The Heart of Winter

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘Are you not gonzoed after last night?’ she asked Missy in confusion.

  ‘God, yeah,’ she said flinging herself onto the grass. ‘But I don’t feel half as shit as I would if I’d just been drinking. At least with coke the hangover doesn’t hit home until later tonight. Then I can crash.’

  Pippa wasn’t sure she liked this feeling one bit. Slowly she began to feel shaky and cold even though the sun was shining and she was wearing a warm coat. She needed to get away from the brightness and although she adored Ely, his constant high-pitched chirping was starting to get in on her.

  ‘Let’s go back inside. Nanny McPhee I certainly ain’t. I’m going to suggest to Danny that we split. I can’t do the happy family thing for too long. We need to get back to the shop as well. We don’t want Brianna going off on one today.’

  ‘I guess you’re right,’ Missy said reluctantly. ‘It’s so beautiful here though, Pippa. You’re lucky to have grown up in such an amazing spot.’

  As they joined the others at the farmhouse, Pippa couldn’t help feeling yet another rush of pleasure as she saw Danny nattering and looking like he’d known her family forever.

  ‘I’m just regaling your family with all your dark secrets,’ Danny said, winking at her.

  Pippa felt a rush of guilt, then realised he was joking.

  ‘He’s going to keep an eye on you for us,’ Paddy said. ‘He’s good and solid, this man, whereas you, Pippa, are a bit flighty. Still.’

  ‘Don’t believe a word he says,’ Pippa said, pouting.

  ‘No, I’m with Paddy on this,’ Matt said, grinning at her. ‘Danny seems a good bloke to me. Next time we have a weekend of work to do, I’ll be texting him, not you.’

  ‘Ah now, I’ll drag her down with me,’ Danny said, laughing. ‘But seriously, Matt, don’t hesitate if you need an extra pair of hands. I’m falling in love with this place by the minute, and I’d be delighted to help out.’

  Pippa smiled at him, pleased that he was starting to feel the same way about Huntersbrook as she did – even if she didn’t want to actually spend all her time down here, mucking out.

  ‘Good news,’ Lainey said, putting down her phone. ‘Jules is on her way and we’re all going to drop by the cake sale. This is the last one before the Christmas market. I don’t suppose you can swing the afternoon off, Pippa? I feel like we haven’t done anything together for eons.’

  ‘Sounds awesome,’ said Danny hopefully. ‘Lots of country stuff and I’ve been promised faithfully there’ll be apple tart. I can almost taste it!’

  ‘You’ve just eaten a massive sandwich on the way down in the car,’ Pippa said grinning.

  ‘Ah leave the lad alone,’ Paddy interrupted. ‘If he wants an apple tart, I reckon that could be arranged.’

  ‘I can think of nothing I’d love more than to hang out with you guys for the afternoon,’ Pippa said, ‘but I don’t know if I’ll have a job any longer if I push Brianna too far.’

  ‘Let me make a quick phone call to the shop. I think it’s time for me to pull my boss’s daughter card!’

  ‘I don’t think that’s wise,’ Pippa said, looking worried.

  ‘Ah chillax, Pip,’ Missy said as she got through to Brianna’s desk. In a couple of clipped sentences she explained that she and Pippa were detained with a job for her father.

  ‘So we’ll be a while. I reckon we won’t be back before closing time . . . Yeah I’ll tell her . . . OK then, Brianna . . .’ She hung up and grinned at Pippa. ‘Sorted.’

  ‘What about you, Danny?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘I’ll swing it. I do quite a bit of outside work. No hassle. Besides, none of it is important in comparison with apple tart.’

  Paddy chuckled and banged him on the back convivially.

  ‘Where’s Skye?’ Pippa asked, looking around the room.

  ‘She’s gone to have a lie down,’ Lainey said. ‘She’s been pale as a ghost all day and she says her stomach ulcer has returned.’

  ‘Shame,’ said Missy, looking totally uninterested in poor Skye.

  ‘And seeing as you haven’t even noticed,’ Lainey said to Pippa, ‘Joey had to go to work today, but he’ll be back later.’

  ‘Cool,’ Pippa said, smiling sweetly at her sister. ‘And for the record, I did notice he wasn’t here.’

  Paddy coughed and they all knew he was going to attempt to defuse the situation.

