‘Sound, thanks.’ He grabbed a couple, put his ear buds back in and began to eat.
Dave trotted into the kitchen and curled up in one of two matching wicker baskets with fleecy linings. In the bed next to him lay the Duchess with her recently fed brood. They were all sound asleep, their swollen tummies moving rhythmically as they slept. Dave flopped his head over the edge of their basket and gazed adoringly at them all.
Lottie heard the distant click of the front door and cocked her ear like a spaniel. Uncle Daniel’s face peered around the door. ‘Happy New Year,’ he said. ‘I was just on the phone,’ he explained.
Lottie noted Nicola’s expectant look. ‘And how is Rebecca?’ Nicola asked.
‘She’s good. Thanks.’ The way Daniel said it you’d have thought Nicola had just given him the winning lottery numbers. It was good to see them being kind to each other, and she admired them for it.
When breakfast (and brunch) had been washed down with coffee, Lottie encouraged everyone outside. They walked solemnly down to the far end of the garden, where Nana’s runner beans – and more recently, Zach’s fairy light proposal – had once adorned the trellis. Zach and Emily held hands and exchanged loving looks.
Lottie cleared her throat. ‘If I’ve not said already, then thanks for coming. I know it was a bit short notice, but now we know the fate of the manor,’ she looked at Joe and he looked down, embarrassed, ‘it felt like we’d been waiting too long to do this. And—’
‘And we all need closure,’ added Angie.
‘Er, right,’ said Lottie, smiling at her mother’s knack of anticipating things incorrectly. She was hoping to learn to be more tolerant and build a better relationship with her now the puzzle pieces of her life had fallen into place. ‘Anyway, Nana loved this place. All of it. She loved the villages and the manor. She loved the trees and the gardens and, in particular, she loved pottering about in the vegetable patch.’
‘And her runner beans,’ prompted Angie.
‘Yes, Mum, and especially her runner beans. So here seemed like the right place for her to rest.’ The last word caught in her throat; she felt Joe’s arm snake around her shoulders and pull her gently to him. ‘I thought it might be nice if we all scooped some ashes out and scattered them.’ Rhys looked slightly alarmed at the prospect. ‘But you don’t have to if you don’t want to.’
Rhys had already checked the area with his metal detector, so there was no possibility of Nana’s ashes being disturbed by treasure hunters. Daniel was holding the urn with Nana’s ashes in and Nicola carefully removed the top. Lottie passed her Nana’s flour scoop and Nicola dipped it in and liberally scattered a scoop full of ashes into the air. Unfortunately, the breeze took them and a few went in Angie’s face.
‘Hey! That went in my eye,’ said Angie, winking elaborately. ‘Scott, check my eye.’
‘Sorry,’ said Nicola, but she was clearly suppressing a smirk.
‘It’s fine,’ said Scott, after a brief look. ‘Blink – you’ll be fine.’
‘Anyway,’ said Nicola. ‘All I wanted to say about Rose was that she was a force to be reckoned with and I liked that about her. She made no apology for who she was.’
There were nods of agreement and Nicola passed the scoop to Angie.
‘Thanks Mum, for always being there to pick up the pieces. I love you,’ said Angie. Blinking furiously, she sprinkled the ashes along the trellis line.
Daniel took the scoop and Scott held the urn for him. ‘Bye, Mum. You were the best.’
Rhys quickly got some ashes and let them tumble to the ground. ‘Miss you, Nana.’
He filled a scoop and passed it to Bernard, who wriggled forward in his wheelchair. Dayea wrapped her hand around Bernard’s and they spread their scoopful together. ‘Bye, old girl. We had some laughs,’ said Bernard.
‘You were a very nice lady,’ added Dayea. ‘Thank you for finding me my Bernard.’
Zach stepped forward and took the urn, holding it for Jessie. She peered inside and wrinkled her nose.
‘I don’t think Nana Rose is in there. I think she’s a ghost,’ said Jessie.
‘Okay,’ said Emily, crouching down, scooping out a little ash and sprinkling it. ‘If her ghost was listening, what would you like to say to her?’
Jessie pouted as she thought. ‘I miss your cuddles. And the dolls are really scary.’
‘Well done, Jessie,’ said Zach, tipping a large amount of the ash out into a pile. ‘Thanks, Nana, for everything you taught me, and for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Love you,’ said Zach. He wiped away a tear and passed the urn to Lottie.
