The Winter We Met

by Samantha Tonge

  ‘Surprise!’ Seb stood there holding a couple of bags and a bottle of wine.

  ‘What’s this?’ I asked as Buddy barked and pawed him.

  Seb ruffled his head. ‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’ He pushed past and went straight into the kitchenette, putting the wine and bags on the breakfast bar. He took off his anorak to reveal a denim muscle-fit shirt.

  ‘Make yourself at home,’ I said sourly, but couldn’t help smiling.

  ‘I will. In fact, I’ll do more than that. I’ll make you dinner and then we’ll talk.’ He looked in the cupboards, found two wine glasses, unscrewed the bottle and filled them. He handed me one. ‘Here’s to you.’

  ‘What have I done to deserve this?’

  ‘Turned up for work today – given it your all, even though I can tell that, for some reason, you’re feeling down. You were diplomatic, as usual, with the parents that let their children come in eating sweets before manhandling the plushies with sticky fingers, and every time I turned around you were filling up the pocket money toy counter or demonstrating the latest electrical gadget. You even sang along to Angela’s background Christmas music that I know you are already sick of. So you chill. I’ll whizz up fajitas.’

  I went over and gave him a one-armed hug. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘How about… cheers, Seb for sacrificing your low-fat, sugar free diet for one evening.’

  I couldn’t help laughing. ‘Right – like you’re sticking to that at the weekend.’

  He thrust a salsa-scented candle into my hand. ‘This will really make us feel like we’re in Mexico, it’ll be like a little winter holiday for just you and me. I’ve even put together a Mexican folk music playlist.’ He tapped on his phone.

  An hour later we sat up the breakfast bar. A lime-green inflated cactus sat in the middle. My eyes widened at the spread. Tortillas. Chicken fried with red and green peppers. Shredded lettuce. Guacamole. Sour cream. Black bean and couscous salad. Tomato and herb rice. Refried beans.

  ‘Bon appetit,’ he said, ‘although first things first.’ He went over to one of the bags and pulled out two sombreros.

  ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘I’m here to put the fun back into your Saturday night. Now eat up.’

  My mouth filled with the spiced flavours and textures of Mexico, with the sour cream contrasting the hot fried chicken and satisfying tortillas complimenting the light rice.

  ‘Oh boy… that hit the spot,’ I said when I finally finished. ‘I had no idea you were such a good cook.’

  ‘I always do better when I’m cooking for someone I care about.’

  A lump formed in my throat as he cleared the dishes away and I hurried into the bathroom. I slid down the tiled wall and sat on the floor, covering my face. The hat fell off. I cried quietly, a habit I’d never shaken off from my childhood. Of course, I should have realised Seb would know. From outside the staff room door he could hear if anyone so much as opened a bar of chocolate. He knocked at the door.

  ‘Jessie? What’s the matter?’ The door pushed open.

  ‘Ignore me. It’s been a long day.’

  He picked up the sombrero and held out his hand. I took it. He pulled me up and led me back to the breakfast bar.

  ‘Don’t say a word, just eat,’ he ordered and put a plate with the biggest brownie and squirt of whipped cream in front of me.

  ‘Sorry, I—’

  ‘I said not a word. Not until you’ve savoured every second of that moist chocolate.’

  ‘You know I don’t like the word moist.’

  He caught my eye and we both smiled.

  ‘Oh Seb. I’ve been such an idiot.’ I told him all about Nik’s rejection and how Oliver was out on a date and how I felt like the only person in the world in on a Saturday night. How worried I was about Mum getting in touch – that it might have a bad effect on Gran if she got let down again. Then there was the care home move and the increasing stress at work – I loved my job but with everything else that had been going on, I felt worn out. ‘I must have upset Nik, upset Gran, Oliver too – recently he said he loved our flat, it proved that home was where the heart was… but in a rash moment I said he should move out and now it looks as if he might. To top it all off they’ve just cancelled my favourite Netflix series.’

  ‘That last one is really bad.’

  I rolled my eyes at him and sniffed. ‘At least Gran is happy with her new place. I’m okay really. All the pressure should slowly ease off now.’

  I went to stand by the window again. Seb joined me.

  ‘I can’t help feeling I’m partly to blame,’ he said. ‘I was convinced that Nik had the hots for you… I don’t know how I got it so wrong. I pride myself on being astute when it comes to matchmaking and working out who suits you.’

