Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove (Michaelmas Bay Book 1)

by Emily Harvale

  ‘Have you told Mum about this?’ Raven asked as they walked towards Roland.

  ‘About what? Your crush on Roland?’ Evie whispered. ‘Of course not.’

  Raven stopped in her tracks, her face the colour of mulled wine. ‘What?’ She looked more terrified than annoyed. ‘I … I don’t have a crush on … anyone,’ she hissed between clenched teeth.

  Evie turned back to face her. ‘Oh sorry. My mistake. I don’t know why I said that. It was just a joke.’ Evie hadn’t been thinking. She wouldn’t have embarrassed Raven for the world. It had just slipped out.

  ‘It wasn’t funny.’

  ‘You’re right. I’m really sorry. Forget I said it. What did you mean? Oh. I suppose you meant, have I told your mum about Christmas? The answer to that is no. Have you spoken to her?’

  Raven visibly relaxed but she didn’t take her gaze from Roland as she and Evie continued walking towards him. The sun had set ten minutes or so before and the twilight was fading fast as it did at this time of year. Roland was leaning against the lamp post beside the bridge and beneath the spotlight of the lamp’s golden glow, he looked as if he were in a scene from a movie. His black hair gleamed and his olive skin took on an even warmer hue. He was breathtakingly handsome, there was no doubt about that. If Evie had been Raven’s age, or even slightly older, she would have fallen for him herself.

  ‘No,’ Raven said. ‘We’ve exchanged a few texts but nothing more than the ‘I hope you’re having fun. Wish you were here,’ sort of thing. I did tell her yesterday that Zachary Thorn was supposed to be popping in sometime but I think she thought I was joking, otherwise she would have called right away. I’m kinda thinking you’d rather I don’t tell her. Am I right?’

  Evie grinned. The awkward moment was gone and Raven hadn’t had a tantrum. This was a good sign. ‘You’re spot on, Raven. We’re going to wait until she arrives.’

  Raven laughed and the sound tugged at Evie’s heart. It was a sound they hadn’t heard much of, from Raven and yet she had a beautiful laugh. Melodic, warm and infectious. Evie joined in and Roland began to laugh seconds before they reached him.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ he asked.

  ‘Life,’ Evie replied. ‘Just life, Roland. Thanks for taking us shopping. And for everything else you’ve done today. How will we ever be able to repay you?’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll be able to think of a way,’ he said, in that sexy young voice. ‘Not that you need to repay me. I like helping you, Evangeline. You must know that.’

  He fell into step with them and moved as close as he possibly could to Evie. She coughed and made sure she put some distance between them, maintaining it all the way to the car park. Once there, she quickly climbed into the back, despite the evident disappointment on Roland’s face.

  As he drove out of the car park and past the row of cottages, Evie stared out of the window admiring the festive foliage of the wreaths hanging on the doors and the myriad of twinkling lights around the windows. The length of lights between the lamp posts flickered on, thanks to the automatic timer, throwing rainbows of colour along the road and pavement which had finally dried out, save for a few puddles here and there, after a day of sunshine. The sky was clear and there was no sign of rain. More importantly, there was no sign of snow, in spite of Jessie constantly declaring it was on the way.

  Evie hoped for another gloriously sunny day tomorrow. Especially as the Thorn party were arriving. If the harpy Felicia didn’t want to go in the cart, at least she could walk across the bridge without getting drenched. Hmmm. Perhaps a brief but heavy shower of rain just as Felicia arrived might not be so bad.

  Evie grinned at that prospect and hummed to the Christmassy pop song playing on the radio as Roland stopped the car to let old Mason Riley cross the road. He lived next door to Jane Dorset and he constantly asked Jane if she fancied a toy boy. He was in his early seventies and considered himself a bit of a catch. He was carrying his fishing rod and basket and had probably been out in Michaelmas Bay whiling away a few hours with nothing much to show for it except that contented expression he always wore. He was in a world of his own most of the time but he briefly acknowledged Roland’s consideration by giving a friendly wave with one slim hand. He’d been a concert pianist before he retired.

