Christmas at Sandcastle Cottage

by Christina Jones

  ‘Blimey…’ Jemini breathed. ‘How do you know this stuff?’

  ‘Because I’ve been through it and far worse. Ask the CAB to help and then just make sure you tell people the truth. Always. And leave work at the end of the week. I want to be moving into Sandcastle Cottage in a week’s time. Ok?’

  ‘More than ok,’ Jemini squealed happily. ‘Bloody fantastic! You’re a star, Kit – a real star.’

  Kitty hung up and heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe the plan hadn’t been quite so insane after all. Zorro snored contently.

  She made a cup of coffee and some toast and sat cross-legged on the bed. First she emailed Lovell and Lowe’s Sandcastle Cottage link to Jemini, then she worked out how many of her own possessions she’d need to take to Firefly Common. Looking around the snug little bedsit, Kitty decided she’d need to take everything. After all, she’d pared down to the bare minimum when she had to leave Willowmead, so she’d have to start packing. Then she thought about transport… Apollo had a transit van – he’d be able to move all Jemini’s stuff in that… and his… and probably Kitty’s at the same time… And Jem had a car… so she’d drive down with Teddy and anything that didn’t fit in the van… So this time next week – was that even going to be possible?

  Zorro snored on. The radio played quietly. Chris Rea was driving home for Christmas. Kitty grinned to herself. This time next week they’d be doing exactly that… She picked up the phone again.

  ‘Hello… Connor? It’s Kitty Appleby. Yes – again. We’re all good to go here – everyone’s in agreement – so I was thinking we could move in a week’s time. December 18th. Does that sound ok to you? Wonderful! Yes, of course, we’ll come and collect the keys first and I’ll sign any tenancy agreements – oh, right – yes, I’ll email you the full details of the other two tenants… No they won’t be sub-tenants, they’ll be considered family… my family… I’ll be making the rental payments. Great – thank you. Yes, you too – and see you next week.’

  Hanging up, Kitty hugged a very surprised Zorro. ‘Oh wow! It’s really going to happen! So – is the best idea I’ve ever had in my life? Or my biggest mistake yet? No – don’t answer that… I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?’

  Chapter Seven

  December 18th. Exactly one week before Christmas. And, Kitty decided, exactly the sort of day In the Bleak Midwinter had been composed for. It was bone-numbingly cold, with a sky constantly shifting from pewter to charcoal and back again, and a howling arctic wind. Kitty could almost hear her Gran saying “I can smell snow on the air, it’ll be up to the windowsills afore morning, you mark my words…” Irritatingly, as with so many of her rustic sayings, Kitty’s Gran was nearly always right.

  But so far there had been no snow as the small convoy drove across the final criss-cross shingle road of Firefly Common and pulled into the parking spaces beside Sandcastle Cottage. Someone, Kitty noticed, either Mr H or one of Connor’s workers, had neatened the front garden. And there was a lantern glowing on the veranda. It looked far more welcoming that the first time she’d seen it.

  Kitty couldn’t help but squeal internally. They’d done it! All three of them! In the last seven days they’d managed to tie up all the loose ends of their previous lives; sell surplus possessions, pack the remainder; and leave the past behind where it belonged.

  Kitty, travelling in the front of Apollo’s van as co-driver and navigator, with Honey and Zorro in their travelling cage behind, and the van itself packed to the gunwales with everything but the kitchen sink, could hardly believe that this was really happening. It had been very odd, introducing Apollo to Jemini and for them both to meet Teddy – who was very cute – for the first time. And then Jem and Teddy met the dogs who were on their best behaviour. And at last everything was loaded into the van and Jemini’s car, the keys to Jem’s flat were handed over to the landlord, and off they went.

  It had been achingly sad leaving the kebab shop. Apollo had cried, and Mary and the hoodied lads and many of their regular customers and the other shop-owners had come out to wave them off.

  ‘The end of an era,’ Apollo had muttered tearfully. ‘So sad, Kitty. So very sad.’

  And Kitty had sniffled too. Because she’d been happy there. And this was such a leap into the unknown. But once they got on to the motorway, heading for Jemini’s Midlands home, they’d both cheered up, had sung along to the radio and had told one another what a fabulous adventure this was going to be. By the time they reached the Birmingham exit they almost believed it.

