And I let myself pretend for a moment that we were just like any other family.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘It’s Christmas week!’ ‘Izzy cried as she came into my room the following morning. She jumped on the bed, and I laughed as I sat up. The morning was only just beginning to lighten up and I could see frost covering the garden outside. It was clear and bright though – perfect for working on the trail. But before that, we had a town meeting to go to. Izzy was, however, more excited about how close we were to the Big Day, and I couldn’t say I blamed her.
‘This is your last chance, you know,’ I told her, as I slid my feet into my slippers.
‘Last chance for what?’ she asked. She had finally learned that we were on holiday and was still in her PJs and dressing gown, although she was way more bright and chirpy than I could ever be at that hour.
‘To make sure you’re on the good list,’ I said, pulling on my own dressing gown.
She gave me A Look. ‘Mum, we’ve been through this. I know it’s you that gets me the presents. And even if he was real then you know I’d be on the good list. You, on the other hand…’
‘Hey!’ I picked up a pillow and tossed it at her. She ducked and giggled. It was a shame she no longer believed in Father Christmas, another sign that she was fast growing up.
When we went to the kitchen, Mum was at the table drinking coffee, and Sally greeted us with a big smile as she made scrambled eggs. Izzy bounced over to her, telling Sally that I was grumpy and needed coffee and asked if she could please have some juice. I joined Mum at the table. She looked as if she hadn’t slept.
‘Are you okay?’ I asked when I sat down.
‘Not really. I was up half the night. Your grandmother is not doing well. And your father didn’t bother coming home at all,’ she said in a low voice so the others couldn’t hear us in the kitchen. ‘I just hope this meeting goes well today.’ We had booked the village hall and invited everyone we knew in Glendale, trying to spread the word as far as we could, not only to publicise the council’s plans, but to draw support for our trail and see if there were any businesses interested in coming back to the high street. We didn’t have much time left.
‘I’ll go up and see Gran before we go into Glendale,’ I told her. I felt bad that all the strain of my grandmother’s illness was on her shoulders. I knew I needed to step up despite all the pain of the past clouding us. But my dad I was less sure about. ‘Where do you think he is?’ I asked quickly as Izzy was heading our way.
‘With her I assume,’ she replied, draining her coffee dry. She stood up. ‘I need a long shower.’
I sighed, thinking my dad had a lot to answer for around here. Izzy and I tucked into our scrambled eggs and toast, and I hoped that the day would turn around for my mum.
‘Can Drew come back for dinner after the meeting?’ Izzy asked then.
‘If he wants to,’ I said with a smile. She was keen to spend every moment she could with him.
‘Is there enough food, Sally?’ she asked.
‘Of course,’ Sally replied, crossly, as if it was an insult to suggest that there wouldn’t be.
‘Can I text him, Mum?’
‘Go on,’ I said, pushing my phone across the table to her. ‘I’ll go up and see Gran.’
‘We really should get him something for Christmas, shouldn’t we?’ Izzy said to my retreating back.
‘Okay, you have a think about what you want to give him,’ I replied, smiling at how excited she was. It was all I’d ever wanted for her.
* * *
I walked up to Gran’s room. The curtains were drawn back to let in the morning light, and she was propped up on her pillows, her eyes opening as I went in. I saw immediately why my mum was worried. Gran’s skin looked almost grey. She weakly nodded at me as I perched at the side of her bed. Her breathing was laboured now. It seemed to take much more effort than it should for her to look at me. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m okay. You have your big meeting today Caroline said? I hope you can help the village, Beth.’
‘Me too,’ I replied, frowning because she was clearly not okay.
‘And you’ve been seeing a lot of Drew?’
‘Drew and Izzy are really becoming close,’ I replied, smiling at his name. I couldn’t help it.
