Season's Meetings

by Amy Dunne

  “Come on, there’s plenty of time for that later,” Holly said. She stood and nodded toward Catherine’s wellies. “As you’re dressed for the occasion, you can take Kimmy outside and I’ll start making breakfast. Are scrambled eggs and smoked salmon okay?”

  The ravenous growl from Catherine’s stomach was answer enough.

  *

  The weather outside was bitterly cold but glorious. Blue sky without a cloud in sight and dazzling winter sun, which was almost blinding when reflected off the snow. Catherine crunched happily through the snow wearing her new wellies. A tug on the lead snapped her out of her daydreams, and she wandered over to where Kimmy was flicking snow with her hind paws to try to cover up her excrement.

  When she was done, Catherine bent down with a bag on her hand. Before she picked it up, something caught her eye. The turd was glinting in the sunshine. On slightly closer inspection Catherine discerned the golden strands of glitter.

  She called for Holly to come out and shoulder to shoulder they both looked down.

  Holly tilted her head, a frown creasing her brow. “I suppose it’s festive.”

  “Very festive.” Catherine gave a nod. “It’s not every day you get to pick up a steaming golden poo.”

  “Exactly. Tinsel really can decorate anything. Who’d have known it was so versatile?”

  “Should we be concerned about her insides?” Catherine asked. “Surely, it’s dangerous for dogs to ingest tinsel?” Her shoulders tensed with the burden of guilt. This was the very reason she couldn’t take on the commitment of having a pet. Having full responsibility for an innocent living creature’s health and life was terrifying. And worse still, no matter how well you treated and looked after them, one day they had to die. She wasn’t equipped to cope with the heartbreak. “I should’ve kept more of an eye on her. Why didn’t I listen to you yesterday, instead of trying to show off by chasing her? I’ll never forgive myself if something bad happens to her. Maybe we should call a vet? At the very least, I should tell Fiona. I’ll take full responsibility fo—”

  “Stop. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Holly said. “I think the main thing is, it’s passed through with no problems. She seems perfectly fine. Don’t you think?”

  Catherine looked down at Kimmy who sat studying them, head cocked, ears pricked, and her mouth open, showing tiny white teeth and a pink tongue. It looked suspiciously like she was smiling. “She seems to be in great spirits. I’d even go as far as to say she seems amused by it all,” Catherine said.

  “Exactly. We’ll keep a close eye on her today.” Holly gently stroked Catherine’s back. “We’re in this together. Okay?”

  “Okay.” The weight partially lifted from Catherine’s shoulders. She reached down to clear up the mess. She was anxious to get on to the next phase of celebration for Holly.

  *

  Breakfast was delicious. Once again, Holly demonstrated what a domestic goddess she was. The smoked salmon and scrambled eggs were complemented perfectly by the cold glasses of champagne mixed with orange juice.

  It had taken some serious negotiating skills to convince Holly to go shower by herself. As tempting as the offer was to join her, it took all of Catherine’s resolve to resist. Holly finally stopped persisting and accepted the excuse Catherine offered up. Kimmy couldn’t be left unsupervised, and it’d be cruel to return her to her crate so soon.

  As soon as Holly disappeared, Catherine leapt into action. In no time at all she had blown up the balloons and tied them using ribbon, hung the foil banner, and stabbed the cake with several candles. Holly’s birthday card rested on the table beside Catherine’s tablet and earphones. Time ticked away far too quickly, and in fifteen minutes, Holly’s first surprise was due to take place. Catherine wasn’t sure how to hurry Holly up without giving the secret away. To make matters worse, Kimmy showed a tremendous amount of interest in the balloons and the items atop the table. Her incessant sniffing suggested the cake was almost beyond temptation.

  In a desperate attempt to distract her, Catherine gave her one of the Christmas presents she’d bought her: a ball decorated to look like a Christmas pudding. She hastily removed the tags and sent it rolling across the kitchen floor.

