Christmas at Conwenna Cove

by Darcie Boleyn

  * * *

  Grace fluttered around the kitchen like a moth round a lightbulb the next day. Last night had been wonderful and completely unexpected, but it changed a lot for her. And, she suspected, for Oli.

  She couldn’t help wondering if it was down to the Christmas decorations, and the wine and the relaxing evening. But what if Oli had woken up this morning regretting their kiss? And oh that kiss… it had been wonderful. Grace had been lit up from within as she’d walked home, and she’d danced around her parents’ cottage, relieved that Simon and Louise had turned in for an early night so she didn’t have to explain her high spirits.

  Only now, in the cold light of day, did doubts start to creep in. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Oli, because she certainly did, but there was so much to consider and she knew Oli would feel the same. He was a widower and a father, and he couldn’t make decisions about his life without considering the children; they had to come first.

  The kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of roast beef, Yorkshire puddings and a variety of side dishes that her father had whipped up as if they were as easy as scrambled egg. They weren’t, of course. Grace knew because she hadn’t been able to create several of the dishes before when she’d tried, but her dad was very talented in the kitchen.

  ‘Grace, will you sit down?’ Her father pointed at a chair.

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Why not? What’s wrong with you?’

  ‘Anyone would think she was nervous.’ Her mother smiled as she set the table.

  ‘Are you nervous?’ her father asked.

  ‘No. Why would I be?’

  She caught a knowing glance passing between her parents.

  ‘What was that about?’ she asked as she forced herself onto a chair, then began folding up napkins.

  ‘Grace, we know you like this man.’ Her mother smiled. ‘And it’s okay.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’ve been singing in the shower, you’ve been dancing around lately when you think we can’t see you, and your face lit up when you danced with Oli at the party. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you like this.’ Her mother’s comment made her bristle; she was being too obvious.

  ‘He’s a nice guy and that’s all. He’s a father and widowed. I’m not seeing him or anything.’

  ‘We know that, love.’ Her dad came to stand behind her and squeezed her shoulders. ‘But if you like him then that’s okay.’

  She slumped in her chair.

  ‘But it’s not really is it? I hardly know him and he has a whole load of responsibilities. I’m going back to Cardiff soon so nothing can come of this… flirtation or whatever it is, anyway.’

  Her mother nodded. ‘Perhaps. And you don’t need me to tell you to be careful. His children will be his priority. But sometimes, darling, love blossoms where you least expect it.’

  ‘Mum!’ Grace rolled her eyes. ‘Who said anything about love? This is about like and nothing more. I like Oli. I like his children. Yesterday I took the old decorations over and we put them up, and he made me dinner and we watched a movie. Well, actually I watched one and a half movies as the children put one on too. But it’s not a big deal. It was just lovely to spend some time with him, Amy and Tom.’

  ‘Sounds like the start of something to me.’ Her father planted a kiss on the top of her head then returned to stirring the gravy.

  Grace folded the rest of the napkins, then straightened the cutlery. When it all met with her satisfaction, she got up and went to the door to check if there was any sign of Oli. She’d sent a text last night after getting home, and her phone had pinged almost immediately with a reply. Oli had just written: Night X. She’d stared at the kiss for ages, thinking about the incredible physical kiss they’d shared.

  A noise from outside made her start, so she leaned forwards to see more of the road. Tom came into view first, his blond head bouncing as he rode his scooter towards her.

  ‘Grace!’ he called as his little leg met the ground repeatedly, propelling him forward.

  She waved at him, her heart filling with warmth.

  Just as he reached her and pulled a rucksack from his back, and dropped it on the ground next to the doorstep, Oli and Amy emerged from the trees lining the roadside, both wrapped up in their coats. Amy wore a purple beret and matching scarf with leather gloves. Grace was impressed at her style. Oli’s head was bare like Tom’s and his short brown hair was windswept. His cheeks glowed pink from the cold and the tip of his nose matched them.

  And he took her breath away.

  ‘Grace, can I show you my tricks?’ Tom asked. ‘I can do lots and lots on my scooter.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ She stepped outside in her slippers. ‘But be careful.’

