by Karen King
The dog bounded up to her, his tail wagging with joy, and covered her face with slobbery wet kisses. ‘Hello, boy. You’re a sweetie, aren’t you?’ Saffy stroked his head as she eased him down gently. ‘Come on, I bet you need to go out in the garden for a bit.’
She looked around for something to put on her feet and grabbed her boots, zipping them up over her bare feet and onesie, then her coat, opened the back door and let Oscar out. He shot up the path and she stepped out too, pulling her coat closer around her to ward off the cold morning air. The garden was mainly lawn with pots of plants dotted everywhere, as well as a couple of flower beds. There weren’t many in flower now but she bet it would look beautiful in the spring. Hannah’s doing, she was sure; Hannah had always tended their small garden when they were children. A memory of her older sister walking in from the garden, her arms full of beautiful flowers she’d just cut from her flower bed, ready to put in a vase for when Mum came home, flashed across her mind. Hannah had always been thoughtful. That’s why, despite her bossy ways and the fact that she didn’t seem to think Saffy was capable of doing anything right, Saffy loved her. And why she’d let her guilt-trip her into hosting the party.
She walked along the path to the huge willow tree, the one that gave the cottage its name. The branches were bare now. It had been summer when she’d been down for the christening and the willow had looked beautiful, amongst a garden bursting with colour. Maybe she would visit again in the summer.
Right now though she needed to get showered, dressed, take Oscar for a walk and then check exactly what Christmas decorations Hannah had and what further supplies she needed. She called Oscar to her and they both went back inside.
Hannah had messaged to ask how she was getting on, telling her that Lily now had a fever too, and giving Saffy instructions on how to look after Oscar – apparently Logan was coming over later to take him for a walk. She obviously didn’t trust Saffy not to lose him. Hannah also reminded her to buy a Christmas tree. Saffy read the message with irritation – honestly, why did her sister have to tell her everything a dozen times? She knew what she had to do. And she didn’t need Logan to take Oscar for a walk, she could do it herself. The less she saw of Logan the better. He might look hot but inside he was an iceberg. Well, to her anyway, she thought, remembering the look of love on his face when he’d spoken to Chloe.
By the time Saffy had showered, dressed, fed Oscar, had breakfast and checked her emails it was almost midday. Oscar finished his food then sat down beside her, wagging his tail.
‘Sorry, Oscar, I don’t have time to take you for a walk this morning. I’ve got to go shopping,’ she said. ‘I’ll take you around the block before I go out but that’s the best I can do.’ What she would have liked to do was have a walk along the seafront, see the harbour and the beach and check out the little shops there, but she knew that most of them would be closed as it was out of season and she needed to get the essentials first. She could have a walk around tomorrow or at the weekend. The priority was making sure that the Christmas party went well. She wanted to do her sister proud – and prove to Hannah that she could make a success of it.
She was planning on getting some holly and ivy, so she could make a real wreath for the front door, rather than hang up an artificial one, and also wrap it around the banister. She was determined to make Liwus Helyk look really festive.
Hannah had said that the turkey and vegetables were ordered, but what about the Christmas cake, pudding, crackers? Saffy went through the well-stocked cupboards and found four huge Christmas puddings but no Christmas cake. Then she recalled that in one of her hundreds of text messages, Hannah had said Logan was bringing that.
Her list written, she got a poop scoop and bags from the outhouse, as per Hannah’s instructions, put Oscar’s lead on him and set off for a walk around the block. As soon as she locked the front door behind her Oscar shot off across the road, taking Saffy with him. ‘Oscar! Stop!’ she yelled, trying to yank at his lead but the spaniel ignored her and bounded over to Logan’s house, nearly pulling Saffy over in the process. And just as Logan walked out of his garden. Great.
‘How are you doing, boy?’ Logan asked softly, patting his head.
Saffy somehow managed to regain her balance but she felt a total idiot. ‘I guess he’s pleased to see you,’ she said, hoping her face wasn’t as flushed as it felt.
‘He’s a bit of a handful. It might be better if you wore more sensible shoes when you take him for a walk in future. You could take a nasty tumble in those if he bounds off,’ Logan said, glancing down at Saffy’s high-heeled boots then up at her long camel coat. ‘And you’ll get that coat all covered in dog hairs.’