  Kimmy bounded after the ball in a fit of canine delight, batting it from side to side with her front paws. Catherine’s relief was short-lived when the most irritating high-pitched shrill reverberated through the cabin. The ball’s sounds were the squeaky equivalent of nails across a blackboard. Catherine gave chase, but once again Kimmy was too fast and saw the whole thing as a game. In desperation, Catherine resorted to grabbing a carrot from the fridge and crawling on her hands and knees. Kimmy showed little interest. Suitably full from breakfast and having the time of her life with her new squeak-tastic ball, the carrot held no appeal.

  “That’s possibly the most irritating sound I’ve ever heard.”

  Catherine and Kimmy looked up at the same time. Holly stood in the bedroom doorway. She wore jeans and the blue woollen jumper with the Christmas tree on the front. The pendant chain hung around her neck, which gave Catherine a warm, fuzzy feeling.

  In a flash, Kimmy sprinted over to Holly and dived into a dramatic bow, dropping the ball at her feet. Holly picked up the slather-coated ball.

  “She bowed for you again,” Catherine said. “And I’ve been trying for five minutes to get her to drop that ball.”

  Holly threw the ball at Catherine, who only just managed to catch it. “I guess she knows who’s boss.” Holly strolled toward the archway leading to the kitchen.

  “Wait!” Catherine said. She rushed to block her off. “There’s something I want to do. Can you wait here a minute?”

  One of Holly’s eyebrows arched and she folded her arms. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Catherine said. She edged backward into the kitchen. “Just a minute.” She rushed around the table and fumbled with the lighter. After scorching her thumb twice on the metal tip, all the candles were lit. A glance at her watch showed she had under ten minutes before the real surprise. “You can come in now.”

  Holly entered the room cautiously. Her eyes widened, her face turned pink, and her mouth broke out in a gorgeous smile.

  With a tentative cough and hands balled into fists at her sides, Catherine began singing. “Happy birthday to—”

  Kimmy rushed in and planted her paws, hackles raised. She lifted her head high, and howled with conviction. Catherine glared but the howling continued. She shook her head in amused frustration and looked to Holly for support but found none. Tears of laughter streamed down her cheeks. She hugged her sides, shaking with each gasping chuckle.

  Catherine motioned to the cake. “Oh, forget the song. If you don’t hurry up and blow these bloody candles out, there’s going to be more molten wax than cake.”

  Holly managed to dispel the lit candles with one big puff. Grinning, she wrapped her arms around Catherine’s neck and pulled her in close. “Thank you. It’s a lovely surprise.”

  Catherine gave a shrug. “It didn’t go quite how I’d planned.”

  Holly laughed and gently lifted Catherine’s chin with a finger. “It was perfect. It’s the first surprise birthday party I’ve ever had. And having a singing collaboration from you and Kimmy, well, that’s been the highlight of my day so far. You could make a fortune with doggy duet if you went on TV.”

  Catherine smiled. “I taught her everything she knows.”

  “Of course you did. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.” Holly planted the lightest of kisses on the corner of Catherine’s mouth.

  Fighting against the desire to kiss her back, Catherine pulled away and offered out a knife. “I know we’ve only just eaten, but we ought to have a little slice of this humongous cake. Will you do the honours, birthday girl?”

  “It’ll be my pleasure.” Holly took the knife and sliced into the cake. Catherine held the plates while Holly dished out a small slab on each. They’d barely made a dint in the beast
of a cake; there was still enough cake to feed half of Athegither. “Cheers,” she said, tapping Catherine’s fork with her own.

  “Cheers.” The cake was nice, but wary of time, Catherine wolfed it down.

  “You really like cake,” Holly said with a smile. She still had most of hers left.

  Catherine gave a nod and discarded the empty plate. She rounded the table, picked up the birthday card, and presented it to Holly.

  Holly opened the envelope carefully and read the message. Before she could speak Catherine spoke first. “Your birthday gift’s inside the envelope.”

  Holly searched the envelope and took out the thin piece of paper and unfolded it. She scanned the text and frowned. “Catherine—”

  “I know what you’re going to say. Please hear me out.” Catherine held her hands up in surrender. She was aware time was almost up, and having Holly angry at her would ruin it. “The snow chains are a gift for your birthday, but they’re also a selfish gift on my part. We’ll both feel safer travelling to Beth’s. More importantly, I’ll feel an immense amount of relief knowing, for however many winters to come, that you’ll be safer when you venture out. So please accept them, Holly. Don’t think about the price, because they’re a gift. Just like I’m not going to mention the earrings you got me are obviously well over the budget we agreed.”

