‘Take a seat.’ Holly gestured at the sofa, so Fran sat down next to Glenda.
‘Hello Fran, dear.’ Glenda smiled. Her long white hair was coiled into its signature bun and her pale green eyes glowed in her weathered face. She was wearing makeup, and had clearly made an effort, as her cheeks were rosy with blusher and her eyebrows drawn on with a dark blonde pencil. Her familiar scent, Lily of the Valley, made Fran think of the days she’d spent at the vineyard as a child, when Glenda had baked with her and Holly and when life had seemed somewhat simpler. Sometimes, Fran thought she’d love to return to that simpler time, but then she also knew that she’d have to go through everything again, and witnessing Holly, Glenda and Bruce losing Holly’s mum, Sarah, and her grandad, Henry, again was not something Fran wanted to see. Their pain had been unfathomable and although they had made it through that difficult time, Fran knew that they all missed Sarah and Henry Morton.
Bruce was sitting on a chair near the TV with Luke on his lap and his girlfriend, Janine, a local carpenter, was perched on the arm of his chair. Holly and Rich were standing up, holding hands. It all felt very formal and quite unusual considering how comfortable Fran had always been at Greenacres.
‘We have something to share with you all.’ Holly looked around at them. ‘We think it’s the right time now as we had confirmation today.’
Glenda gave a small laugh. ‘You’re going to have the wedding abroad?’
‘No, Granny.’ Holly shook her head.
Just then, Holly’s dog, Gelert, a scruffy grey lurcher, ran into the room and jumped onto the sofa next to Fran. She held out her hand and he gave it a lick, then he proceeded to sniff her wrist, her arm and her face, tickling her skin with his whiskers and making her giggle.
‘He can smell my dogs.’ She smiled. Gelert had come to her first then Holly had adopted him, or he had adopted Holly. He was a friendly dog and had settled in well with his new family and he was particularly protective of little Luke.
‘We’re not going to get married anywhere other than here,’ Rich said, smiling at Glenda. ‘But we do have some slightly different news.’
‘It was unexpected, but now we’ve had time to let it sink in, we’re delighted.’ Holly looked at Rich and he nodded.
‘I think I have an idea,’ Bruce said, his Australian accent still evident even over thirty years after he’d moved to Cornwall to be with Sarah. In his mid-fifties, he was, Fran thought, still a handsome man. Being in a relationship with Janine, who had been one of the senior carpenters involved in the vineyard’s restoration, had also given him a new spring in his step.
‘Ooh!’ Glenda put down her knitting and clapped her hands. ‘Are we having another dog from Fran?’
‘No, Granny.’ Holly shook her head. ‘We’re not having another dog, but… Today we went to a hospital appointment… We didn’t want to say anything until it was confirmed but… I’m pregnant. Around twelve weeks along.’
‘Goodness!’ Glenda gasped. ‘That is a truly wonderful surprise.’
‘Congratulations!’ Bruce stood up and balanced Luke on his hip. ‘Fabulous news!’
‘Congratulations, Holly and Rich.’ Fran had known that they were going for a scan but she hadn’t wanted to ask how it had gone until they were ready to share the news.
‘There’s something else, too.’ Holly met Fran’s gaze and raised her eyebrows slightly. ‘It’s twins.’
Fran’s jaw dropped. That meant that Demelza, the bridal boutique owner, had been right. If she’d been right about that, then perhaps she was right about other things…
‘Twins!’ Glenda turned to Fran and grabbed her arm. ‘Oh, my Henry would be overjoyed about this news. Three great-grandchildren at Greenacres. How exciting!’ Her eyes glistened, so Fran shuffled over and gave her a hug.
‘This is the best Christmas gift you could have given me,’ Bruce said as he hugged Holly. ‘Luke is incredible and now he’ll have some brothers or sisters or both to play with.’
‘Congratulations!’ Janine said as she hugged Holly and Rich.
‘We don’t know the genders yet,’ Rich said, ‘but we’ll find out at the next scan.’
‘I think this calls for champagne, don’t you?’ Bruce said as he handed Luke to Holly.