  It was true, Seb often came in on a Monday morning with news of how another dinner party at his place, with carefully chosen guests, had resulted in a new couple starting to date.

  ‘We both did. You were only trying to help. Nik treats everyone as if they’re special. I think that was our downfall, thinking he was only doing that with me.’

  ‘What out of all those things is getting you down the most?’

  ‘None of them. All of them.’ Worry about Gran and Oliver the most. I gazed down at a car driving past with fake antlers fitted to the front lights.

  ‘You know what Tim often says? Whenever someone is in a rut and feels like the world is against them, he reckons the way out is usually staring someone straight in the face. It takes an outsider to spot the obvious, so let’s talk it all through.’

  ‘I’m really worried about Gran and Mum – but am also still smarting a little after Nik turned me down and for some reason Oliver meeting Krish is making it worse. As for him moving out, I can’t even… We’ve built such a comfortable life together, with Buddy and Gran, all this silly arguing, it’s got out of hand…’ A stab of pain went through my chest. The prospect of Oliver leaving was making me face just how much I cared about him.

  ‘Okay… well, Alice has a new place sorted, so that situation is a little less stressful…’

  I nodded.

  ‘And your mum is an unknown entity, so there’s not much we can say about how it’ll go meeting up with her. Instead, talk me through exactly what happened with Nik – he’s the root of your fallout with Oliver, right?’

  I took a deep breath and felt my ears turn red as I told him about the little things I’d misunderstood, such as Nik liking my short, tight dress.

  ‘Yet he’s invited you over to Oz.’

  ‘Yes. I’m really glad we’re still friends and as time moves on, I realise that’s all we were ever meant to be. So why am I still upset?’

  Seb tilted his head. ‘How did the evening end?’

  ‘We just chatted… I was surprised he liked Oliver so much as he was rude to Nik the night I’d invited him here for dinner. Nik asked me why I thought he hadn’t been polite – I think Nik had his own theory but didn’t like to say. I wasn’t sure as Oliver is usually so thoughtful and kind but since then he’s revealed he was suspicious because Nik reminded him of someone deceitful from Birmingham, so I guess that explains it.’ I folded my arms.

  Seb noticed my wrist. ‘The bracelet he gave you…’

  ‘That was another misunderstanding. I thought the heart was his way of letting me know he was interested.’

  ‘What did he say about it?’

  ‘Just that the heart charm wasn’t about him.’

  ‘Let me mull all this over whilst I do the washing up – and don’t even think of offering to help, this evening’s my treat.’

  On the sofa I sipped the last of my coffee feeling decidedly better and picked up my phone, flicking through Instagram before taking a photo of Buddy. Seb finally finished and came over. He sat down.

  ‘Tim’s right. It is glaringly obvious. The heart charm.’

  ‘Please enlighten me.’

  ‘Oliver said it himself – home i
s where the heart is. You and him, I’ve seen how you are together – like a brother and sister. The way Alice treats him so fondly, the two of you have become his family, that’s what the heart charm represents, the three of you, the unit that clearly also means the world to you. Unwittingly Nik was a threat to that – Oliver was worried you two getting together will break up the only secure, loving home he’s ever had.’

  ‘I suppose I did go on and on about the man on the plane.’

  ‘It must have rattled him, a guy turning up out of the blue and the prospect of you being so smitten you might even move to the other side of the world. Your gran and mum, what happened with Nik, I think those things are on the periphery. Oliver and you, the flat, Buddy, that’s the core of your life and has been for a while now. This is the first time a crack has really appeared in your friendship. Just give Oliver some reassurance and I’m sure he’ll give it back that you and him are okay, whatever happens. Krish may be the one for him but it’s incredibly early days, she may not. However, in time you’ll inevitably both meet other people, but as long as you keep consolidating your friendship, it won’t matter. You’ll always be there for each other, whomever you are with, wherever you are living. That feeling of home between you isn’t just about bricks and mortar.’

  I gazed at the bracelet.

  ‘Get your friendship completely back on track with Oliver and then you’ll feel much better about all the rest.’ He grabbed my phone and started to download the Tinder app. ‘In the meantime, we’ll find you a new romance.’

