The Strawberry Heart

by Finella Vane

  “But even my doctor thinks that the something that happened in my past could explain….”

  “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise you anything more than that.”

  Niav clenched her jaw, “Alright. Will you be coming to dinner?”

  “Are you sure you want me there?”

  “Of course,” Niav rolled her eyes, “I promise I won’t pressure you to tell me anything. You’ll get to meet Anselle and Gina and her friend Elise. Anselle’s friend Lisa may show up too.”

  “Should I bring anything?”

  “I don’t think so unless there’s something special you want to drink.”

  “Alright, if you’re sure.”

  “Mum, I told you, I’m sure. Anselle’s real excited to meet you.”

  Niav’s mom didn’t buy that for a second, “I’m sure she is, Sweetheart.”

  The artist could hear the doubt in her voice, “She is, really.”

  “Alright, Dear if you say so. I’ll talk to you more about it tomorrow, yeah?”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  Niav swiped the ‘end call’ icon to disconnect her mother and flopped herself down on the bed. The bed dipped down on either side of the artist as Anselle and Gina joined the woman. “Talking to her gives me a headache sometimes.”

  “Welcome to the club,” Gina laughed back. “It’s a mom thing.”

  “Anselle’s mom doesn’t give me headaches.”

  “She doesn’t give me headaches either,” Anselle huffed.

  “That’s because it’s a ‘your mom’ thing. Your mom gives you headaches, my mom gives me headaches. Anselle’s mom couldn’t give anyone a headache if she tried, she’s too nice.”

  “She loves you too, Gina,” the blonde playfully shoved the Englishman in the shoulder. “Come on, I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

  It was an unusual Thursday evening when Gina was available for dinner. What was even more unusual was for her to have off the Thursday before Christmas but her decision to promote a chef was really paying off giving her a lot more free, personal time. There were still a few details to iron out regarding Christmas dinner and Niav had offered to cook so Gina politely accepted. The woman had made Irish stew; cubed lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, cubed potatoes, chopped carrots and peas which had been simmering in the Dutch oven and all Niav had to do was add the dried thyme, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce and thicken the sauce with flour and water then cook it for another two minutes.

  Anselle set the table while Gina fetched three beers from the fridge. Niav ladled helpings of stew into large bowls, carried two to the table then returned to the kitchen for her. She also brought out a loaf of crusty bread and a bread knife. Over dinner they finalized the menu for Christmas (they agreed to keep it traditional English), decided what time they should serve, what the sleeping arrangements would be and what would be served for breakfast the next morning.

  ***

  Friday, 22nd December

  “Tell me what to get you for Christmas,” it wasn't a demand but it was as close to one as Niav had ever heard.

  “I don’t need anything. You don’t have to buy me something, honestly. I’ll be happy if you just come to dinner,” Niav hadn't planned on getting her mother anything but if she got her something she’d have no choice. She couldn’t imagine what she’d get for her; maybe a sketch of herself and Anselle….no she always had a hard time drawing herself.

  “What about Anselle? What should I get for her?”

  “Please, mum. You don’t have to get either of us anything. We’re not expecting gifts. We don't want gifts. We just want you to come.”

  “Niav,” she used her ‘mom voice’, “Sweetheart, it’s Christmas. I have to get something.”

  Niav racked her brain….”How about wine? Anselle likes red wine.”

  “I was going to buy wine as a gift for the host. Do you think it would look funny getting the same thing for Anselle?”

  “No. It’ll be great. Anselle loves wine,” the artist hoped she wasn’t making her fiancé out to sound like an alcoholic.

  Niav asked, hoping to get a straight answer but knowing she wouldn’t, “What should I tell her to get you?”

  “Oh, no, I don’t need anything.”

  “Mum, you can’t do that. If you get her something she’ll feel bad about not getting you something. It’ll be awkward.”

  “Don’t be silly Niav, we’re all adults. It’ll be fine. I’ll call you Sunday, yeah? Maybe you and your young girl would like to come to mass with me.”