Lottie took a steadying breath and tipped out the remaining ash. She tried hard not to think about the ash being Nana; it just didn’t seem possible. ‘We did what you asked, Nana – we had a good family Christmas.’ Lottie looked up to nods of agreement. ‘It wasn’t quite up to your standard, but, hey, you set the bar high. I can’t believe it’s taken me until now to realise the huge part you played in my life.’ She gave a quick glance in Joe’s direction. ‘I miss you so much. Bye Nana. Thank you for everything.’
‘Thanks for inviting me home, Rose.’ Joe picked up the urn and wrapped Lottie in a hug.
They all stayed for a few minutes and watched the light breeze spread the ashes around the vegetable garden. Daniel was the first to turn and head inside. Others followed. Lottie saw the Duchess meander over and sit on the edge of the grass and observe them. Lottie smiled to think the cat may, in her own way, be coming to add her own message to Nana. The Duchess got up, stretched, walked over to the ashes and proceeded to dig a hole in them.
‘No! Scoot!’ said Lottie, shooing a disgruntled-looking Duchess out of the way. ‘Cheeky thing,’ said Lottie. ‘She was going to wee on Nana. After everything she did for her.’ That was one message Nana could do without.
Joe appeared with the garden rake and began raking the ashes into the soil. ‘Thanks,’ said Lottie.
‘No problem. You did well. Nice speech.’ He put down the rake.
Lottie snuggled into Joe’s embrace. ‘We went with our gut, Nana,’ she said, and as a cloud moved out of the way, a perfect ray of sunshine fell across the garden.
‘Come on,’ said Joe. ‘Before that lot start murdering each other.’ He clasped her hand in his and they walked back up to the house together. Lottie felt both melancholy and heartened at the same time.
They could hear the noise increase as they approached. There were raised voices coming from inside. Joe opened the door, but everyone inside was oblivious. Despite Lottie’s fears, it wasn’t a row going on; it was a singsong, apparently led by Bernard even though singing wasn’t a Collins family forte.
Joe shut the door behind them and Lottie leaned back into his arms as they joined in with the Rod Stewart classics Nana had loved. When they reached ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy’ Dave joined in with a heartfelt howl. Jessie copied him until Emily tickled her.
Rhys came to stand next to Lottie. ‘Don’t tell the rents yet, but I’m going back to uni.’
‘Good decision,’ said Lottie.
‘Yeah. The whole Roman treasure thing got my mind buzzing. My professor is really fired up about it and so am I. I can’t ditch archaeology, however good the money at the car dealers is.’
‘If you ever need a break from the rents, there’s always a room here,’ said Joe.
‘And you don’t have to have the one with the scary dolls,’ added Lottie.
‘Cheers,’ said Rhys, and he and Joe shook hands.
Daniel rattled his car keys and Nicola started to say her goodbyes. ‘Thanks Lottie. I’ll be back for my kitten in a few weeks.’
‘If you’re still after a home for one of the kittens, me and your mum would like one,’ said Scott.
‘Sure,’ said Lottie, uneasily. She knew first-hand how nurturing Angie was.
‘I promise it’ll be well cared for. I’ll keep it at my place,’ said Scott, in a low tone, while Angie fussed over the kittens.
&nbs
p; ‘Which one, Mum?’ asked Lottie.
‘I want a boy,’ said Angie.
‘No surprise there,’ said Lottie, and Joe gave her a reproachful look. ‘Which ginger one?’ she asked, edging up to her.
Angie checked Scott wasn’t listening. ‘It’s quite exciting that Scott thinks we’re ready for this sort of commitment,’ said Angie.
Lottie had a sharp retort ready, but she bit her tongue instead. Their new relationship needed effort on both sides. ‘Yes, Mum. It is. I’m happy for you.’
‘I like what you’ve done with your hair.’ Angie tucked a bit of it behind Lottie’s ear. ‘Happy New Year, Lottie,’ said her mother, and she gave her a hug.
At least she was trying. ‘And you too.’
‘We should do this again,’ said Angie.
‘Scatter someone’s ashes?’
‘No – Christmas here at the manor. It was lovely.’ Lottie felt a little glow of pride inside; a feeling she was pretty sure her mother had never triggered in her before.
‘We should go now too,’ said Dayea, wheeling Bernard over Angie’s toes.
