'No, Silvio,' Jenny had said.
'I must choose? You ask me to do this?'
'No, Silvio. I'm not asking you to do anything. Other than to go and stick your head in the oven, and to never speak to me again.'
'Mio bambino! Mio bellissimo! Ti amo!'
Jenny sneered at him. 'Don't call me your baby, or beautiful, or say you love me when you've been sleeping with my so-called best friend for the last three months! Yes. Bianca told me. Three months, Silvio. I had no idea. Not a clue. And if I hadn't felt ill and come back to the apartment that day, I wonder how much longer it would've gone on for.'
To which, he'd merely shrugged.
Jenny spotted Mia walking across the green and around the frozen pond, towards the bakery and smiled despite herself and her thoughts. If it hadn't been for Bianca, she could easily have become friends with Mia and Ella. They both seemed lovely and their friendship with one another was clearly deep and genuine. They were true friends to each other. But she couldn't let herself trust anyone again. Not just yet. Not for a long time, possibly. How long did it take to get over being betrayed by both your boyfriend and your best friend? Was there a time period for such things? Or was it, like all other forms of grief, an individual thing? One day you felt as if your life had ended and you remained that way for weeks, or months, or years. Then one day you woke up and things weren't quite so bad. Was that the way it worked? Jenny hoped, in her case, it would be months rather than years. But perhaps you couldn't rush these things. They just happened when they happened. And perhaps, as Hettie Turner had told her shortly after Jenny had arrived, 'It's Fate, deary, and you can't fight your destiny. You're here for a reason. We just don't know what that reason is yet. So why did you leave Florence?'
Jenny smiled again as she remembered that conversation. She hadn't told Hettie, of course, although Hettie hadn't given up trying to find out. And Hettie probably never would, if what other people said about the cheerful, chubby, red-faced woman, were true. Hettie was the village gossip, it seemed. No one managed to keep secrets safe from her. Apart from one woman who had done so. And that was apparently Matilda Ward, Mia's now deceased great-aunt.
Chapter Eight
Jenny walked up the long, snow-covered drive to Little Pond Farm, carrying two large bags containing boxes of cakes and Christmas cookies. She wished she hadn't let Mia talk her into coming tonight. But Mia wouldn't take no for an answer and in the end Jenny had felt it was easier to say yes than continue to try to make excuses. Especially as she had no reason whatsoever not to go to the supper party other than the fact that she didn't want to. She could've simply said that, of course, but even in her head it sounded rude and unfriendly and as miserable as she felt. Jenny didn't want to be either – unless it was absolutely necessary. She'd already turned down Mia's previous invitations to dinner using lame excuses and this time, she hadn't been quick enough to think of one. Hettie Turner popping into the bakery just as Mia was asking hadn't helped matters. Mia on her own was a force to be reckoned with; Mia and Hettie together could've breached the walls of Jericho, no trumpets required.
'It's not so much a supper party,' Mia had said, 'as a thank you meal for anyone coming to help put up decorations at Little Pond Farm. And we need all the help we can get, so you'd really be doing me and Jet a huge favour. Ella and Gill and Mum and Franklin will be there and Hettie and Fred, of course.' She had turned to Hettie who had arrived a second or two before. 'I was going to ask you when you came to clean this morning, Hettie, but as you're here, I'll ask you now.'
'Count us in, deary. I won't be climbing any ladders, but I can decorate a tree and make it a real show stopper. And I'll make some of my cider, shall I?'
'That's exactly what I was going to ask you. And some of those scrumptious mince pies we had yesterday would be fab, if you're feeling up to it.'
'Of course I am, deary. Won't take me long to knock up a batch or two of those.'
'Great. Who else am I asking?' Mia smiled at Jenny. 'Oh yes. Pete, who works at Jet's farm, and Bear, who you may know as Rupert, the vet, will be there.'
'And that man needs cheering up, deary,' Hettie had interjected. 'His girlfriend's just gone to work in China, so they've ended their relationship. Why anyone wants to leave the beautiful English seaside for a smoggy place like that I don't understand, but there it is. Poor dear Rupert doesn't have much luck with the women in his life. Mia dated him, didn't you deary, but she dumped him for Garrick.'
