The Heart of Winter

by Emma Hannigan

  Her mother had insisted last night that they could do the food.

  ‘If it’s turkey and ham with some salads, we could manage,’ Holly mused. ‘Or even a hot chicken dish with rice and maybe beef bourguignon as a second option. Sadie and I could rustle that up with our eyes shut.’

  But Lainey had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn’t be quite as simple as her mum thought.

  ‘I’m not sure it’d work, Mum . . .’ she’d said tentatively.

  ‘We’ve done so many supper parties at Huntersbrook,’ Holly said, becoming a little affronted. ‘I’ve fed umpteen hunts and New Year’s Eve goers in this house and none of them ever complained of being hungry.’

  While Lainey took her point, she knew deep down that this was a different kettle of fish. It all needed to be incredibly professional and it had to run smoothly.

  One thing was for certain, Lainey wanted the food to make a lasting impression on the guests – a good one at that. When she and Matt had a rare opportunity to eat out, they expected to savour each mouthful. Missy clearly had money to burn, but Lainey suspected the majority of her guests wouldn’t be in the same boat. They needed to make the best impression possible so Huntersbrook would appeal to everyone and entice them back to spend their hard-earned cash.

  An idea came to her. She opened her laptop and clicked into the search engine: cookery schools southeast Ireland. She knew there was one in Wexford, a seaside town that was less than an hour’s drive from Huntersbrook.

  The phone was answered on the second ring and a very jolly-sounding lady chirped down the line.

  Lainey explained she was looking for a budding cook who might like to take on the job of catering person for the new venture. Lainey outlined in detail what she needed. She clearly impressed the lady with how specific she was.

  ‘You’ve certainly done your research.’

  ‘Yes, well it’s a family venture as I said and I don’t want our standards to slip. We’ve put our hearts and souls into transforming Huntersbrook and we hope it’ll be a thriving business that will provide for the next generation of Craigs.’

  ‘I have a couple of people I could certainly recommend for this job,’ the lady said. ‘But having heard your plans and taking all your blood, sweat and tears into account, I have a proposition for you.’

  ‘You do?’ Lainey said in surprise.

  ‘I’m Sally and I own the school. You should come and do a course. Learn how to cook and do all the catering yourself. You’d save a fortune, Lainey, and let’s face it, nobody will do as good a job as you would because it’s your business. I’m usually booked up well in advance, but as it happens I got a last-minute cancellation yesterday. I haven’t had time to offer the place to a name on my waiting list. We’re a family business too and we feel passionate about our work. I’d love to offer you the last place on my course.’

  ‘Wow,’ Lainey said. ‘That sounds like a lovely idea, Sally. I’d have to talk it over with my husband and the rest of the family.’

  ‘The full-time course runs Monday to Friday for four months. I know that sounds pretty full on, and believe me it is. But you’d come out the other end perfectly equipped to make delicious fresh food for your guests.’

  ‘I know I’d love it,’ Lainey said. ‘But there’s another fly in the ointment,’ she said. ‘I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and I have a little boy already.’

  ‘I have a crèche on site and your little boy can go there. How far along are you with your pregnancy?’

  ‘I’ve literally done the test this morning.’

  ‘Right, well that all depends on how you feel. The course begins in January.’

  ‘I see,’ said Lainey. ‘Can you leave it with me, Sally, and I’ll call you back before four this afternoon.’

  ‘Sure.’

  Lainey put the phone down and her head was reeling. She adored being a mum and she couldn’t imagine ever going back to work in an office like she’d done before. But she was all too aware that Ely and the baby, or babies, would go to school before she knew it and she didn’t want to end up feeling redundant. Huntersbrook House, the venue, would hopefully take off nicely, but Lainey would love a specific job that she could really get her teeth into.

  Picking up the phone, she dialled Matt’s number, knowing he’d still be in the car.

  ‘I think it sounds like a brilliant opportunity, love,’ he said immediately once she’d outlined it to him. ‘I can absolutely see you in your navy and white stripy apron!’ he chuckled. ‘All jokes aside, I think it would make sound business sense too. We’re growing so many veggies and herbs on the farm already. So if you were trained to turn them into delicious dishes, we’d be flying. Sally’s right, it could help us save a fortune, and hopefully make a fortune.’