  Whilst they waited for Mason to amble across, Raven asked Roland where he planned to spend Christmas Eve but Evie didn’t hear his response; she was too busy staring out the window.

  Was that Darren? Evie twisted around in her seat to peer out the back as Roland drove away. It was. She’d recognise him anywhere, especially in that dark green mac he always wore. What was he doing home at four in the afternoon on a work day? But more importantly, who was the woman putting on her coat and following him out of his cottage? The cottage he shared with Evie’s best friend, Juniper.

  Oh my God! Had Juniper been right? Was Darren ‘doing a Nigel’ on her and seeing someone else behind her back?

  Evie stared at them as they walked towards the car park. She hadn’t noticed his car was there but then she wouldn’t have been looking for it. Darren clearly hadn’t spotted them either. They were in Juniper’s car so he would have recognised it immediately if he had.

  When Roland turned into the road leading to Michaelmas Bay, Evie could no longer see Darren and the woman so she stared at Roland’s head as he leant against the seatback in front of her. He hadn’t said anything so he obviously hadn’t seen what she had. Should she mention it?

  Knowing Roland, he’d turn the car around and go and find out who the woman was and what Darren was doing at home with her in the afternoon.

  Was that such a bad idea?

  Yes. Juniper would hate to be humiliated by her younger brother confronting her boyfriend. Evie had to keep quiet. She could ask Darren herself next time she saw him. Not in a confrontational way. More in a conversational, jokey way. Something along the lines of, ‘What were you doing home so early the other day and who was the woman? Anything I need to tell Juniper?’ That would put him on notice and if there was something going on, he would surely have the decency to admit it to Juniper. Wouldn’t he?

  Evie didn’t feel quite so cheerful now. Why were some men such utter bastards?

  Although perhaps she shouldn’t hang Darren just yet. There may be a perfectly innocent explanation.

  Evie spent the entire shopping trip trying to think of one.

  She failed. But they did manage to get everything on the shopping list.

  She should be grateful for that, at least.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Evie had to tell someone. Normally, she would share all her secrets and any juicy gossip with her best friend, Juniper. Obviously she couldn’t do that. The next best person was her mum, so she waited until all the shopping was packed away and offered to help cook the evening meal.

  John was religiously going through the lists – Evie’s and his own – to make sure everything was fixed by tomorrow morning and Roland had, almost predictably now, insisted on helping. Molly had invited him to stay for supper in exchange. Raven said that in that case, Robin may as well stay too. Evie wasn’t sure whether this was Raven trying to make Roland jealous or whether she was simply including Robin, having spent an hour or so with him this afternoon. Robin phoned his mum to let her know where he was – and shot up another notch in Evie’s estimation. Roland sent a text to his, earning him a position a little lower than Robin’s in the ‘good son’ stakes.

  Jessie had remained in her room since marching off earlier and copious amounts of tea hadn’t coaxed her out. Molly assured Evie that supper would do the trick. Jessie loved her food, so Molly wasn’t worried.

  Raven and Robin had made a start on decorating the Christmas trees. They began by hanging all the decorations which had been removed from the fake trees, onto the new, real, replacement trees in the bar and the reception. The trees outside would be decorated in the morning when it was light – and hopefully, not raining. The other two trees in the lounge and
dining room would be decorated by all the family after supper. The plan was to put on some Christmas music, open the sherry, get the mince pies out and spend a happy hour or so doing something festive together as a family, together with the two guests, if they wanted to join in. It was a foregone conclusion that Roland and Robin would take part. And possibly Juniper, if she popped in later as she’d texted to say she might. She had said that she’d try to get Darren over too, so Evie was in two minds about that. Jane Dorset had said no to Evie’s earlier invitation but that she’d ‘take a rain check’, to which Evie replied: ‘You’ve been watching too many American movies and we’ve had quite enough rain in Snowflake Cove, thanks very much.’