Sensible shoes? She didn’t think she possessed a pair. And she didn’t like the patronising tone in his voice. ‘I’m dressed like this because I’m going shopping,’ she replied stiffly. ‘I’m taking Oscar for a walk around the block first.’
‘I was on my way over to take him for a walk. Hannah messaged and asked me to, she was worried you’d have enough to do.’ Logan held out his hand for the lead that was still firmly wrapped around Hannah’s wrist.
Worried I’ll lose Oscar, more like, Saffy thought crossly. Well she wasn’t going to be bossed around by her sister or Logan. She was quite capable of taking a dog for a walk, for goodness’ sake.
‘I can handle it, thank you,’ she replied firmly. ‘Come on, Oscar.’ She jerked at the lead and pulled the dog along. Please come with me, she thought, don’t show me up!
Oscar took a last look at Logan then trotted happily over to Saffy – and promptly bounded off down the street, pulling her behind him. She fought hard to keep her balance and walk in a dignified way until she was out of Logan’s sight. Then she clung on for her life as Oscar reached the end of the street and hurled around the corner to the back of the house where he sat down by the back gate, panting happily. She felt like Oscar had taken her for a walk, not the other way around!
Saffy leaned against the gate, trying to catch her breath. Honestly, Oscar was adorable but he was hard work. She had been wondering whether to take him to the shops with her but decided it was best to leave him at home. The last thing she needed was the crazy dog running off when she had her arms full of shopping.
She intended to buy things from the local shops, rather than go to a shopping centre. She always tried to support local shops, it was the ethos of buycreative.com, and she also thought it couldn’t hurt to see if there were any local craftsmen that would be suitable ‘partners’, as Ajay called them. She’d consulted Google Maps and knew that the village centre was only ten minutes’ walk and that there was a selection of small shops there.
She left Oscar sleeping in the kitchen and set off. The village was very quiet, almost like a ghost town, and didn’t look as cheerful in daylight without the Christmas lights sparkling. She guessed everyone was out at work, school or shopping and it would be livelier later on. She hadn’t realised how steep the hill was to the shops though and was out of breath by the time she reached them. There was a supermarket, a greengrocer which, she was pleased to see, also sold holly and ivy, a chemist… then she spotted a craft shop. Gorgeous homemade Christmas decorations hung in the window, and there was a selection of small wooden toys on display. Just what she was looking for. She stepped inside and gasped in awe. It was like stepping into a Santa’s grotto. Exquisite decorations hung everywhere; chiming bells, cute Santas, snowmen and reindeer, wooden doll’s houses, rocking horses and farms. This was exactly what she was looking for to join buycreative.com. She walked over to the counter to talk to the woman behind the till.
Chapter Seven
Logan watched in amusement as Oscar hurtled down the street, pulling Saffy behind him. From what Hannah had said about her sister he’d expected Saffy to come down at the last minute and try to hand over as much as she could to him, not arrive five days beforehand and be determined to do it all herself. Well, leave her to it; he had shopping to get and could actually d
o with not taking Oscar for a walk first. He’d call over later, when Chloe came home from school and offer to take Oscar over the dunes. Chloe would love that too. He’d promised Hannah he’d help Saffy and he intended to keep that promise. Even if she was stubborn, pigheaded, standoffish… and gorgeous. Not that he was attracted to her. She was definitely not his sort.
He drove to Launceston knowing that with the selection of high street shops and smaller outlets he’d be able to get what he wanted for Chloe there. Two hours later he’d got everything on his list, and a couple of things that weren’t on it, bundled it all into his van –including the purple and silver bike that was to be Chloe’s main present – and set off home.
As he drove down the hill, near the local shops, Logan was surprised to see Saffy trudging along, a bulging bag of shopping in each hand and rolls of Christmas paper tucked under her arm. Why hadn’t she taken her car and gone to the big shops in Launceston, like he had?
