Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market

by Heidi Swain

  ‘You all right?’ asked Lizzie when I didn’t say anything.

  ‘Fine,’ I shrugged, ‘just a bit tired, that’s all.’

  I didn’t much care for the way she was looking at me and knew that she was thinking that I’d been finding Steve’s close proximity hard to cope with after all.

  ‘You have to remember that up until a few weeks ago I was a student,’ I said airily. ‘I didn’t see daylight until lunchtime most days!’

  She still didn’t look convinced.

  ‘Hello, hello!’ said Bea, sweeping in and saving me from further scrutiny. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Super,’ I said, ‘great, although you’ll never guess who was just in here?’

  ‘Who?’ she said, keen as ever for a snippet of hot gossip.

  ‘Paul Thompson!’ cut in Lizzie.

  ‘No!’ said Bea, her eyes like saucers. ‘Not really!’

  ‘No,’ said Lizzie, ‘not really. Although rumour has it he did make one stop in town before heading back to his celebrity-filled flat in the city.’

  ‘Did he now?’ said Bea, looking intrigued.

  Again, I didn’t say anything.

  ‘And talking of things all sweetness and light, how do you fancy a lovely cherry-topped cupcake to celebrate the weekend?’

  ‘Oh, go on then,’ said Bea. ‘You’ve twisted my arm.’

  With Bea distracted by the luscious cherry and frosting combo, I made a beeline for Lizzie.

  ‘Why didn’t you let me tell her Sam had been in?’ I hissed.

  ‘Stick around until Christmas,’ she said pointedly, ‘and you’ll find out for yourself. And stop being so suspicious,’ she added, ‘you really haven’t been yourself this afternoon. Whatever’s the matter?’

  ‘She needs a break,’ said Jemma, as she waved off two more happy crafters with their brown paper bags brimming with boxes full of crackers. ‘We all do.’

  ‘How about,’ said Bea, tuning into the conversation as she speedily polished off her last sweet mouthful, ‘we bunk off on Monday?’

  ‘Bunk off!’ laughed Jemma.

  ‘Yes,’ she said, daintily dabbing her lips with the corner of the Rudolph-printed napkin. ‘Close the café, dismantle the stall, cancel the clients and head a little further afield for a girly day out.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Jemma.

  ‘Monday is the quietest day of the week, Jem,’ Lizzie reminded her, ‘and the stall takings aren’t so great that we would miss them either.’

  ‘And I only have one client and she’s messed my appointment book about so much I wouldn’t mind losing her for good!’ added Bea. ‘What do you think, Ruby?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ I shrugged, ‘but I guess it might be fun and it would be nice to get out of Wynbridge for a few hours.’

  ‘That settles it then,’ said Bea, ‘Miss Smith’s obvious enthusiasm and sunny disposition is proof enough in itself that we girls could all do with a break and I have just the thing in mind!’

  Chapter 18

  Never one to let the grass grow, Bea had the whole trip planned out by the end of the day, and when Jemma twitched the café sign from ‘Open’ to ‘Closed’ we all let out a sigh of relief. The prospect of a day away from Wynbridge, and all its current complications, was a cheering prospect indeed and I found myself in the rare position of almost wishing my Sunday sleep-in away!

  ‘So, Angela,’ I said, as we finished counting out the day’s takings from the stall. ‘How did you find life as a town trader?’

  ‘Pretty hectic,’ she nodded, blowing her nose, ‘and shockingly cold, but I don’t need to tell you that, do I?’

  ‘Not an experience you’d want to repeat, then?’ I ventured.

  ‘Oh well, I wouldn’t say that,’ she smiled. ‘No, I’d love to do it again, actually. The stallholders are such a friendly bunch and I really enjoyed watching them work.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad you had fun,’ I told her, thinking she must have fitted in far more quickly than I did, ‘and I really appreciate you swapping places with me at such short notice.’

  ‘So you’ve had a good time in here then?’ she asked.

  ‘I’ve had a blissful day,’ I told her, ‘tiring, but wonderful.’

  ‘Lizzie, have you told Angela our news?’ asked Jemma as she came through from the kitchen and set about pulling down the blinds.

  ‘Oh,’ said Angela, ‘what have I missed?’