  And these days, where Jane went, Mason wasn’t far behind, so he might come and help as well. In fact, it pretty much seemed that everyone in Snowflake Cove would be popping in to help decorate the trees and Evie was looking forward to it, once she’d made sure that everything was still on schedule for tomorrow, and after she’d spoken to her mum about Darren.

  ‘So are you saying that you think Darren is cheating on Juniper?’ Molly asked when Evie told her what she’d seen.

  ‘I don’t know. Juniper said he’s been acting strangely lately and she thinks he’s keeping something from her and now today I see this. If he does come tonight I’m going to see if I can have a word with him.’

  ‘I’m not sure that’s wise, sweetheart. It’s often better not to interfere in other people’s love lives. Especially when they’re such good friends. You’ve known them both for most of your life.’

  ‘Yes. But Juniper is my best friend so no matter what, I’d stick with her.’

  ‘What I can’t quite understand is why Darren would take this woman to the home he shares with Juniper. He’s lived in Snowflake Cove since he was born and that cottage was his parents’ home.’

  ‘I don’t think people think about such sensitivities when sex is involved, Mum.’

  ‘Oh I didn’t mean that. I meant everyone knows him, and they all know Juniper. He’d be a fool to risk being seen with another woman if he didn’t have to. They could go to a hotel or something. There are plenty of places in Michaelmas Bay.’

  ‘I see what you mean. Perhaps it’s an added thrill. You know, the risk of being found out.’

  ‘I don’t think Darren’s that type of boy, is he?’

  ‘He’s a man, Mum. Men do things we women will never understand.’

  ‘Men say the same about us, sweetheart. I think, if I were you, I’d see if he comes tonight and see how he acts. You could casually mention that you thought you’d seen him but I wouldn’t mention the other woman. You don’t want to cause a scene tonight and you never know how people will react when they’re found out doing something they shouldn’t. Just leave it at that and hope if he has anything to feel guilty about, the guilt gets to him and he owns up to Juniper later. Although it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Christmas should be a time for love and romance and happiness. Not a time to find out your boyfriend has been cheating and you may very possibly have to move out of the place you’ve come to call your home.’

  ‘Oh God, Mum! I hadn’t even thought of that. Juniper will have to go home to her parents in Michaelmas Bay if he throws her out.’

  ‘Throws her out? If he’s been cheating on her then she should leave. There is no excuse for that kind of behaviour, and don’t try to convince me otherwise because you never will.’

  ‘Hey Mum. You’re preaching to the converted. I’ll never let anyone ‘do a Nigel’ on me again.’

  ‘Nigel?’ Jessie said, ambling into the kitchen. ‘I thought that boy was history. And don’t say one word about what happened earlier because I have no intention of discussing it. I only came down because my stomach thinks my throat has been cut. Is there any chance of a frail old lady being fed a bowl of something hot before she starves to death?’

  ‘We’re making supper now,’ Molly said, grinning.

  ‘Hmmm. Then let me suggest you do less talking and more cooking. I thought we were decorating the trees tonight. I’m not doing that at midnight. I need my beauty sleep. I think a glass of sherry is in order. Will someone be kind enough to get me one or do I have to do that myself too?’

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Evie said. ‘You sit by the Aga and I’ll bring it. Mum? You having one?’

  Molly glanced at Jessie. ‘A large one please, sweetheart. I think it’s going to be a long night.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  There was hardly room to move. All the residents of Snowflake Cove had popped in to help decorate the Christmas trees, or so it seemed, and it was rapidly turning into a bit of a party atmosphere. People were dancing to Molly and John’s old CDs and the dulcet tones of Bing Crosby who was dreaming of a white Christmas whilst Andy Williams was roasting chestnuts. There were several other singers that Raven, Roland and Robin said they’d never heard of. Evie and Juniper had. They were used to these evenings and the same old songs. They were grateful Jessie didn’t start singing some of the ones from her era.

  Mason Riley arrived, together with Jane Dorset and he played a few tunes on the antique piano in the bar. It was almost as out of tune as the singing and he said he’d pop over in the morning to give it a bit of a tune up. Evie half expected Jane to slap his face when he offered to give Jane a bit of a tune up too. Jane laughed and said that only the nimblest of fingers could work magic on her, which made Evie and Juniper cringe, and top up their wine glasses to forget the image that conjured up.