  And now, as the grey afternoon faded into an inky evening, they were really here. Apollo had oohed and aahed as they’d driven through the New Forest and was speechless when they drove into Firefly Common itself. Kitty looked across at him now. He was staring at Sandcastle Cottage open-mouthed.

  ‘This is it, Kitty? Our new home? Really? It’s even better than the photograph. What a pretty place and in the middle of all these trees and space and…’ He looked at her. ‘I’m a city boy, Kitty, born and bred. This is like a foreign country to me – oh, but the dogs will love it… I can’t believe that I will be living here. Oh, and did you see the chip shop on the main road? I might be able to work there… I think I’ll love this place.’

  ‘Good,’ Kitty breathed a sigh of relief ‘Let me just see how Jem and Teddy are doing, then I’ve got to nip up to the estate agents and sign some paperwork and get the keys. While I’m doing that you can give the dogs a chance to stretch their legs – I’ll try to be as quick as possible – it’s too cold to hang about outside for long.’

  The cold hit her as she slid from the van and hurried over to Jemini’s car. Good lord – it was freezing. She hoped the cottage’s central heating was still working.

  ‘Wow…’ Jemini just stared at the cottage. ‘Just wow. What a place… Like something from a fairy story.’

  ‘Glad you approve,’ Kitty’s lips were becoming numb. ‘Look I’m going to pick up the keys from the estate agent. Apollo is going to give the dogs a few minutes to stretch their legs. I don’t think you should get out of the car yet – it’s seriously icy out here.’ She looked at Teddy in her car seat. ‘Are you ok, poppet?’

  Teddy nodded and grinned shyly.

  ‘She slept most of the way,’ Jemini said. ‘And Kit, if I don’t say this again – just thank you… I’ll never forget what you’ve done for us.’

  ‘We’re mates – you used to do my maths homework. I owe you. Anyway, I was wondering what we were going to tell Amy when she tries to organise the next Miss B’s Girls meet-up. She’ll be incandescent that she’s missed out on the fact that we’re both now living here in Firefly Common.’

  Jemini stretched indolently like a cat. ‘Oh, I think we should tell her that we’re now a couple – like Becky and Emma – and she’s in danger of missing the boat.’

  Kitty laughed. ‘Cruel. Anyway, Jem – stay put and I’ll just…’

  ‘Who is that?’ Jemini uncurled herself and leaned forward.

  ‘What? Who?’ Kitty stared in the same direction. ‘Oh – that’s Mr Hubert – he’s going to be our next door neighbour – or do you mean Connor?’

  ‘Is Connor the very pretty boyband look-alike who is now heading in this direction?’

  Kitty blinked. ‘Jem! Are you serious? He’s years younger than you – and he’s the… oh, hello Connor.’

  ‘Miss Appleby… Kitty – so glad you’ve got here safely. Mr Hubert kindly let me wait in his house until you arrived. I thought I’d meet you here. It’s such a cold day for you to have to drag up to the office. So shall we go inside and complete the formalities, then your friends can have a good look round and you can unpack and get settled in.’

  Kitty smiled as much as her frozen lips would allow. Jemini was already out of the car, beaming at Connor and releasing Teddy from her straps. Apollo, Zorro and Honey were waiting patiently beside the van.

  ‘Connor,’ Kitty said, ‘these are my friends, Jemini and Apollo – the dogs are Zorro
and Honey. Everyone – this is Connor Lowe – he’s the estate agent who made this all possible.’

  Apollo stepped forward and shook Connor’s hand, while Jemini smiled and fluttered her eyelashes.

  ‘And I’m Mr Hubert, your new next door neighbour,’ Mr H barked, pushing forward and shaking everyone’s hand. ‘Perishingly cold out here, but wonderful to meet you all. I know we’re all going to get on like a house on fire.’

  Connor unlocked Sandcastle Cottage’s front door and stood back to allow everyone to enter. Oh, bliss, Kitty thought – it was so warm. Then she flicked on the lights as Jemini carried Teddy, and Apollo kept the dogs on their leads as they all trailed wide-eyed into the house.

  It was still as gorgeous and cosy and homely as she remembered it.

  My little band of waifs and strays all safe under one roof, Kitty thought fondly. Well, for now, anyway.

