Christmas at Conwenna Cove

by Darcie Boleyn

  For the first time in years, Grace was actually living, not just existing as she had come to believe was okay. Looking back, it hadn’t been enough, but after losing Sam, she hadn’t wanted to feel such intense agonizing loss again. But by denying herself the right to feel, she had denied herself the right to a full and colourful life with all the joy that came from caring about other people.

  After breakfast, they all showered and dressed – Oli and the children in smart Christmas outfits and Grace in the clothes she’d worn the previous evening. But she knew she could change when she got back to Rosehip Cottage.

  They wrapped up warm in coats, hats and gloves. Grace put Hope’s new warm winter fleece on her that Oli had bought for the greyhound at Amy’s instruction. She’d seen it on Amazon and insisted that he ordered it the previous week and he’d agreed that it was a good idea.

  Then they trudged through the snow to Louise and Simon’s house, their breath like smoke in the air and their noses tingling with the cold. Grace led Hope along the least snowy places so her legs wouldn’t get too chilly. She’d already sent a text ahead to tell her mother to get a big fluffy towel ready to dry Hope’s feet when they arrived.

  Louise opened the door as they walked along the driveway and ushered them inside. The house smelt of roasting turkey, potatoes and all sorts of delicious side dishes, and when they entered the kitchen, Simon pressed glasses of champagne into their hands.

  ‘‘We’ve already had a bottle with breakfast,’ Grace told her father, but he shook his head.

  ‘It’s Christmas Day, Grace. And we’ve plenty to celebrate this year.’

  Amy and Tom knelt by the box in the corner and played with the kittens while their mother wound herself around Simon’s legs, almost tripping him up on several occasions. Simon refused all offers of help, so Grace was able to enjoy sitting with Oli and her mother and watching as Hope lay down next to the children.

  ‘She seems okay with the cats.’

  Oli nodded. ‘Might well have lived with some before. I was a bit apprehensive but she did have time to get used to being in the same room as them at the surgery, so they’re not completely strange to her. But, yes, I do think that she’s lived with other animals. We should keep an eye on her when she’s around the kittens but from what I’ve seen so far, there’s no need to worry.’

  ‘She only likes turkey crowns.’ Grace giggled.

  ‘Yes…’ Oli shook his head. ‘That’ll teach me not to leave food where she can reach it.’

  ‘Well, she can have some of your father’s cooking,’ Louise said, ‘and I’m sure that’ll stop her feeling the need to scrounge.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be so sure about that.’ Oli raised an eyebrow. ‘It’s learnt behaviour and goes back to how they grow up. If she wasn’t fed enough or had to search for her own food, then she’s in the habit and it could take a while for that to change. If it ever will.’

  ‘Oh, poor Hope.’ Grace shook her head. ‘I hate to think of her suffering.’

  ‘That part of her life is over, Grace. Everything is going to be much better for her from now on.’

  When Paul and Maxine arrived, Simon gave them flutes of champagne too. Christmas music filled the house, blaring from the TV in the lounge and the radio in the kitchen, and even better was the laughter from the adults and the children. Grace thought she might burst from smiling so much. It was wonderful to have so many people around on Christmas Day, and she had to admit that the children made it extra special.

  Dinner was a delightful affair, with Simon insisting that they all pulled crackers and wore the party hats, then Amy and Tom told the cheesy jokes that came from the crackers. They tucked into the piles of succulent turkey, fluffy roast potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli cheese, buttered carrots and creamy mashed swede and parsnip. Dessert was homemade Christmas pudding drenched in fine French brandy or hazelnut chocolate torte with thick clotted cream.

  ‘Simon and Louise, thank you so much for yet another fantastic dinner.’ Oli rubbed his full stomach.

  ‘It’s our pleasure again,’ Simon said, waving off the compliment.

  ‘It really was delicious.’ Paul raised his glass. ‘We owe the chef a toast.’

  ‘To Simon, but also to Louise and Grace,’ Maxine said as she raised her glass. ‘Welcome to Conwenna.’

  ‘Cheers!’ was repeated around the table then glasses were topped up again.

  ‘Shall we go through to the lounge and open the rest of the presents now?’ Louise asked.