Suddenly, the wrapping paper slipped out from under her arm and rolled away. Saffy trotted after it, her long coat flapping, the shopping bags bobbing up and down in her arms, almost tripping over in those ridiculous heels. A man saw her, stopped and picked up the paper, tucking it under her arm. She smiled her thanks, a dazzling smile that lit up her face, then continued on her way. Logan pulled up and lowered the window down.
‘You’ve got quite a bit of shopping there. Want a lift?’ he asked. ‘I’m heading your way.’
A look of relief swept over her face. ‘Yes please!’
He got out of the van and took the bags from her, placing them in the back. ‘We’ll have to hurry, though. I’ve got a carol service to go to.’
‘Thanks for stopping.’ She walked around the car and got into the passenger seat. ‘I love carol services. Is it at the local church?’
‘No, it’s at Chloe’s school. Come along if you want.’ Then he wondered why he’d offered – of course she wouldn’t want to go to a school carol service. ‘Although I’m sure you have far too much to do.’
‘Actually I’d love to come. But I have to take my shopping home first and let Oscar out. Will I be making you late?’
Another surprise. Well, he had to go with it now, he’d made the offer. ‘Not if you’re quick. I have to put these presents away too, before Chloe sees them.’
‘Leave them at Hannah’s if you want and I’ll bring them over later, when Chloe’s asleep?’ she offered.
It made sense, they were running short of time now. ‘If you’re sure? I’ve got a bike in the back too.’
‘It’s the least I can do when you’ve fixed the heating for me and you’re giving me a lift home.’
‘Why didn’t you take your car and go to the big shops?’ he asked as they turned into the street where he and Hannah lived.
‘Because I like to support local traders and craftsmen,’ she replied. ‘Let’s park at the front, we’ll only be nipping in for a few minutes.’
‘Fine by me. I’ll unload the car, you let Oscar out. Deal?’
‘Deal.’
It took a bit longer to unload the car – thanks to the holly Saffy had bought getting wrapped around the bike wheels – and Oscar took his time ‘doing his business’ so the carol service had already started when they dashed into the hall, and all the seats were taken. ‘Sorry,’ Saffy mouthed as they stood at the back.
Luckily Chloe’s class hadn’t come into the hall yet so Logan mouthed back, ‘It’s fine.’
Then Chloe’s class came in and his daughter beamed with delight when she spotted him and Saffy. She waved and they both waved back. Saffy seemed to really enjoy the carols, clapping loudly when they’d finished. He was surprised by her enthusiasm. She even waited with him in the playground for Chloe. He guessed she was bored in Hannah and Lee’s house by herself.
‘Did you like it?’ Chloe asked, as she came running out of the gate to them.
‘It was amazing.’ Logan swung her up into the air then put her back down again.
‘Did you like it too?’ Chloe asked Saffy.
‘I loved it. “Little Donkey” is one of my favourite carols, and I could hear your voice above everyone else’s. You’re such a good singer.’
Chloe looked delighted. ‘Is Saffy coming to our house?’ she asked.
‘No, she’s got things to do,’ Logan said quickly.
Chloe looked crestfallen.
‘Cheer up, we’re going to take Oscar for a walk along the dunes before it gets dark. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’
The smile was back on the little girl’s face. ‘Oh yes. Will you come too, Saffy?’ she asked, turning to look at her.
‘Saffy’s too busy—’ Logan started to say but Saffy cut him short.
‘I’d love to come. Call over when you’ve changed out of your school uniform. Oscar and I will be ready.’
* * *
What had possessed her to agree to take Oscar for a walk with Logan and Chloe? Especially when she had the wreath to make, the decorations to unpack and a thousand and one other things to do, Saffy thought as she let herself into Hannah’s cottage.
Because she was sick of him answering for her, that’s why. Honestly, he was as bad as Hannah, always bossing her about. Well, Oscar was Saffy’s sister’s dog, and if she wanted to take him for a walk along the dunes, she would. It was Logan who was tagging along, not her.
She needed something a bit more sensible to wear though. She couldn’t trudge along the dunes in these boots and coat, which was why she’d bought a pair of flat ankle boots from one of the local shops. And Hannah should have a coat she could borrow.
