by Jenny Frame
“Sounds perfect,” Wendy said.
Wendy didn’t seem to realize she was invited. “Would you come with us, Dee? I know you’re entitled to your holiday away from us, and I don’t want to press—”
Before Trent could finish her sentence, Wendy had thrown her arms around her. “I’d love to. It’ll be magical, romantic.”
“That’s what I thought—we could spend time exploring our feelings. There will be lots for the kids to do.”
Wendy kissed her and then gasped. “We’ve got barely three weeks to get everything we need—warm winter clothes, presents to take with us for them.”
“Yes, it’s going to be a rush, but I think it’ll put smiles on the kids’ faces, and that’s what makes me happy,” Trent said.
“You are sweet.” Wendy giggled.
Trent furrowed her eyebrows and made her voice gruff. “I am not. I’m a ruthless lawyer.”
“Not to me.” Wendy grasped Trent’s tie lightly. “I’m picturing an open fire and a large rug. So romantic.”
Trent would make sure the cabin had those two things when she booked. She liked the sound of that. “I’m sure it will be.”
Chapter Eighteen
Preparation for the trip to Lapland had been fraught and stressful. Most of it was left to Wendy, since Trent’s work schedule was less flexible. Alice and Noah were overjoyed when they found out and were looking forward to Christmas instead of dreading it. No doubt they would have some wobbles of emotion when the special days arrived.
They were leaving this morning, 23rd December, and returning on the 27th. Wendy was sure they would have a good time when they got there, but the stress of organizing two kids was getting to both her and Trent.
There were already two bags at the front door, and Trent was trudging back and forth to the bedrooms to get the rest, grousing and muttering as she went.
She’d been in a bad mood since she got up this morning and it was beginning to annoy Wendy.
“It feels likes there’s lead weights in these cases,” Trent muttered.
Wendy marched over to Trent and said, “They are heavy because you insisted the children get every present under the sun. Need I remind you that I got all the presents and the clothes, shopping in busy shops at the busiest time of the year. All you have to do is bring them out to the lift and get them into the car. So stop sniping at me.”
“I’m not sniping. I just wish you could all be a bit more organized. The car I booked to the airport has already been waiting for fifteen minutes downstairs. We’re going to be late.”
“What is your problem? You’ve been in a bad mood since you got up.”
“I have not. There’s nothing wrong with me,” Trent said defensively.
Wendy covered her face with her hands in frustration. This was their first fight since they became more than friends, and Wendy realized Trent was as stubborn as a mule.
“Just take the bags downstairs to the car, I’ll round up Alice and Noah, and we can start our magical family holiday,” Wendy snapped.
“Fine,” Trent replied and walked off with two suitcases out to the lift.
Just as Wendy was about to go and get the kids, the house phone rang. She walked over to the kitchen and answered, “Hello, Trent residence.”
“Good morning, could I speak to Trent, please?”
“We’re actually just about to leave the house for a Christmas holiday. She’s taking the luggage out to the car. Can I take a message?”
“Who am I talking to?” the voice said more sharply.
“I’m the nanny. May I take a message?”
“Tell her Claudia called. I’m sure she’ll call me the first moment she can.” Then without any niceties, the caller called Claudia hung up.
Strange. Wasn’t that the name that kept calling Trent, that she ignored?
* * *
Trent stood up and leaned over the seats in front of her. Alice and Noah were engrossed in the movie playing in front of them, as was Jake across the aisle. Wendy had popped to the bathroom leaving her on her own.
“Awrite, mate?” She heard Dale’s distinctive voice say. She turned around and Dale said, “Is it all right if I sit with you? The missus is talking to Wendy.”
“Of course. I’m glad she’s getting on well with Becca,” Trent said.
Dale sat, stretched out her long frame, and crossed her ankles. “Aye, I hear you’ve got a thing going on.” Dale smiled and winked at her.
She could be infuriating at times, especially this time, when Trent didn’t want it to be a thing. She wanted it to be a relationship.
“We’re seeing each other and taking it slow. Dee has issues about relationships and—” Trent paused and then rubbed the scar above her eyebrow. “What the hell am I talking about? I have issues with relationships—well, you know that.”
“Well, it looks like you’re doing good to me. Those two kids love you, and if that lassie is into you, then you’re a lucky bastard. She’s a belter,” Dale said, smiling.
“What? Belter?” Trent asked with dismay.
“A smashing bird, a brilliant, gorgeous woman,” Dale explained with exasperation. “I would have thought belter was self-explanatory.”
Trent shook her head and smiled. “Not really. Sometimes I think you’re making half of these Scottish words up to confuse me.”
“Nah, seriously, she’s really nice. Not how I pictured your type though. You’re so…stiff.”
“I said the same thing about you when you came into Becca’s life,” Trent said smugly.
Dale laughed. “Aye, and the rest.”
Trent sighed. “I get the impression her friend has warned her off me.”
Last night Wendy had gone to her room to talk to her friend Kira. Trent hadn’t tried to listen but when she went to her office she overheard Wendy’s side of the conversation.
