‘Yes, please, it is pretty nice, isn’t it?’ Sophie said.
Meredith nodded, then made her way through the crowds of people, who were now milling around, holding sausage rolls and glasses of non-alcoholic punch, since there were no seats left.
‘Me again,’ she said to Jacob. ‘That Gluhwein really does make you feel Christmassy.’
Jacob agreed that it did and said, ‘And because it’s non-alcoholic, Natalie and I can have some, too!’
‘Win win!’ Meredith declared. She was behaving slightly drunk, although that wasn’t possible. Maybe it was the medication which had sent her a bit loopy and which was making her have designs on being Winstanton’s matchmaker. She’d never been one for letting opportunities pass her by and she was damned if she was going to let Sophie. Now to find out for sure.
‘So, are you doing anything nice for Christmas?’ It was lame, but failsafe, Christmas being only a few days away.
‘I’m spending it with my sister, Tabitha,’ and he inclined his head towards a girl sitting chatting to an elderly man and a young couple, her interest in what they were saying clear, from the way she was leaning in to listen to them. Meredith noticed she had a barely visible bump, but was definitely pregnant. For one who had a sister with four children, she knew the signs.
‘Oh that sounds nice. Are you cooking?’
‘God, no! I’m a terrible cook. Thankfully Tabitha’s brilliant,’ and he outlined what they were having for Christmas dinner.
‘Mmm, you’re making my mouth water,’ Meredith told him, ‘So your girlfriend isn’t joining you for Christmas dinner?’
Giving her a strange look, Jacob said, ‘No.’
‘Spending it with her own family, is she?’ Meredith wouldn’t let it go.
Hesitating, Jacob finally mumbled, ‘Erm, I’m between girlfriends.’
‘Really?’
Feeling awkward, Jacob handed Meredith the two Gluhweins. She thanked him, wished him Merry Christmas and returned to Sophie, oblivious to the confused expression on Jacob’s face.
‘She’s not his girlfriend. He doesn’t have one.’ Meredith came right out and said it.
‘You didn’t ask him.’ Sophie’s eyes widened in horror.
‘What do you take me for? I was far more subtle than that,’ Meredith stretched the truth. ‘He’s spending Christmas with his sister.’
‘The pregnant one?’ Sophie glanced over at Tabitha, who was happily munching away on cake, taking a much deserved rest from assisting Natalie.
‘Yep.’
Sophie didn’t dare get her hopes up. Well, at least he was unattached, but that didn’t mean anything. It was obvious that he had a thing for the girl with the red hair and Botticelli curls.
Once drinks had been topped up again, cakes had been distributed, and small talk had been made, Jacob paused to draw breath and wipe his perspiring brow with a handkerchief. Natalie sidled up to him. ‘It’s going well, isn’t it?’
‘Better than I thought. I was just thinking, we need to get some business cards printed, so people who come in can pass them on to friends.’
‘Good idea. Well, you’ll be the boss in a few days. That can be one of your first tasks.’ Natalie saw that Jacob was only half-listening to her and she turned to see what had captured his attention.
‘Ah, yes, it’s good to see Meredith back on her feet, glad she’s well enough to enjoy Christmas.’
‘Hmm.’
‘What’s up?’ Natalie pressed him.
‘Nothing,’ he lied.
‘C’mon. We’ve been working almost on top of each other for three weeks now. I know something’s up.’
‘Well,’ confided Jacob, uncomfortable at discussing it, ‘I think Meredith was flirting with me earlier. She was asking me about my girlfriend.’
Natalie stared at him, then said, ‘Jacob. Sometimes men can be very dim. Look at Meredith now. What do you see?’
Reluctantly and hoping they didn’t make eye contact, as God knows what she’d think then, Jacob glanced over to where Meredith was sitting. ‘She’s talking to Sophie,’ he said, unable to think of any other clue which the tableau offered him.
‘Bingo.’
Jacob still didn’t get it.
‘Jacob, do you really think a woman in her forties is likely to be interested in you, or do you think there’s a much more plausible explanation?’
The cells in Jacob’s brain put in some overtime and Eureka! ‘Sophie?’