  ‘How do you fancy an extra day off next week?’ asked Lizzie as she finished turning off the twinkling fairy lights in the crafting area and joined us at the table.

  ‘An extra day off?’ Angela frowned.

  ‘We’ve decided not to open on Monday!’ said Jemma, her words tumbling out in a rush and her face and neck actually flushing at the prospect of two days in a row away from the café.

  ‘What?’ Angela gasped, her own complexion instantly matching Jemma’s, but more down to shock than excitement. ‘Well I never!’

  ‘I know,’ giggled Jemma. ‘I probably shouldn’t be quite so excited about missing out on a day’s trading, but I actually can’t wait!’

  ‘Can’t wait for what?’ asked Tom as he rushed in out of the cold and caught the tail-end of the conversation.

  ‘Monday,’ said Jemma.

  ‘Monday!’ laughed Tom, wrapping his arms around his hardworking wife. ‘But you hate Mondays!’

  ‘Not this Monday,’ smiled Jemma, planting a kiss on his cheek. ‘Gosh you’re cold. What have you done with the children?’

  ‘They’re at home with Ben. He’s very kindly volunteered to keep an eye on dinner as well as the kids so we better get back before it needs stirring. He’s been a complete whizz at helping me stack the log pile this afternoon, but his culinary skills are definitely wanting.’

  Lizzie nodded in agreement, but forbore to comment.

  ‘Anyway,’ said Tom, ‘what’s all this about Monday?’

  ‘The café’s going to be closed,’ explained Angela. She still sounded aghast.

  ‘We’re having a girls’ day out,’ I added, ‘Lizzie, Jemma and I are bunking off with Bea. She’s organising it all, but won’t tell us where we’re going.’

  ‘Well that sounds like a wonderful idea,’ Angela readily agreed now she had all the information.

  ‘I just need to think about what to do with the kids,’ said Jemma, sounding suddenly less enthusiastic, ‘and then I’m on board.’

  ‘Don’t worry about the kids,’ said Tom straightaway, ‘I’ve been telling you for ages to take a proper day off.’

  ‘We all have!’ put in Angela.

  ‘So I’ll sort out the troops,’ Tom continued.

  ‘And I’ll help,’ added Angela.

  ‘But it’s your day off as well,’ Jemma reminded her. ‘I was hoping you’d come with us.’

  ‘Do you know,’ she said, ‘I don’t think I particularly want one. I think I might treat myself to another day running the stall!’

  ‘She’s mad,’ laughed Lizzie.

  ‘Totally!’ I agreed.

  ‘But at least I have tonight and tomorrow to thaw out,’ pointed out Angela, determined to have the last word.

  Our girly day of rest and relaxation didn’t get off to the most leisurely of starts, but as it turned out to be totally worth it, I didn’t much mind setting the alarm for six and clambering into Bea’s dad’s car not all that long after.

  ‘So,’ said Bea, twisting around in the front seat and smiling at Jemma, Lizzie and me who were squeezed in the back like the three monkeys, though perhaps not quite so wise. ‘I’ve taken the money we agreed to spend, booked us a couple of treats and a nice table for lunch. All you have to do is pay to get there and for any little extras you see as we go along. Agreed?’

  ‘Agreed,’ we all nodded in unison.

  ‘And Jemma,’ Bea quickly added, ‘before you say another word, you’ll be home in time to tuck Ella and Noah up in bed.’

  ‘And Angela phoned me last night,’ I added fo
r good measure, ‘to say she’s decided to pack the stall up mid-afternoon and spend the rest of the day baking so you can hit the ground running tomorrow, rather than tearing about trying to catch up and wishing that today had never happened.’

  ‘Oh bless her,’ sniffed Jemma. ‘Everyone has been so kind and helpful.’

  ‘Because we all want you to take a break,’ said Lizzie reaching for her friend’s hand, ‘even if it is just for one day.’

  ‘But you work just as hard as I do,’ pointed out Jemma, ‘the café is your baby just as much as it is mine.’

  ‘I know,’ agreed Lizzie, ‘but when I get home at the end of the day I don’t have more babies to look after, do I? Unless of course you include Ben, but when I close the door, pour myself a glass of wine and pick up a magazine, I’m done. You on the other hand, have to start all over again!’

  ‘I suppose you’re right,’ shrugged Jemma.

