A Country Village Christmas

by Suzanne Snow

  They were relishing Logan’s stories of growing up with a dad who flew helicopter tours and a mum who was a stand-up comedian. The four of them swapped tales of travelling, and Olivia smiled at Ellie’s passion and her love of the sea.

  The young couple were interested to hear of Tom’s time as an actor and he kept them amused with stories of some of the people he had met and worked with over the years. He was also interested in their respective studies and plans for future careers, hearing about Logan’s wish to consult in renewable marine energy and Ellie planning to base herself in the West Indies to begin a career in marine biology and oceanography.

  University life suited her bright and beautiful daughter and Olivia was so pleased to see how happy Ellie and Logan still were together. When they all eventually got up to leave, after Christmas pudding and coffee, it was almost eleven and a sharp frost, though sadly not the snow Logan had longed for, gleamed outside.

  Ellie didn’t need much persuading from Logan to go for a late-night walk and Olivia exchanged a smile with Tom as she remembered doing the same thing a week ago. Logan tugged his hat lower and tightened his scarf, still muttering about the cold. Ellie never seemed to feel it, darting in front of him with her coat unbuttoned.

  The young couple promised to make the hot drinks this time when they returned, if the ‘older’ ones could stay awake that long. Olivia watched them heading along the green, feet crunching in the frost, and they turned into a lane out of sight as Tom unlocked the house.

  ‘It’s been a really lovely evening, thank you for joining us.’ It was more pleasant inside the house and Olivia pulled the door shut, leaving it unlocked. ‘I think Ellie and Logan really liked your company and appreciated your interest in them.’

  Tom was hanging up his coat and Olivia wondered about lighting the sitting room fire or if it was too late to bother.

  ‘I think it’s me who should be thanking you, Olivia.’ He was standing nearby and touched her hand. ‘It was kind of you to include me.’

  ‘We all wanted you there, Tom.’ Her voice was just as low, allowing herself to reveal the pleasure his company had brought. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it.’

  ‘Ellie is delightful and it’s obvious where she gets her mischievous nature from. I have a feeling we were being properly set up.’

  ‘She does make me laugh, bless her.’ Olivia headed into the kitchen, aware of Tom behind her. ‘It’s as though she thinks we’re not capable of deciding whether we can take ourselves on a date without her interfering. Especially when we have all this time alone in the house.’

  ‘I think we’re good at avoiding the issue.’

  ‘What issue would that be?’ Olivia was investigating the drinks cupboard, checking to see if there was enough brandy left to add a splash to the cider Ellie was planning to mull. She straightened, a bottle in her hand, to find Tom staring at her with an expression suddenly serious.

  ‘How we feel about one another.’

  She put the bottle of brandy down, suddenly edgy. ‘Friends, like we said. Maybe good friends and I love how we laugh together.’ She picked the brandy up again, her voice tremulous. ‘It’s only been a fortnight, Tom. I’ve done this before and I won’t make the same mistake again. I won’t let myself rush into something mad and be the one left behind.’

  ‘Is it fair to judge what we might be against what happened before?’ Tom was running an agitated hand through his hair. ‘What if it’s more than friends, Olivia? What if I can see the days and weeks running away into next year and I don’t want to go, to stop doing this.’

  ‘This?’ she whispered the word, put the bottle down again. ‘Sharing a house, you mean? Isn’t that all we’re doing?’

  ‘We’re back, Logan was freezing!’ The front door banged shut and then Ellie crashed into the kitchen, Logan right behind her as she looked from Tom to Olivia. ‘Hope we’re not interrupting anything?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Olivia said casually. She picked up the bottle, tempted to neck a mouthful. ‘I’ve found the brandy.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tom headed out for a run on Sunday morning, leaving Olivia time with Ellie and Logan to exchange Christmas gifts. Later Olivia planned to cook brunch before the three of them visited her dad in his flat and then Ellie and Logan would catch the train back down to university in Plymouth.

