A Cozy Christmas in Cornwall

by Jane Linfoot

  By the time Willow comes round with her mini scoops of cucumber and ginger sorbet end-of-meal palate-cleanser-digestives, we are certain that one last mouthful will make us burst. But as usual, she’s right – they might look and smell disgusting, but the end result makes us pleased we went along with her, held our noses, and swallowed.

  Then Libby stands up and coughs. ‘Okay, kids. While we clear away, just before you go back to your laminating, you’re going to play Elf on the shelf. There are a hundred elves hidden all over the castle. Your job is to find them all, you can each take one of these baskets to collect them in.’ She nods to the pile in front of her.

  I’m holding my breath because the last time I mentioned this game, they were so unimpressed they didn’t even bother to roll their eyes. But this time they don’t do that. Instead they throw up their arms, shout ‘yay’ and all grab a basket and dash off.

  She sends me a smile. ‘Just another one of your little Christmas life-savers, Ivy.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ As I grin back at her Fliss sends me a wink. Now we’re here, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask. ‘By the way, Libby, has Nathan been delayed?’ I double checked earlier. According to her hour by hour calendar he was pencilled in to arrive twenty-five hours ago.

  For a moment her eyes go wide. There’s enough silence for Oscar to get down from the table, and start to bang on the table leg with a pepper mill. And when she replies she’s smiling but her voice is even more brittle than usual. ‘I’m pleased you asked that Ivy, you’re the first person who has. It’s strange, even the kids haven’t noticed he’s missing.’ She takes a breath. ‘Although seeing how little he’s been home these last few years, it’s probably business as usual for them.’

  Fliss’s eyes are like saucers. ‘So where is he?’

  Libby takes a breath. ‘He’s in St Moritz with his personal assistant, Gloria.’ She gives a shrug. ‘He’s been seeing her for years. At least this way it’s honest.’

  Fliss is pulling a face. ‘I thought Gloria was old enough to be his mum?’

  Miranda’s nodding. ‘Sexy, single and sixty! Old doesn’t mean we can’t rock their socks off!’

  Libby looks appalled. ‘Obviously that’s not you, Mum, you’re way too young.’

  I’m frowning. ‘And here’s me thinking he got you the castle for Christmas for romantic reasons – it shows you how wrong you can be looking in from the outside.’

  Libby pulls a face. ‘It was simply the most expensive Christmas rental I’d seen before or since so I grabbed it. He had to pay somehow. He was invited, but he declined to come. At least this way we all got to enjoy it.’

  Fliss is blinking at Rob. ‘So who else knows about this … I mean, what happens next … are you getting divorced?’

  Libby shrugs. ‘I doubt we’ll bother with that. But Willow and Nigel have known for years and been very supportive.’

  Fliss is blowing. ‘I’m sorry, Libs. How did I not know? I always thought you had it all.’

  Libby’s smile is rueful. ‘I certainly put the work into making it look as if I do. And there’s nothing like a cheating husband to make you determined to make a success of your business.’ She smiles and catches Milo’s eye across the room. ‘And it hasn’t all been bad here. Have you ever tasted a coconut sponge as good as Milo’s?’

  Miranda’s choking. ‘But how can you and Milo possibly be compatible when Ambie’s so wrong for me?’

  Libby shakes her head. ‘Mum, he’s nice to be around, I enjoyed his pavlova. I didn’t say I’m rushing off to marry him – or even thinking about it.’

  Fliss is shaking her head. ‘We can’t complain about romance and the castle – it worked its magic for Bill and Ivy, me and Rob are back on track, Libby’s got as far as enjoying someone’s company, and Miranda’s found six surfie admirers. I bet none of them would throw her out of their camper vans if they were given half a chance.’

  Libby’s expression is pained. ‘But Christmas is what matters – we are all enjoying it – aren’t we?’

  This is the woman who had no doubts. The one who was so far above us her oxygen came from another stratosphere. The one who was so super-sure of herself while the rest of us stuffed up. And suddenly she’s here, looking small and sad and lost. And she’s asking us for reassurance. And somehow even though her superiority has annoyed us so much for so long, now she’s down at our level all I want to do is to help her.