  ‘It’s a shame he didn’t get to meet you, Danny. I think you boys would get on like a house on fire. Wouldn’t they?’ he asked Matt.

  ‘Totally, hey, maybe we can arrange to go for pints over the next couple of weeks?’ Matt suggested.

  ‘Yeah, sounds great,’ Danny said grinning. ‘Do you take a pint, Paddy?’

  ‘Indeed I do. Especially if I’m being invited,’ he chuckled.

  ‘Sounds like a boys’ night in the making,’ Danny said rubbing his hands together.

  ‘You’ve only met my family and already you’re organising social events without me,’ Pippa said pouting.

  ‘Ah don’t be like that, Pippa,’ Paddy laughed. ‘Maybe you’d bring Danny down for a proper weekend and we’d have time for a sneaky pint before dinner.’

  ‘I’ll see how he behaves,’ she said winking at him.

  ‘I’d better be nice in that case,’ he said. ‘Sneaky pints are the best kind, especially when they’re followed by a delicious dinner.’

  They helped Lainey lock up the house and then drove to the fete in two cars.

  As they all pitched up at the field a short time later, Pippa finally began to relax. Missy was full of praise about Wicklow and was clearly loving the idea of stamping around a field in Lainey’s crocs for a change. Danny fell into step with her dad and Matt and continued bantering with them. The only person who was being decidedly frosty was Lainey.

  ‘Everything alright?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘I saw your post on Facebook last weekend,’ Lainey whispered. ‘You’re a witch for not bothering your ass to come and help out. Then you have the gall to arrive here pretending you’d been ill.’

  ‘It wasn’t like that, Lainey,’ Pippa hissed.

  ‘Really? So how was it then?’

  Pippa’s heart sank. Lainey could dob her in to her parents and make her look like a right cow. She needed to get her back on side.

  ‘Missy is my boss’s daughter and she’d been having a really hard time of it lately. She asked me to go out with her and I couldn’t say no. I knew Mum and Dad wouldn’t understand so I had to lie. I’m really sorry, Lainey. But maybe this party booking can go toward showing you how much I’m rooting for project Huntersbrook? I promise I’ll be on hand to help out. I won’t let you down again. I’m really sorry. Can you forgive me?’

  ‘Pippa, you’ve dug yourself into holes before. Don’t go back there. I can’t bear lies and right now, I’m very close to exploding with you. I love you, but sometimes you make it very difficult to like you.’

  Pippa’s hangover had kicked in big style. He heart and head were pounding in stereo. She longed to curl into a ball and hide away. She hadn’t enough clarity of mind to argue.

  ‘Please, Lainey,’ she said, sounding piteous. ‘I’m so sorry. I love you and I’d never intentionally do anything to upset you. You know I wouldn’t . . .’

  Lainey sighed and looked at her.

  ‘You do look sorry,’ she conceded. ‘All right, Pippa. Clean slate? But don’t let us down again, right?’

  ‘I won’t, Lainey.’ She hugged her sister and felt immensely relieved that particular spat was over. Lainey could be fearsome when she got her back up about something.

  ‘Try and think outside your own little bubble, yeah?’ Lainey said.

  Pippa nodded fervently. ‘I’m trying to be more like you, Lainey, but I suppose I still have quite a way to go . . .’

  ‘Now you’re being ridiculous. I almost believed you were truly sorry for a moment,’ Lainey said with a grin.

  ‘I am!’

  ‘Sorry you got
caught more like it. Come on, let’s enjoy the fete and forget about you and your bloody Facebook antics.’

  ‘Whatever you say, big sis,’ Pippa said, putting on her most earnest face.

  Lainey strode on ahead shaking her head and muttering, but Pippa knew she wasn’t that cross any more. They found Matt and Danny.

  ‘Hey, beautiful girl,’ Danny said putting his arm around her. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. ‘This is awesome. I totally love your family, by the way. Such cool people. And your house! Wowzers. I’d no idea you were a lady of the manor!’

  ‘I’m not,’ Pippa said. ‘We’re just a regular family.’

  ‘Yeah right,’ Danny said shaking his head and grinning. ‘I’ve never been anywhere like this,’ he said waving his hand around. ‘It’s like some deadly series on telly. Like a modern version of that Downton Abbey thing.’

  ‘We’re nothing like that,’ Pippa laughed, in spite of her misgivings.