  Holly’s face hosted a whole range of emotions, but after a few seconds, she gave a nod. “I guess I’ll feel a lot safer with them. I know I’ve already said it a million times today, but thank you.”

  “Glad you see sense.” Catherine pulled out a chair from under the table. “I have another surprise.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. I need you to sit down here, plug these earphones in, and close your eyes.”

  Holly looked confused but sat as requested. Catherine removed Holly’s plate to one side. When Catherine handed her the earphones, she hesitated and searched Catherine’s face.

  “Do you trust me?” Catherine asked, her heart beating a little bit faster.

  “Totally,” Holly said. She plugged her ears and clenched her eyes shut.

  Catherine quickly set up her tablet. The screen flashed, and when faces appeared she plugged the earphones in.

  Holly physically jumped from the sound. Her eyes flew open and she stared at the screen in disbelief. After three quick blinks, her hands shot to her mouth, and she let out a gasp.

  Catherine’s work was done for the time being, so she stepped away from the table. She watched Holly closely, storing everything to memory, especially the expressions and the few stray tears of what she hoped indicated joy.

  “Mum? Dad? Shit! How’s this even possible?” Holly asked. Listening to an answer Catherine couldn’t hear, Holly nodded at the screen, and then looked over to her. Swallowing and clutching her chest, she mouthed the words, “thank you.”

  Catherine shot her a wink and left the kitchen, patting her thigh for Kimmy to follow her into the bedroom. Her plan for at least the next thirty minutes was to take Kimmy for a walk so Holly could have some privacy while talking with her family in Canada.

  *

  Athegither was beautiful in the sunlight. The snow complemented the postcard scenery, and the rolling hillsides were the perfect backdrop. While Kimmy sniffed everything, Catherine took the opportunity to sightsee.

  The aroma of home cooking wafted on the faintest of breezes throughout the quaint village. Trying to hide her nosiness, Catherine stole peeks into the windows of the houses she passed and saw children playing with various toys while adults joined in or looked on. Everyone seemed happy and it was contagious. Catherine returned the waves and greetings to the few strangers she passed, feeling a spring in her step and a transformation deep inside. She didn’t believe in souls, but it was almost as if the essence of her being had changed. She felt like a different person. A happier person.

  Seeing the families together, and the festive chaos ruling over them, struck a chord. Catherine found herself thinking of how wonderful it would be to have her own little family gathered around on Christmas Day, the noise, anarchy, good cheer, and laughter to treasure. She’d never allowed herself to contemplate such daydreams before, but now they wouldn’t leave her mind or heart. She could easily picture their small son and daughter chasing after Kimmy, who would run circles around them with something in her mouth she shouldn’t have. Holly rushing around in the kitchen, while Catherine, surrounded by boxes, tried to assemble some kind of complex children’s toy. The vision was so vivid, an ache settled in her chest. A maternal desire, deep and primal, ignited inside of her.

  “Come on, Kimmy.” She looked down at the cute little grey face. “Let’s head back. I think this Scottish air is making me go soft in the head.” Although the previous night spent with Holly had been spectacular, the overzealous confidence administered by the alcohol had worn off. In the cold, sober light of day, her actions seemed like a betrayal of Beth’s trust. Had Beth planned to set them up? She still wasn’t sure, but there was an awful lot more doubt now than there had been the night before. She’d have to wait until they spoke later today, and then try to gauge Beth’s intentions. She knew it was foolish, but she pinned all her hopes on it being true, as thinking otherwise was unbearable.

  She’d let her body succumb to its carnal pleasures and in the aftermath now possibly faced losing Beth, Katie, and Florence. The trouble was, as much as she regretted putting her relationship with Beth and her little family in harm’s way, she knew she’d do the same thing again in a heartbeat. She cared for Holly a great deal, far more than she was prepared to admit. She was like a moth, drawn helplessly to a flame. When she was with Holly, nothing else mattered. And that was what worried her. She was prepared to risk getting burned, but it wasn’t fair to draw other people in. If she wasn’t careful, her relationship with Beth might disintegrate into ash before her very eyes.