Natalie clapped her hands together in applause, winked at him, and then turned to speak to a customer who had approached the counter.
Jacob looked over at Meredith and Sophie. He liked Sophie. She was nice, more than nice, funny, clearly clever, since she was almost single-handedly running Meredith’s company at the moment, and, now he looked at her properly, he saw she was very pretty, in a completely different way to Rebecca. He’d been so busy obsessing over Rebecca, he hadn’t noticed what had been right in front of him.
As the party drew to a close, Meredith and Sophie stood to leave. Terrified, but determined not to let the opportunity pass him by, Jacob approached them and said, ‘Sophie, have you got a minute?’
‘Sure.’ She stepped aside to let Stanley, Thomas, and Catherine pass, as they waved goodbye to Natalie and promised they’d be in again before New Year.
‘I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you had anything on tonight.’
A wide smile radiated across Sophie’s face, as she said with delight, ‘No, just some present wrapping in the company of a bottle of wine.’
‘Well, in that case, would you like to have a glass of wine, or two, with me tonight?’
Sophie’s cheeks turned scarlet, then she said, ‘I’d like that a lot,’ as she flushed with pleasure.
Jacob thought on his feet and proposed they meet in the Crooked Dug pub at eight o’clock.
As Sophie returned to Meredith, who was clearly grilling her on the way out, Tabitha and Natalie shared a complicit look. Love was in the air.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Christmas Eve
These shoes are a nightmare to put on, Stanley thought, as he tried to lace up his dress kilt shoes. It was no good. He’d have to ask someone to help him when he got to the church and just wear his normal shoes on the way there. Surveying himself in the mirror, he was surprised by what he saw. He looked quite handsome, if considerably older than last time he’d worn his kilt. Since his family name had no tartan, many years ago he’d shortlisted those he liked best, before selecting the Brodie modern tartan; red and black with thin yellow stripes. It wasn’t as bold as the Leslie tartan, but he preferred the understated look. He thought it suited him and thankfully it still fitted him, although he needed to pull the belt in two more notches than before.
Jacob arrived at the bakery ten minutes later than usual, mumbling apologies to Natalie, as he divested his jacket, the huge grin on his face indicative of how his date with Sophie had gone the night before.
‘Well, there’s no point asking how you got on last night!’ Natalie said to him, as she poured him a coffee.
‘Fantastic. She’s so...’ he searched for the correct word to use...‘Right for me. We get each other. We talked until we got thrown out of the pub, because it was closing time. And get this, Meredith has promoted her and given her a massive Christmas bonus, too. Sophie was like a dog with two tails.’ Jacob finally drew breath.
Natalie hid a smile. She knew quite well why Sophie had been so overjoyed and it had nothing to do with work, delighted though she might be about her improved career prospects and burgeoning bank balance. Very little got past Natalie; it was her job to know about people and ever since day one, when they had first met Sophie, she’d known that there was a spark between her and Jacob. It had just taken Jacob a little while to notice. Men could be so oblivious.
The bakery was just as busy today as it had been the day before. Their marketing efforts had worked. Spreading Christmas cheer had the till ringing
nonstop, as anxious holidaymakers made their final purchases, then relaxed with a hot chocolate and a slice of cake. Although a few tense-looking husbands were being trailed along by purposeful wives, laden down with bags of toys and other gifts, generally the atmosphere was one of excitement and happiness. Christmas Eve - the most magical night of the year.
The door jangled once more and Rebecca blew in, a whirlwind of energy, and bestowed her biggest smile on Jacob.
‘Thanks so much. I’ve just been to see Mrs Williams and I can move into Rose Cottage after New Year. It’s beautiful, too, so quirky and picturesque. It suits my artistic side.’
‘I’m really pleased it’s all working out for you.’ Jacob patted her arm. Rebecca felt a tingle surge through her. Yet when she looked up at him, his expression was different to how he’d been with her before. He didn’t look sorrowful, as if he was wistful for what might have been. No, he seemed...content, happy. Whatever had happened? She decided that she was happy for him. He was a lovely guy and yes, perhaps they would have been good together, but timing was everything and it hadn’t been right for them.