  ‘I am right,’ said Lizzie firmly.

  ‘So come on, Bea,’ I demanded, staring through the steamed-up window at the reluctantly lightening sky and far-reaching Fenland landscape and trying to get my bearings. ‘Where exactly are you taking us?’

  ‘All in good time,’ she teased, turning back to face the front. ‘You’ll guess soon enough.’

  The train the four of us boarded, after thanking Bea’s dad for the early morning lift, was bound for Norwich, after the obligatory change at Ely of course, and we were all delighted with Bea’s choice of destination. A day out in the fine city of Norwich, with its ornate cathedral and cavernous castle which had ruled the skyline for centuries, was always a treat and we couldn’t wait to amble through the cobbled lanes and look for bargains amid the permanent market which dominated the city centre and made our market in Wynbridge look Lilliputian by comparison.

  ‘Come on,’ said Bea, marshalling us all together and leading us from the grand domed station and towards the taxi rank the second the train stopped moving, ‘our first appointment is in half an hour.’

  ‘She doesn’t sound very relaxed,’ Lizzie whispered in my ear as Bea gave our driver some very specific instructions.

  ‘Oh she is,’ I laughed, ‘believe me. This is bliss to Bea. She loves playing Mother Goose!’

  Forty minutes later we found ourselves cosily cosseted inside the city’s premier independent beauty salon and settling down to enjoy one of their specially tailored manicure and pedicure packages. The tiny exclusive salon, situated in the very heart of the Lanes, had a much-envied reputation and was notoriously difficult to book into. Clearly Bea had friends in very high places and had somehow secured the perfect treat to prepare us for some post-pampering boutique browsing.

  ‘Hello, ladies,’ smiled Felicity, the salon owner, ‘it’s so lovely to see you again, Bea.’

  ‘And you, my lovely,’ Bea smiled back, ‘thank you for squeezing us in. I know you wouldn’t normally be open quite this early so we really appreciate it, don’t we, girls?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ we all chorused.

  I couldn’t help but wonder why Felicity and her staff had gone to so much effort for us, but I didn’t like to ask. I would save my interrogation for later.

  ‘So how are you finding your treatments?’ Felicity asked as she walked between us inspecting her technicians’ work.

  ‘Heaven,’ sighed Jemma, wriggling her toes.

  ‘Exquisite,’ smiled Lizzie.

  ‘Divine,’ I added beatifically.

  ‘Excellent,’ smiled Felicity, ‘we’ve found that this is the ideal combination for ladies who haven’t got endless hours at their disposal. We call it the “in no time at all” beauty package and we still use the same products of course, but the treatments themselves are much speedier.’

  ‘I thought it would be just the thing to start our day,’ said Bea. ‘As soon as I spotted it as a new addition on the website I knew it would be ideal for us.’

  ‘Well, you weren’t wrong,’ said Jemma dreamily as she settled herself back in her chair, closed her eyes and succumbed to the ministrations of her manicurist. ‘Can’t we just stay here all day?’ she pleaded.

  ‘Absolutely not,’ said Bea, sounding momentarily outraged, ‘we’re on a very tight schedule!’

  ‘What did I tell you?’ I said with a nod to Lizzie. ‘She’s going to be herding us together all day!’

  After our hour of pampering we headed to a café to top up on coffee and croissants and prepare ourselves for some serious shopping.

  My nails had never looked so pristine and I couldn’t help admiring them. My hands were beautifully soft too and I felt rather guilty that I had been neglecting them and leaving them to face the rigours of the Wynbridge winter wind unprotected.

  ‘Can you imagine,’ I said, spreading an unnecessary spoonful of jam on to my already calorific croissant, ‘how wonderful it would be if Felicity really did open a branch of her salon in Wynbridge?’

  ‘I know,’ said Bea, her eyes shining at the thought.

  Felicity had mentioned she was planning to expand her business in the next couple of years and that our hometown was actually on her preliminary list of places to consider. I had to admit I was somewhat surprised that she had even entertained it but she assured me that her business analyst had insisted that the town would soon be on the up again.

  ‘My hands always have to look good for work,’ Bea continued, ‘and it costs a fortune in time and travelling to have my nails done in Peterborough every few weeks. Having a specialist salon in the town would save me a fortune and of course, Felicity is familiar with Wynbridge so I don’t think she would have mentioned the potential new set-up on a whim.’

