by Heidi Swain
‘Oh, you are upset,’ she sympathised. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Her voice drifted away and I knew she was saying something to Dad who, as always during these Sunday morning calls, was lingering in the background.
‘Freya?’ came his voice.
He sounded concerned and I daresay Mum had told him I’d collapsed and was having a crisis.
‘Hey, Dad,’ I smiled, ‘I’m guessing Mum’s—’
‘We’ve just put you on speakerphone,’ he cut in, saving my blushes. ‘We’re sorry about, Peter,’ he carried on.
‘Well, don’t be,’ I said, my mind full of Finn, ‘because I’m not. I’m happy for him. Truly delighted.’
If Peter was as love-struck as I was, then he was feeling very content indeed and I couldn’t have wished the feeling on a lovelier bloke. We might not have been right for each other, but I was genuinely thrilled that he had found the right fit with Rebecca.
‘That’s good then,’ said Dad, sounding relieved. ‘And don’t you worry, you’ll find someone. You won’t be on your own forever.’
‘I’ll tell her about Jackson’s plans,’ I heard Mum loudly whisper, ‘that might help.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ I said, then, in a desperate bid to put her off, blurted out, ‘but actually, I’m not on my own. I have found someone.’
Mum shrieked and there was scuffling as she unnecessarily took back control of the handset.
‘What was that, Freya?’ she pounced. ‘What did you just say?’
‘I said, I’ve met someone,’ I smiled. ‘I’m in a relationship, Mum. A wonderful one with a man I’m very much in love with.’
I knew I should have mentioned that to Finn before my parents but, bursting with bonhomie for Peter, I wanted to shout about my own feelings. That said, I knew I was going to regret shouting them to Mum because she was bound to keep pestering me for details.
‘Well,’ she said, ‘that’s lovely news.’
She didn’t make it sound like it was lovely news.
‘So, when do we get to meet this man you’re so besotted with?’
That wouldn’t be happening any time soon.
‘Will he be at the Winter Garden opening?’
I’d forgotten she and Dad were coming to that.
‘No,’ I lied, crossing my fingers, ‘he’s nothing to do with the garden.’
‘Is he not?’
‘No,’ I lied again as my head started to thump. ‘Look, Mum, I’m ever so sorry to cut you off, but I’m working today, so—’
‘On a Sunday?’
‘Yes, with a Winterfest event in Prosperous Place so I need to get ready.’
‘But I haven’t told you about Broad-Meadows yet,’ she said, sounding disappointed.
‘You know I don’t want to hear about Broad-Meadows,’ I tersely reminded her. ‘But I do need to get on. We’ll speak again soon.’
And with Dad shouting goodbye in the background, I ended the call.
* * *
Channelling Helena Bonham Carter circa 1985, I managed to pin my hair into submission, settle Nell and arrive at Prosperous Place just as Poppy and Mark were welcoming everyone to a day of ‘seasonal and fulfilling foodie heaven’.
‘You all right?’ Poppy asked as I helped distribute the ingredients which were going to be transformed into her chuck-it-all-in chutney.
I had felt fine, out in the fresh bracing air, but the vinegary tang which was already filling the kitchen, made my stomach roll a little.
‘You do look a bit peaky,’ Mark chimed in, arching an eyebrow from his side of the table.
‘I’m all right,’ I told them both.
‘Saturday-night hangover,’ they said together, with a little chuckle.
‘How do you know that?’ I tutted, knowing denial was futile.
‘You’re displaying all the classic signs,’ quipped Mark, clearly delighted that his and Poppy’s observation skills were up to scratch. ‘This vinegar must be playing havoc with—’
‘Don’t,’ I swallowed, cutting him off.
‘Funnily enough,’ Poppy carried on where Mark had left off, ‘I saw Finn earlier and he was looking a little green around the gills too. Coincidence?’
‘Must be,’ I sniffed.
‘Talk of the devil,’ said Mark, with a nod to the door.
‘Finn,’ I sighed, his name escaping my lips before I could stop it. ‘I’ll be back in a sec,’ I told the terrible two as Finn beckoned me over.
‘Take your time,’ they said, again in perfect synchronicity.
Finn reached for my hand and led me back into the corridor next to the kitchen.
‘I had a great time last night,’ he said, pulling me gently into his arms, once he’d checked there was no one else around.
‘Me too,’ I said, laying my head against his broad chest and feeling thrilled that, thanks to a timely intervention, some secret sharing and a hefty dollop of honesty our relationship had been totally transformed. ‘Did we only drink one bottle of fizz, though?’ I asked, looking up at him, ‘because I’ve got one hell of a hangover this morning.’
‘We did,’ he laughed, the sound resonating through his chest, ‘and I’m feeling it a bit too.’
Given the size of him, that was a surprise. I had assumed his physical bulk would have made him immune to the thumping head and churning tummy I was enduring.
‘Which is not what I need today,’ he added. ‘I’ve got to be on top form.’
‘Why? What have you got planned?’
‘Sunday dinner with the family.’
‘You’re going back?’
The last I’d heard; he had sworn off Sundays with the family for good.
‘Yep,’ he said, puffing out his cheeks. ‘Zak’s talked me into it. But I’ve told him, if Dad even hints that he’s starting on me, then I’m out of there.’