‘Right, I better get on. I have a train to catch,’ she said, glancing at her watch.
‘Oh, where are you off to?’
‘Banbury.’
Seeing Jacob’s eyebrow shoot up, Rebecca explained, ‘My parents moved there a few years ago. I’m spending Christmas with them.’
As the words left her mouth, Rebecca realised she was no longer dreading the visit. She could cope with the grilling her mother would no doubt make her endure, safe in the knowledge that in a few days’ time she would be heading home again, soon to start her new job and move into Rose Cottage.
As Catherine and her uncle, taking the place of her long-dead father, walked down the aisle towards the waiting groom, Stanley sat in the front row reserved for relatives. Tears coursed down his face. He hadn’t expected to see this moment and how he wished Edie was here beside him. He could feel her presence now, scolding him, telling him that at least one of them was able to witness it and that he should rejoice in the occasion.
Whilst the two young people exchanged the vows they had written themselves, hands intertwined, Stanley cast his mind back to his own wedding, in this very church, all those years before and he was thankful that history was repeating itself. He only hoped that the newlyweds would experience as much happiness as he and Edie had in the many years they had spent together.
At two o’clock on the banks of Loch Lomond, freezing to death almost, but cheerful nonetheless, the wedding party posed for photographs. They had been lucky with the weather. Although the temperature was below zero, fluffy white clouds buzzed across a predominantly blue sky, and not a drop of rain had fallen. Stanley was glad of his Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket, his woollen kilt, and knee high kilt socks. The shoes, though, were almost paper-thin and he could barely feel his toes. Judging that he had enough decent shots now, the photographer deemed that they could all repair to the warmth of the hotel, where the reception was soon to take place.
As Natalie closed the bakery for the final time, she remembered the lovely comments customers had made to her, when they discovered today would be her last. She had shed a silent tear, even though this was always the way. Tabitha sat on a chair, rubbing her stomach, whether she had overindulged, or if she was bonding with her unborn child, it was hard to tell.
‘Well, this is us,’ said Natalie.
‘I can’t believe we won’t see you again,’ said Jacob. ‘I feel as if I’ve known you much longer than three weeks.’
‘I know. That’s the sign of good friends,’ said Natalie. ‘I’m glad I met you, Jacob.’
‘Me too.’ Jacob feeling a bit emotional, stuck his hands in his pockets.
‘And you.’ Natalie turned her affectionate gaze on Tabitha.
‘Thanks, you too. And thanks for looking after my brother.’
‘Oh it was nothing. Just you take care of that baby. I’ll keep in touch so I know how it all goes.’
‘I’d like that,’ said Tabitha, hugging her.
‘Before I forget, I have a little something for both of you under the tree,’ Natalie said.
‘So do I,’ said Jacob.
They both retrieved the presents from under the tree.
‘Oh, but what about your baubles and decorations?’ Jacob asked, ‘How will we get them back to you?’
‘Oh don’t worry, Mrs Williams knows how to return them to me,’ Natalie assured him.
Jacob sighed with relief. For a second he had envisaged them dismantling the beautiful tree tonight, before the big day.
‘Here, Tabitha, why don’t you open yours first?’ Natalie held out a foil wrapped package to her. The packaging shone as if illuminated from the inside. Carefully Tabitha unwrapped the parcel.
‘Sorry, I know I’m slow, but I love the anticipation of presents as much as I love the presents themselves,’ Tabitha apologised.
Natalie smiled at her and continued to do so as Tabitha gasped at the antique silver and mother-of-pearl baby rattle which lay in a navy velvet box.
‘Oh this is too much, Natalie. It’s beautiful. It looks so old.’
‘It is,’ Natalie confirmed without elaborating further.
‘It’s beautiful,’ Tabitha repeated, mesmerised. ‘Look, Jacob.’
Turning it over and over in his hand, Jacob agreed that it was exquisite.
‘Now you, Natalie. This is from myself and Tabitha,’ said Jacob, as he presented her with a small gold coloured gift bag. Natalie noticed it was very light. Opening it, she saw that nestling within was a Christmas bauble, in a blue and white mosaic style, depicting the Nativity.