  ‘More presents?’ Tom’s eyes widened.

  ‘Yes, Tom. You didn’t think we wouldn’t have anything for you did you?’

  ‘Amy did you hear that?’

  ‘Yes, Tom, of course I did. Thank you, Louise and Simon, it’s very kind of you.’

  ‘Do you want some help tidying up?’ Oli asked.

  ‘Not yet. Leave it until later. I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit full for dish duty yet.’ Simon patted his shirt front.

  They got up and made their way through to the lounge. Louise turned up the TV and Christmas hits filled the room. The fire was already lit and it filled the room with a comfortable warmth, fragranced with pine and rosemary. Around the fireplace, Louise had hung holly and mistletoe, and Tom went over and pointed at it.

  ‘What’s this?’

  ‘Holly,’ Grace said.

  ‘No, not that one… this.’ He pointed again.

  ‘That’s mistletoe,’ Louise replied. ‘It’s traditional to kiss under it.’

  Tom frowned then his expression changed and he pulled a sprig of mistletoe from the rest.

  ‘Tom! Don’t ruin Louise’s decorations.’ Oli shook his head.

  ‘It’s all right, Oli. He can take some.’ Louise sank onto one of the sofas and smiled at Tom.

  Grace gulped as she saw Tom approaching her and Oli where they were sitting on the sofa. He had mischief in his eyes and his tongue was poking from the corner of his mouth as he concentrated.

  ‘Daddy…’

  ‘Yes, Tom.’

  ‘Now you have to kiss Grace.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Kiss Grace.’

  ‘Oh… Tom, don’t be silly. It’s an old myth that’s all.’

  Tom shook his head. ‘Louise said.’

  Oli turned to Grace as Tom raised the mistletoe over their heads, his small arm stretched as far as it would go.

  ‘Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’ Tom shouted, then Amy joined in, ‘Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’

  Oli leant closer to Grace. ‘I guess we don’t have a choice.’

  ‘I’d hate to go against tradition.’

  She moved closer to Oli and he slid his hand around the back of her neck then lowered his mouth to meet hers. His lips were soft and tasted of champagne and his breath was warm against her skin.

  When they parted, Grace had to blink rapidly to focus again. The effect of Oli’s kiss was overwhelming.

  ‘There, that’s better,’ Tom said as he put the mistletoe on the table. ‘Now Daddy and Grace will get married and she can live with us.’

  He skipped over to the Christmas tree where Louise was waiting and sat down on the floor there with Amy.

  Oli took hold of Grace’s hand and squeezed it. ‘I’ve heard worse plans, you know.’

  ‘Really?’

  He shrugged. ‘It’s something to think about anyway.’

  Grace took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. Oli was actually suggesting that they consider getting married and become a family. It was almost too good to believe. But he’d said it and his children seemed comfortable with the idea, and she was staying in Conwenna now.

  Could it really happen?

  * * *

  Amy and Tom opened the gifts from Louise and Simon, and thanked them effusively for every one. Then it was time for the gifts from Grace.

  Amy opened the scarf with the stars on it and immediately wrapped it around her neck. Grace had also picked up a small bottle of perfume for Amy and some lip gloss, and
Amy sprayed herself with the perfume then slicked on some of the peach gloss.

  ‘It suits you, Amy,’ Grace said.

  ‘Thank you, Grace, I love them.’

  Tom held his gift up and turned it over in his hands.

  ‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ Oli asked him.

  ‘I want to, Daddy, but I’m nervous.’

  ‘Why are you nervous? You love opening presents.’

  ‘I do but… I made a wish on the cake at Amy’s birthday and I asked Santa for the same wish. If I open this then perhaps my wish won’t come true and Grace won’t be my new mummy.’ His eyes widened. ‘Ooops.’

  Grace glanced at Oli but he was smiling.

  ‘Is that what you wished for, Tom?’

  The little boy nodded. ‘But I’m not supposed to say anything.’

  ‘It’s okay. I’m sure no one knows. Now open your gift from Grace.’

  Tom nodded then unwrapped the box containing the castle.

  ‘Wow! Just what I always wanted.’