  I’m counting on my fingers. ‘You know Libby, I’m looking across the room at Milo, and he’s really smiling at you. The kids are all tearing round the castle searching for plastic elves, of all things. Then there are the surfies who’ve begged to come and join us. Bill and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Fliss, Rob and the kids all know they love each other. Willow and Nigel know all the secrets anyway. Miranda’s just been brave enough to save herself. Merwyn pretends he’s pissed off, but it’s all an act to hide how much he loves it here. Even Ambie’s euphoric in his own way in the hot tub. So that only leaves one person. Libby – are you happy?’

  Libby’s pulling a face. ‘I never thought I’d say this, because it never felt as if I would be – but – yes, I actually think I am.’

  I’m laughing at her. ‘I never thought we’d say this either. When everyone arrived I couldn’t see how it could be anything other than a train wreck Christmas. But for this year, I reckon, we cracked it, it’s job done!’

  And as Libby high fives me and pulls me into a dewey eyed hug, I’m so happy for her, I’m wiping my eyes and sniffing too.

  And then the kids come careering through. ‘Ninety-nine elves, Ivy, we’ve counted them all up and we’ve got ninety-nine – where the heck did you hide the last one?’

  Fliss is looking at them. ‘If you think about it rationally, you’ll realise – before Ivy and I can answer that question you’re going to have to tell us every place you found the ninety-nine.’

  And then I smile. ‘No. It’s fine, I’ve remembered where the hundredth one is –’ And somehow this is really fitting too, but it gives me a lump in my throat at the same time. ‘Bill took one to Abby, remember.’

  Tiff nods. ‘So he did. That’s nice, but it’s a shame she’s not here.’

  ‘It is.’ I smile. ‘She’ll be having a nice time though, she’s gone skiing.’

  Scout nods. ‘Well I’ve been skiing. I’ve been to lots of exotic places at Christmas, because that’s just what happens when your dad is a green travel writer. But none of them were as good as it is here.’

  I’m catching Libby’s eye, and giving her the thumbs up behind Scout’s back, and I’m so happy I’m grinning. ‘Bill did well with the snow.’

  Tansy’s staring at me. ‘Did he make it happen?’

  I’m smiling. ‘He had a special word with this guy he knows – Tomas Schafernaker.’

  Scout pulls a face. ‘The weatherman?’

  I’m nodding because she’s so on the ball. ‘That’s the one.’

  Scout’s frowning. ‘So how does that work then?’

  I do my best ‘who knows?’ face. ‘I’m not sure. It could be something to do with mistletoe … or sea glass?’

  Scout’s nodding. ‘Yes, probably that, they’re both very powerful.’

  ‘So that’s good then, if we’re all done at ninety-nine.’ Tiff, Tansy and Scout are swishing their tulle and sequined skirts, and Tiff turns to them. ‘We should have timed ourselves. Then next year we’ll be able to see if we can beat it.’

  Tansy’s shrugging. ‘No need to worry, we’ll do it all over again tomorrow and get a time.’

  Tiff narrows her eyes. ‘What’s that weird noise?’

  Bill’s come in and he’s pulling back the fire guard and he’s piling more logs on the fire. ‘Bill … any idea what the noise is? It’s really jingly … a bit like bells …’

  He’s laughing at me. ‘Not entirely. But I’d say it might be no bad thing to pull your boots and coats on and get out to the front of the castle – like right now.
’

  36.

  Jingle bells and cockle shells

  ‘Santa and his elf and his pony and cart? Was this you or Libby?’

  I’m looking at Bill, we’re out in the crisp afternoon sun, and if I thought the snowy castle couldn’t be any more pretty, I was wrong. Santa arriving with his little pony stamping his hoofs and tossing his head with bells jingling on his reins, and the cart twinkling with fairy lights, just made it even more magical.

  Bill’s cheeks are creased where he’s smiling. ‘I have to put my hands up, this one’s down to me, with a lot of help from Keef, obviously. Definitely no reindeer, I thought you’d like it.’

  ‘It’s perfect. But how did you know? Two weeks ago you didn’t have the first clue about Christmas, and then you pull this off?’

  ‘I’m a fast learner, I had this ace instructor who showed me how worthwhile it was to go the extra mile every time when it comes to Christmas.’ He gives a smug smile as he swings first Tarkie then Solomon up onto the cart as the older ones scramble into the back of the cart themselves.

