Stolen

by Susan Lewis

  ‘She spent the whole of last week with you all,’ Lucy reminded him heatedly, ‘and where were you? Working.’

  ‘She’s still got aunts, uncles, cousins and a grandfather…’

  ‘Who’s never been interested in anyone but himself.’

  ‘He’s still family. We all are, and you don’t get exclusive rights …’

  ‘Joe, let it go. You’re only going to make this more difficult for her than it already is, because obviously she’d rather we were all together, but since that can’t happen anyway, with Ben in New Zealand …’

  ‘Just tell me this,’ he broke in savagely, ‘how come you get to have everything your way, while I seem to get sweet FA?’

  Exasperated by his self-pity, she said, ‘I’m sorry if that’s how you’re seeing it.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s exactly how I see it. She’s my daughter, I want to spend Christmas with her and I’m damned well going to.’

  ‘Stop putting yourself first all the time. She’s already made plans for the next few days …’

  ‘Then I’ll come there.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. You know very well that won’t work …’

  ‘So that’s it then? No Christmas, no kids, and no effing marriage, because you’ve decided you don’t want it any more. And no Hollywood movie, because you don’t want that either, even though you know what a fantastic break it would be for me.’

  Since she’d had that argument with him too many times already, she hadn’t bothered to remind him that neither John nor Rose was interested in selling the film rights of their story either. Nor was there any guarantee anyone would want to cast him if they did – in fact she couldn’t imagine that they would. However, what the interested producers might or might not do hardly mattered, since the film wasn’t going to happen, so all she’d done was end the call as agreeably as she could and send a text later to tell him he’d be welcome if he wanted to come on Boxing Day. It was when Rose’s sister Sheila was coming over from France with her daughter and son-in-law, so still not ideal, but at least he wouldn’t get a chance to spoil the wonderful Christmas Day they had planned. The text she’d received back had told her to go to hell. Later, however, he’d sent another to Hanna saying he was thinking about it.

  Hearing Sarah and Hanna coming back down the stairs, whispering and laughing together, Lucy smiled fondly to herself as she reflected on how close they’d become, more like sisters in some ways than niece and aunt.

  ‘Do we know if Mum and John are back from the mall yet?’ Sarah asked, as she followed Hanna into the kitchen.

  ‘I haven’t seen any sign of them,’ Lucy replied, ‘but Simon rang to say the flight’s been delayed by an hour, so they’ll be here around seven instead of six.’

  Glowing with pleasure, Sarah treated her to an impulsive hug, then grabbing Hanna’s arm she said, ‘We’re baking this afternoon, remember?’

  ‘We are?’ Hanna said, mystified. Then, ‘Oh yeah, we are. See you, Mum – and no going upstairs peeking, OK?’

  ‘OK,’ Lucy promised, realising that more plotting was probably about to get under way.

  After they’d taken themselves off across the courtyard to the small barn which had been beautifully renovated over the past few months for Sarah, Lucy returned to her present-wrapping, and soon found herself thinking of Ben and how wonderful it would be if he were able to join them tomorrow. Though it was awful to imagine the empty space at the table, what mattered, she kept reminding herself, was that he was having a fabulous time where he was – with a different girl now. This one was from Connecticut, her name was Alicia and her parents ran a school for children with special needs. Whenever she spoke to him, which was about once a week, she invariably ended the call with a few tears, in spite of being thrilled to know that he was safe and enjoying himself. It was the way he was becoming so independent that was always difficult to handle.

  What was very much easier was watching Sarah blooming over there in her new home, so excited to be in before Christmas that it was as though her spirits were doing even more to light up the place than the decorations she and Lucy had strung up along the drive and around the courtyard. The idea of giving Sarah the small barn had come to Lucy within hours of Rose and John’s announcement that they were going to restore the manor and its gardens to their former glory. With so much needing to be done, they’d decided it would make more sense for Rose and Sarah to move in with John and Pippa until work was complete. While Sarah was happy enough about that, she’d been absolutely delirious when Lucy had put forward her suggestion.