  As she watched, Tom rode his scooter across the path then did a small hop that reminded Grace of a rabbit.

  She clapped enthusiastically. ‘Well done, Tom! Very impressive.’

  He returned to her side.

  ‘Now you have a go.’

  ‘Oh, I really couldn’t, Tom. It’s years since I’ve been on a scooter.’

  ‘Try it. You’ll be good.’

  ‘Tom, leave Grace alone.’ Oli had reached the path in front of the cottage. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t want to risk life and limb on the scooter. And talking of that, where’s your helmet?’

  Tom pulled a face.

  ‘You know you need to wear it. What if you fell off and banged your head?’

  ‘I put it in my bag.’ Tom kicked at the ground. ‘I don’t like it. It pinches.’

  Grace lowered into a crouch. ‘How does it pinch, Tom?’

  ‘My hair and by here.’ He pointed at his forehead, and Grace moved his hair to reveal a red line where the helmet had clearly dug in.

  ‘Oh, Tom, let me see the helmet.’

  He opened his rucksack and pulled it out, then handed it to her. She peered inside and found what she was looking for. ‘There’s a strap here to make the helmet looser. See.’ She adjusted it. ‘Try it now.’

  He put it on then smiled. ‘That fits!’

  Grace nodded.

  ‘Tom, have you been messing about with the strap?’ Oli asked, a frown darkening his features.

  Tom nodded. ‘I didn’t know what it was so I tried to pull it out.’

  ‘And in the process tightened it.’ Oli met Grace’s eyes and shook his head. ‘He’d have everyone think I’m neglectful, even if he doesn’t do it deliberately.’

  ‘Can I do some more tricks, Daddy?’ Tom asked.

  ‘Yes, now that you’ve got your helmet on.’

  Oli stood next to Grace with Amy at his other side, as they watched Tom trying to perform a variety of moves that he’d apparently seen on TV. Oli caught his breath a few times, and she saw his hands fly up as Tom swung the scooter around and between his legs, but then he pushed them into his coat pockets, clearly trying to allow Tom to have some fun.

  ‘You know, every school morning I put his uniform out for him – clean shirt, jumper, trousers, socks and pants. Every morning. A few weeks ago, I was having a good tidy up and I found about ten odd socks under the bed. All of them clean. I don’t know if it was deliberate or if he was bouncing on the bed and they fell off, but he must have been wearing the same socks more than once. I did wonder why he had a sock shortage, but assumed they’d gone to sock heaven or that secret place in the tumble dryer.’

  Grace laughed. ‘So he was wearing smelly socks to school?’

  Oli nodded. ‘Imagine what it must have been like when he changed for P.E. I bet there was a terrible stink in the changing room.’

  ‘Oh dear.’

  ‘Parenthood, eh?’

  ‘Something smells lovely right now though.’ It was Amy, leaning around her father.

  ‘That’s our dinner, Amy. My dad is such a good cook and you are in for a treat.’

  Amy smiled. ‘Are there roast potatoes?’

  ‘Like you wouldn’t believe.’

  ‘They’re my favouri
te.’

  ‘Then you shall have extra!’

  Amy’s eyes lit up.

  ‘Shall we go inside, I don’t know about you but I’m freezing.’ Grace rubbed her hands together then gestured for Amy to go in before her.

  ‘I’m not surprised, you have no coat on.’ Oli removed a glove then touched her hand. She jolted as their skin met. His was so warm and her own so cold. As she turned to go inside, she caught his eyes on her mouth, and her heart skipped a beat.

  If only she could read his thoughts, then she’d have a better idea of what was going on here. Unless, of course, Oli was as clueless as her. And if that was the case, then they had better work together to try to navigate their way through whatever it was that was happening between them.

  Chapter 12

  Dinner was enjoyable. Grace sat at the table in her parents’ cosy kitchen and she couldn’t stop smiling. Her parents were wonderful hosts, attentive to their guests and making a fuss of the children. Tom chattered away to her father about his love of drawing and riding his scooter, and Amy tucked into her food with gusto, leaving the roast potatoes until last so she could enjoy them all in one go.