  But Danny wasn’t listening. He was pulling her by the hand towards do-gooder-Gloria’s baking stall and the apple tarts he’d spied.

  Across the hall, Pippa saw Lainey’s best friend Jules come through the door and look around for them. When she spotted Lainey, she rushed towards her, grinning madly and arms out to engulf her friend in a big hug. She was her usual bubbly, jazz-hands self and Pippa gave silent thanks for the warming impact she knew Jules would have on Lainey. It had been an absolute age since the three of them had shared a drink and laugh together, and Pippa made herself a promise that she would organise it soon.

  The afternoon dragged for Pippa. She couldn’t shake the crawly hung-over feeling inside. The others seemed to be loving the fete, though. Danny won a crappy, cheap-looking teddy bear, which he presented to her with a lopsided grin.

  ‘Ah he’s a keeper, Pip,’ Jules said, then seeing she was getting no response, she wandered off. Normally Pippa had great fun with Jules, but today, for some reason, Pippa found her irritating. In fact, the entire world was beginning to irritate her.

  ‘Jeepers, that’s a scary expression,’ Paddy said elbowing her and following her gaze. ‘You do remember Jules is our friend, I take it?’ They looked over at Jules, who was bouncing up and down clapping as Danny tried to pin the tail on the donkey at an over-sized cardboard cut-out.

  ‘She’s also gay, remember.’

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Pippa asked her father crossly.

  ‘I figured that you were giving her those dagger looks because she’s being so enthusiastic with your fellow Danny,’ he said.

  ‘Jules is welcome to him. Gay or not.’

  ‘I thought you liked him,’ Paddy said in confusion. ‘He seems very keen on you. When you were out with Missy earlier on back at the house, he was waxing lyrical about you. Saying you’re the most fun-loving and smart girl he’s ever met.’

  ‘Really?’ Pippa said, turning to look at her father. ‘Did he really say I’m smart and fun?’

  ‘He certainly did,’ Paddy said. ‘Which of course I agreed with whole-heartedly.’ Paddy puffed his chest out proudly. ‘I told him I expect him to mind you and treat you well or he’ll have me to answer to.’

  ‘Oh Daddy, you didn’t!’

  ‘Indeed I did,’ Paddy said indignantly. ‘Now I didn’t tell him this,’ he leaned in and whispered, ‘but I think he’s a good guy, Pippa. What you see is what you get. He’s better than any of the previous offerings you’ve turned up with, that’s for sure!’

  Pippa hugged her dad and smiled. She had liked Danny before her hangover kicked in. He was great fun and easy to be around. But Pippa wasn’t so sure her dad would like him quite as much if he knew what Danny did on the side. In fact, none of her family would be half as welcoming if they knew the truth.

  Deciding there and then she was going to fix the little drugs problem with Danny, Pippa felt better. She wasn’t going near coke again. It had been a fun few days, but she’d made a mistake and she’d just about gotten away with it. She needed to step away from the danger and count her blessings. She couldn’t take the risk of her family finding out the sordid truth. It’d devastate them. She just hoped Danny might like her enough to follow suit.

  Knowing her energy, patience and put-on smiles had all run out, Pippa marched over to Missy and Danny and told them in no uncertain terms that she needed to go back to Dublin – immediately.

  She found her mum behind a craft stall and said goodbye.

  ‘Bye, love,’ Holly said. ‘It was great seeing you. Danny seems like a lovely chap, too. I think he’s even curried favour with your father, which is really saying something.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Pippa said. ‘He was telling me that. I’m not sure if that makes me like him more or less,’ she said grinning.

  ‘Oh go on and don’t be such a so-and-so,’ Holly grinned back, hugging her tightly. Pippa closed her eyes. The familiar scent of her mother and the warmth of her embrace brought with it a sudden rush of emotion that almost made her cry. She felt like a heel for lying and being so unhelpful. Her parents were decent people who adored her and she’d behaved like a total madam lately. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lainey watching them. She didn’t want to cause any awkwardness between her mother and sister. Inhaling sharply, she pulled herself together and pulled away from Holly’s warm embrace.

  ‘Thanks for bringing Missy and encouraging her to make a booking for the party,’ Holly said. ‘You’re a great girl, and Dad and I are so proud of you. This is just the break Huntersbrook needs to put us on the social map. Your father looks ten years younger since this morning. Well done, pet.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum. It’s nothing. I’m not giving Huntersbrook the business, Missy and Mr and Mrs Hassett are.’