  ‘I’ve got the windfall from the auction,’ she’d cried excitedly, ‘and I expect I’ll be able to borrow whatever else I need to make sure it’s done to the highest spec. Oh Lucy, this is so fantastic. We’ll both be right there, on top of the business, but not under each other’s feet.’

  ‘Why don’t we get you some help from an interior designer?’ Pippa suggested. ‘That way you’ll have an expert overseeing the work, making sure it runs to schedule and that it ends up looking an absolute treat.’

  Sarah grimaced. ‘I don’t think my budget will run to that,’ she admitted, ‘but it is a good idea while Lucy and I are working so hard.’

  ‘It’s an excellent idea,’ Pippa informed her, ‘and since it’s mine I shall be very happy to pay for it.’

  Sarah’s eyes widened in amazement and protest. ‘I couldn’t possibly … I mean, it’s really lovely of you …’

  ‘My mind’s made up,’ Pippa interrupted bossily. ‘Now I have nieces to spoil it’s what I intend to do. Nephews too, of course, and we shan’t forget the younger generation – as if Hanna would ever let us.’

  True to her word, Pippa had written a cheque large enough to make heads spin and builders keep to deadlines in order to achieve their bonuses. The designer came down from London and proved such a hit that John and Rose promptly hired her to help out with the manor. Though that was still some way from completion, there was a good chance the kitchen, front parlour and two new en suite bedrooms would be ready by the time the Mercers returned to the Lodge in February. Sarah had spent her first night in the luxurious master bedroom of the small barn exactly two weeks before Christmas, with her old friend and new lover, Jean-Marc, to keep her company. He’d also been responsible, with John, for transporting and installing the giant Christmas tree which they’d cut themselves at a local forest, and with his artist’s flair for colour and style, Jean-Marc had created a small sensation around the village, after everyone had dropped in for a glass of mulled wine and a viewing.

  Lucy knew he was the reason Sarah had glowed so winningly just now, since he was flying in later with Simon and Giselle to come and spend the festivities with them. Though it was still early days in the relationship it was clear to everyone, including Sarah, how besotted Jean-Marc was with her, so it was highly possible that the barn’s mezzanine floor with its wide skylights and ample space might soon find itself transformed into the kind of studio where an artist of great passion and wicked humour could feel happy committing his inspiration to posterity. Meanwhile, the large, open-plan living space, with a state-of-the-art kitchen at one end, and huge open fireplace at the other, would accommodate them all for Christmas lunch tomorrow, since no one else had the room for such a big table.

  Realising she ought to start thinking about what to prepare for dinner tonight, Lucy began counting up how many they would be, until noticing how much heavier the snowfall had become she stopped to watch for a while. Since the ground was already covered in several inches they probably didn’t need any more, but it would be wonderful if they really did have a white Christmas. Pippa was looking forward to it so much that she might have been even more excited than Hanna, and everyone suspected that Rose and John would be making a special announcement at some point during the festivities. Though Lucy still had difficulties in thinking of them as her parents, she was certainly developing an attachment to them, and luckily they were being patient and sensitive enough not
to try and hurry or force it. She had to admit she loved seeing them together, and the way Hanna had taken to them was encouraging too, though she still had tears over Daphne and Brian, and probably would for a long time to come. Apart from the fact that she’d loved them and naturally missed them, it was as though she shared some of Lucy’s guilt about feeling happy to be part of another family. It seemed disloyal and uncaring to be getting on with their lives as if Brian and Daphne had never been a part of them, yet in her heart Lucy felt sure it would have been what Brian and Daphne wanted.

  Hearing her phone bleep with a text, she hiked it out of her pocket and smiled to see it was from Simon and had probably been sent to them all. About to board plane. Please have wine at ready and fires lit. S&Gx PS Sarah, told JM that you adore Chanel 5, hope I got it right xx. Knowing that he had, Lucy sent a quick text back wishing them bon voyage, then another reminding Ben she was going to call him at midnight her time. By then he’d be in the middle of the beach barbie for which he and Alicia had flown over to Sydney, and very possibly already quite merry. She wondered if he felt any pangs of homesickness, given the time of year, then decided it was unlikely. He was in the middle of a fiercely hot summer, so for him it probably didn’t feel like Christmas at all. She thought fleetingly of Becky then, the other person who’d be missing tomorrow. Though Lucy certainly didn’t wish her ill she couldn’t help feeling thankful that she’d decided to stay away, since Sarah was so thrilled about hosting the day that she really didn’t need Becky doing anything to cast a pall over it all. On the other hand, it would have meant a great deal to Rose and John if she had decided to come, so if only for their sakes Lucy felt sorry that she hadn’t been persuaded to change her mind.