  As she walked Kimmy down the path to their cabin, she met Alistair on his way back up.

  “Hello there,” he said cheerily.

  “Merry Christmas, Alistair,” Catherine said.

  “Merry Christmas to you, too. Isn’t it a perfect day? And how’s my little wee girl doing, eh?” he asked, bending down to give Kimmy a fuss.

  “It’s a beautiful day.” Catherine watched as Kimmy bowed to him. She bit her lip to mask her frustration. “Did you get anything nice for Christmas?”

  “Oh, aye,” he said, standing up straight. “I got some new golf clubs. The wife really spoilt me this year.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. And what did you get her?” Catherine asked, remembering the big box of chocolates and Fiona’s prediction.

  “I got her a box of her favourite chocolates.”

  Catherine tried to hide her grimace. “Oh. Lovely.”

  “It’s a wee tradition we have. I also got her a snazzy necklace,” he said with a chuckle. “Good job, or else I think she’d have had my guts for garters.”

  Catherine nodded. “I think you might be right.”

  “Anyway, I’ve dropped off the dining supplies for your Christmas dinner. I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise Holly didn’t know. I didn’t mean to ruin the surprise.” His cheeks flushed and he looked genuinely embarrassed. “I’ll no doubt have a scolding when the wife finds out.”

  Catherine was a little disappointed she’d missed Holly’s reaction, but could tell Alistair’s apology was sincere. As was his fear of Fiona’s reprimand. “It’s fine. She’d have found out sooner rather than later anyway. Thank you for bringing the supplies.”

  “It’s nay bother.”

  Catherine noticed a smudge of brown on his chin. “You have a little something just here,” she said, pointing to the same spot on her own chin.

  “Oh.” He quickly wiped his face. “Holly was kind enough to offer me a slice of birthday cake. It would’ve been rude to decline. Although it might be best not to mention it to the wife. She’s had me on a healthy diet for months.” His face turned bright red. “I’m the
laughingstock of Athegither. What I wouldn’t give for a big hunk of meat and some greasy chips.” He wet his lips wistfully.

  “Well, your secret’s safe with me.”

  “Thank you, darling. I appreciate it. I’d better head back before she wonders what I’ve been up to. I’ll pop down later with the food. Cheerio.”

  “See you later.” Catherine led Kimmy down to the cabin. Inside, she removed her wellies and dried Kimmy’s paws. Holly had cleared the kitchen table of the cake and balloons. A crisp white tablecloth covered the surface. Two unlit red candles stood in the middle and fancy napkins in holders rested by the placemats. The table had been set for an intimate feast with expensive-looking china dishes.

  Catherine unclipped Kimmy and went in search of Holly. She found her in the bedroom tying the balloons to the bottom of the bed frame.

  “You’re amazing.” Holly jumped on her and covered her in kisses. “We get to share Christmas dinner by ourselves in our little cabin. Alistair said they’ll deliver the food after one. When did you arrange all of this?”

  “Yesterday while you were at the garage.”

  “How on earth did you get in touch with my parents? They’re thirteen hours ahead.”

  “I spoke to Katie and we sorted it out together. I had to promise we’d speak to her and Beth at five this afternoon. Is that okay?”

  Holly laughed. “Of course it is. My parents asked me to pass on their gratitude. They’re impressed by all accounts.”

  Catherine shuffled her feet and shoved her hands in her pockets, uncomfortable with the gushing attention. “It was nothing.”

  “It was incredible. I have to ask, though. You don’t have any more tricks up your sleeve, do you? I’m not sure I can cope. You’ve turned me into an emotional wreck.”

  Tapping the side of her nose with her index finger, Catherine attempted to appear secretive. She only had one small surprise left and it wouldn’t cause anywhere near as big waves as the first two. She decided to keep quiet. “I need a shower.”

  Holly stepped back and smiled mischievously. “Actually, I’ve drawn us a bubble bath.”