  Next she called Pippa, who sounded slightly pained.

  ‘What, Pippa? Come on, spit it out!’ Lainey said with a grin.

  ‘Ah nothing, don’t mind me,’ Pippa said clearly attempting to brush over her hesitation. ‘I just couldn’t think of anything worse than spending day in, day out peeling spuds and making trifle.’

  ‘Eh, I think there might be a bit more to it than that, Pippa,’ Lainey laughed. ‘This school has a huge organic farm attached to it and they teach cuisine from all corners of the globe. It’s not exactly four months of boiled cabbage and pigs’ trotters.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Pippa said, not sounding convinced. ‘Do you know what, Lainey? I think you should totally go with your gut feeling on this one. If you want to go to cookery school, that’s cool. Go for it, sis. But you’re kind of talking to the wrong person. I’m trying, but I can’t muster up lots of pretend delight at the thought of pot walloping for the day.’

  ‘Thanks, Pippa,’ she said dryly. ‘Anyway, I just wanted to keep you in the loop with the thoughts and decisions down here.’

  ‘Great,’ she said, feigning enthusiasm badly. ‘So I’ll talk to you at the weekend or even next week. I’m off to Paris on Thursday and I can’t wait.’

  ‘Of course,’ Lainey said. ‘Enjoy, and behave yourself. Remember that Brianna is your boss at the end of the day, so don’t get hammered and tell her all the secrets of your soul.’

  ‘As if,’ Pippa scoffed. ‘She’s such a weapon. I’ll be hanging with Missy.’

  ‘I see,’ Lainey said guardedly. ‘Be careful, Pip. It’s one thing for Missy to act like a diva when her dad owns the store . . . But you’re a plain old employee. Brianna could have you out on your ear in no time.’

  ‘I suppose,’ Pippa said.

  They said goodbye and Lainey couldn’t help feeling dubious about Pippa’s new friendship with Missy. Her younger sister had always been easily led and she wasn’t sure that Missy Hassett was exactly the most grounded individual for Pippa to pal around with.

  She couldn’t put her finger on it, but her little sister was acting more strangely than usual right now. She understood that her life was probably Pippa’s worst nightmare in many respects. The hubby, baby and cooking wasn’t her scene. But Lainey couldn’t help feeling there was more to it. Pippa was up to something and Lainey sincerely hoped it wasn’t all going to end in tears.

  Dialling Joey’s number, she figured she’d get a slightly less negative reaction to her new venture from him. He was hugely enthusiastic.

  ‘Yeah! That all sounds amazing, Lainey. Go for it.’ He passed on the information to Paddy and Jacob, who were in the jeep beside him.

  ‘Good on ya, love,’ Paddy shouted from the passenger seat.

  Joey made her giggle as he told her about the men who they’d just bought the marquee from. ‘They’re crazy as a box of frogs, but seemed sound at the same time.’

  ‘They sound hilarious,’ she giggled. ‘Good plan to ask them to come and help erect it, though.’

  ‘They’re real Arthur Daly types,’ Joey said. ‘Count your fingers after you shake hands with them. You know the sort?’

  ‘Well, they’ve met their match with you lot,’ Lainey laughed.

/>   Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she phoned the cookery school back.

  ‘Hello, is that Sally?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes. Lainey? Have you made a decision already?’

  ‘Yes I have and I’d love to snatch that place, if I may?’

  ‘I’m delighted,’ she said. ‘I hope you’ll enjoy the course. I promise it’ll be enlightening and you’ll be a great asset to Huntersbrook for the future!’

  Lainey took the details and promised to send on her payment by post. Feeling slightly shell-shocked, she crouched down and kissed Ely.

  ‘Mummy is going to be really busy for the next while,’ she said. Life was moving at a rate of knots, but Lainey was so excited, all that mattered was to keep moving.

  Pippa

  THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAD DRAGGED FOR Pippa. She was sick of being in the shop and was dying to be immersed in Parisian life. Danny wasn’t quite as enthused by her impending departure, however. Last night she’d been attempting to pack strategically, laying out her clothes and making sure she looked stylish both in the exhibition hall and at dinner. She was almost organised when her buzzer sounded.