  Hearing a car pulling into the drive, she looked up from the packets of fresh pasta she was starting to open, and seeing it was Michael she felt her heart lighten with happiness. Almost equally wonderful to see was the tangle of small limbs, bobble hats and scarves as his boys tumbled out of the back seat, breaking instantly free of each other to come charging into the house. She knew it wasn’t honourable to feel such relief that his attempted reconciliation with Carlotta hadn’t worked out, but if it had they’d never have got together, and though it had barely been a month since he’d walked, unannounced, into her office to let her know he was back, she already couldn’t imagine life without him.

  ‘I’m not going to lie to you,’ he’d told her that day, not even bothering with hello, ‘the main reason I couldn’t make a go of it is because of how I feel about you. I think about you all the time, I want to be with you, laugh with you, hold you … Am I embarrassing you? Should I stop now, or can I dare to hope you might feel the same?’

  Dazed and euphoric, she’d gone straight into his arms, saying softly, ‘I think you know I do, so please don’t stop.’

  ‘Unless for this?’ he’d murmured, and as he covered her mouth with his own she’d sunk against him in a way that had released all the pent-up desires and emotions they’d tried to hide from themselves, as well as each other.

  ‘Hey Lucy, happy Christmas,’ Charlie the eldest boy cried with a beaming grin as he bounced into the kitchen.

  ‘Happy Christmas,’ Luke and Harry echoed, looking so flushed and similar in their excitement and colouring they could almost have been twins. In fact there was a year between them, with Harry being the older of the two at eight, while Charlie had just turned ten so was proudly into double figures now.

  ‘Hey boys,’ she responded, going to take a bag of chocolate pennies from the dresser. ‘Did you remember to bring carrots and milk for the reindeer?’

  ‘Yes, Dad’s got it all.’

  ‘And sherry for Santa?’

  ‘And presents for everyone.’

  ‘I’m having a Wii Sports.’

  ‘I’m having one too.’

  ‘No you’re not.’

  ‘Yes I am.’

  ‘We’ve brought our pyjamas and our stockings. Dad said we can hang them by your fire. Is that OK?’

  ‘Of course it is. We need to be sure Santa finds them, don’t we?’

  ‘Can we go and play snowballs on the green?’

  ‘Hey, you lot,’ Hanna greeted them, coming in behind them. ‘I thought I heard you. Do you want to come and see what we’re giving Mum for Christmas?’

  ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ they cheered at once.

  ‘It’s a surprise, so you mustn’t tell her afterwards, OK?’

  Their eyes grew round as Charlie crossed his heart and the others followed suit.

  ‘Come on then, it’s down the road at Auntie Pippa’s.’

  ‘I thought Pippa was over at Sarah’s,’ Lucy said.

  ‘She is, but John and Rose just called to let us know they’re back. Oh my God, Michael, who are all those presents for?’

  ‘They’re for us!’ Harry and Luke shouted. ‘Mummy sent them from Italy, and Granny Givens has brought loads with her too. Granny, we’re going to see what Hanna’s got for Lucy for Christmas. Do you want to come with us?’

  Michael’s eyes were twinkling as his mother, snuggled up warmly in a downy coat and trendy Ugg boots, pretended to think it over, then made them all cheer when she said, ‘Shall I give you a race to see who gets there first?’

  ‘We’ll win,’ Charlie told her, as his brothers dashed out the door.

  Laughing, Evelyn Givens turned to give Lucy a quick peck hello, then helping herself to a chocolate penny she started gingerly through the snow after Hanna and her grandsons.

  ‘Ho ho ho,’ Michael said, lowering the enormous sack of gifts from his shoulder.