  ‘I’m so glad you like it.’ Grace smiled.

  ‘Will you build it with me?’

  ‘Of course. It’ll give us something to do over the holidays.’

  ‘Look, Amy, we can play with this… and there’s animals to go inside it.’

  ‘You’ve made one little boy and girl very happy indeed.’ Oli held her gaze. ‘And you make me very happy too.’

  ‘I’m glad. This has been a lovely Christmas… well, except for Tom going missing and that worked out all right in the end, so I need to thank you too.’

  ‘This is for you, Grace.’ Louise handed her a present from under the tree.

  ‘There’s one there for Oli too, Mum.’

  ‘Yes, here it is.’ Louise handed Oli the gift.

  ‘Bet you can’t guess what it is.’ Grace pointed at the bottle-shaped gift.

  ‘No idea…’ Oli frowned. He tore away the wrapping paper. ‘Mead, eh? Thank you, Grace. Never had this, but heard it’s good with cheese.’

  ‘That’s what it says on the bottle.’

  ‘Well, you’ll have to promise to enjoy it with me.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Now open yours.’

  Grace carefully unwrapped the small box then lifted the lid. Inside was a small silver charm in the shape of a figure eight.

  ‘It’s the eternity symbol,’ Oli explained. ‘Just so that you remember that a part of you will always be in Conwenna Cove and it will also always be with you.’

  She ran her finger over the charm. ‘It’s beautiful.’

  ‘You can read more into its significance if you wish,’ Oli whispered. ‘I’d like you to. And there’s something here to go with it.’

  He gave her another small box.

  ‘Oli, you shouldn’t have.’

  ‘I wanted to. Besides, when you open it you’ll understand.’

  Inside was a silver charm bracelet.

  ‘You need a charm bracelet to put the charms on.’

  ‘I have one for you too!’ Tom jumped up and ran over to her.

  ‘Tom, it’s supposed to be secret.’ Amy shook her head.

  ‘Not now it’s not.’

  Tom handed Grace a box and when she lifted the lid, inside was a small silver greyhound.

  ‘So you can always remember Hope and how she chose you.’ Tom grinned.

  ‘Here you are, Grace.’ Amy passed her a box. ‘This one is because you’re my friend.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Grace opened the box and found a silver heart with friends forever engraved on it. ‘Oh…’ Her vision blurred and she covered her face with her hands.

  ‘Don’t be sad, Grace, it’s a happy time.’ Tom pulled her hands away from her face.

  ‘Right, now that’s all the gifts exchanged, shall we play some games?’ Simon asked.

  ‘Yes please!’ Tom jumped up and down on the spot causing everyone to laugh.

  Oli took the charm bracelet from Grace then fixed the charms on it and fastened it around her wrist.

  ‘I’ll never take this off.’

  ‘Well… you might want to when you shower, but apart from that, don’t. It links us all together.’

  He glanced at the children, but they were helping Louise and Simon to get the boxes of games out of a cupboard in the corner, so he quickly kissed Grace’s cheek.

  ‘Merry Christmas, Grace.’

  Chapter 24

  ‘Are you ready for this?’ Grace asked her mum and dad for the fiftieth time that morning.

  ‘Yes, Grace. I’m ready.’ Louise nodded, but her face was pale and she had shadows under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept a wink.

  ‘Dad?’

  Simon wrapped an arm around his wife.

  ‘It’s time, Grace. We moved here to make the most of life and this is something we’ve needed to do for a long while, but the time just never seemed quite right. I’m sure Sam would want this.’

  Grace nodded. ‘Come on then.’

  She pulled on her coat and hat, slid her hands into her gloves then stuffed her feet into her boots. When she opened the front door, an icy wind whipped in around their legs.

  ‘Hope?’ she called and the greyhound appeared in the hallway. ‘You coming?’

  The dog jogged to her side, already wrapped up warm in the colourful fleece Oli had bought her with its matching snood from Maxine.

  They set out down the driveway then walked to the cliffs overlooking the cove. It was a bright morning and the sun was visible behind the cloud covering, a white-hot ball shielded by a fluffy screen. They made their way carefully down the path to the cove, Grace keeping a tight hold on Hope’s lead, and Simon holding onto his wife.