‘This is amazing,’ Natalie was touched. ‘What a thoughtful gift. I shall hang it every year with the others. Thank you so much,’ she kissed them both on the cheeks.
Then, it was Jacob’s turn, as Natalie passed him a black leather box. Inside lay a snow globe. Surprised, and unsure what to say, although he was wondering why Natalie had bought him a snow globe, he examined the unusually heavy snow globe; more akin in weight to a paperweight. As he took in the tableau it featured, he discovered he was seeing High St, where the bakery was situated. Yep, and there was the bakery, complete with the tip of the Christmas tree visible through the window.
‘But how did you...this is...unbelievable.’ Jacob stared at it. For a second he though he saw something move, but it must have been his vision blurring. He could have sworn he saw movement outside the butcher shop two doors up. As he glanced at Natalie, she was smiling at him. Just then he saw Pat, the butcher, walk past the shop window. Jacob shook his head. What a weird coincidence.
‘I love it,’ he told Natalie. ‘I still don’t know how you got someone to make you one with our row of shops in it, but it’s brilliant. Thank you.’ He wrapped her in a bear hug.
Natalie shone with pleasure. ‘I hope after I’ve gone, you’ll occasionally look at it and remember me.’
‘Oh, you can count on it.’
After several more hugs and after wishing each other Merry Christmas, they parted ways outside the shop, promising to keep in touch.
As Natalie returned to Rose Cottage, she thought, Almost done, and she couldn’t help feeling a little wistful.
‘Mummy, I don’t want to go to bed yet,’ a sleepy Max said, sucking his thumb and pulling on his beige floppy eared rabbit - well, one ear, he’d chewed the other one off over time.
‘But Santa won’t come if you’re not asleep,’ Amelia reasoned with him.
Eleven-year-old Alannah, fresh and rosy-cheeked from her bath, sat between Meredith’s knees whilst her aunt combed her long blonde hair. Seven-year-old Edward lay on his stomach, face in his hands, resting on his elbows, as the whole family watched The Grinch. The children all wore new pyjamas; Santa ones for Max, reindeer-covered Edward’s, and a red onesie populated with snowmen and snowflakes for Alannah. Jasper was the only one who didn’t participate in this ritual.
Curling
up on his mum’s lap, Max said, ‘OK, but I want to leave the milk for Santa.’
‘That’s fine.’ Amelia ruffled his hair.
‘And biscuits, too,’ Alannah said, jumping to her feet. ‘I’ll be back, Auntie Meredith, once we’ve sorted the biscuits for Santa,’ she said, winking at her. As she walked off holding her little brother’s hand, Meredith heard Edward say, ‘And we need carrots for the reindeer, Mummy, they have such a long journey - they must get very tired.’
‘Shit,’ said Gareth, hoisting himself out of the armchair. ‘I was meant to fetch some carrots from the garden for the damned reindeer. Jasper, do you know where the torch is?’ He knew Jasper sometimes used it if Sheba was going out late at night into the garden.
‘In the utility room, Dad. I’ll get the carrots if you want,’ he offered.
‘No, it’s all right. Can you just pause the TV for me, please?’
‘Sure,’ and Jasper and Meredith sat in companionable silence until Gareth returned a few minutes later.
Meredith was admiring her surroundings. This really was a happy home. The scent of pine from the tree was powerful, heady, and welcoming. No-one minded the occasional Ouch from standing on the needles, although the living room had been vacuumed every day since the tree’s arrival. There was barely room to move near the tree, in fact everyone had to leave the living room by circumventing the tree, there were so many presents under it and around it; and those were just the presents from each other, not the big presents from Santa.
Although Meredith believed kids got too much these days, for once she said nothing and sat back with a glass of red wine, which Gareth had brought her on his return, saying, ‘I’m sure one won’t hurt,’ and enjoyed the family scene. She’d never spent Christmas Eve with children before and had been infected by their enthusiasm and excitement. Edward had been the opposite to Max; he had wanted to go to bed at six thirty, as he thought the earlier he went to bed, the sooner Santa would arrive. Since his parents didn’t want him getting up at two o’clock, his mum had told him he could go in a few hours, at the usual time.
The Christmas Spirit Page 14