  Darren arrived a little after nine.

  ‘Why are you so late?’ Juniper asked when he came into the bar, his green mac slung over his arm and a worn-out expression on his face.

  ‘It’s been one of those days,’ he said, kissing her firmly on the lips. ‘Things are hectic at work. I didn’t leave the office until ten to nine and I came straight here. I’m ravenous, so I’m pleased to see Molly’s baked several batches of mince pies, sausage rolls and shortbreads. Right now though I could murder a drink.’ He kissed her again and marched towards the bar.

  Evie wanted to murder him.

  ‘He works so hard,’ Juniper said. ‘His new boss is a bit like Miranda – an absolute cow. She keeps him hard at it from the moment he arrives.’

  Evie choked on her wine.

  ‘You OK?’ Juniper slapped her on the back.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Evie lied. ‘I didn’t know Darren had a new boss. It’s a woman, is it? What’s she like? Have you met her?’

  Juniper shook her head. ‘No. I only know what Darren’s said about her and that isn’t much. He didn’t say she was a cow. That was me. Well, she is a cow to keep him at his desk for so long when I want him home with me.’

  ‘When did she start?’

  Juniper shrugged. ‘I can’t recall exactly. About a couple of months ago, I think. Nothing much changed at first but recently she’s really been putting on the pressure. Darren says they have a big new client and the agency really needs to impress the company.’

  Evie hesitated for a second before jumping in. ‘You don’t think this new boss has anything to do with Darren’s odd behaviour, do you? When did you first notice a difference in him?’

  The penny dropped; at least Evie thought it had. Juniper opened her eyes wide and then her mouth but when she turned to face Evie, she was smiling.

  ‘Why didn’t I think of that? You’re a genius, Evie. Of course that’s the problem. Darren’s worn out and he feels guilty about having to spend so much time away from me. That’s why he’s giving me those looks. He’s worried he’s making me unhappy but there’s nothing he can do about it.’

  Evie blinked. How had Juniper reached that conclusion?

  ‘Um. That’s one possibility. But there are others.’

  ‘Oh? Like what? Like he really is cheating on me and he’s lying when he says he spends so much time at work?’

  Evie couldn’t bear to see the pain in Juniper’s eyes. She needed to think on her feet. ‘He could be wondering
if he should give up his job and how you’ll react to that. He could be finding it hard to cope but feels you’ll think he’s weak if he tells you that.’

  ‘Oh I see. Yes. But he knows me well enough to know he can tell me anything and I’d love him regardless. Perhaps a few days off over Christmas will give us time to relax and talk about it. I hate to see him look so tired. I’ll suggest an early night and see if a cuddle will cheer him up.’

  ‘Yes. And I’ll go and get him a drink. Dad’s too busy dancing to notice there’s a queue forming and as much as Gran likes to resume her roll of barmaid extraordinaire, I can’t face the grumbling in the morning about how she was the only one working whilst we were all having fun. Back in a sec.’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’

  ‘No! I mean. Could you do me a huge favour and bring some more mince pies in from the kitchen. And those chicken drum sticks are looking a bit lost. I’m sure Mum made more.’

  Juniper smiled. ‘I’ll see what I can find. But get me another drink would you please and give it to Darren?’

  ‘I’ll give it to Darren all right,’ Evie said, and marched towards the bar where Darren was resting his elbows on the wooden top. He looked as if he needed the support to keep him standing whilst Jessie was busy serving someone else.

  ‘Sorry, Darren. What can I get you?’ Evie gave him her brightest smile.

  Darren returned it with a wan one. ‘A pint of anything, please, Evie. I’m too tired to care.’

  ‘Yes. Juniper was just telling me that you’ve got a new boss and you’re hard at it from morning till night. What’s she like?’

  He gave her an odd look. ‘She’s very focused and can’t abide slackers. It’s the first time I’ve been under a woman and I’m finding it harder than I thought.’