“You don’t know her, Ki. She’s not like that and—No, she’s not taking advantage of me, and age doesn’t matter…Ki, please trust me, I can handle this. I promise I’ll not jump into anything, and I know I’ve got my whole life in front of me.”
“Her friend only knows me from my reputation, you see—”
“And what a reputation,” Dale joked.
“Well, quite true, but that’s work. This is—”
“Love?”
Trent nodded. “Yes, on my part, but they think I’m some sort of Lothario, as if I’m sleeping with the much younger nanny for the kick of it. Her friend may be right, but it’s not even as if there’ve been lots of kicks.”
Dale raised an eyebrow. “No?”
“Just one kick, and then we decided to go slow and get to know each other better.”
Dale leaned in and whispered so the kids wouldn’t hear. “That’s why you look like a grumpy bastard.”
Trent gave her a stare. “Is your wife not looking for you?”
“I’m only taking the piss,” Dale said.
“Every so often I’m reminded of our age difference—the music we like, our politics, views on the world—and I’m worried that maybe her friend is right.” Trent sighed.
“Age is nothing—don’t worry about it. As long as it’s what you both want. Besides, you’re doing a good thing with the kids, seriously. Bringing Alice and Noah to Lapland for Christmas. Taking their mind off not having their da. Plus a lovely girl to spend your time with? Like I said, you’re doing good, man.”
“The terrifying thing is that she thinks I’m the experienced one, the wiser head to negotiate all these issues we have, but I’m not ashamed to say I’m terrified. Instant family, instant partner.”
Trent jumped when she heard someone clear their throat. It was Wendy. “Dale? Becca would like to see you.”
“Better go, my chain’s being yanked back. See you later, mate,” Dale said.
How much did Wendy hear? “Hi, did you have a nice chat?” Trent asked.
“Yes, you?” Wendy said.
The tone in Wendy’s voice made Trent sure s
he’d heard her. Great.
“Just so this is clear, you came in on the end of a conversation. I was not complaining about having an instant family and partner. I might be a lot older than you, but I get scared too.”
“Why are you scared?”
“I’ve never done a family Christmas. All this kid stuff that Dale will make amazing for her kids? Mine—I mean, Alice and Noah—will just have me. The only experience I have with Christmas is a drinks party at the Duke of Westminster’s London mansion every year.”
Wendy silenced her with a kiss. “It’s not a competition. Ali and Noah love you. They’ll have a great time with their new friends.”
“I heard you on the phone with Kira last night. I didn’t mean to listen but you were speaking quite loudly.”
“Ah, that’s why you’ve been in a terrible mood since this morning.”
“Look, I don’t know what your friend is telling you, but I’m not pressuring you into anything. We haven’t even slept together again. I promised you could trust me.”
“I know you’re not. I said that to her. Kira doesn’t know you—I do, and I know what I want.”
“What’s that?” Trent asked.
“You, and tonight we are going to have a night to ourselves. Becca’s offered to take Ali and Noah for dinner and a sleepover.” Wendy pointed at Trent’s heart. “We are going to get to know each other alone, and then the next few days are family time. What do you think?”
A smile erupted on Trent’s face. “That’s the best idea you’ve ever had, Wendy Darling.”
“Thank you, Peter. Oh—did you call back your friend Claudia before we left?”
Trent’s smile faltered and she turned her attention to outside the plane window. “She’s not my friend.”
* * *
They arrived in Rovaniemi Airport in Lapland. It was a mammoth task to get a gaggle of excitable children and many suitcases to the front of the airport, where the travel company’s cars were waiting for them.
Wendy enjoyed the comical expression on Trent’s face when their drivers and tour guide were dressed as elves and in full character for the children. Dale, of course, was straight into the spirit of the thing, as usual. The two families got into the two cars and set off for Santa’s cabins.
Wendy could feel Trent’s tension. It had to be strange for someone like Trent to go from a single life of adult activities and conversation to being driven to a cabin in Lapland by two elves driving a people carrier. But that was one of the reasons she was falling in love with Trent. She was willing to put her two young cousins ahead of herself. She had such a kind heart, which no one who had heard her reputation as a lawyer would believe.
Ali held on to Trent’s hand and Noah would barely stop talking.
“Santa’s elves are driving us to Santa!”
Wendy, who was sitting beside Noah, added, “Yes, it’s magical, isn’t it?”
Ali, who had been quiet said, “Dad would have loved this.”
Wendy looked to Trent, who nodded. Trent put her arm around Alice and said, “He will be so happy knowing that you are here to enjoy it. David wouldn’t want you to be sad, Ali.”
She nodded and laid her head on Trent’s chest.
Wendy couldn’t stop smiling. Trent was doing everything exactly right. She was so proud of her.
Alice soon became distracted by the snowy landscape. There was something about snow that excited children. She didn’t understand it, although she could see how beautiful it was.
The cars finally pulled into a small car park beside a large rustic wooded building. The girl elf in the passenger seat turned around and said, “Okay, girls and boys, we just need you to sign Santa’s guestbook at the reception building, and then we’ll transport you to your cabins.”
“By car? I don’t see any roads,” Trent asked.