She smiled, too. ‘I’m glad. What matters now is the future. I wish I could be around to see it. Promise me that you’ll always focus on your family. You and Izzy, and your mother. You need to look out for each other. I have done a poor job at that,’ she said, coughing a little. ‘I loved you, though, all of you, very much, even if I didn’t show it like I should have done.’ I winced at her already talking about herself in the past tense. ‘I hope one day you will realise that.’
I reached out and touched her hand again. It felt too cold for my liking. ‘Every one of us has made mistakes. You’re not alone in that. I wish I could have spent more time here with you all, but what is done is done. All we can do now is try to make it right. Do our best from now on.’
‘Maybe it was a good thing that you left us, because you’ve turned into a special woman and raised a daughter to be proud of. Maybe we would have stopped that from happening. We have been a mess these years. We have lost our way. But now you’re here to help this family. You may think you’re saving Glendale, Beth, but you’re saving us.’
‘I don’t know about that. Dad didn’t come home last night.’
Gran closed her eyes briefly then opened them. It seemed to take her a moment to gather enough strength to speak. ‘It might be better for everyone if he does leave,’ Gran said then. ‘Sometimes you have to let go to be happy. You know that, Beth. Your mother and David haven’t been happy for a very long time. Perhaps now you’re here they are finally realising that. That’s okay, you know. Some things come to an end as others are beginning. That’s the way of life. Look at you, and me, here now. My life might be coming to an end, but yours is just beginning.’ She closed her eyes again – and I felt a burst of panic – but then I saw her chest rising and falling. She had just fallen asleep.
Carefully, I let go of her hand and climbed off the bed, trying not to disturb her. Perhaps she was right that this Christmas was a crossroads, not only for the village, but the family, for all of us. It certainly felt that way.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Glendale Village Hall was behind the church, and I remembered having some parties there as a kid – discos where the boys stood on one side, skidding on the floor on their knees, and the girls on the other in their pretty dresses, wondering if anyone was going to ask them to dance. It still smelled the same. Like floor varnish and bleach. I joined Heather and my mum at the front facing the room lined with chairs that were starting to fill up. They had conjured up most of the village between them, I was pleased to see.
Drew arrived then and came over to me. ‘Well, this is a great turnout. And thank you for the dinner invitation.’
Izzy bounded over. ‘Drew, I saved a seat for you by me!’ she said, tugging on his hand.
‘Good luck,’ he said quickly to me, letting her pull him away.
Mum called everyone to order then. ‘Thank you all for coming,’ she said, her voice clear and loud after she had introduced the three of us to the room. On the roof, I could hear a light pattering of rain. I looked out at the faces in front of us, most I recognised in some way, and I felt proud that we had managed to get everyone together in one room. Now we just needed to get them all behind us. ‘When Beth came back to Glendale, she was shocked at how much the village had changed,’ Mum said. I looked at her in surprise: I hadn’t known she was going to talk about me. ‘She immediately wanted to know what was going on, and what we could do to help. To be honest, I brushed her off at first. I thought that the idea of this village was defunct now. That we didn’t have a community any more. That the best thing would be for the high street to be turned into flats. But she has shown me that I was wrong. Heather, you felt the same, didn’
t you?’ she asked, turning to Heather.
‘I work in the library, and when the council told me it was going to be shut down, I was heartbroken. I know so many people who live alone and might not speak to anyone else all day, but they know they can come to the library, or the shops, or the pub and see people and get what they need. When I was younger, this place was always busy. Our community was strong. I know that times are changing and many of us go into Glenmarshes, or to Inverness, to do our shopping and we don’t think we need each other as much any more, but that seems like a real shame to me. I want Glendale to be a place I’m proud to live in again, don’t you?’ There were a few nods and murmurs of agreement around the room. ‘We’ve spoken to the council who have given us until the fifth of January to come up with ways we can save our village, and that’s why we called this meeting – to see how we can work together to do just that.’
I stepped forward then and told them about our Christmas trail idea. ‘We are hopeful we can show the council there is still a community here but, to be honest, with them I think it’s mostly about the money. They need to fill the empty shops. And we don’t know if there’s anyone who would want to help to do that?’