‘Good idea, Dad, but just juice for me.’ Holly patted the curve of her belly, which could easily have been missed, but now that she’d drawn attention to it, Fran was convinced that it was actually quite a pronounced bump.
Fran handed Glenda a tissue from the box on the coffee table then she got up and went over to Holly.
‘I’m so happy for you.’
‘Thanks. It’s a bit scary but also quite exciting.’ She leant closer to Fran. ‘We decided to tell Dad, Janine and Granny today so that they don’t have to wait any longer to find out. Plus… after you rang to tell me you’d told Ethan the truth, we thought it would be best to let them know just in case the news leaked out.’
‘I really don’t think Ethan would say anything,’ Fran said. ‘He was surprised, but he does have integrity. He knows why I didn’t tell him the truth straight away.’
‘As long as you’re all right.’ Holly gave Fran a hug. ‘At least the truth is out in the open now. Perhaps there’s a chance for you two…’
Fran shook her head and swallowed hard. This was a happy occasion and she had to put on a brave face and show her best friend how delighted she was for her. ‘We’re just friends. Ethan has a complicated life and I’m better with animals. That’s just the way it is.’
Holly smiled sadly. ‘I don’t think that’s true at all, but whatever happens, Christmas is nearly upon us and before we know it, the wedding will be here then… twins!’
‘Eeek!’ Fran giggled. ‘I can’t wait to babysit.’
‘I’m going to need all the help I can get.’ Holly grimaced but she was glowing with happiness.
‘You know I’m here for you.’
‘And I am here for you. Always.’
And Fran did know that, because she and Holly had always been friends and always would be. Holly was starting another chapter of her life and Fran would be there to support her through it, because that’s what friends were for.
* * *
Ethan placed the last gift he’d wrapped under the tree then he sat back on his heels and looked at his handiwork. He’d hurried into town yesterday to finish his Christmas shopping and had managed to pick up gifts for his aunt and uncle and his cousins, as well as to get some more gifts for Tilly. It hadn’t been the jolliest of outings, but in spite of his low mood, he had found the hustle and bustle of shoppers in Newquay along with the carollers and the general upbeat mood had lifted his spirits somewhat. Of course, it would have been nice to have company, to have Fran’s company in particular, but it just wasn’t going to happen, so he pulled up his collar, put his head down and did what he had to do. Sometimes, it was all he could do.
One of the gifts under the tree was for Fran. He’d had to buy it when he’d seen it at the Christmas market because it had made him think of her. And even after everything that had happened between them, he still cared about her and still wanted to be her friend. They were due to spend Christmas Day together at the tea shop, so having a gift to give her might be the perfect way to let her know that he had no bad feelings towards her and that he hoped she had none towards him.
The tea shop hadn’t been very busy today, in spite of it being Christmas Eve, but Audrey had told him that it was because most people would be last-minute shopping or visiting their relatives. They had, however, had more enquiries about tomorrow and seemed to be fully booked. Ethan was glad, because it meant they they’d be busy and there would be lots of people around benefitting from the generosity shown by his aunt and uncle. As for him, he found the prospect of not being alone on Christmas Day, just him and Tilly, or him, Tilly and his dad, quite exciting. Christmas should be about sharing food and laughter, about being with others and not being alone, and that was what they were aiming
to do by opening the doors of the tea shop.
Ethan had enjoyed a dinner of Christmas ham, chutneys and homemade chips with Tilly, Audrey and Gary – as his cousins had been out with their partners – then he’d brought a tired, but very excited, Tilly back to the cottage, hoping that she’d go to sleep at a reasonable hour as he had wrapping to do. After a bubble bath and some warm milk, Tilly had finally submitted to sleep and Ethan had downed a very strong coffee then set to work. And now it was all done. His neck and shoulders ached from leaning forwards to wrap things and his fingers were sore from breaking off sticky tape, but at least he had managed to wrap everything. All he needed to do now was to take Tilly’s stocking up and put it at the end of her bed then try to grab a few hours before she woke up and it all started again.
