by Karen King
Lexi arrived, dressed in her usual outfit of jumper and skinny jeans. Today, she was wearing a chunky cream cowl-neck and black skinnies with black boots. ‘Did you knit that jumper too?’ he asked. He’d complimented her on her jumper yesterday, and she’d told him she’d knitted it herself. He’d been impressed.
She nodded. ‘I rarely buy jumpers, I usually knit them.’ She bent down to make a fuss of Sweetie. ‘Are you excited to be coming out with us?’
‘I presume you have a coat in the car?’ Joel asked, reaching for his parka.
‘Yep. I can’t drive in a coat, makes me feel all stuffed up.’
‘Me too,’ he agreed. ‘And any time you get tired of driving and want me to take over, do say.’
‘Will do,’ she promised.
Joel put Sweetie’s blanket on the back seat, then strapped the little dog in before slipping into the passenger seat and fastening his seat belt. Then they set off.
Lexi was a calm, steady driver, negotiating the bends in the narrow country lanes with ease, and Joel felt himself relaxing as he took the opportunity to study the scenery. Huge fields hosting cows or sheep and the occasional horse, and trees bare of their leaves but still hauntingly beautiful with their spindly branches reaching up to the winter-blue sky, lined the lanes. The frosted snow-spattered landscape was stunning, and he imagined it in all its summery glory, when the trees would be bursting with vibrant green leaves, the fields would be full of corn and other crops, and the sun would be shining down on lambs frisking in the grass and calves snuggling up to their mothers.
‘It’s amazing, isn’t it?’ Lexi said. ‘Although, I’m sure the scenery is more dramatic in Scotland.’
‘I don’t think you can compare, they’re both spectacular in their own way,’ Joel replied, his mind going to the remote farm where his grandparents had lived, surrounded by miles of undulating countryside, broken only by hills and lakes and the magnificent forests where he had worked, full of willows, birch and tall pines reaching up to the sky.
They were driving through a quaint village now; thatched cottages lined cobbled streets. ‘Do you fancy stopping off and having a look around?’ Lexi asked. ‘Give Sweetie chance to stretch her legs?’
‘Sure. I wouldn’t mind a coffee and snack, too, if you fancy it?’
‘Sounds good to me.’ She located the car park, found a parking space, and got a ticket, then they got out to explore the village. Sweetie trotted alongside Joel, sniffing everywhere, and stretching the lead to its full extent as she tried to explore. Lexi smiled as she watched her. ‘She’s enjoying all the different smells, I think.’
They soon found a tearoom, which was luckily dog-friendly, and ordered two coffees and a chicken salad sandwich each. When they’d finished, they took a slow walk around the village, then got back into the car and headed off again.
When they finally arrived back in Lystone, it was already dark.
‘Thanks so much, I’ve really enjoyed today,’ Joel said as Lexi pulled up outside his house. ‘Do you fancy coming in for a drink?’
Lexi hesitated, she did but she was sure that if she stopped to have a coffee – or wine – with Joel they would get chatting and she would end up staying all evening. ‘I’d love to but I’ve still got some lesson plans to do so I’d better get back,’ she said. ‘We can go sightseeing again tomorrow though, if you fancy it.’
Joel’s eyes lit up. ‘I’d love to, thank you.’
‘I’ll pick you up about ten,’ Lexi said as Joel got out, then opened the back door and scooped Sweetie up.
‘Look forward to it.’
She couldn’t remember when she had enjoyed herself so much, Lexi thought the next afternoon, as she drove them back home after another day sightseeing. Joel was easy company and Sweetie was a darling. Today, wrapped up in coats, hats and scarves, and wearing trainers, they had taken a trip to nearby Dartmoor and spent a couple of hours walking around. They had taken a map with them, and followed one of the guided routes, not wanting to get lost on the moors. As they’d walked side by side, admiring the beauty of it all, she’d had an almost irresistible urge to reach out and take Joel’s hand in hers, but she’d thrust her hand in her pocket instead. Don’t get carried away with the moment, you’re just friends, she’d told herself.