  ‘Hey, it’s just me,’ said Danny. ‘I couldn’t let you run away to Paris without a kiss.’

  She giggled. ‘Did you come all the way over here for a kiss?’ She pressed the buzzer and let him inside.

  He must’ve sprinted up the steps and down the corridor because he was there seconds after Pippa opened the door.

  He picked her up and swung her around before planting a large smacker on her lips. She giggled and wriggled free.

  ‘You’re a nutter,’ she said taking his hand and bringing him to the tiny, messy living room.

  ‘I had one of those days where everything went wrong and all my colleagues seemed to have a bone to pick with me,’ he sighed. ‘I needed to see my girl and know I have at least one ally.’

  ‘Aw diddums,’ she said curling her bottom lip. ‘I need to get my stuff ready. If I’m not on top of things for the next couple of days, Brianna will have my head on a stick.’

  ‘Forget her,’ he said. ‘The only thing you need to be on top of is me.’

  He picked her up and balked slightly at the sight of her room. ‘Bloody hell, Pippa, was there an explosion in here?’

  ‘I’m packing, I told you.’

  ‘Using gelignite?’

  After they made love, Danny pulled her into his arms.

  ‘Don’t rush off. Lay here with me, please.’

  ‘I have stuff to do, silly,’ she said. ‘You can wait there and once I’m organised, you can hold me all you like. Wanna stay for a sleepover?’ she asked.

  He nodded. ‘I brought my clean shirt and shorts for tomorrow.’

  ‘For a drug dealer, you’re very pernickety,’ she joked.

  ‘Hey,’ he looked crestfallen. ‘Don’t call me that.’

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, looking sheepish.

  He rolled onto his back and sighed. ‘I never thought about the future before I met you, Pippa. Now I think about it all the time. I want us to be together for donkey’s years. I want to see a fuzzy-looking photo of us as white, fluffy-headed little old people gazing proudly at the camera as our grandchildren take a family photo at our ninetieth party.’

  ‘Ah, now there’s an issue with that image already,’ she said. ‘I’ll have shocking pink hair when I’m old.’

  ‘Of course you will,’ he said, smacking the heel of his hand off his head.

  When she eventually finished packing and joined him in bed, Danny was scrolling through his Facebook page.

  He turned his phone for her to see. He’d updated his status to say he was in a relationship with Pippa. Grinning, she kissed him and snuggled into his arms. She’d never been a particularly soppy girl, but somehow all the romance stuff seemed so much more fitting when it was connected to Danny.

  They parted ways outside her flat the following morning.

  ‘Don’t forget me, darling girl,’ he said, gesturing wildly and pretending he was in an old-fashioned movie and she was leaving him forever.

  ‘Paris will be cold without you, but I’ll never forget you, Danny,’ she said, playing along with the charade. He moved on down the road and turned dramatically.

  ‘Don’t let them poison your mind against me. I will always love you,’ he shouted. ‘No matter what they do, we will always have last night.’ An elderly lady from across the street stopped and stared at them in confusion. As Danny ran around the corner, Pippa giggled uncontrollably.

  She was still smiling as she lugged her wheelie case into work and made sure she was organised for their flight.

  ‘You’re in a good mood,’ Missy said, making a fleetingly grumpy face.

  ‘I had so much fun with Danny last night,’ she said giggling. She was just about to tell Missy about this morning when the other girl flapped her hand and looked disgusted.

  ‘Ugh, don’t tell me anything else about your drug baron boyfriend. Actually, Pippa, I’m a little concerned about you. Danny is fine to bring to a party and most certainly good to know. But he’s not our ilk. He’s a scumbag, sweetie. Don’t get confused here . . .’

  When Missy was gone, Pippa staggered to her chair and flopped down. Feeling as if she’d been physically slapped, she tried to take stock of what Missy had said. It was completely different from her enthusiasm about Danny out at Huntersbrook. What had gotten into her since then?

  ‘Ready to go?’ Brianna asked, poking her head around the door.

  ‘Eh sure,’ Pippa managed.