He stood up and switched off the tree lights then went to the front door and opened it. He gazed out at the yard and across to the tea shop. Frost sparkled on the ground and on the roofs of the tea shop and the farmhouse, the barn and the cattle sheds. The sky was black, the stars tiny diamond pinpricks, the moon a silver crescent. It was a beautiful night and he breathed in the icy air deeply, filling his lungs with it and savouring how fresh and clean it was out here in the countryside. The quiet was also soothing; no cars or emergency vehicles like in Bath, no drunks on the way home from the pub or mobile phones ringing.
The perfect peace penetrated him to his core and he released a deep sigh. Things didn’t always work out as he hoped, didn’t always happen as or when he would expect, and yet… things always worked out. He had a lovely home in a stunning location, he had a beautiful daughter and he had family around him. He had a job that he enjoyed and he would be able to watch Tilly grow up surrounded by love and laughter. He had a lot to be thankful for and he was very conscious of all the good things in his life.
And that included Fran, because she’d done what she’d done for what seemed like good reasons, and she didn’t deserve to be punished for that. She was a good person and what she did deserve was respect, friendship and support. Ethan had had time to think about what had happened and time to calm down, and in retrospect, none of it seemed as bad as it had done at first. Sometimes, emotion clouded judgement and taking time to cool off, to let things sink in, could offer a new and more rounded perspective.
Perhaps it was the Christmas spirit getting under his skin, perhaps he was healing and opening up to new possibilities, perhaps it was Fran herself, so different from anyone else he’d ever met, but something had shifted inside him and the old fear that had gripped him no longer had so tight a hold on his heart. Like the bud of a snowdrop in the spring, his heart was opening slowly, and he found that it was no longer filled with as much pain as it had been. He was letting go, moving on and healing.
He took one more gulp of the delicious air then closed the door, picked up Tilly’s stocking and climbed the stairs. Tomorrow would be a new day, a special day, and a day filled with possibilities, and Ethan intended on making the most of every single one.
Chapter 18
‘Daddy! Daddy! Wake up… it’s Christmas!’
Ethan opened an eye to find Tilly bouncing on his bed. He pulled the duvet over his head but she immediately pulled it back down.
‘Get up, sleepy head, Santa has been! No staying in bed today, Daddy!’
He laughed and allowed his excited daughter to drag him out of bed and into her room, where the contents of her stocking lay scattered all over the floor.
‘What happened here?’ He acted surprised.
‘Look at what he brought me.’
Tilly showed him every gift, then placed them all on her bed, before grabbing his hand again.
‘Shall we go downstairs?’
‘You think there’s more down there?’ he asked.
She nodded, her eyes wide and her tiny body trembling.
‘Are you cold?’ He frowned.
‘No, Daddy, just excited!’
‘Okay! Let’s see what he brought you.’ He laughed then allowed her to lead him to the top of the stairs.
‘Daddy?’ Tilly gazed up at him.
‘Yes?’
‘I love you so much. Merry Christmas.’
He crouched then opened his arms and she hugged him tight then showered chocolatey kisses all over his face.
‘You found some chocolate coins then?’
‘Yes, Daddy, they were in the bottom of my stocking. Want one?’
‘It’s a bit early for me. Maybe later.’
‘It’s never too early for chocolate, Daddy.’ She grinned. ‘Come on then.’ Tilly tugged on his hand and he trotted down the stairs, the biggest smile on his face as they ran into the lounge and Tilly squealed with delight.
* * *
Fran had seen to her animals, given the cats and dogs their Christmas treats and eaten a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast washed down with plenty of tea. She’d then Skyped her parents and Nonna before showering and dressing in jeans, boots and a red smock top with a Christmas tree on the front, complete with a flashing star at the top. She moisturised her face, added some mascara and red lipstick, put on her red-framed glasses and ran her hands through her hair. She was ready to do Christmas at the tea shop!
She went to the small tree in her lounge and picked up the gift bag she’d put next to it yesterday, then made a fuss of her dogs, including the small Westie that was settling in better by the day, before grabbing her car keys.