  Annie had replied to Olivia’s message of congratulations for her and Jon’s baby daughter, sending a picture of an adorable bundle snugged in Jon’s arms beneath his huge beaming smile. They were hopefully coming home early next week and Annie had already invited Olivia to pop in and meet the baby.

  Olivia, Ellie and Logan settled down in the sitting room to exchange stockings, the Christmas tree that she and Tom had decorated flickering nearby. The tree had not gone unremarked upon last night by Ellie as she’d raised knowing eyebrows at Olivia and examined the decorations she, too, hadn’t seen for years. The four of them had sat up and talked long into the night with their mulled cider.

  Ellie was thrilled with her stocking, filled with goodies and a bottle of the perfume she adored. As always Olivia had included a nod to her childhood and her grandad’s world, this time with a copy of The Secret Garden she had found in the bookshop. She had been giving Ellie books all her life, adding to a collection that was divided between this house and Olivia’s apartment. Logan never seemed to have enough hats and he was chuffed with the one that Olivia had put in his stocking, along with the bookmark she had found him from the Christmas market.

  Tom was back in time for the four of them to enjoy a lazy brunch before Ellie and Logan had to say goodbye. Tom shook Logan’s hand and he seemed slightly taken aback when Ellie reached up to hug him. Olivia had no idea what words Ellie was busy imparting to him but they made him smile, whatever they were. Olivia had invited him to join her on the visit to her dad but he’d declined, telling her it was family time.

  Olivia drove Ellie and Logan to the retirement flats and as always Hugh was overjoyed to see them. It made Olivia want to cry as she saw his pride in his granddaughter, joining in her excitement over her travels with Logan. They stayed for an hour and then it was time to head for the station and Olivia couldn’t dismiss the knot in her stomach at the thought of Ellie being away again for Christmas.

  Before they left, Olivia tried to persuade her dad one last time to join her at the carol service in Thorndale this evening. He refused again, telling her firmly that she didn’t need to be driving him home again afterwards in the dark. She had no other choice but to accept his decision, hiding her disappointment that he wasn’t going to be there. He’d made plans to have supper with another resident instead and she was glad that he was finding new company he enjoyed.

  She shared a hug with Logan in the station car park and he tactfully left them alone so she and Ellie could say goodbye. Both women had tears hovering now and Olivia held her daughter tightly, smiling at Ellie’s insistence that she really liked Tom and what was her mum going to do about it? Very likely nothing was Olivia’s silent answer to that, and she made Ellie promise to send pictures of the celebration Ellie’s paternal grandparents were planning to hold.

  They arranged to Zoom on Christmas Day and then Ellie was gone, running to join Logan on the platform and jump on the train before it left them behind. Tomorrow they would fly out to Tobago and Olivia waved until the train was out of sight, swallowing back her gloom. She drove back to Thorndale through the gathering darkness, warmed by thought of Tom already being in the house. She was still thinking over his comment from last night, when they’d returned from the pub, wondering whether there could actually be more for them after Christmas had passed and the season had lost its sparkle.

  He was in the library working, the door closed, and she was just able to freshen up before it was time to leave for the carol service. She thought about knocking to let Tom know and decided not to, not wanting to disturb him unnecessarily. To her surprise the door flew open as she was putting her coat back on and T
om burst into the hall.

  ‘Hey.’ He grinned at her, reached for his coat too. ‘Did Ellie and Logan get away okay?’

  ‘Yes, fine thanks, just in time. Ellie will let me know when they’re back.’

  ‘Good.’ Tom was winding a scarf around his neck. ‘How was your dad?’

  ‘So happy to see them. Stubborn, still refusing to come to the carol service. I can’t remember the last time he missed it.’ Olivia was staring at Tom. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘Same as you, I imagine.’

  ‘The carol service? Why?’

  ‘Also the same as you. I think I’ll enjoy it and it’s another of those new old traditions we talked about.’

  Tom held the door open and followed her outside. He offered her his arm and she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. Groups of people were already making their way to church and she and Tom slipped in amongst them. Lights glowed in and outside houses and someone – Olivia guessed Charlie – had managed to fix a huge star to the top of the church tower and it was doing a marvellous job of lighting the way.