A man at the back stood up. ‘I used to run the bakery, but the council doubled the rent and then I just couldn’t afford it. Are they going to cut them?’
‘They haven’t budged on rents at the moment,’ Mum said. ‘If we put the rents to one side, do we think anyone would want to go back to the high street, and would people actually shop here again if they did?’
A lively debate followed.
‘I wouldn’t bother coming to the village: there would never be everything I need here like there is in Inverness,’ a woman said at one point.
Mrs Smith, my old piano teacher, got up then to disagree. ‘The only reason I stopped shopping locally was because the shops disappeared. If they came back, it would be much easier for me. I don’t drive and the bus is ridiculous, one an hour and so slow… I’d much rather walk into Glendale for what I need.’
‘I’ve always liked the idea of opening a farm shop,’ Rory said at one point. ‘Ever since the supermarket cut our contract, we have been struggling to sell our produce and keep everything afloat. But as you said, Tom, I couldn’t afford high rents, I’d make no profit.’
I glanced at Drew who looked worried about what Rory had said. Clearly the farm had been struggling. Like me, Drew had been too far away to do anything about it.
‘If we can make the Christmas trail a success and go to the council with businesses willing to open up, then maybe they would make a deal on rents,’ I said. ‘We just need to convince them that they need to go with us and not sell to this development company.’
‘Hang on,’ a lady said then. I vaguely recognised her. She stood up and faced us. ‘Isn’t your husband behind this development company? What does he think of you trying to block this deal?’
My mum cleared her throat. ‘The development company are doing this for business reasons. They see that they can make a profit by turning the high street shops into flats. They aren’t thinking about the impact that would have on our village. But we know the impact it would have. We are the ones living here. So, we need to show the council another way. We need to try to make this the best place to live that we can. For all of us.’ Mum ended her speech passionately. I looked around at nodding heads. I was impressed with how she had steered the conversation away from Dad. Mum should really have gone into politics.
The woman who had asked the question sat back down. ‘I just didn’t want there to be a conflict of interest for you. I think this is a good idea, if we can actually pull it off.’
‘I think we can,’ Mum told her firmly. ‘Right, come and see us if you want to go on the list as being interested in opening a business on the high street, and please take one of Heather’s leaflets for the festive trail at the Hall. If anyone has any other thoughts, please do let us know. We can only save Glendale if we do it together.’ There was an enthusiastic round of applause and then everyone hit the tea table.
‘I think that went well,’ Mum said to me and Heather. ‘And I’m wondering whether to put my own name on the list. Don’t you think we could have a Glendale Hall shop, Beth? We could sell plants and flowers grown in the garden, and make other products, too.’
I stared at my mother. ‘Really? That sounds great but it would be a lot of work.’
‘Well, I have plenty of time for it,’ she replied, before walking off to talk to the minister. I watched her go, amazed. She was definitely getting back to the determined woman I had grown up with. It would be perfect for her to have a project like that. I worried it was going to be lonely for her once Izzy and I left; Gran wouldn’t be around for much longer it seemed like, and who knew if my dad would return. And I wouldn’t be there to help her either.
‘Your mum is amazing,’ Heather said. ‘I’m coming to the Hall after this so I can show you the banner and help with anything you need for the trail. I can’t thank you enough for this, Beth.’
I smiled. ‘Don’t thank me yet, we don’t know if this going to work.’
‘That doesn’t matter. You have brought everyone together, and that’s a huge achievement in itself.’ She squeezed my arm and went off to talk to a group standing by the biscuits.
I allowed myself to feel good about what she had said. I looked around the room and it was lovely to see everyone animated about fighting back. My eyes found Drew standing with Izzy. I went over to them. ‘What did you think?’
‘You did a great job: everyone will rally around, I’m sure of it,’ Drew said. He nodded to where Rory was talking to Heather. ‘I was thinking of making that mac and cheese I promised you, Iz. Shall I ask Rory and Heather, too? Something tells me they’d be keen for a dinner party.’