'China has some stunning scenery,' Jenny said, ignoring the gossip she'd already heard. 'I spent six months travelling through parts of Asia before I settled in Florence, and I loved it.'
'Florence is nowhere near Asia, is it deary?' Hettie queried. 'What made you go to Florence? Was it a man? Did you meet some young buck on your travels and follow him to Italy?'
'No,' Jenny said, wishing she hadn't made a comment.
Mia gave both her and Hettie rather odd looks before continuing: 'Anyway. I've asked one or two others. Toby's going to be popping in briefly but he'll have to get back to the pub.'
Hettie tutted. 'Now there's another young man who's not so lucky in love, my dears. His girlfriend's just dumped him because of all that nasty business with his sister. Doesn't want to be dating a relative of a convicted criminal, apparently.'
'I didn't know that,' Mia said. 'That he'd been dumped, I mean. I just saw him in the lane and he didn't mention it.'
'I don't think he's told anyone yet, deary. Freda heard them having a bit of a barney over the phone last night. The girlfriend called him on the pub landline and said her parents weren't happy about her relationship with him.' Hettie rolled her eyes. 'She's in her thirties, deary. Surely she can make her own decisions? But who needs someone like that in their life, my dears? He's better off without her, as I'm sure he'll come to see in time. These things happen for a reason, dears. Poor dear Toby. He's such a sweet young man. Nothing like that dreadful sister of his. Why do people think they can lump everyone together and tar them with the same brush? Just because one person acts in a particular way, it doesn't mean everyone else will, does it dears? I judge each person on their own merits, or lack of them. And Prince Gustav's a good judge of character, you know. If he likes you, it's as certain as nine pence that I'll like you too. Although I try to see good in everyone. Never took to the last vicar though. Actually bit him.'
'You bit the vicar?' Jenny was astonished. She knew Hettie was a bit 'out there' but biting a vicar was a step too far.
Mia sniggered but Hettie looked at Jenny as if she had a screw loose.
'Not me, deary. Prince Gustav. Although I was very tempted to give the so and so a good clip around the ear once or twice. The vicar, not my darling Prince Gustav.'
'I see,' Jenny said. 'Um. I must get on. I know it doesn't look busy in here this morning, and a lot of people are staying home, due to the snow I expect, but I do have things to do. Sorry. Lovely chatting with you both though. May I tempt you with anything before you go?'
'Oh. Well. Just a loaf of your wonderful soda bread for me, deary,' Hettie said, frowning slightly.
'And I'll have three of your iced cinnamon swirls,' Mia said, cheerfully. 'Plus your promise that you'll come tonight and bring a selection of your delicious cakes. For which I'll pay, of course. I won't take no for an answer, so please say you'll come. We're beginning to think you don't like us, or that we've done something wrong. Let us show you we're just a friendly bunch of people who want to enjoy the festive season.'
'Your dear cousin Justin joined in with everything,' Hettie said, scowling a little at Jenny. 'He was a real part of this village. We all hoped you'd be the same, deary, but if we're not good enough for you, well, that's that.' Hettie pursed her lips and clasped her hands beneath her ample bosom, the loaf of soda bread, now squashed against her chest.
Jenny had been talked into a corner. 'Of course you're good enough and it's not that I don't like you, or that anyone has done anything wrong. It's simply that I'm rather
shy, and besides, I don't like Christmas. I never have.'
'Shy? Someone who's travelled around Asia and lived and worked in Florence can't be that shy,' Mia had said, with a friendly smile. 'And not liking Christmas is even more reason you should come. Ella and I love Christmas and before tonight is over, I can promise you, you won't dislike it nearly as much. We'll see you at six-thirty. Bye.'
Jenny hadn't been able to think of a retort by the time Mia had bustled Hettie out of the door, so here she was, walking towards Jet's farmhouse, in the freezing cold.
The ground still had a blanket of snow from last night, parts of which had turned to ice, and as it was virtually pitch black save for a shaft of pale moonlight, she had to watch where she was walking. She'd foolishly forgotten to charge her phone, so she couldn't even use the torch beam on that. As mobile phone reception was non-existent in the village, she often forgot to charge the thing these days.