  ‘Sam will be disappointed not to have my dad there,’ Olivia remarked. ‘He usually does a reading at the service and she’s got me instead.’

  ‘You’ll be great. I have every confidence in you.’

  ‘Thanks for that.’ Olivia liked how Tom found her hand to squeeze it. ‘Any tips?’

  ‘Don’t forget your lines.’

  There was a droll note in Tom’s voice and for a second she didn’t know whether to laugh, her mind arrowing back to his pained recollection of forgetting his own onstage. He decided for her, leaning into her with a wink. Relief flooded through Olivia, understanding that he felt comfortable enough to joke with her about something that weighed heavy on his heart. They weren’t far from the church now and she could already see candles flickering in the stained-glass windows.

  ‘I should be fine, there’ll be a bible to read from. It might even be large print if I’m lucky.’

  ‘Shame.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I like you in glasses. It’s sexy.’

  ‘Stop trying to distract me.’ Olivia nudged him with her elbow as they strolled inside and found seats. ‘I don’t need to be thinking about you thinking about me whilst I’m reading.’

  The church was lit by more candles and filled with vases of gleaming holly, winter flowering jasmine and viburnum nestling with Christmas box and adding a layer of scent. The brass brand was back, already playing carols, and a small choir was busily shuffling music. It was beautiful, seasonal and special, and Olivia recognised quite a few people she had once known better than she did now.

  Some stopped by to ask after her dad, and she couldn’t miss how attention lingered on Tom. Only one or two tried to draw him into conversation and she introduced him as her dad’s friend. Tom was polite and patient, and she saw also how curious eyes went to her, at his side, trying to measure their friendship and whether he really was who they thought he might be.

  It was a glimpse into his world, a reminder of the one she had briefly shared with Jared. She thought about the attention Tom had lived with for much of his career, especially since he had played his most famous role. Just then Sam came over with Esther, who was excited and doing her best to escape from Sam’s arms. Olivia wished that Ellie, Logan and her dad were here with her, sharing this last Sunday evening before Christmas Day. Sam pulled out her phone, clinging on to Esther with one arm, to find the latest photos and news about Annie and Jon’s baby, who looked gorgeous.

  Charlie welcomed everyone as the service began and the brass band launched into ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’. Olivia felt a rush of affection for the season, the familiarity of all she had used to love doing with her family. It felt wonderful to sing again and she felt a thrill when Tom’s baritone voice joined with hers to rise and fall on the differing notes.

  Carol followed reading throughout the service and when it was Olivia’s turn, she took her time to read the verses from Luke’s gospel about the visit of the angel Gabriel and his foretelling of the birth of Jesus. They sang ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ straight after, and Tom reached for her hand as she retook her place at his side, letting her know with his gesture that he thought she’d read well.

  Somehow they didn’t quite manage to let go until they stood for the next carol. Eventually Charlie led the final prayers and invited everyone to sing carols outside beneath the star at the top of the church. Most people braved the chill, huddling together as the children took off in search of treats in the hall next door.

  Singing outdoors in the darkness felt even more special and Olivia’s hand found Tom’s again, slipping her fingers through his. Such a simple gesture and one she sensed was moving them to something more than the friends they already were. The carols were over far too soon, and she looked at him, catching his gaze softening on hers.

  ‘Do you want to go home?’ She couldn’t explain why she’d said home to Tom when her dad’s place had long been his and his alone. ‘Back to the house, I mean. There are a few people eyeing you and if we hang around I think you might be swallowed up. There’s already some speculation on Twitter as to who “Tom” might be and Mrs Timms looks ready to elbow everyone out of the way to get to you.’

  ‘Home sounds good.’ Tom shook Olivia’s arm gently, tightening his hold on her fingers. ‘I’m getting hungry and it really must be your turn to cook supper.’

  ‘Will soup do? There’s some left over from lunch yesterday.’

  ‘I guess it’ll have to.’ He was grinning. ‘Come on, let’s go, Mrs Timms definitely means business. I think she’s got designs on me.’