  Tansy’s looking at me as she rubs the pony’s nose. ‘Do you think it’s okay, Ivy, is it kind to animals?’

  Bill smiles. ‘This pony is called Nutty, short for Nutella. He’s very well looked after, he has a stable with lots of sweet hay to eat, and carrots and pony nuts.’

  Santa’s elf leans over. ‘But not too much, it’s not good for him to get fat.’

  As the elf was rubbing his rather large tummy earlier, I don’t think he has any room to talk.

  I smile at her. ‘From the look on his face, I’d say he loves pulling the cart as much as you like laminating and I like making things look pretty.’

  She’s taking that in. ‘In that case, I’ll go for the ride.’

  Santa leans down. ‘Why don’t you come up on the front between us, and you can have a go taking the reins.’

  Tiff’s mouthing at me. ‘Has Santa got eyeliner on?’

  I go in for a closer look and nod at her. ‘I think he has. And Mr Elf too.’

  Tiff’s grinning at me. ‘Nice job.’

  Bill’s hissing at me from behind his hand, ‘That’s not Mr Elf, that’s actually Santa’s husband – so he’s technically Mr Santa.’

  Willow’s standing next to me and she lets out a gasp. ‘Has Scout got eyeliner on?’

  I grin at her. ‘Forbidden things are fascinating and compelling, Willow, available things aren’t. Once she knows what it is and how to use it she’ll be able to make an informed choice for herself.’

  Willow sniffs, and then she smiles. ‘Well said, Ivy. It’s wonderful how far everyone’s come this holiday, especially you.’

  ‘I’m working on it,’ I laugh, but at the same time I’m bursting with pride inside.

  Mr Elf leans forward. ‘Hey, you down there in the blue coat with the very cute dog … Ivy, is it?’

  Willow gives me a nudge. ‘That’s you …’

  As I turn to look up I could hug him. Because he’s just shown me, I’m not defined as the woman with the cut up face who had the accident any more. Somewhere in the last two weeks I’ve left her behind and gone back to being my plain old self in the blue coat again. And if it’s taken Santa’s elf to make me finally see that, I’m happy to go with it.

  ‘Yes?’ As I turn my face up to him I’m not even thinking about my scar.

  He’s nodding. ‘We heard Bill spent years lusting after you, now we completely understand why.’

  My mouth’s fallen open. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘Bill’s been a favourite heart throb of ours ever since he arrived, it’s lovely to see someone finally put a smile on his face.’

  Bill’s hissing in my ear. ‘We all go to the St Aidan Chamber of Commerce, if I’d known they were going to be this rude and outrageous, truly I’d have brought in the real guy with the reindeer instead.’

  Mr Elf’s laughing at Bill. ‘Us, outrageous? As if! Sometimes it’s good to tell people your secrets.’

  Santa’s clearing his throat now. ‘Okay, girls and boys, if everyone’s aboard and holding on tight, we’ll set off. Come on Nutty, trot on.’ There’s a jingle as he shakes the reins, the pony tosses his head, steam comes out of his nostrils into the cold air and the cart draws away. As they pick up speed and turn down the drive there’s snow flying off the wheels, the children are cheering and waving, and my heart is flying.

  Bill’s arm slides around me. ‘So about Chamonix …’

  ‘Yes …?’ The less I say about this the better.

  ‘Every time I mention it you change the subject, but I have to tell you what Mr Elf says is completely true – I spent the whole holiday waiting for you to break up with George so I could ask you out.’

  I feel my eyes snap open in surprise. ‘Really?’

  ‘That first afternoon when we were the only ones there … I’ve kicked myself so often since for not telling you how I felt that day …’ He’s frowning at me. ‘When I sounded George out at the end of the holiday he was so adamant you were already unofficially engaged it felt wrong for me to intervene. That’s why I assumed you were married.’

  I sigh. ‘As I discovered, George lied a lot more often than he told the truth.’

  Bill’s voice is low. ‘You do remember that afternoon though, tell me you’ve thought about it occasionally?’

  I grab my courage and my dignity in both hands and go for it. ‘Only most days since.’ It would probably be too much to tell him that lately it’s been more like every hour.