Her life was pretty good indeed. She had furry companions, no one expecting anything of her and she got to sleep in rather than wake up at silly o’clock because someone had forgotten to defrost the turkey or because Santa had forgotten to leave the gifts under the tree. She was free to do as she wanted, when she wanted. That was all good, wasn’t it? She wasn’t missing out on a thing, was she? She shook her head as doubts tingled at her edges. This was not the day to wonder about what she didn’t have; it was the day to treasure all the good things in her life.
She locked the front door behind her and headed along the path. The air was crisp and clear and frost sparkled on the grass of her lawn and crunched under her soles. She paused in front of her car and sighed. The windscreen was completely iced up and would take a good ten minutes to clear. But that was also part of living alone; there was no one here to defrost the windscreen while she made another cup of tea, no one to enjoy that lie-in with and no one to say Merry Christmas to along with a morning kiss.
She’d had several doggy kisses of gratitude as she’d opened the final doors on the dogs’ Christmas calendars and handed them the various treats from inside, but as much as she appreciated the dogs’ affection, a human kiss would have been rather nice too. Especially one of those gorgeous kisses from Ethan. That would have made her Christmas morning perfect.
Her life was good, but it didn’t mean that it couldn’t be better if she had someone to share it with, someone to be there for her as she would be for him. Someone to love and care for and to put her cold feet on in bed at night. Someone like Ethan. No… if it was going to be anyone, it could only ever be Ethan.
She opened the door and got in the car, wincing at how cold the seat was, carefully placed the gift bag on the passenger seat then started the engine. Lots of people didn’t have a special someone and that was what today was going to be about – making the lives of others that little bit better, even if only for one day of the year.
And Fran was happy to be a part of such a day. She was also looking forward to seeing Ethan and Tilly, Audrey, Gary and their daughters and sharing in their Christmas cheer.
* * *
Ethan splashed some cologne on his cheeks then stood back and checked himself in the bathroom mirror. His jeans and green Christmas T-shirt combo were fine considering that he’d be in the kitchen for most of the morning, and he was glad he’d picked up the T-shirt because in a jumper, he’d end up too warm as he cooked. The T-shirt had a large snowman on it wearing an apron and a chef’s hat. It seemed appropriate for him and for the day. He�
��d showered and washed his hair and felt fresher, although he was exhausted after his five thirty a.m. wake-up call. However, he’d had a lot of fun with Tilly and she had been delighted with her gifts. He had told her to pick her favourites so she could take them to the tea shop with her this morning and she was still deciding when he went back downstairs.
‘Right, Tilly, what’s it to be?’
‘Glitterbug wants to take the Lego castle and the bumper book of fairy tales.’
‘Okay, but you must take care not to lose any of the Lego pieces, and I’m not sure that anyone will have time to read the stories to you, but you can take it anyway.’
‘Daddy, it has beautiful pictures inside and anyway, I can read it to myself.’
‘Of course you can. Now run up and get dressed, then we can get Aunty Audrey or Scarlett to do your hair.’
‘Scarlett said she might be late coming to the tea shop because she was going out with her boyfriend last night and they would probably feel a bit… what did she say… a bit… breakable this morning.’
‘Breakable?’
‘Yes… no… It was something like that because I asked her what it meant and she said like when you use one of Aunty Audrey’s crystal glasses and they’re easy to smash so it means they’re…’ Tilly poked out her tongue as she tried to think of the word.
‘Do you mean fragile?’
‘Yes!’ Tilly pointed at him. ‘That word.’
‘Well perhaps Audrey will do your hair for you.’
‘She will.’ Tilly nodded with the confidence of a six-year-old.
‘What time is it?’ Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Your mum will be calling soon.’
Tilly wrinkled her nose.
‘Just to say Merry Christmas.’
‘She’ll be busy or… fragile herself probably.’
Ethan suppressed a snort. Every year, when Melanie Skyped on Christmas morning, or weekend mornings, come to think of it, she was usually nursing a champagne hangover and Tilly had clearly noticed.
The Christmas Tea Shop at Rosewood Page 21