  Niav doubted it very much but she said, “I’ll ask her.”

  “Okay, Sweetheart. Bye now.”

  “Bye,” but she had already gone. Niav took a deep breath and sighed, she’d have to tell Anselle they need to get a gift for her mother. They had already sent Anselle’s parents their gifts, “Proud to be Irish” t-shirts and a hanging plaque that read “An Irish Blessing: May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door”. Niav couldn’t wait to meet the Kellys and was thinking about asking Anselle to go New Zealand in the spring, honeymoon or no.

  ***

  Saturday, 23rd December

  Niav and Anselle went back to the street fair early to see if they could find a present for Niav’s mom. The artist hadn’t learned much about her in their brief telephone conversations only that she did take a calligraphy class, joined a book club, started riding a bicycle everywhere, stopped knitting and crocheting and was thinking about becoming a vegetarian but didn’t think she could go through with it. She had gotten a job as an assistant in an office after taking some computer classes at the local college and was using the holiday time her company let her “bank” to be used when needed. She didn’t talk about her friends or when or why she had been to London before or why she was in London now.

  If she still crocheted she’d get her yarn. If she was going to go through with becoming a vegetarian she’d get her a steamer. She probably already has a bicycle helmet if she rode everywhere but she wouldn't buy her one of those anyway. They looked for special paper or pens for her calligraphy but couldn’t find anything that looked ‘special enough’. Anselle suggested books but Niav couldn’t really say what kind of genres she liked to read or who her favorite authors were.

  The last shop they went into was the bookshop Niav had her first attack in front of. The smell of the old, musty, leather books tickled her nose and even though the shop wasn’t dusty she sneezed. They browsed the crowded isles looking for anything they thought she would like; a hidden treasure amongst the used, hardbound, reprints. They found nothing suitable for her, but plenty of things they’d like for themselves, until they were about to walk out the door. Behind the wooden sales counter the word calligraphy caught Anselle’s eye. Anselle leaned over the counter and spied a set of calligraphy fountain pens, wood styluses, interchangeable nubs, five pots of colored ink, seal wax and sealing tools all stored inside a beautiful wooden box. She called Niav over so the woman could see if it was something she thought her mom would like. The shopkeeper came in then and they asked to see the box. They both thought it was perfect and their shopping was done.

  ***

  Sunday, 24th December

  There was no brunch that Sunday because Gina was with Elise at her sister’s house in Yorkshire for Christmas Evelyn-day breakfast before she had to go to the restaurant for the dinner service. Niav’s mother telephoned and wanted them to come to pick her up so they could all go to Gina’ together but Niav had to be there early to help Gina cook. Niav didn't want Anselle to be uncomfortable going to get her by herself so she managed to talk her into arriving on her own. The artist also told her mother that she and Anselle would not be attending midnight mass with her and if she was terribly disappointed it didn’t show. All the food was at Gina’ so there was nothing for them to shop for or bring. They had all agreed it was going to be a dinner to celebrate the holiday and their friendship so they wouldn’t be exchanging gifts
(except for her mother). Niav had warned Gina that her mother would be bringing something for her as the host of the party.

  Anselle and Niav had agreed to exchange their gifts at random times over the two days prior to Christmas Day, leaving the “good gifts” for just before they left for Gina’. So far, Anselle had her scarf/hat set, film for her camera, a “kiss me I’m Irish” t-shirt, a new case for her phone and a pair of house slippers that looked like furry bunnies. Niav had the book about Bristol, a new set of watercolor paints, a larger sketch book, a new leather-bound journal and the extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on DVD.

  A Christmas Carol (starring Patrick Stewart) was on the TV while Niav was in her corner of the sofa sketching in her new book and Anselle was in her corner of the sofa cleaning and loading film into her mother’s old, camera. Anselle raised the camera to take a picture of her love, “Smile.”

  Niav saw the camera pointed at her and raised the sketch pad in front of her face, “Ugh! I look frightful.”

  “Come on, let me take your picture. You look fine.”

  “Only if I can take yours.”