  ‘Ditto.’ He lets out a long sigh. ‘You’ve no idea how pleased I am to hear that. Or how over the moon I was when you walked round the corner and found me in the hot tub.’

  ‘We still haven’t found where Merwyn buried your boxers.’

  ‘Who needs those?’ He laughs and pulls me closer. ‘So many lost years, this time I won’t be letting go.’ As he looks down at me, his eyes are so dark, and it’s wonderful to know the shadows of his stubble are mine to touch whenever I want. ‘You are going to stay on after the others go home? We can work together at the castle, there’s so much you could do with the gin, or find another job if you’d rather?’

  I smile. ‘Thanks, I’d love that.’

  He’s squeezing me even tighter. ‘A whole new adventure – together.’

  We look up as the rumble of the wheels and the jingle of the bells comes closer again. And as Nutty comes to a halt snorting in front of us, Tansy’s waving down at us.

  Tiff grins. ‘Well however much Granny Miranda changes her mind, Ivy and Bill are in love, we always knew they were.’ She turns to Libby standing beside us, her hand shading her eyes from the bright afternoon sun. ‘Can we come back here for Christmas every year, Mum?’

  Libby laughs and turns to Bill. ‘Is it too early to book in for next Christmas? Same great rates, Nathan’s treat.’

  I give Bill a jab in the ribs. ‘Can you face doing it all over again in twelve months’ time?’

  Bill shrugs inside his Barbour. ‘If you’ll be here to help me … then, hell, yes!’

  Tom’s frowning at Libby from under his hat in the back of the cart. ‘In that case, why are we even going home, we could all just stay here …’

  Libby holds up her finger and nods at Tom. ‘Funny you should say that, I’ve been checking out the local rental rates and the fabulous visitor numbers here in summer, it might be a great place for my first shop. Just saying.’

  Fliss and I roll our eyes at each other. ‘This is Libby, she’s never going to stop.’

  Libby’s looking straight at us. ‘If you two are looking for work, I’d happily take you on – you could do worse.’ Considering the huge Christmas lunch she just ate there’s a scarily lean and hungry look in her eye.

  Fliss gives her a hug. ‘Thanks, Libs, that’s fab. Let’s talk about it after we’ve had our ride with Santa.’

  I smile up at Bill. ‘You see, Christmas comes first, every time.’

  He laughs down at me. ‘I’m with you o
n that!’

  As he pulls me against him, I’m talking into his new stripy scarf. ‘This has to be my best Christmas ever, for so many reasons – but mostly because of you.’

  ‘Mine too.’ He’s rubbing his cheek against mine. ‘No pressure – but should we be planning for next year?’

  My cheeks are tight because I’m smiling so hard. ‘Totally. But let’s have one more snog first.’

  And as he pulls me into the longest Christmas kiss ever, with the snowy turrets sharp against the diesel blue sky, and Merwyn snuffling at my feet, I have to be the happiest woman in Cornwall if not the world.

  37.

  PS …

  So another Christmas came and went so very fast. But I think it’s fair to say, everyone had their own wonderful times, and no one went home from Cockle Shell Castle quite the same person as when they arrived. Some places are like that. But I think it was the company too. We were all very different people, but after two weeks together we’d somehow all changed each other for the better. And all had a fabulous Christmas too. And those memories of torchlight sledging on Christmas night will stay with us forever.

  I now have a lovely silver starfish bracelet to wear – my present from Bill – and a Chamonix key ring on the key to the castle I use, as well as my sea glass necklace. And when we head back to London after New Year Merwyn’s seashell necktie gets a lot of admiring looks in the park. But everyone can tell – we’ve both left our hearts at the castle on the beach. And as Tatiana’s working abroad more, I agree to have Merwyn full time. Merwyn pretends to be sad, but we get along so well, we’re both giving secret cheers.

  When I come back to Daniels for the last few weeks, Bill comes for weekends, and sees Abby. A friend of Willow’s is happy to take over my flat for a while, so this time when I wave goodbye to my starry ceiling and get in my little Corsa I’m not just going away for Christmas – I’m going to a whole new beginning under the Cornish stars.

  With Merwyn sitting in the back and Bill waiting for us at the castle, I couldn’t have two better guys to love me. I’m almost too excited to breathe, and I can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen next … all I can say is, watch this space … I’ll let you know.