine,’ she conceded.
As she walked out of the room, shoving her headphones on, he relaxed. Sophia was just feisty. But that was one of the things he liked about her. He’d had quite a few girlfriends in the past and none of them had held his attention as she did.
He knew he should go for a run himself. He rarely went with Sophia because she was at a different level: he’d end up telling her to go on ahead and he hated feeling like a dweeb beside her. Unless she was coaching him, which was rare now that they were a couple, they kept their training separate.
He figured he’d spend a bit of time with his folks and then go for a jog.
‘Joey?’ Holly called, from the landing outside his door.
‘I’m coming!’
‘Would you be able to grab some of the big boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic for me? Sadie and I got out the ones that live in the office earlier in the week but the bulk of them are up there.’
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Are you about to turn into Mrs Claus again?’ he teased. He’d never met a woman like his mother when it came to decorating.
‘I just love the weeks before Christmas,’ she said, as he pulled the attic staircase down, climbed it and began to pass things down to her. ‘I’ve the thrill of rooting through all the treasures that’ve been packed away all year.’
‘You’re mad.’ Joey chuckled. ‘Is that enough for now or do you want me to take them all down while I’m at it?’ he asked.
‘Sure you might as well give me the whole lot. It’ll save Dad and me doing it. We’re not as young as we used to be.’
Joey walked around the attic space. It was probably twice the size of his apartment. In one corner he spotted some of his old toys. A dusty Action Man waited in his jeep to be brought to an imaginary battle. His teddy, loved to within an inch of his faded plush fur, sat winking, with one eye missing. As he stooped to touch him, memories of his childhood flashed through Joey’s mind.
He and his sisters had enjoyed the most idyllic times here at Huntersbrook, but he had embraced his new life in Dublin. His job was fulfilling and he knew he’d been lucky to get such a good position when he graduated. Loads of guys he’d gone to college with were just as good as he was at accountancy yet they were sitting at home with no work to go to. He liked to think his get-up-and-go attitude had contributed to his success. That was down to his family and this place, he mused.
He straightened and went to rejoin his mother. He was fortunate to have been raised in a home where social skills were deemed just as important as academic ones. He hoped that if he and Sophia had children, they would be able to spend lots of time here with their grandparents.
He folded the ladder back into the attic and clicked the door shut using the special pole. Then he turned and laughed. ‘Mum, you’re like a mad bag-lady sifting through a bin.’
‘I’m itching to get the Christmas tree up now,’ she said. ‘Would you both do the lights at the front door for me?’
‘What – now this minute?’
‘Please?’
‘Sure.’ His jog could wait. If they had to go back to Dublin early in the morning, he could put in a couple of hours at the gym or even in the park. He’d have loved to get out into the fresh, clear Wicklow air, but he knew how important Christmas was to his mum. She hadn’t said so, but she must be missing Grandma. The least he could do was give her a hand.
‘I’ll go and find Dad. I can’t do those big pillars on my own,’ he said.
‘Okay,’ Holly said, with her arse in the air and her head stuck in another box of decorations.
Just as Joey and Paddy had untangled the lights, straightened them out and got them goi
ng, Lainey roared up on her bike. ‘Hey, you two,’ she said. ‘Mum cracking the Christmas whip already?’
‘Lainey! Happy birthday.’ Joey kissed her on both cheeks.
‘Hi, love,’ Paddy said, pulling her into a bear-hug. ‘Happy birthday.’
‘Thanks.’ She grabbed her saddlebag from the back of the bike. ‘Where’s everyone?’
‘Mum’s inside with Sadie and Sophia’s out running,’ Joey said. ‘Ah, crap! The lights have gone off again. Right. Back to the beginning. We’ll have to wiggle them until we find the dodgy one.’
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Lainey said. ‘Enjoy!’
It was growing dark by the time they eventually got the lights working and attached to both pillars. ‘That looks fantastic even if I say so myself.’ Joey stood back to gaze at their handiwork.
Sophia felt calmer once she was out of sight of the house. She couldn’t stand being here. It was just so jolly and down-by-the-farm. She liked order and routine. Joey’s family were all about letting the day unfold as it would. There was never any agenda or schedule.
Take this birthday party for lame Lainey tonight. Joey hadn’t even told her it was on. She didn’t know who was coming. There was no dress code and there had been no proper planning. She wanted to scream.
Whatever about Pippa, who was a spoiled little cow, Sophia just didn’t get Lainey. She was so limp and bland. Her short, dark hair was styled in a way that reminded Sophia of the old nuns who’d taught her in school. She needed several layers of fake tan to liven up her pasty skin – and as for the scrubbed-with-no-makeup look! Ugh, she was way too old to rock it.
She hadn’t a bad figure, Sophia admitted grudgingly. She was probably quite toned from the horse-riding, not that that mattered when she paraded around in awful butch biking gear or outdated jeans and baggy sweaters. In a word, Lainey was beige.
But Joey didn’t see it. He thought they were all fabulous and acted like he was descended from the royal family or something. He was different when they were in Dublin. He was seriously focused at work, and getting into his training, too, which pleased her. But every now and again he’d want to come down here for the weekend. As soon as they drove through the gates – which might have been fantastic a hundred years ago but now looked dilapidated as well as ancient – he turned into this sappy version of himself. It was like he’d left cool Joey in Dublin.
Driving Home for Christmas Page 6