  Laughing, Lucy went to put her arms around him.

  ‘Everything OK?’ he murmured, touching his mouth to hers. ‘You’re sure you don’t mind us all landing on you like this?’

  ‘Of course not. You’re the most special guests of all. Anyway, Sarah and Pippa are doing all the cooking. All we have to do is turn up on time and eat it.’

  ‘And what about this evening? Maybe I should take us all out for pizza?’

  ‘Don’t worry, everything’s under control, and there are only seven of us here. The others are eating much later, down at John and Pippa’s.’

  His eyes were teasing as he regarded her more closely. ‘You know, you’re looking a little flushed, my love, and I can’t help wondering if it might have something to do with me – or maybe you’ve already been at the Christmas grog?’

  Raising her mouth for another kiss, she said, ‘Absolutely, and not yet.’

  As he kissed her more deeply the soft swell of desire coasted magically between them, holding them together until a pained voice in the doorway said, ‘Sorry to interrupt, but we’re desperate for more oven trays.’

  Still looking at Michael, Lucy said to Sarah, ‘Help yourself. You know where everything is.’

  ‘I’ll be really quick,’ Sarah assured them, ‘and I’ll get that for you too, if you like,’ she added as the phone started to ring. Without waiting for a reply she snatched it up saying, ‘Cromstone Farmhouse, can I help you?’ Hearing the voice at the other end, she grimaced as she turned to Lucy. ‘Oh, hi Joe,’ she said. ‘Merry Christmas to you too. How are you?’

  As he answered Lucy shook her head. ‘I’ll call back,’ she mouthed.

  Nodding, Sarah said, ‘Yes, I’m fine too, thanks. I’m sorry, but Lucy’s just popped out. Can I take a message? Actually, no, her mobile’s right here so … OK, I don’t think she’ll be long. Yes, thanks, you too.’

  As Sarah rang off Lucy said, ‘He probably wants to talk about Boxing Day.’ She sighed. ‘I’m afraid I made the grand mistake of inviting him, but don’t worry, I’m sure he won’t come. Anyway, it’s best I speak to him when Hanna’s here, unless you happen to know what my daughter has planned for the day after tomorrow?’

  ‘Not off the top of my head,’ Sarah replied, scooping a pile of oven trays out of a cupboard. ‘By the way, Michael, did you pick up Pippa’s surprise for tomorrow?’

  ‘Absolutely,’
he assured her, ‘and it looks a treat.’

  Sarah beamed. ‘Excellent. Now, this is me loving you and leaving you,’ and hugging the trays to her chest she took off to half skate, half run back across the courtyard.

  ‘Actually, Joe’s call was quite timely,’ Michael commented, peeling off his overcoat while Lucy sneaked a quick peek inside his Santa sack. ‘I have some news, but I’m not sure if now is the right time to tell you.’

  Immediately guessing what it was about, Lucy felt her heart catch on a spasm of unease. ‘If it’s good,’ she said, ‘why wait? If it’s bad, let it keep for a year or two.’

  Tilting his head to one side, he replied, ‘Let me see, good or bad? I guess you’ll have to be the judge.’

  Bracing herself, she kept her eyes on his as he said, ‘They’ve decided your marriage isn’t valid as it stands, but they are inviting you to contact them when their offices open again in the new year to discuss their findings. They’ve also provided details of the three closest registry offices so you can rectify matters by booking a wedding – should you so wish.’

  More thrown by the decision than she’d expected, Lucy felt a strangeness unsettling her as she took a moment to try and absorb the news. ‘So, I’m not married,’ she said quietly. It wasn’t that she wanted to be, but how much more of her life was going to turn out to be false?

  Going to take some wine from the fridge, Michael poured two glasses and handed one to her.

  ‘This isn’t going to make Joe very happy,’ she muttered, already shrinking from the thought of his reaction.

  Lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes, Michael said, ‘More to the point is how it makes you feel.’

  She shook her head slowly, then managed a shaky sort of smile as she told him, ‘One thing’s for certain, it’s a great relief to know that I don’t have to go through a divorce, especially when I see what’s happening to you.’