She was definitely feeling grumpy. It had been only slightly above freezing all day, and every time the door of the bakery had opened and closed, a gust of bitterly cold air had slapped her in the face, no matter where she had stood to try to avoid it. It was as if even the wind was taunting her and now, with every step she took she came closer to what she was sure would be an evening of pure hell.
In the silence of the evening, she heard the ice crunch behind her. Someone – or something – was hurrying towards her. She spun round to see a tall, broad figure gaining ground, but in the darkness, she couldn't make out his face and the beam of his torch was almost blinding her.
'Jenny?' the man said, just as she had decided that it must be a guest for the supper party and not, as she had first imagined, a serial killer stalking her, but she didn't recognise the voice.
'Yes,' she tentatively replied, shielding her eyes from the light. 'Who is it?'
He came closer as he spoke and lowered the torch. 'It's Bear. I mean, it's Rupert. Rupert Day. The village vet.'
She breathed a sigh of relief and took a step forward but as she did so, her boot heel caught on a piece of ice and she slipped. She would have fallen had it not been for his quick reactions. She suddenly found herself enveloped in a pair of strong arms, and felt warm breath on her cheek. A whiff of sandalwood aftershave and a very sexy smile made her sigh unexpectedly. What on earth was wrong with her?
'Are you okay?' His voice held concern but also a hint of laughter.
She found her footing and straightened up, easing herself away from him and out of his arms.
'I'm fine, thank you. Thanks for saving me from falling.'
'Anytime,' he said, smiling rather sexily as his torch scanned her from head to toe and back again. 'You look lovely tonight. I think I've only seen you once or twice since you moved here, and you've always been half-hidden behind your counter.'
'Thank you.' She tugged the belt of her bottle-green winter coat more tightly about her waist. 'I'm not one for socialising, so I haven't been to the pub. I prefer bed and a good book.'
He grinned. 'I'm with you on the bed front. The book, not so much.'
'Oh. Why are you called Bear?' she asked, quickly changing the subject.
'Everyone asks me that, but it's not for the reason most people think. Mum and Dad met on a bear watching trip in Canada, where they did more than watch bears because I was born nine months later, by which time they had at least had the decency to get married. To mark the occasion, they gave me Bear as a middle name. Rupert was my grandfather so my name is Rupert Bear Day. I got plenty of stick at school for that, I can tell you. Parents don't realise the damage they do to their kids by giving them odd names.' He gave a burst of laughter. 'But I am nice to cuddle up to on a cold night such as this one.'
He was also one of the biggest flirts she had ever met and she made a mental note to avoid him at all costs for the rest of the evening. But for now, she could benefit from his torch.
'I've never been to Canada,' she said. 'But I have seen Pandas in China. They're well worth watching. Shall we continue to the house together?'
He grinned. 'It would seem silly not to. China, eh? I'm impressed.' He held out his arm for her. 'My girlfriend, or I should say, ex-girlfriend's just gone there.'
'Yes. So I heard. I'm fine thanks,' she said, ignoring his arm and leaving a gap between them as they moved forward.
'I can see that. But it's very icy here and you've already slipped once. I promise I'll be a perfect gentleman. Let me carry your bags.'
She hesitated but with her next step, she felt her foot slide again and quickly handed him one of her bags, linking her arm through his. 'Thank you.'
'There,' he said, and she knew he was grinning broadly even though she didn't look at his face. 'This isn't so bad, is it?'
Chapter Nine
Glen was coming back out of the farmhouse with four more boxes of lights that Mia had given him when he saw Jenny arrive, arm in arm with Rupert. Jet, who was standing a few feet away from Glen, called out to his friend.
'Hi Bear. Oh. Hi Jenny. Glad you could make it. Mia's inside. May I grab Bear from you? We could use an extra pair of hands.'
'We're not together,' Jenny said, looking both surprised and embarrassed, Glen noticed. And he recognised the feeling of relief that swept over him. For one awful moment there, he had thought Jenny might be dating Bear.
Bear didn't seem bothered. He handed Jenny back her bag, winked at her and headed towards Jet.
'Hi Jenny.' Glen smiled at her and was pleased that she returned it.