  When Grace had helped to clear the plates away, her father went to the fridge and brought out the honeyed peach and pistachio pavlova he’d made once their dinner invitation had been accepted. The children gasped as he set it on the table and Grace knew why, because the meringues were like shiny white icebergs on top of which sat a thick layer of whipped cream imbued with peach syrup. This was finished off with honeyed peaches that her father had preserved in the summer and kept for occasions such as this. Chopped green pistachios were scattered over the top, creating a tempting combination.

  ‘That looks incredible,’ Oli said. ‘We really are being spoilt.’

  ‘And so you should be,’ Louise said. ‘Grace, do you want to serve?’

  As Grace started cutting into the pavlova, the knife cracked through the crisp meringues scattering tiny white pieces onto the table and made her think of snow. A buzzing came from beneath the table. Oli pushed back his chair and pulled his mobile from his pocket.

  ‘Sorry, I’d better take this.’ He swiped the screen then left the kitchen and went out into the garden.

  ‘Don’t worry, Grace, Daddy sometimes has calls like this,’ Amy said. ‘And then he has to go to work.’

  ‘Do you think it’s work then?’

  ‘Probably.’ Amy nodded.

  ‘Most likely,’ Tom added.

  ‘I hope it’s not bad news about the cat and the kittens.’ Amy blanched.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Grace asked.

  ‘Oh… I… Daddy has a mother cat and her three kittens at the surgery. They’re going to need homes. He said Edward and Mary are thinking about homing one of them, but I don’t think it’s the mummy cat they want.’

  ‘Is that right?’ Grace caught her father winking at her mother. ‘Kittens needing homes, eh, Louise.’

  ‘I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Louise sighed and shook her head. ‘If Oli needs to find them homes, then we’ll happily take one.’

  ‘One?’ Simon raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Oh, okay, then two. But only if they still need homes.’

  ‘And that’s why I love you, Louise,’ Simon smiled at his wife.

  Grace turned to Amy, but the little girl was chewing her bottom lip. Perhaps she’d hoped to home all the kittens herself, and didn’t want other people offering to take them. Grace would speak to Oli about it later, just to ensure that her parents weren’t jumping in too quickly here.

  ‘Serve the children’s dessert, Grace. We can wait until Oli’s done.’

  Oli returned to the kitchen within two minutes. His face was white, and the relaxed expression he’d had just moments ago had been replaced with tension that was evident in the stiff way he held his jaw.

  ‘I am so sorry, but I have to go up to the farm.’

  ‘Why, what’s wrong?’ Grace got up.

  ‘There’s um…’ He looked at his children. ‘It’s complicated.’

  ‘Let’s go and check that the shed is locked, shall we? I have an awful feeling I didn’t shut it properly,’ Grace said. ‘And I don’t want a fox wandering in there and getting stuck.’

  ‘Yes, that’s a good idea.’

  ‘Daddy I’m not a baby, you know.’ Amy shook her head. ‘It’s one of the dogs isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes… one of the greyhounds isn’t very well. A new girl who recently arrived. I have to go to check on her.’

  ‘She doesn’t have puppies does she?’

  ‘No, Amy. Try not to worry now.’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’

  ‘What?’ Oli met Grace’s eyes.

  ‘I mean… only if you want me to.’

  ‘Amy and Tom can stay with us,’ Louise said. ‘I have some cards here that I’ve been hoping to use for a while, so we can play some games.’

  ‘Cards?’ Amy asked.

  ‘Yes, Amy, do you know any card games?’

  The girl shook her head.

  ‘Then Simon and I will teach you.’

  ‘Okay!’ Amy beamed.

  ‘Are you sure that’s okay, Louise? I can always drop them at my father’s.’

  ‘It’s fine, Oli. Simon and I will enjoy having some company. And they haven’t even finished dessert yet.’

  ‘Thank you. That’s very kind. I’ll come straight back afterwards to collect them.’

  Louise waved a hand. ‘No rush.’

  ‘Grace, you can come if you’re sure you want to,’ Oli said quietly. ‘According to Neil Burton, the owner of the farm and sanctuary, it’s not looking good for the poor greyhound though.’