Sweetie had enjoyed herself, too, exploring the new sights and smells excitedly, tiring herself out so much she fell asleep on the back seat of the car on the way home. This time, Lexi accepted Joel’s invitation to stop for a drink, choosing wine rather than coffee, and they chatted and laughed as they talked about their trip out. It had been nostalgic for her, too, and she felt a tug to return to the village of her childhood.
‘I’d forgotten just how beautiful it is down here,’ Lexi said as Joel refilled her glass.
‘I have to admit that I’ve fallen in love with Lystone,’ Joel told her. ‘I love it that it’s so close to Dartmoor, but not that far from the coast, either. I shall take a drive there one of the days.’
‘My parents used to drive us over to the coast sometimes on a Sunday in the summer, and we’d spend the day there. It’s only just over an hour away. I wish I could come with you, but I’m going back Sunday,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got such a lot to do before the school opens on Tuesday.’
‘Maybe next time you come down?’
‘Sure. I’d love to.’ She would, too. She had never really spent time like this with Ben, and Joel was such good company. They’d got a lot more in common than she had originally thought.
‘I’ll hold you to that. I’ve enjoyed today.’ Joel’s voice was soft, and she glanced quickly at him, wondering if he was feeling a connection with her as she was with him, but Sweetie chose that moment to bark at the door, wanting to go out, and Joel stood up. ‘Back in a sec.’
She’d finished her wine by the time he returned and decided to set off back home, after arranging to meet Joel in the Old Tavern the following evening. She was looking forward to seeing the new year in with her family and friends.
Her parents and Granny Mabe were in the lounge, watching the TV, and all turned to look at her when she walked in. Uh-oh. Had they been chatting about her?
‘Have you had a nice day?’ her mum asked, adding, ‘I didn’t do you anything to eat because I wasn’t sure if you’d eat out, but there’s plenty in the fridge if you want to help yourself.’
‘Don’t worry, Mum, we had a meal out. And, yes, it was lovely. We went to Dartmoor.’
‘You two seem to be getting on well . . .’ her mum said.
Thankfully, before they could question her any further, Lexi’s phone rang. She took it out of her pocket. Fern. Heck, she hadn’t phoned her back, or told her about Ben’s proposal yet.
She answered. ‘I’ll make myself a hot chocolate and phone you back. Promise,’ she said. Then she ended her call and gave her mum an apologetic look. ‘Sorry, but I need to speak to Fern, then I think I’ll go to bed. It’ll be a late night tomorrow.’
‘You go ahead,’ her dad said. ‘We’ll be turning in ourselves soon.’
‘Does anyone want a drink? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate?’ Lexi asked.
No one did, so she made a hot chocolate for herself, popped a couple of marshmallows in it, and took it up to her room. Then she dialled Fern’s number.
‘You’ll never guess what happened . . .’ She filled her in about Ben turning up and proposing.
‘OMG! And you’ve waited until now to tell me!’ said Fern.
‘Sorry, I’ve been out.’ Lexi told her about her day trips with Joel.
‘Well, you two seem to be hitting it off. Good. I’m glad you’ve got over Ben.’
‘Joel’s very nice and we’re just friends, but, yes, I am definitely over Ben,’ she replied. And, hopefully, Ben was over her, too, as she hadn’t heard from him since she’d rejected his proposal. ‘Now, that’s enough about me. I want to hear all about your Christmas.’
She settled down on her bed to sip her hot chocolate and listen to
Fern tell her all about Polly’s latest escapades and how Phil, her partner, had turned the spare room into an office for them both. Fern and Phil both worked a couple of days in the office, and a couple at home, alternating the days so that they could look after Polly.
‘Make sure you come by and see us when you come back,’ Fern told her. ‘I’ve still got your present here.’ She paused, then added. ‘You’ve not fallen in love with Lystone – and Joel – and decided to stay down there, have you?’
‘No, of course not, although I’ve enjoyed seeing my family again, and Joel is good company. I’ll be back home on Sunday and will see you one of the evenings next week, I promise. I’ve got presents for you all, too.’
After the call had ended, Fern’s words repeated in her mind. She had to admit that part of her wished she could stay in Lystone, and she wasn’t looking forward to going home. It’s only because it’s Christmas and you’ve had such a good time with your family, she reminded herself. And Joel. You’ll be fine when you settle back into your normal routine again.