The elf smiled. “No, by Santa’s reindeer.”
Wendy gasped and pointed as three large sleighs, pulled by reindeer, arrived at the front of the wooden reception building.
Alice and Noah started to squeal. “There’s Santa’s reindeer!”
“Oh my God,” Trent said as she shook her head.
Chapter Nineteen
The wooden cabin was surrounded by snowy wilderness. Trent had to admit it was truly breathtaking. Alice, Noah, and Jake immediately went out to play in the snow, while the adults unpacked. The two cabins were just a few hundred yards apart, good for allowing the children to play together.
Pleasingly, the large cabin did have a wood-burning fireplace, just like Wendy had hoped. It was picture-perfect. Trent was watching the kids out the window as they started making a snowman.
She felt Wendy’s presence behind her and shivered when she put her palm on her back.
“Here’s some coffee.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you still mad?” Wendy asked.
When they had gotten out of the car at reception, she had been smacked in the head by a large snowball thrown by Dale. She wasn’t best pleased.
“No, I’m just happy to see Ali and Noah happy.” Trent put her arm around Wendy.
They were very slowly building up their intimacy together, especially since they took so much care not to let Alice and Noah see. Wendy had suggested it wouldn’t be wise to let the kids get their hopes up that the two people they loved would be together.
“You just have to get her back. We’ll ambush her with snowballs at the earliest opportunity.”
Trent sighed. “I’m not well-versed in snow etiquette or snowball fights—I never really did that kind of thing as a child. I was moulded into an adult at a very early age.”
Just then they saw Dale walking across the snowy landscape to join the children. “I don’t have the skills Dale has.”
“Listen, I know you’re nervous about making this a nice Christmas for them, but it’s going to be great. I promise I’ll help you make it great.”
“What were your Christmases like as a child?” Trent asked.
Wendy smiled. “I went to stay with my grandparents, thank God. Mum and Dad weren’t interested. I got an envelope of money for Christmas from them, but Grandpa and Grandma made it special. What did you and Becca do at Christmas?”
Trent smiled. “A completely adult Christmas. We did the whole drinks party circuit with our group of friends, and then we went on a skiing holiday to Switzerland. It was on our last Christmas holiday that things started to go wrong.”
“How do you mean?” Wendy asked.
“Becca hadn’t been herself for a while. You know the story about her father?”
“Yeah, I doubt there’s many people that don’t. It was in the newspapers for years, it seemed like.”
“Yes, well, her father had tried to commit suicide in prison, and emotionally things were difficult for her.”
“Did he die?”
Trent shook her head. “No, not that time, but it started a need in Becca for more, for a family like she never had. I see now that this is what she wanted. Family, Santa Claus, making things magical for your children—not skiing—but I wasn’t even near the right place for that. I withdrew in terror from what she wanted, and eventually we broke up. She found the right person for her, as hard as that was for me.”
“From my talks with her, Becca seems to really care for you,” Wendy said.
Trent pulled Wendy closer. “Yes, I know she does. She could have cut me out of her life after she got together with Dale. I mean, I wasn’t the nicest when Dale came into the picture, but she insisted on making me part of their extended family. I suppose we share a lot of history together.” Trent started to chuckle. “I bet she never thought we’d be going to Lapland together on the ultimate family holiday.”
“Life is a journey. We adapt and change along the way. You maybe weren’t ready back then, but you are now. Trent, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You made the breakthrough with Ali—not me, not the doctor. Follow your instincts, and they won’t take you far wrong.”
“Well, Peter…” Wendy went to the coffee table and picked up the welcome booklet. “A Christmas tree and decorations will be delivered tomorrow by Santa’s elves at ten o’clock, and then after we can decorate it together, with hot chocolate.”
“They do really think of everything. And then?”
“Uh…a husky ride to visit Santa’s Grotto, then back here to toast marshmallows in front of the fire, and eggnog for the adults. I did say we’d have Becca, Dale, and the kids here tomorrow night for dinner.”
Trent turned to Wendy and said seriously, “You do know you’re not here as nanny and cook for the rest of us? I could order a meal from the hotel restaurant to be delivered, just like tonight.”
Wendy placed her hands on Trent’s chest. “What am I here as?”
Trent wasn’t quite sure if she had the bottle to tell the truth. She took a moment and replied, “You’re here as part of the family, my lover, if you’ll have me.”
Wendy didn’t answer her straight away, and so Trent took that as a bad sign. “I mean girlfriend or—I mean, just because I say lover doesn’t mean I expect anything in that department if you don’t want to.”
Wendy silenced her with a kiss. “Shut up. Why do you think I’ve organized this night alone together?” She pulled away from the kiss quickly. “The kids are coming back.”
Trent pointed to her lips. “Can I get another one of these later?”
Wendy grinned. “If you play your cards right, Peter.”
* * *
Wendy watched as Trent tied up Noah’s and Ali’s scarves. She thought Trent was more anxious about them going to stay with Dale and Becca than the children were. It was sweet. Dale had arrived to take them over to their cabin.
“Remember, Ali, if you feel nervous or have any bad dreams, I’ll come and get you straight away.”