  ‘I didn’t realise she was so familiar with the town?’ I remarked, only just remembering that I had planned to ask how she and Bea knew one another. ‘How come?’

  ‘Oh well,’ said Bea, ‘I can’t go into specific details, client confidentiality and all that, but she came to us for some treatment a while back and rather liked our little outpost in the Fens. We’ve kept in touch ever since.’

  So that explained how Felicity had discovered Wynbridge. I have to admit I sometimes forgot just how popular and successful Bea’s family business was. I couldn’t help noticing that Lizzie had been looking doubtfully at my best friend ever since she mentioned the possibility of saving money if Felicity opened a local salon.

  ‘What?’ frowned Bea, having also noticed her suspicious expression.

  ‘I’m not sure you’d save any money,’ Lizzie smiled wryly as she flicked through the glossy brochure she had picked up as she left, ‘these facials look amazing. I bet you’d end up spending a fortune, Bea! You’d never be out of the place.’

  ‘I like to look my best,’ said Bea, sounding slightly nettled, ‘there’s no harm in that.’

  ‘Of course there isn’t,’ I soothed, ‘and come on, ladies, look at the man she’s bagged herself as a result! A hundred girls had their eyes firmly fixed on Fireman Sam, but our Bea captured his heart.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Jemma, biting her lip. ‘And he certainly is hot stuff.’

  ‘Definitely calendar material,’ added Lizzie, ‘I’d even go so far as to stick a kitten up a tree just to see him rescue it!’

  We all burst out laughing as Lizzie turned bright red and began crumbling the remains of her croissant on her plate.

  ‘And the pair of you married women!’ I admonished. ‘I’m seriously shocked!’

  ‘I’m not married,’ Lizzie piped up, ‘so surely I’m allowed to have a little look around, aren’t I?’

  ‘I think I’ve got more cause than you,’ said Jemma, ‘don’t forget, I’m tethered for life!’

  ‘And loving it,’ I reminded her.

  ‘True!’ she beamed.

  Bea, I noticed, had gone very quiet.

  ‘You do know we’re only messing about, don’t you?’ said Lizzie, also picking up on our friend’s sudden silence.

  ‘Oh I know,’ said Bea, looking alarmingly tearful, ‘I’m a very lucky girl. Now
come on, drink up. We have shops to peruse before lunch and a bit of culture lined up for this afternoon.’

  Rather than shop for Christmas presents, we had all decided during the train journey that we would only buy things for ourselves and breaking out her credit cards soon put the spring back in Bea’s step. The cost of what we chose was irrelevant, but it had to be something to treasure, a little trinket that would become a reminder of our indulgent day.

  Keen not to dip too far into my savings, I didn’t spend as much as the other three, but I found exactly what I was hoping for, courtesy of the Lisa Angel shop which was dressed to look like a veritable winter wonderland. The reflective surfaces shone with colour and light and I noticed Jemma quickly bagged herself some of the copper-coloured cookie cutter fairy lights for the café. I found my heart’s desire nestled among the trays and displays of delicate necklaces and pretty pendants.

  I picked out a rose gold chain, just the right length, which had a tiny postcard pendant attached. The colour would look even better when I had worked on my tan a little and I knew it would be the perfect travel companion and a subtle reminder to keep in touch with everyone back home.

  A plethora of shops explored and our purchases complete, we headed to The Forum for yet more eats.

  ‘I know its only pizza,’ said Bea as we scanned the menu, ‘but in my opinion there’s nowhere else in Norwich to rival that view.’

  She was right, of course. The colourful striped canopies of the market stalls, and the solid presence of the castle stamped firmly on the skyline ensured we spent as much time gazing at the panorama and admiring the landscape as we did chatting and eating. Eventually however, and somewhat predictably, our talk turned back to the men in our lives.

  ‘You and Ben have been together a while now, Lizzie, haven’t you?’ Bea began.

  ‘Years,’ confirmed Lizzie with a nod. ‘In fact, I’m fast reaching the point when I can’t remember life without him.’

  I knew exactly where Bea was trying to steer the conversation, but to my eyes she looked a little unsure of herself so, for better or worse, I decided to help her out.