  ‘Go and explore,’ Kitty said, ‘while I do the paperwork. Oh, Jem I thought you and Teddy could have the bedrooms downstairs with the bathroom in between… but you decide. You can sort yourselves out… This is going to be so much fun.’

  Then she followed Connor into the kitchen. He’d already spread the papers out on the table.

  ‘Just a straight forward tenancy agreement,’ he said. ‘I know you’ve seen the dummy copy I sent. So, rent paid on the last day of the month, by BACS, to the agency. We will handle all maintenance problems you may have – just ring us – we’ll sort it out. Mrs Mulholland has been informed that you and your friends are now tenants and she’s delighted. She’s happy for the tenancy to proceed on a monthly basis until she returns, but she has said she will give you plenty of notice and it definitely won’t be until the summer.’

  ‘Great… That all sounds fabulous…’ Kitty said, wearily. ‘Goodness it’s been a long day… I think we’ll just make up the beds, grab some food and start afresh in the morning. Where do I sign…?’

  ‘There and there… Oh, and I’ve had four keys cut – one for each of the adults and a spare. I’ll leave them here for you. If you want to get food from the village, the fish and chip shop is excellent… but they close at nine. And the same with the Merry Mermaid – great food – early cut-off.’

  Kitty signed the papers. ‘We’re ok for an evening meal, thanks. Apollo had food left over so we packed it in freezer bags and brought it with us – no doubt he’ll be itching to get in here and start cooking – but thanks for the tips. And thanks for everything.’

  ‘My pleasure,’ Connor patted his quiff and packed everything away in his briefcase. ‘Now I’ll have to fly – it’s the company’s Christmas do tonight and I can’t miss it.’

  ‘Oh – right – are there more branches of Lovell and Lowe, then?’

  ‘Dozens. My dad and his best mate at uni set them up years ago and they’ve just spread. Lucky for me, really – I was hopeless at school and wouldn’t have been employed anywhere else. Right – I’ll dash off now… and I hope you’ll be very happy here.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Kitty said, as she saw Connor out. ‘I’m sure we will be.’

  ‘Oh! Has he gone?’ Jemini drifted into the hall. ‘He’s very cute, Kit… And you were right about the downstairs bedrooms – they’re perfect for us.’

  ‘Good,’ Kitty smiled, then nodded as Apollo, armed with the freezer bags and boxes, headed towards the kitchen, the dogs pattering excitedly behind him. ‘Right, I’ll go and chuck some duvets on beds while Apollo’s getting supper – then I think we should call it a day.’

  Zorro gave a massive yawn and sank down with his muzzle on his paws.

  Apollo laughed. ‘And I think Zorro agrees with you, Kitty. I’ll just do chicken and chips, shall I? Quick and easy. Is that ok with the little one, Jemini?’

  ‘Goodness yes – she’ll love that – and so will I. Thank you so much. Oh, seriously, Kitty – this is just like a dream – and I never, ever want to wake up.’

  Chapter Eight

  Christmas Eve. The most magical night of the year. The Sandcastle Cottage waifs and strays had settled in remarkably quickly. Because the cottage was so big and the rooms so spread out, they didn’t get under each other’s feet. But when they did meet up, mainly at meal times, they all got on really well.

  ‘Far better than a real family,’ Jemini said with feeling. ‘No bickering and shouting. It’s lovely.’

  And between them they’d manged to make the house look really Christmassy. They’d found a towering but scruffy artificial Christmas tree in one of the huge walk-in storage cupboards, along with proper old-fashioned paper chains and sparkly garlands, and various baubles and fairy lights and tree decorations. Apollo and Teddy had dressed the tree – both chuckling every time Honey or Zorro ran off with a stand of tinsel in their mouth.

  And Mr H had shown Kitty where there was a holly bush on the common and how to cut just a few sprigs so as not to damage the plant, and, while Jemini had blown up balloons, Kitty had decorated the hall with holly and some trails of ivy that grew in profusion in the back garden.

  ‘Wow,’ Jemini stood back and admired their handiwork. ‘It looks just like a twinkly, glittery grotto. And I’ve seen all the food Apollo has got planned for tomorrow. A proper festive feast – and all the trimmings. We are so lucky, Kit. This is going to be the best Christmas ever.’