  ‘For what?’ Olivia was choking back laughter as they said good night to the people around them and hurried back on to the darkened lane.

  ‘She mentioned something the other day when I popped into the cafe about an amateur dramatics production she’s involved in. I didn’t get any further, I made my excuses and escaped.’

  ‘Is she trying to persuade you to take the lead?’

  ‘Doubt it, I wouldn’t put it past her to cast me in the chorus.’

  The house felt welcoming, the light in the library still on when they let themselves back in. Olivia glanced at her phone, but it was too soon for Ellie and Logan to be back in Plymouth. They didn’t check in on each other that much, but Olivia did like to know that Ellie had arrived safely whenever she was travelling.

  She and Tom settled in the sitting room after finishing off the soup and some cheese from yesterday. Olivia had wondered if he would go back to writing and was pleased when he joined her. He was carrying a book as he dropped onto the sofa opposite her chair and pulled off his boots.

  ‘Is that Tolkien you’re reading?’ She pointed to his hand.

  ‘No.’ Tom lifted the book to show her. ‘It’s A Christmas Carol. I read it every year and I’m a bit late starting this time.’ He stretched out on the sofa, resting his head on a cushion. ‘I thought I might read it to you if you like?’

  ‘Out loud?’ Olivia didn’t manage to disguise her surprise.

  ‘That’s generally the idea if we’re going to do it together. It’s not compulsory.’ He shifted his glance to the phone still in her hand. ‘Only if you want to hear it. I thought maybe you’d like a distraction, after leaving Ellie at the station and not seeing her for Christmas.’

  Oh, she didn’t need thoughtfulness. Not on top of those dark good looks, blue eyes softened with a new tenderness and that clever, sharp mind seeming able to read hers at times. He was much easier to dismiss when they had been avoiding one another, keeping to the pretence that they were merely friends.

  ‘I’d love that.’ Olivia put the phone on the floor. ‘I was just checking to see if there was anything from her but it’s too soon.’

  ‘What about work? Your clients?’

  ‘Are you being sarcastic? It’s the last Sunday evening before Christmas!’

  ‘Of course I wasn’t. I don’t want to
keep you from something you feel you ought to be doing.’

  ‘You’re definitely not doing that. Please, read. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be right now.’

  Surprised to find that was the truth, Olivia snuggled into her armchair. She had a moment to wonder whether she ought to have brought them drinks but Tom had already started and now she didn’t want to leave. His voice was one of the things she had been most attracted by when they had first met, and she found it utterly delightful to be read to.

  She listened, his reading soothing, melodic, as he began by saying that there was no doubt of Marley being dead and of Scrooge knowing it. She hadn’t been read to since she was a child and as Tom carried on, she found the experience deeply moving and powerfully intoxicating. Her eyes felt heavy and she was cosy, comfortable, tucked into her chair beside the fire on a winter’s night, the Christmas tree flickering between the scarlet curtains drawn against the dark.

  ‘Hey.’ Olivia started as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, blinking to see Tom crouched before her. ‘Sorry to wake you.’

  ‘I wasn’t asleep.’ She tried to drag her thoughts into some kind of order and forgot all of them as she saw the playfulness in his gaze.

  ‘You definitely were. I’m sure I’ve put some audiences off in the past, but I’ve never had one fall asleep on me quite so blatantly before.’

  ‘I wasn’t! I mean, I didn’t plan to.’ She covered her face with a hand, peeping at him from between her fingers. ‘Did I really?’

  ‘You really did.’ Tom straightened up and she was sorry and relieved all at once, he looked delicious and very close. ‘I’ll forgive you because you were so peaceful, curled up on the chair and snuffling, like Piglet. I’ve never seen you that relaxed.’

  He had been so near, she would only have had to lift a hand to reach his face, tilt her own forward to find his lips. She wanted to touch him, to trace her thanks onto his skin and follow it up with more. Olivia blinked back the thought in her sleepy confusion, sure her desire was already written on her face. Where would it take them if they acted on this attraction, always there no matter how hard they ignored it. Where would they both be, come January and the New Year, the old life?