  Anselle rolled her eyes, “Okay. Lower the sketch pad.”

  “No. Give me the camera first.”

  “Why? Don’t you trust me?”

  “Not in the slightest,” the artist made grabby hands, “Hand it over.”

  Anselle reluctantly turned the camera around and held it out but she jumped off the sofa before Niav could focus and take the shot. “Where are you going? Come back here!” The artist shouted after her fleeing fiancé.

  “Just a second. Hold on,” Anselle shouted back.

  When Anselle reappeared in the sitting room she was wearing her new ‘kiss me I’m Irish’ t-shirt, the new hat and scarf set and her bunny slippers. Anselle curled up on the sofa, sitting with her legs crossed in front of her, “Make sure you get the whole outfit in the shot.”

  “You look wonderful. You should model professionally,” Niav chuckled as she moved off the sofa and backed up a little to capture Anselle in the frame. The artist took several shots from several different angles to make sure she had ‘captured Anselle’s essence’.

  The artist sat back down on the sofa before handing the camera back and taking up her sketch pad. When Anselle didn’t make a move to take her picture Niav asked, “Well?”

  “I’m waiting for you to relax. I don’t want you to be too posed. Just sketch and I’ll take some candid shots.”

  That sounded good to Niav so that was exactly what she did. Every so often she heard the click of the shutter and she did her best to not look up as she sketched Anselle in her lovely, Christmas outfit.

  After dinner, reheated leftover Irish stew, they exchanged a few more gifts and snuggled on the sofa to watch “Elf”.

  ***

  Monday, 25th December

  Anselle wore her new apron with the different colored hearts as she cooked them Christmas breakfast; scrambled eggs cooked gently in melted butter, layered over lightly toasted white bread and topped with thinly sliced salmon. On the side she served bacon, fresh fruit salad, orange juice, tea and more toast with strawberry jelly. Niav sat at the dining table; the smell of the cooking bacon had drawn her out of bed; watching the blonde move back and forth between the stove, fridge and counter. She had her new chain around her neck and she was toying with the pendant with her fingers. They each had one gift left to give but they were saving them for just before they left which could be very dangerous as sometimes they have a tendency to not leave and instead fall into bed, when something unexpectedly good happened.

  Dinner was scheduled to be on the table at five so Niav wanted to be at Gina’ by twelve, latest. There were sides to prepare and dessert to make, table to be set and decorations to put up. Niav had wanted a plum pudding but once she looked at the recipe and its cooking requirements she changed her mind (maybe next year). The woman has decided on a chocolate Yule log instead.

  The breakfast dishes were washed, dried and put away. The couple sat facing each other on the sofa, grins spread wide over their faces. Each girl held an envelope in her hand. “On the count of three, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “One…..two…..three.” Both women ripped open their envelope, took out the enclosed Christmas card, opened it and watched as matching sets of airline tickets to New Zealand fell into their laps.

  “How did you….? “

  “Why did you….?”

  Blue eyes looked up to meet golden-brown but both women were speechless. All they could do was look at each other; love shining in two sets of eyes.

  Anselle was the first to break the silence, “I didn’t know you were thinking of going.”

  “I didn’t know you were either. This is kinda funny….in a good way.” Niav’s golden-brown eyes never left Anselle’s sparkling, blue.

  “It is. We’ll have to decide what we’re going to do with the extra set of tickets.”

  “Why don’t we go in the spring like we want, just for a visit and then go again for our honeymoon? We’ll just have to change the date on the other set.”

  “We’re being very calm about this, aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” the woman grinned, “Yes, we are.”

  They met, each halfway across the sofa and fell into a passionate kiss, “We have to get to Gina’.”

  “I’ve known her a long time, she’ll understand.”

  "I love you."

  "I love you too."

  Fingers undid buttons and zippers as shirts and pants were stripped off and Anselle pushed Niav down onto the sofa.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  The old manor house already smelled like roasting turkey when Anselle and Niav arrived a little after one all blushing and apologetic. Gina being Gina understood without hearing too many of the details and she was very happy for them (and maybe just a little jealous) that they were going to New Zealand in the spring. They hung their winter coats in the hall closet before the Englishman showed them to the guest room where they put down their overnight bags and took off their shoes before going back downstairs to help prepare for the evening.