  36

  I woke up to see Buddy at the end of my bed, with half open eyes, watching me. The deflated cactus was between his teeth. I stretched and he moved up the duvet and lay his head on my stomach. I’d hardly slept last night. The thought of having hurt Oliver played on my mind. As the night had progressed and the pitch black morphed into dawn, as a chink of winter sun stole through the curtains, also stealing my ability to be in denial, I had to finally face one truth regarding why I felt so uncomfortable about Oliver dating Krish… I simply didn’t want to be without my flatmate.

  ‘Whaddaya reckon, Buddy? How about I make Oliver the best cup of coffee ever?’ I showered and got changed. Oliver must have still been in bed. He’d left his bedroom door half open. I peered inside. It was empty. He’d spent the night with Krish. The bounce left my step as I went into the kitchen. A text popped onto my phone’s screen. His train was getting in around twelve, so he’d just travel the extra stop to Springhaye and pick up Alf, to help him walk to lunch. They’d meet me at the pub.

  After a lazy breakfast I headed into Under the Tree with Buddy. He’d be fine for a short while, ensconced in the office. I helped Seb rearrange the many stationery products – the rainbow colouring pencil sets and Christmas-themed individual pencils and rubbers, the pretty snowman and reindeer notebooks and chalks for drawing outside. I also went through yesterday’s mail. We didn’t get much on a Saturday.

  Just before half past twelve I entered The Silver Swan and my nose wrinkled at the smell of beer. If Seb had anything to do with it I’d be spending every free night from now on in a pub, meeting someone off Tinder. He was determined I wouldn’t be single when the New Year started. I thought about Mum, and Gran’s email. Maybe she’d already replied and was hoping to meet up at this time of year that was all about family. Perhaps I’d turn up to Willow Court finding a rendezvous had been arranged. I had a sudden urge to talk to Oliver about it, as he came into view. He sat with Alf. They were drinking halves of lager. I ordered myself a coke and went over. Buddy wagged his tail and immediately nuzzled Alf’s trouser pocket.

  ‘Damn me, you don’t waste any time, do you boy?’ he said and reached into his brown corduroys. The two men sat opposite each other. I sat in between.

  ‘Nice shirt,’ I said. It was floral. Not Oliver’s usual practical style.

  ‘Thanks. Krish’s brother lent it to me this morning. He’s a great bloke and called in to talk to her about his flatmate who, out of the blue, has up and left. He’s now looking for someone else to rent with him.’

  ‘Oh.’ No.

  ‘He doesn’t live far from Krish and insisted on fetching me this to change into.’

  ‘Oliver’s just been telling me about the fine time he had last night,’ said Alf and he pulled a face. ‘Bloody miss it I do, going out on the razz. Maisie and I used to love meals out, always followed by pudding and custard – until I had my heart scare. And Saturday afternoons were spent dancing at a hotel near us… bowling too and…’

  The waiter came over and we ordered three Sunday roasts although I wasn’t feeling very hungry. Alf sipped his lager and it inspired him to chat fondly about the old days, as if it were the elixir of youth, years falling away from him.

  ‘Right, Alf,’ I said when he drew breath. ‘Don’t keep us in suspense any longer. What’s this theory of yours about Nik?’

  His thick duffle coat was draped over the back of his chair and Alf reached into one of the pockets and drew out his notebook. He opened it.

  ‘I’ve just got a few more things to find out before I have an open and shut case – but after hearing what I’ve got to say, I think you’ll agree there’s a lot of evidence. I’ve certainly done a blasted lot of research, but first… Oliver, Jess, do either of you believe in aliens?’

  ‘I knew it. You think Nik comes from outer space – or that he’s a scientologist.’

  ‘Please, young lady, just answer the question.’

  ‘Okay… well, not the scary green type with antennae and big eyes, but yes.’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Oliver. ‘I think it would be arrogant of humans to think we were the only form of intelligent life in the whole of the universe.’

  ‘So you both believe in something that can’t fully be explained.’

  ‘I guess so,’ said Oliver.

  I shrugged. Where could this be going?

  He pushed his glasses further up his nose. ‘Just to confirm, you first met Nik on an aeroplane?’

  ‘Yes.’ Why was that relevant?

  Alf looked pleased and drew a tick in his notebook.

  ‘Nik likes helping people and you mentioned some scheme he does to get presents to disadvantaged children. In fact, his whole life is dedicated to cheering up young ’uns, with toys.’