  ‘Aw now, credit where it’s due,’ Holly insisted. ‘Take care, love, and the best of luck in Paris. I can’t wait to hear all about it.’

  ‘All right, Mum. I’ll call when I return.’ She found her father, who was holding Ely as he shouted and clapped at the rubber ducks that were bobbing around in a little pool so people could try and hook them for a prize.

  ‘Bye, Dad,’ she said kissing Paddy.

  Pippa knew she shouldn’t be driving. Her eyes were burning and she was beyond exhausted. She and Danny had been very active for most of the night.

  Luckily, the road was so familiar, she didn’t need to concentrate too much. Missy and Danny raved about Huntersbrook and the surrounding area for the entire journey back to Dublin.

  ‘Your party is going to be the bomb,’ said Danny. ‘You’ll be the first ever person to hire the place. Nice one.’

  ‘Ooh I love the sound of that,’ Missy said with growing excitement. ‘’Cause as soon as the Dublin crowd see your place, it’s going to be the venue. Be a trendsetter not follower I always say.’ Missy decided to phone her father there and then.

  ‘Hey Daddy,’ she said, putting on a little girly voice. ‘So, great news! I know where I’m having my thirtieth birthday party . . . I know I said Fire and Rain was the place. But I’ve changed my mind, as is a girl’s prerogative. But I think you’re going to love it.’

  Pippa listened in amusement as Missy instructed her father on how her party was going to be.

  ‘Yeah . . . I know . . . OK . . . Call you later. Love you. Yup. I know. Love you more, Daddyyyy.’

  She hung up and punched the air.

  ‘Looks like that’s the final confirmation I needed,’ she said smugly. ‘Pippa, I’m so happy! My party’s totally happening at Huntersbrook!’

  ‘Yay!’ said Pippa as she tried not to swerve the car. ‘That’s amazing! I can’t believe it. This is so cool!’

  Pippa pulled up at Missy’s apartment a short time later. They hugged and she tried not to yell at Missy to just hurry away. Danny wanted to go to his office so she dropped him off too.

  Knowing she could easily fall asleep at the wheel, she rolled the windows down and turned up the radio. The sun had dropped and the early evening chill in the air was just wh
at she needed.

  As soon as she arrived at her apartment, Pippa peeled off her clothes and got into her pyjamas. Before crashing out she figured it would be good PR to call Lainey and confirm that Missy had spoken to her father and that Mr Hassett had agreed to the party at Huntersbrook.

  ‘That’s super,’ Lainey said.

  ‘Do you reckon it’ll be ready on time?’

  ‘It’ll mean some hard work,’ Lainey said. ‘But since when have us Craigs shied away from a challenge?’

  Pippa gave Lainey all Missy’s details and phone number.

  ‘I’ll give her a call tomorrow to chat about food and the other details.’

  ‘Great,’ Pippa said, rubbing her head. ‘So I’d better go. I’ve a hundred and one things to organise for work and my trip to Paris.’

  ‘OK, Pip,’ she said. ‘Well done.’

  As she dropped her phone on the bed and curled into a ball, Pippa was genuinely delighted about Missy’s party. But she needed a good night’s sleep. She didn’t care about the fact it was only five in the evening, she simply couldn’t stay awake. Danny’s T-shirt was strewn on her bed as she flopped down. Clutching it to her face, she inhaled his scent. He was the most intoxicating boy she’d ever come across. Sod the cocaine, she thought with a happy sigh, I’m addicted to you, Danny!

  Joey

  JOEY WAS FINALLY IN HIS CAR, SPEEDING BACK TO Wicklow, when his mobile phone rang.

  ‘Hi Clive, is everything OK?’

  ‘Yeah, I meant to mention a little detail about the ball. It only came back into my mind as I’m headed home. You have a significant other, right?’

  ‘Yes, Skye is her name and she’ll be there.’

  ‘Oh good. Janet is looking for a couple of ladies to give her a hand on the night. I take it we can count on your Missus to pitch in?’ Knowing it was more of a statement than a question, Joey agreed instantly.

  ‘Yeah, certainly . . . I’m sure Skye would be delighted to help out.’

  He hung up and gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. He guessed Skye was going to have heart failure when he mentioned this. She wasn’t exactly comfortable about the idea of coming, let alone being involved.