  Despite the plummeting temperatures, on Christmas Eve afternoon, Apollo and Kitty walked the dogs along the cliff top as had become their daily routine , occasionally letting them skitter down the wooden steps and run on the beach where they barked joyously at the waves and at other dogs and at seagulls and, because they were Staffies, at fresh air.

  Sometimes they saw a lone figure walking along the shoreline – tall, wearing a long black coat, dark hair blowing in the icy breeze. Today, as always, he seemed to be staring out to sea, watching the ice-cold waves whipped up by the biting wind.

  ‘Vinny the Vagrant,’ Mr H had said once when they’d mentioned him. ‘That’s what we call him. No-one knows who he is or where he lives. He just wanders along the beach. He doesn’t bother anyone. He never comes up into the village. He’s just some down and out.’

  ‘That’s sad,’ Kitty said. ‘He must be very lonely. And that’s even worse at Christmas…’

  ‘Should we invite him to share our Christmas?’ Apollo asked. ‘Would that be a proper nice thing to do?’

  ‘It would,’ Kitty said slowly. ‘But as we don’t know anything about him, and because we have a child in the house, much as I hate to be all mimsy about it, maybe it’s best that we don’t… Hopefully he’ll go to one of the hostels or something.’

  ‘Let’s hope so,’ Apollo said as they fastened the dogs’ lead again, and walked away from the lonely figure on the beach.

  And, as the excitement of Christmas Eve built, Vinny the Vagrant was forgotten. Almost. Because Kitty knew that tall, slender, sad figure would haunt her. And one day, she knew, she’d find out who he really was and why he walked the shore.

  Jemini had packed Teddy’s Christmas stocking earlier in the day – they’d all agreed to make it like a proper Christmas. They’d all wrap little gifts for one another and leave them under the tree, and nothing should cost more than a fiver – and the funnier the better! Teddy was the only one who would be getting sensible presents – oh, and Honey and Zorro. Most of the presents had come from Locktons on the High Street – and Kitty was pretty sure they’d all have buckets and spades or rude postcards to open in the morning.

  They’d watched Carols from Kings, and It’s a Wonderful Life and the original Miracle on 34th Street and then Apollo had produced his Christmas Eve supper of individual baked camemberts with breads and chutneys, and Teddy had fallen asleep in amongst the cushions on the sofa waiting to hear the sound of sleigh bells overhead, and the dogs were stretched out in front of the fire’s dancing flames. The only other lights were from the Christmas tree in the window.

  It was, Kitty thought, as festive music played softly in the background, about as per
fect as you could get. She’d even managed to get a connection and speak to her parents and wish them a very happy Christmas. She’d previously written them a long letter explaining about everything that had happened – and tonight was able to assure them that now she was happier than she’d been for years.

  ‘Right,’ Apollo said. ‘Let’s have a Christmas drink. I’ve got some mulled wine on the go and prepared a few nibbly bits in case anyone’s still got room for them.’

  ‘It was a piece of genius luck to have him as your boss, Kit,’ Jemini chuckled after Apollo had headed for the kitchen. ‘He can make a sandwich look like a banquet.’

  Having put bowls of his “special nibbly bits” on every available surface, Apollo carefully placed the huge tureen of spicy steaming wine on the table close to the fire, and then quickly returned with a tray of mugs. ‘The only things I could find with handles so the wine won’t burn your fingers,’ he said, handing them round. The he stopped. ‘Oh, is that someone at the door?’

  Honey and Zorro both opened their eyes and looked up but decided they were far too toasty to move. Teddy didn’t stir.

  ‘I’ll go.’ Kitty uncurled herself and padded through the hall in the house that already felt like her home.

  She opened the front door. Mr H and a small dark haired woman carrying a box of chocolates were on the veranda.

  ‘Happy Christmas,’ Mr H boomed. ‘This is my wife, Angelica. We’ve come to wish you all season’s greetings.’

  ‘How lovely and neighbourly of you,’ Kitty beamed, wondering where Mr H had been hiding Angelica until now. ‘Please come in. We’re all in the living room. We’re just about to have some nibbles and mulled wine.’

  ‘Oooh super,’ Angelica squeaked, thrusting the chocolates at Kitty and immediately belting along the hall towards the living room.