Chapter Thirty-six
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve already. She’d been here two weeks and the time had flown, Lexi thought, as she rummaged through her clothes, wondering what to wear. She had only intended to come down for a week, so hadn’t brought that many clothes with her, mainly jumpers, jeans and leggings, throwing one dress in the suitcase ‘just in case’. She looked at it, it was red lace, with three-quarter sleeves, and finished just above her knee. It was a nice dress, and fitted her perfectly, and she’d popped some strappy silver sandals in her case, too, to wear with it. Should she wear that? Or stick to a pair of skinnies with the floaty silver top?
She looked around as there was a knock on the door. ‘Are you decent?’ Nell called.
‘Yep, come in!’ she shouted.
The door opened and both Nell and Sonia came in, dressed to cause a stir. Nell was wearing a short, sparkly silver dress that looked like she had been poured into it, with flesh-coloured tights and silver stilettos which emphasised her long, slender legs. Sonia was wearing a white, slightly longer floaty dress with strappy gold sandals that matched the gold braiding across the bodice of the dress.
Okay, not a good idea to wear her skinnies and silver top then.
‘Wow! You both look incredible!’ she said. ‘And now I’m going to feel like Cinderella. I’ve only bought the one dress with me.’
‘Let’s take a look, we’ll sort you out,’ Nell said. And before she could stop them, both women were rummaging through her wardrobe.
‘Hmm, it’s pretty,’ Nell said, holding up the red-lace dress. ‘But it’s a bit sort of “family party-ish”.’
‘Which is exactly why I brought it with me. I thought I might wear it on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, but decided against it as no one else dressed up.’
‘What about the dress you bought when you were out shopping with us?’ Sonia asked.
‘I’d forgotten all about that,’ Lexi said. The ankle-length peacock-blue dress with its thin straps, fitted bodice and long slit up the left side had caught her attention straight away. Sonia had encouraged Lexi to try it on, and when she’d seen how it hugged her figure, and left an expanse of leg tantalisingly exposed, she’d decided to buy it. It was an ideal fallback for a party, dinner dance or even a wedding. She had put it in her case, still in the carrier bag. She put her case on her bed, opened it up and took the dress out of the bag, then held it up. ‘What do you think? Is it too dressy?’
‘It’s perfect.’ Both women nodded approvingly.
‘Put it on, then come and show us,’ Nell said as she and Sonia both left the room to finish doing their make-up. They were both using Nell’s room, as Toby was fast asleep in bed.
Lexi changed into the dress and studied her reflection in the mirror. It was sexy, but not too revealing, and suddenly she really wanted to look sexy tonight. Like Sonia and Nell did. Joel had only ever seen her wearing skinny jeans and jumpers, and just for once, she wanted him to see how good she could look, to see her as a sexy woman rather than a friend, to be attracted to her. Because, she admitted, she was attracted to him. She pulled on her silver sandals, turning this way and that so she could see her reflection. Was it too much for the local pub, even if it was New Year’s Eve?
The door to Nell’s room was open and both women were putting on lipstick. They turned as Lexi poked her head around the door and asked, ‘What do you think?’
‘You look amazing!’ Nell said, clapping her hands in delight.
‘You do!’ Sonia nodded. ‘Joel’s eyes will pop out on stalks when you walk in.’
‘I keep telling you, we’re just friends,’ she said, although, she was secretly pleased with Sonia’s remark. That was exactly the reaction she was hoping to get from Joel.
Nell studied her face. ‘You could do with a bit more make-up on.’
‘I like the natural look,’ Lexi protested, not wanting Nell to do her up like a painted doll.
‘You don’t have to go mad, some lash-lengthening mascara and a red lipstick would do it. Here, I’ve got a tube of mascara I haven’t opened yet.’ She handed it to her.
‘Thanks. Let me pay you for it . . .’
‘Nah, it’s not expensive. Call it a present. Do you have red lipstick?’
Lexi nodded. ‘I’ll go and put some on.’