  When they reached the sand it was deserted. The tide was on its way out so they walked right up to where the waves gently lapped the shore.

  ‘Okay, girls.’ Simon slid an arm around each of them. ‘Let’s say goodbye to our boy.’

  Louise was holding the urn containing Sam’s ashes close to her chest. She raised it and kissed it gently, then handed it to Simon. ‘You do it.’

  ‘Sam, we loved you and we still love you. We will always love you. But keeping you in this… urn… isn’t what you’d have wanted. Today we’re releasing you, so you can roam the seas, travel to new places and see all the things you never had a chance to see when you were alive.’

  Louise grabbed Grace’s hand.

  ‘Goodbye my boy,’ Simon said, his voice breaking on the final word.

  ‘Goodbye, Sam,’ Grace said, as her father gently lowered the urn and scattered her brother’s ashes onto the water.

  They watched silently, as the waves carried Sam away, then Grace opened her arms as her mother broke down.

  ‘He’s at peace now, Mum, and he’ll be all around us. In the water, the air, the trees, the grass, the sand…’ Her own throat ached with the effort of holding her tears back. Next to her Hope whined, clearly concerned, so Grace gave her a gentle stroke.

  ‘That was difficult but also kind of liberating. Sam would have been glad to set off like that. Just think of all the places he’ll go now.’

  Simon hugged his wife until she stopped crying.

  ‘Shall we go and get a warm drink?’ he asked.

  ‘I’ll catch you up,’ Grace said. ‘Take Hope with you so she doesn’t get too cold.’

  Simon took Hope’s lead and Grace kissed her head then turned back to the waves as her parents walked away. She needed a moment to catch her breath, to process what they’d just done and to let go of the pain in her heart.

  The past week had been wonderful. She’d spent it with Oli and the children, as well as with her parents. They’d played games, eaten lots of delicious meals and she’d got to know Amy and Tom even better. Hope was recovering well, and the antibiotics and good food she’d been given had aided her progress. She was like Grace’s shadow, following her around and even sleeping in her room, and Grace already loved the dog, just as she loved Oli and his children.

  Her parent
s had discussed scattering Sam’s ashes on New Year’s Eve as a way of starting the new year afresh. They hadn’t wanted to leave him in Cardiff and had kept his ashes all this time, waiting until they found the right place to let him go. The cove was perfect and Grace knew he’d have been happy to drift away on the sea. He’d always wanted to travel, but had known his parents were terrified of the impact it could have on his health, so he’d kept his dreams between him and Grace. She knew Louise and Simon had regrets about how they’d handled Sam’s care, and they’d shared their sadness with her and their suspicions that they’d held their son back because of their own fears. Grace had tried to comfort them by telling them Sam had been an adult and he could have gone away if he’d chosen to do so. But he hadn’t, because he’d loved them and wanted to be with them for as long as he could. Travelling could have been a good thing for him, but Grace kept these thoughts to herself. Hindsight could lead to more pain and she didn’t want her parents to suffer any more than they already had. Sam had loved them and they had loved him and that was all that really mattered in the end.

  ‘Grace?’

  She turned to find Oli standing beside her.

  ‘How are you feeling?’

  She sniffed. ‘It’s a strange one, that’s for sure. But I’m glad they’ve let him go now and I know he would be too.’

  Oli took her hand and raised it to his lips then slipped her glove down and kissed her palm. His tenderness sent shivers of delight throughout her body and warmed her right through.

  ‘Oli… will you tell me how you’re feeling?’

  He nodded. ‘Meeting you a few weeks ago was a shock. I never expected to ever find a woman I could want to be with again. I grieved so hard for Linda and it was something I thought I’d never get over. Then I saw you in the café that day with your bright red hair and lively eyes, your cute freckles and gorgeous curves and you just took my breath away.’

  She smiled at his compliments.

  ‘Then I got to know you and I realized that I’d been completely shut down. You started to open me up, to get to me, and in spite of my fears about the children and whether it was too soon for us to be together, I couldn’t help myself. I just wanted to be with you. You’re wonderful, Grace, and I love you.’