  By the time they reached the airport, Pippa’s head was pounding. Missy was clearly oblivious to the hurt she’d caused Pippa, which in turn led her to assume one of two things. Either Missy was correct and Danny was a total waster, or Missy was insanely jealous and wanted to curb the relationship she was building with Danny . . .

  Hoping the style and general suaveness of Paris would ease her addled mind, Pippa tried to envision herself walking down the Champs-Elysées with a parasol and a poodle. As the plane took off, she could see Danny in her mind’s eye, grinning at her; but she could hear Missy’s affected voice dismissing him. For the umpteenth time, she wondered if Danny really was just a lowdown dealer at heart, not worthy of her time and certainly not worthy of her love?

  The plane journey was fine, until Brianna ordered sparkling water from the refreshment cart.

  ‘Give me a break!’ Missy said, rolling her eyes. ‘We’re headed for gay Paris! Let’s have bubbles. It’s almost four o’clock in the afternoon, for crying out loud. We’re not even going to be buying things until tomorrow.’

  ‘You can if you like,’ Brianna said with a tight smile. ‘But I need to remain clear-headed for the moment. I don’t think your father would appreciate it if we were all hung-over tomorrow and end up buying a dodgy winter collection for next year.’ Brianna reiterated her order to the air hostess. ‘I can’t bear drinking alcohol on planes anyway. It makes me too dehydrated.’

  ‘You’ll have bubbly with me, won’t you?’ Missy asked Pippa while glowering across at Brianna.

  ‘Eh,’ she glanced over at Brianna, who shook her head crossly. ‘I’d better not, Missy. As Brianna said, this is a working trip. Perhaps we should wait until later?’

  ‘Perhaps we should wait,’ Missy mimicked mockingly. ‘Don’t be such a pair of losers,’ she said. ‘Three snipes of champagne and three boring waters to keep the pair of goodie-two-shoes here happy,’ she ordered the air hostess rudely.

  Pippa could barely swallow the champagne. Missy had snatched all three tiny bottles and poured them into plastic cups before handing them out. As she was sitting in the middle, Pippa could feel the tension from her boss on one side and the fury from Missy on the other.

  ‘Let’s compromise and have half a glass each!’ Pippa said, hoping to smooth things over. Brianna didn’t touch her champagne but guzzled her water instead.

  ‘I’ll have a glass of wine with my meal later, but I don’t want
this now, thank you,’ Brianna said picking up the offending glass and placing on Pippa’s tray. ‘I’m an adult, Missy, and I get to choose what I do some of the time.’

  Missy muttered obscenities under her breath and swiftly worked her way through the three snipes.

  Brianna pulled out a file and proceeded to show Pippa a list of labels and fashion houses.

  ‘If we start at the top left-hand corner of the exhibition hall and work our way back, that way we’re methodical and with purpose. There’s nothing worse than wasting time on things we don’t need or indeed missing out on a possible exciting new label.’

  ‘That’s a lot of fashion houses to view,’ Pippa remarked.

  ‘I know,’ Brianna said. ‘Which is why I’m not even contemplating getting squiffy before we land on French soil. Romantic and wonderful as Paris sounds, this is a very important business trip.’

  Missy kept elbowing Pippa and making barely audible snorting noises to show her disapproval.

  As they disembarked in Paris, Brianna continued to brief the girls on what would happen over the next couple of days. Pippa was fascinated. They most certainly had a lot of work ahead.

  ‘Brianna, sweetie,’ Missy said, as they were waiting at the carousel for their luggage. ‘It’s no wonder you’re single, darling. No man could possibly keep up with you. It’s all work, work, work. It’s exhausting.’

  ‘I enjoy my job and I’ve climbed the ladder of success by working hard. With all due respect, dear, I didn’t have a choice.’

  Missy had finished all three glasses of bubbly singlehandedly and was utterly oblivious to Brianna’s hurt or annoyance. Pippa, on the other hand, was sweating and wanting to grab her bag and dash for the nearest exit.

  ‘Great that all our cases have arrived safely,’ she said chirpily. ‘Let’s get going, yeah?’

  Brianna marched toward the taxi rank and gave precise instructions in flawless French.

  ‘Nicely done, Brianna,’ Pippa said as their taxi wormed its way out of the airport toward the city centre.