  Anselle got busy right away setting the table according to Gina’ precise instructions then moved on to the centerpiece. She couldn’t figure out why the task was assigned to her since Niav was the artist but she did the best she could to fit cut pine branches and flowers as decoratively as possible into the vase Gina had given her. It was too early for Gina to start preparing the side dishes so she helped Anselle decorate. They found, in a drawer in the sideboard, a holiday table runner which they placed on the top. The Englishman set more cut pine branches around silver candlesticks on the mantelpiece. While Anselle set matching candle holders on the sideboard. Ten inch taper candles were put into the candle holders to be lit when the rest of the guests arrived.

  Next they headed down to the cellar to get a box of lights and ornaments for the tree. The lights went on the small Christmas tree Gina bought on her way back from Elise’s sister’s house in Yorkshire. Anselle was relieved when the plug landed on the side of the tree against the wall with enough length to plug into the socket. Next they put on the ornaments but Anselle had the same problem with Gina she had with Niav (too many of the same color too close together – and no Gina it doesn’t matter that they’re different shapes and sizes). There was a box of tinsel too but they determined that the tree didn't really need it. They did, however, decide to try and make popcorn garland with freshly popped microwave popcorn and a needle and thread from Gina’ mother’s sewing box but more popcorn wound up in their mouths than on the thread.

  Meanwhile, in the kitchen Niav had been preparing the cake batter after setting the oven to preheat and spraying the pan with non-stick cooking spray and lining it with parchment paper. Using the stand mixer the woman beat the eggs on high for several minutes until they were pale and fluffy. The sugar was gradually added and the two ingredients were beaten until thick. Not used to using a stand mixer
Niav removed the bowl from the stand to fold in the flour which was sifted into a separate bowl with baking powder and salt. The artist couldn’t bring herself to use the microwave to melt the chocolate so she used a small saucepan on the stove over low heat. While the chocolate was melting she mixed water, coffee liqueur, sugar and baking soda in a small bowl. Once the chocolate was melted she poured the liqueur mix into it and stirred until it was smooth. The chocolate mixture was quickly but gently folded into the rest of the batter. The finished cake batter was poured into the greased and lined jellyroll pan before being slid into the second of the kitchen’s double ovens. The woman set the timer for twenty minutes before she joined her friends in the parlor. She complimented the decorations but chastised them on the mess they made of the popcorn garland. In the end, Anselle made more popcorn and the three made a pretty decent go of it, if they did say so themselves.

  Halfway through the bowl of popcorn the kitchen timer alerted Niav that the cake was done. She laid a tea towel out on the counter and dusted it lightly with icing sugar. The artist flipped the cake out of its pan and onto the towel. The parchment paper was carefully peeled away before the top was lightly dusted with more icing sugar. The dry edges of the cake got trimmed away and the cake was rolled up using the cloth as a guide. The rolled cake was put on top of a rack to cool thoroughly. Niav began the frosting by melting more chocolate in a small saucepan. While the melted chocolate cooled slightly Niav beat the cream cheese and icing sugar together until smooth. The vanilla got blended in along with some coffee liqueur. Once those ingredients were combined she folded in the melted chocolate. The cooled cake was unrolled and one third of the filling was spread over the surface. The cake was carefully rolled back up, placed on a serving tray then frosted. The artist used a spatula to form the ‘bark lines’ before she finished it by dusting more icing sugar over the top. The woman slid the cake into the fridge to keep until dessert.

  Just as Niav reentered the parlor Gina left to answer the doorbell. It was too early for the ladies to be arriving which caused Anselle and Niav to look at each other in wonder. Anselle and Niav could make out Gina’ muffled talking, a familiar Welsh accent and another that sounded distinctly Scottish. Lisa ran into the room and threw her arms around Anselle before hugging Niav.