She opened the cubby hole under the stairs and rummaged through the coats hanging there. The only suitable thing she could find was a yellow duffle coat. Very Hannah but definitely not Saffy, and it was a bit big. She shrugged; it was far more practical that her long coat, and who cared what Logan thought? It wasn’t as if she was trying to impress him.
She poured herself a glass of Coke and sent a quick text to Hannah to ask how the twins were and telling her that everything was fine. Then she put on the coat, her new flat boots, put the lead on Oscar, picked up the keys and put them in her pocket just as the doorbell rang. Logan and Chloe, no doubt.
Oscar barked and bounded up the hall, almost pulling Saffy with him. As soon as she opened the door he was out, skipping around them happily and getting Chloe tangled up in the lead.
‘Stop it, Oscar!’ Saffy said, trying to pull him back but Oscar ignored her.
‘Shall I take him? He’s a bit of a handful,’ Logan offered.
‘It’s fine. I can handle it, thank you.’ She hated the way Logan always assumed she needed his help. Well, she didn’t. Not all the time anyway. She was perfectly capable of handling Oscar.
The dunes were wild, just as Saffy remembered from her childhood holidays. Big sandy mountains with clumps of coarse grass here and there. Only it had been sunny back then and now there was a biting wind. Saffy pulled up the hood of the duffle coat as she watched Oscar running around, happily chasing the sticks Chloe was throwing for him. She wondered if Hannah brought the twins here in the summer.
‘Can we get to the beach from here?’ she asked Logan.
‘Yes, if you walk a bit further but it’s a bit of a steep hill down and it’ll be dark soon.’
‘Is there anywhere I can just see the beach then?’ Saffy asked.
‘Sure, you’ll get a good view of it if you stand on the top of that mound.’ He pointed to what looked like a small hill a little ahead to the right.
Saffy made her way to the top of the mound and looked down at the deserted sandy beach below. The sky was almost dark grey, and the steel blue sea was crashing wildly against the shore. It looked desolate and wild, but she bet it was lovely in the summer. Memories of their summer Cornish holidays with white clouds floating in a summer sky and a cobalt blue sea gently lapping the golden sand flashed into her mind. She imagined Hannah, Lee and the twins having picnics on the beach, paddlin
g in the sea. Just like she, Mum and Hannah had done.
She shivered as the cold wind blew through her and glanced at her watch. Half past four; it would be dark soon.
‘Ready to go?’ Logan shouted from below, where he’d been keeping an eye on Chloe and Oscar. ‘It’s a bit cold for Chloe.’
‘It’s a bit cold for me too,’ she said. ‘Yes, let’s go home. I need a hot chocolate.’
* * *
Logan watched as Chloe skipped up to Saffy and slipped her hand in hers. Saffy looked down at her and they both smiled, then walked back over the dunes together. Chloe was a happy, friendly little girl and took to people easily, especially women. She was looking for a mother figure, he was sure. After all, she hardly saw her own mother. She adored Hannah, and as Saffy was Hannah’s sister she perhaps looked on her as a substitute. But Hannah and Saffy were completely different. Hannah was capable, reliable, organised, a mother and a good one at that, someone who took people under her wing. Saffy was… he hesitated as he tried to figure out exactly what Saffy was like. Right now, skipping along with Chloe, dressed in that big duffle coat and what looked like new ankle boots, she looked a different person to the smart, elegant woman who had turned up yesterday in her expensive coat and skyscraper boots.
And she was surprisingly good with Chloe.
Suddenly, as if sensing him staring at her, Saffy turned. ‘Come on, slow coach!’ she shouted, laughing.
The winter sun caught her face, illuminating the twinkling laughter in her eyes, her parted red lips as she laughed, her wind-blown hair. She looked alive. Fun. Beautiful. And he felt his heart stir.
Chapter Eight
Saffy spent the evening making a holly wreath and decorating the mahogany banister with holly, weaving it in and out the balustrades and along the rail. It looked very festive when she had finished, even if not exactly Vogue-glam. Tomorrow she would go out and buy a Christmas tree, she decided, then get the decorations down from the loft. She might not know much about entertaining children, and decorating trees wasn’t one of her talents, but she was determined to make the house look like a magical grotto when the families came in on Christmas Day.