  Oliver shot me a baffled look.

  ‘It’s as if he’s come out of nowhere and brightened up everyone’s lives at this festive time, just when that was needed this year. Selflessly he’s worked to make our Christmas party happen, coming up with the theme of It’s a Wonderful Life and having it early. He’s been a welcome distraction from the serious business of moving and he’s transformed Glenda into this new smiling, more tolerant sort of person. He came up with perfect idea of painting stones for our time at Willow Court to be remembered by. He always seems to have the right answer and more than once us residents have commented on how they feel as if they’ve known him for years.’

  ‘I felt like that the first moment I met him,’ I said.

  ‘Well – what if we had?’

  ‘What on earth do you mean?’ asked Oliver.

  Alf sat more upright. ‘Consider these more simple bullet points. Nik is older than his years – he doesn’t like social media. He has a basic phone and still carries around a camera. He has a gentlemanly-like manner that some might call old-fashioned.’ He leant forward and his voice lowered. ‘Nik is from Scandinavia. He has white hair. He always wears red. His favourite drink is sherry. Jess first met him flying through the sky. Can’t you see the obvious?’

  ‘You’ve got me, Alf,’ said Oliver.

  ‘Me too.’

  ‘My Willow Court friends are always calling him a saint and I couldn’t agree more.’ Alf thumped his fist on the table. ‘Nik said he had Greek heritage way back, as well as Scandinavian. I present to you Saint Niklaus – born in a Greek seaport. His mother’s name was Joanna, just like our Australian’s. Jess, Oliver, I know it must be one damn shock, but there’s
no doubt about it – Santa Claus does exist and we’ve been spending the last few weeks with him.’

  37

  We walked into the lounge, an hour late, Oliver and me in stunned silence. I hadn’t wanted to laugh at Alf’s announcement so I’d rambled at first, questioning all of his points, listening to his arguments. Oliver said lots of people liked red. Alf asked him to name one person he knew who wore it so often. Alf said he knew it was a lot to take in – that he’d not believed it himself but, as days passed, the evidence for his theory mounted up. He explained the research he’d done into Saint Niklaus and immortality – that cells not ageing due to a genetic mutation was being studied by scientists and who was to say some humans didn’t already have that. I’d give him this – Alf was thorough. Before we knew it a couple of hours had passed. We’d walked back as quickly as we could, Alf’s breathlessness allowing.

  A smug looked crossed Alf’s face as Nik strode over to us, wearing a red jumper, his hair seeming whiter than ever as he sang ‘let it snow, let it snow’ to that festive tune playing in the background.

  ‘Sorry,’ Nik said, and grinned before bending down to stroke Buddy. ‘I’m just looking forward to the party – I can’t believe it’s just one week from today. I haven’t seen snow in such a long time that even the prospect of a manmade version takes me back to being a little boy visiting relatives in Lapland.’

  ‘Lapland?’ said Alf and his jaw dropped. ‘I thought you came from Finland.’

  ‘I do – but Lapland specifically. It’s a region that covers Finland, Sweden and Norway and my family come from the Finnish bit.’

  ‘Of course,’ muttered Alf, clearly thrilled. He pulled out his notebook and scribbled.

  Don’t meet Alf’s eye, I told myself sternly. Don’t do it. You’ll only laugh.

  Oliver and Alf headed off to the stone painting table. Next to that I noticed a table bearing a large triangular frame made of twigs, to mount the photos. Glenda was putting down a spray can. It looked fantastic. The smell of baked sugar wafted over from the hatch. Someone must have been practising making All American cookies. Lynn was in the far corner with a small circle of residents around a sturdy man holding a saxophone – he had the same shaped nose as her and must have been her brother, Geoff. He’d been due to come in to take suggestions for the party playlist of Big Band solos he was going to perform. Bursts of songs kept bouncing across the room, drowning out the background CD, and brought to mind lyrics such as chestnuts roasting over open fires. A group of scouts drank squash and ate cookies that residents were baking. They listened to Fred chat about his days as a firefighter. Their pack had raised over three hundred pounds to contribute to paying the caterers by doing bag packing at a large out of town supermarket, last weekend, and the tree was being delivered today. Gran thought it would be a nice idea to invite them in to help decorate it.