'Hello. Gosh, It's so cold tonight. Rather you than me.' She nodded her head towards the boxes in his arms and the tumble of lights already draped across an ornate bench beside the portico. A pile of light-up candy canes lay on the floor and two large Norway Spruce leant against the aged sandstone façade of the Georgian farmhouse.
'We've got our work cut out.' He grinned and put the boxes of lights on the bench. 'Mia wants lights around these stone pillars and I must admit, as much as I'm not really into Christmas decorations, they will add a touch of welcome to this portico.'
'And the candy canes?' Jenny raised her brows, amusement flickering in her hazel eyes.
'Ah yes. The candy canes. I believe they're going to line part of the driveway. Although I think Jet said he could think of somewhere else he'd like to stick them.' He laughed and she laughed with him.
Still smiling, Jenny moved forward. 'I'd better let you get on or you'll be here all night. Mia's inside, I believe Jet said?'
He stepped aside to let her pass, breathing in her scent of winter spices. Or perhaps that was from the boxes of cakes she clearly had in her bags.
'Yes. She's in the kitchen with Ella, Gill, Lori and Hettie. It's the second door on your right, but you'll hear the laughter long before you find the door.'
He almost hadn't come tonight but now he was very glad he had. When Mia had called at his cottage this morning and said they were having a Christmas decorating supper party, he knew it meant the entire evening would be gone. He had so much to do, what with re-instating the choir, organising the charity carol evening, preparing sermons and the services for Christmas aside from a whole list of other things requiring his attention. But Mia, Jet and their friends were some of the few people in the village around his age and he had rather enjoyed helping decorate Hettie and Fred's cottage yesterday. One evening wouldn't hurt. And when Mia mentioned that Jenny would be bringing cakes, his mind was made up. Not that it was really Jenny's cakes that interested him.
'She's prettier than I thought, close up,' Bear was telling Jet, Franklin and Pete as Glen went to join them. 'And that hair of hers. I wouldn't mind getting my hands tangled in that.'
Glen stiffened. He liked discussing women as much as any of them but he didn't like the way Bear was talking about Jenny.
'Shall I start on the portico lights?' he asked.
Jet, who along with the others was filling one of two massive lead-like, square planters with soil, nodded. 'If you're okay with that, yes please. There'
s a stepladder in the back of that Land Rover.' He tipped his head in the direction of the battered-looking vehicle. 'And there're some of those weatherproof stick-on hooks on the bench, or maybe the windowsill. Mia says they'll last in most conditions but I don't see how. Unless they stick so firmly that half the plaster comes off the wall when you remove them. I can see I'll probably have to have the place repainted, inside and out when these decorations come down.'
Bear frowned. 'Why put them up if you don't want them?'
Jet shook his head and grinned. 'Mia wants them.'
'So what?' Bear said. 'It's your house.'
'Mia's probably going to be staying here for a couple of weeks. I want her to feel at home, and if decorations make her happy, that's a small price to pay.'
Bear smirked. 'You've really gone soft since you've been seeing her.'
Jet stopped shovelling soil and looked Bear in the eye. 'It's called Love, Bear, and to be completely honest with you, I've never been happier in my life. You should try it. I can thoroughly recommend it. And believe me, I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth.'
'I'll second that,' Franklin said, grinning. 'I'm a changed man since I met Lori.'
'Yeah,' Bear said. 'You're even losing that Texan drawl you had. I'm not sure I want some woman changing my life or my behaviour. What about you, Glen? Would you change your ways for a woman?'
'For the right woman, yes. But it's not necessarily about changing, is it? It's about another person bringing out the best in you, and hopefully, you bringing out the best in them.'
'That's it exactly,' Jet said, smiling at him. 'Although I have changed, I think. I was so angry about my dad before I met Mia, and I'd got stuck in a way of life that wasn't good for me. Mia helped me see that. Or falling in love with her did. I realised I wanted a relationship with her. A serious relationship and that meant I had to change the way I thought about certain things. But Mia didn't change me. I changed myself. And it was because I wanted to. When you meet the right woman, Bear, you'll want to do the same, I suspect.'
Christmas on Lily Pond Lane: A fabulously festive, heartwarming romance (a standalone in the Lily Pond Lane series) Page 5