I followed his gaze. ‘I think you might be right,’ I replied. I turned back to him and we smiled at one another. I never thought I’d be trying to matchmake Heather and Rory with Drew a couple of weeks before, but there we were, and it felt right somehow.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
When we got back to the Hall, Izzy, Drew and I went outside to see how the trail was getting on.
‘The sleigh has arrived,’ John called when he saw us stepping out into the garden. ‘Come and see!’ Izzy tore after him and, laughing, Drew and I followed her through the trail – which was really coming together now – to the tent that was becoming the grotto. The sleigh was huge and ornate, painted red and gold, and would soon be filled with presents. It took up most of the grotto, but it did look amazing.
‘Wow,’ Izzy spoke our thoughts aloud.
‘It works, doesn’t it?’ John said. ‘And when my friend found out why we were doing this, he said we can use it for free. The convenience store in the village is letting us have some chocolates to give away as presents, too.’
‘Everyone has been so generous,’ I replied. ‘I knew the community was still here, it just needed teasing out. Surely the council won’t be able to deny that when they see all of this?’
‘Let’s hope not. Right, I better cover everything, the weather isn’t looking good,’ John said, marching out at his usual rapid pace. I could tell he was thoroughly enjoying himself on this project.
‘Can I sit in it?’ Izzy asked. Drew lifted her into the sleigh, and she perched on the wooden bench. ‘It’s a shame we can’t have reindeer as well. You should get some on your farm.’
Drew chuckled. ‘I’ll pass your suggestion on to Rory.’ He winked at me, and I laughed at the idea of Rory looking after reindeer.
‘I can’t wait to see it all lit up,’ Izzy said as we made our way back to the house. ‘Do you think it’ll be better than the one at Kew, Mum? I think it will.’
‘It’ll be smaller scale but no less magical,’ I told her. ‘It’s been fun making it all, hasn’t it?’ She nodded. ‘I’ve missed working outdoors,’ I admitted. I looked around at the trees in the twilight, leaning in the breeze, guiding our way
back to the Hall. It was hard to think I’d have to say goodbye to it all again soon.
‘If it’s something you want to do,’ Drew said, looking across at me, ‘then you should find a way to do it.’
I was surprised at his words but perhaps he was right. I had taken my job for its usefulness with Izzy, not because I had any passion for it, but it was tough when everything came down to you. ‘Maybe one day,’ I replied. Maybe when Izzy was older and didn’t need me to be at home as much. But I couldn’t see how I could find something that would pay what I currently made straightaway; I’d be starting at the bottom especially with no qualifications, and that wouldn’t work with all the bills I had to pay.
I saw Drew frown a little at my response, but we went into the kitchen, then, where Mum was chatting to Sally as she prepared the meal, so he didn’t say any more. Being a doctor was such a vocation, it was probably hard for him to put himself in my shoes and think about doing a job he didn’t really want to just for the money, but I knew I was far from alone in doing just that.
‘Let’s eat in here,’ my mum suggested. She seemed to be thriving organising the trail and the village and seemed to be relaxing a little more. She helped Sally bring over the food to the kitchen table, and we all sat down together to eat the lasagne, salad and crunchy bread. ‘So, Drew, how is everything in Boston? Do you ever get homesick for Glendale?’ Mum asked as she sipped her wine.
‘I do,’ Drew admitted. ‘But, to be honest, I’m usually working such long hours there isn’t a lot of time to dwell on it. When I come back here, though, it hits me. Especially this year because the farm isn’t doing as well as we would like. I wish I could be here to help out more, you know? Rory is excited about maybe opening up a farm shop though.’
Mum nodded. ‘I think it’s a really good idea. I’m just hoping we can do something to make it financially viable. That’s why so many businesses left the village – the high rents. It’s so short-sighted of the council. Surely they would rather have thriving shops paying a fair rent than an empty high street because they’re charging too much?’
Coming Home to Glendale Hall Page 15