  ‘I want to.’ Grace felt certain that she did. If Oli had to rush up there half way through his Sunday lunch then she wanted to accompany him. She wanted to be there for him, to support him with whatever the afternoon would bring.

  ‘Right grab a warm coat, and whatever else you need, and we’d better go. Kids, be on your best behaviour and I’ll see you soon.’

  Grace collected her coat, gloves and hat then they left the cottage and marched back to Oli’s cottage to pick up his bag and his Land Rover. Once inside, he drove them up through the lanes to Foxglove Farm.

  ‘So what’s wrong with this dog then?’

  ‘He didn’t give me much information, just said someone had brought her in and she’s in a bad way. Probably suffering from exposure, as she was freezing when she was found, and she’s got some nasty looking wounds. Possibly from a fox or badger.’

  ‘Poor thing.’

  He nodded. ‘Some greyhounds and lurchers are used for poaching and baiting.’

  ‘I’ve read about that.’

  ‘It’s awful for the dogs and for the wild animals. Some people are just…’

  Grace noticed that a muscle in his jaw was twitching and his knuckles were white where he gripped the steering wheel.

  ‘Are you all right, Oli?’

  He glanced at her. ‘I just get so mad.’

  Grace gently touched his arm. She wanted to say something to offer him comfort, but what words were adequate in this situation? People did terrible things to animals and Oli saw this on an almost daily basis. He dealt with the consequences of other people’s actions and that had to be tough, especially when he had to try to treat the animals afterwards, to heal them physically and mentally. But Grace knew that even if physical scars healed, emotional ones took a lot longer, and sometimes they never faded completely.

  Oli parked the vehicle and they got out. A man with a big grey beard, wearing a flat cap, scruffy trousers, wellies and a baggy jumper – that strained over his belly and appeared to be unravelling at the hem – met them outside a long outbuilding. Dogs were barking nearby and Grace realized they must be the ones in the sanctuary.

  ‘Oli, thanks for coming so quickly.’

  ‘Of course. This is Grace Phillips. Her parents just bought Roseh
ip Cottage. Grace this is Neil.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you.’ Grace removed her glove and Neil shook her hand firmly. His palm was calloused and his nails broken and stained from years of manual labour.

  ‘Likewise. Hope you’ll be very happy here in Conwenna.’

  ‘Oh… I’m not staying here. At least I don’t think so. It’s my parents who’ve bought the cottage.’

  Neil assessed her quietly. ‘See how it goes. You might decide to stay. Worse places to be that’s for sure.’ He turned to Oli. ‘I’ve put the greyhound in the assessment room because, to be honest, I didn’t want to put her in one of the kennels. She’s in a bad way.’

  ‘Well, let’s take a look then.’

  Grace hurried along to keep up with Oli’s determined strides as they went around the back of the stables, then towards a door at the end. Her stomach was knotted with tension at the thought of what she was going to see.

  Neil opened the door and ushered Grace and Oli in first. The room was like a lounge with two sofas covered in colourful patchworks, a coffee table and an old portable TV. A small window overlooked the yard. There was another window in the back wall, and Grace supposed it led to some sort of office or kitchen area.

  And on the floor, was a woman kneeling next to a dog that was covered with a blanket. Grace could only see its head. As they approached, the dog lifted her head and whined softly.

  ‘Elena, how’s she doing?’ Neil asked.

  ‘She’s exhausted.’ The older woman met their eyes in turn. Her face was weathered and kind and she smiled at Grace but her eyes were sad.

  ‘This is Grace,’ Oli said. ‘Grace, meet Elena, Neil’s wife.’

  ‘Hello.’ They both nodded, understanding that Elena couldn’t shake hands right now, as she was gently stroking the dog’s head.

  Oli shrugged out of his coat and laid it on one of the sofas. He knelt next to the dog then gently removed the blanket, revealing her beautiful brindle coat. The dog blinked but didn’t move as Oli spoke to her, telling her what he was going to do before he even touched her. Grace stood back, not wanting to get in the way, but her heart was in her mouth as he conducted a full examination.

  When he’d finished, he sat back on his heels.