She applied two coats of the lash-lengthening mascara and the red lipstick, then studied her reflection again. She used to wear mascara a lot in her late teens and early twenties when she went out with her friends, and had forgotten the difference it made. Her eyes looked wider and brighter, and the red lipstick made her lips look fuller.
Wolf-whistles from Nell and Sonia, who were now standing at the doorway behind her, made her turn and smile. ‘I’m nothing compared with you two,’ she told them.
‘Rubbish. You’re gorgeous. Come on, sis, let’s knock the men dead.’ Nell winked.
When they all went into the lounge, Jay and Ryan grinned appreciatively.
‘We’re going to be the envy of the pub tonight, walking in with three stunning ladies,’ Ryan said.
Thank goodness I bought this dress, Lexi thought. She’d have felt a bit dowdy next to Nell and Sonia otherwise.
‘Now, you all go and have a good time, and don’t worry about Toby, he’ll be absolutely fine. Me and your dad are happy to have a quiet evening, aren’t we Craig?’ said Paula.
‘You bet we are,’ Craig agreed. He was sitting on the sofa, feet up on the footstool. ‘And keep an eye on your gran, make sure she gets home safe, will you?’
‘Where is she? She can come with us,’ Lexi said.
‘She went out half an hour ago, while you were all getting ready. Said she was picking up Lloyd,’ Paula told them.
‘I don’t think Granny M needs looking after, it’s Lloyd we need to take care of,’ Ryan quipped.
Lexi thought that he was probably right!
‘Come on, then, let’s see if we can get you there before your gran,’ Craig said, getting up. He’d said he’d drop them all off at the pub, and then they would get a taxi back afterwards.
‘Thanks, Dad! See you later, Mum,’ they all called, grabbing their coats and setting off.
‘Mind what I said about keeping an eye on your gran,’ Craig said as he dropped them off in the pub car park.
‘Your gran is hilarious. I hope I’m like her when I’m in my eighties,’ Nell said as they all walked over to the pub.
‘I wouldn’t mind being like her now,’ Sonia said. ‘Most nights I’m that exhausted all I want to do is sleep.’
The pub was crowded when they walked in and the atmosphere buzzing. The landlord had laid on free nibbles of crisps and peanuts, and music was playing from the jukebox, whilst two singers were setting up in the corner – they were going to be the entertainment for the night. As she looked around Lexi felt a bit sad. This was the last night they would all be together. Tomorrow, her brothers were leaving, and s
o was she. She’d miss Lystone. And Joel.
Joel finished the video call to Hazel and Al, and glanced at the clock. Just gone nine, which made it just gone midnight in Dubai, so he had been able to see New Year in with his sister and her husband, who had both been delighted to see Sweetie, too, and now he could go and see New Year in with Lexi and her family. He let Sweetie out for a few minutes, then she settled into her basket, ready for sleep.
‘Good girl. I won’t be long,’ he told her. He intended to stay till midnight, then come straight home. He was pretty tired himself.
He picked up his coat, choosing his black-leather jacket rather than his parka, even though it was chilly. It had stopped snowing, and was only a ten-minute walk to the pub. It had taken him a while to decide what to wear – he’d wondered how much people in the village dressed up to go to the local pub on New Year’s Eve – but he had finally decided on a pair of black slim-leg jeans and a pale-blue, collarless, slim-fitting shirt, the top two buttons of which he left undone, and black boots. He pulled on his jacket, and turned to look at Sweetie, who opened one eye and wagged her tail at him. She’d be fine for a few hours, he thought, as he set off.
The Old Tavern was bustling, and more people were piling in. It certainly was a popular venue, he thought, as he stood by the doorway, scanning the crowd for Lexi’s honey-brown hair. A place had been cleared to the left of the bar, and a man and woman were setting up a microphone and a deck. A guitar had been placed against a chair. He hadn’t realised that there would be entertainment tonight. Several people glanced over and waved at him, he recognised them from the carol service on Christmas Eve. Suddenly, it seemed like most of the village knew him! He stopped to chat to a few people, including Lloyd and Granny Mabe, who were sitting with a bunch of friends, then weaved his way through to the bar. Suddenly he felt a pat on the back.