‘Hey, Feeble Knievel!’ said Angie. ‘These are my new Kurt Geigers!’ Scott steered her away because she was literally hopping mad.
‘You’ve not given our kitten away, have you, Button?’
‘No,’ said Lottie, pleased that Bernard had decided to have one of the litter and let the Duchess stay at the manor with her, Joe and Dave.
‘We’re going to call her Button,’ he said, taking Lottie’s hand and giving it a squeeze. Joe appeared at Lottie’s side and she tensed.
To her surprise, Bernard straightened his spine and held out his hand to Joe. ‘I owe you some thanks, lad.’
‘Not at all,’ said Joe, shaking Bernard’s hand. ‘Anyone would have done the same.’
‘That’s as may be. But thank you all the same. Take good care of our Button. Well, both our Buttons,’ he said, with a chuckle.
‘I will,’ said Joe.
And Lottie knew that he would.
‘Auntie Lottie?’ said Jessie, and Lottie lifted her into her arms.
‘Yes, Jess?’
‘What’s happening to the last ginger kitten?’
‘Ah,’ said Lottie, looking at Emily and Zach for cues. ‘Why?’
‘Because I’m thinking that if I’m getting a dog,’ she turned to eye her father, ‘like Daddy promised, then it’s only fair that my new baby brother or sister has a pet too.’ She turned and gave Lottie her best smile.
‘Nice try,’ said Zach. Jessie’s face fell.
Emily stepped forward and stroked Jessie’s cheek. ‘How about we see how we get on with a dog first.’
‘And if you can’t find a suitable dog, then the kitten is yours,’ said Lottie.
Jessie brightened. ‘Can I name him?’
‘Sure,’ said Lottie. It couldn’t be any worse than Dave.
‘Thank you, Auntie Lottie,’ said Jessie, squeezing her tightly. ‘I name this kitten Silas Ramsbottom!’ And Dave barked his approval.
Acknowledgements
Firstly a huge thank-you to the Romantic Novelists’ Association, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The RNA is a wonderful organisation full of talented writers who are unbelievably supportive of each other. Without the RNA and their New Writers’ Scheme I would not have met my first editor or found my tribe.
Huge thanks to my wonderful technical experts for answering my questions:
Dr David Boulton for medical advice.
Faye Tapping RVN BSc for veterinary.
Special thanks to Phillipa Ashley, Jules Wake, Sarah Bennett and Darcie Boleyn for saving my sanity – it’s been a tough few months and these wonderful writers have been there every step of the way.
Thanks to my brilliant agent Kate Nash for her ongoing support and my editors Molly Walker-Sharp and Katie Loughnane. Huge shout out for all of Team Avon for pulling out the stops and getting this to print in the middle of a pandemic – you guys rock!
Thanks to my wonderful family for their support but especially for all the very special family Christmases we have shared.
Huge thank-yous to everyone in the blogging community for their continued support and to each and every reader who has bought or borrowed my book. I really do appreciate it. And if you have a moment to leave a review that would mean the world – thank you.
Special mention: Years ago I read a novella titled Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Adele Geras and it must have lodged in my mind somewhere. I was well into planning this book when I realised where the concept had come from. Thankfully the lovely Adele was happy for me to go ahead and write my story and I will be forever grateful to her for that.
Regan is holding a winning lottery ticket. Goodbye to the boyfriend who never had her back, and so long to the job she can’t stand!
Except it’s all a bit too good to be true …
Click here to find out more.
Life’s not always a walk in the park …
Click here to find out more.
Join Daisy Wickens as she returns to Ottercombe Bay …
Click here to find out more.
Escape to the Cotswolds with Beth and Leo …
Click here to find out more.
Tempted to read another heart-warming romance by Bella Osborne?
Click here to find out more.
As the sun begins to set on Sunset Cottage, an unlikely friendship begins to blossom …
Click here to find out more.
About the Author
Bella Osborne has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full-length novel.
In 2016, her debut novel, It Started at Sunset Cottage, was shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan Hessayon New Writers Award.
Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays.
She lives in the Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).
Also by Bella Osborne:
It Started at Sunset Cottage
A Family Holiday
Escape to Willow Cottage
Coming Home to Ottercombe Bay
A Walk in Wildflower Park
Meet Me at Pebble Beach
About the Publisher
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One Family Christmas: The perfect, cosy, heart-warming read to curl up with this winter Page 34