‘Well, good luck,’ I smiled, reaching up to kiss him and hoping that Zak’s personality change would ensure he’d take Finn’s side if there was any trouble. ‘I’ve had my weekly dose of family this morning. Trying to find the right thing to say to Mum is exhausting!’
‘Poor you,’ he said, kissing me back. ‘Did you hit on the right thing to say?’
Given that he was already stressed about the prospect of dinner with his dad, I didn’t think it was quite the right moment to tell him that I’d told my parents I was in love with him.
‘I’ll tell you later,’ I said. I’d fill him in on Peter’s news then too. ‘I better get back to the kitchen. Mark’s preparing some dough that he wants me to bash about.’
‘Rather you than me,’ Finn grimaced. ‘I’ll come and see you in the garden tomorrow, shall I?’
‘Oh, I won’t be there,’ I said, only just remembering. ‘I’ve got tomorrow and Tuesday off.’
‘In that case,’ he said, ‘how about we spend it together? I could take you to the cathedral like I suggested before and there’s a Christmas market in the city centre. We can look around that too, if you fancy it?’
I fancied it very much indeed and went back to the kitchen light of step, with my hangover practically forgotten and feeling buoyed up for the chutney- and bread-making marathon.
Chapter 26
The following morning, I was up long before it was light. The bread-and-chutney Winterfest session had been every bit as successful as those which went before it, but I couldn’t say, in all honesty, that I had felt particularly present during any of it.
Finn’s brief visit, along with his suggestion that we could spend my days off together, had pretty much banished my post-fizz sickly feeling, and I was very much looking forward to the start of my week.
‘Come on,’ I said to a surprised but delighted Nell, as I rattled her lead that Monday morning. ‘Let’s get an early walk in, shall we?’
The stars were still shining and I was pleased I’d layered up because it was more than a little crisp when I stepped outside. Nell, resplendent in her tweed and moleskin fleece-lined coat
, trotted ahead, as keen to start the day as I was.
‘Couldn’t you sleep either?’
My hand shot up to my chest and even Nell, usually so aware of everything around her, was caught off guard, but then she realised who the voice belonged to and her tail thumped against my leg.
‘Crikey, Finn,’ I gasped. ‘You made me jump.’
‘Sorry,’ he said, quieter than before, so as not to disturb the neighbours.
Aside from those in Lisa and Heather’s houses, there were no other lights on in the square and I reckoned they were only lit up because kids tended to be early risers, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
‘So where are you going so early in the day?’ Finn asked, falling into step as Nell tugged on the lead in her eagerness to be off.
‘I thought I’d get Nell walked early as you and I are going out. We are still going, aren’t we?’
‘Definitely,’ he said, taking my free hand, giving it a squeeze and then not letting go. ‘I could hardly sleep for thinking about it.’
‘Excellent,’ I said, as my heart kicked hard in my chest, both the result of us holding hands and Finn being as excited about our festive trip as I was. ‘So where are you headed?’
‘I’m going to Blossom’s.’
‘Blossom’s?’ I echoed. ‘At this time?’
‘Yes, she does the most amazing filled breakfast rolls, but you have to be up really early to get them. I was planning to get us some and surprise you with them.’
‘I rather wished I’d stayed at home now,’ I told him. ‘Breakfast almost in bed would have been most welcome.’
Finn chuckled.
‘So, what does Blossom fill these rare rolls with?’
‘Pretty much everything from the traditional full English range,’ he explained, making my tummy rumble. ‘My favourite is the classic eggs and bacon. It might sound basic, but it’s packed full and keeps me going till long after lunchtime.’
‘In that case,’ I said, quickening my pace, ‘shall we step it up a bit? I’d hate to miss out.’
‘Definitely,’ Finn agreed.
‘I’ll have the same as you, if that’s all right,’ I requested. ‘Why don’t you go and get them while I whizz Nell around the block and I’ll meet you back at the house?’
‘Sounds good to me,’ he said, lingering to give me a soft, sweet kiss before letting me go. ‘I’ll see you in a bit.’
* * *
‘Oh my God,’ I groaned, ‘you weren’t wrong, were you?’
Blossom’s breakfast rolls were every bit as delicious, full and tasty as Finn had described and I had been hard-pushed to finish mine. Even Nell was in seventh heaven because he’d got her some cooked sausages to snack on.
‘They’re good, right?’ Finn smiled, wiping his mouth with a sheet of kitchen roll.
‘So good,’ I groaned again.
‘And just what we need to keep us on our feet, because I have a packed itinerary for today.’
We both stood up to get ready to go.
‘I can’t wait,’ I told him, wrapping my arms around his waist and kissing him again. Blossom’s roll might have sated my hunger, but I still had plenty of appetite for Finn. ‘By the way, how did lunch with the family go yesterday?’
‘Do you know,’ he said, his voice full of wonder, ‘it was actually all right. Dad kept the digs dialled down and he couldn’t believe it when Zak whipped his phone out to show him what I’d been working on. Mind you, I was pretty shocked by that too. I had no idea he’d taken such an interest.’
It was a total turnaround, but a most welcome one.
‘And what about you?’ Finn asked. ‘You were going to tell me what you said to your mum.’
‘Oh, I’ll tell you later,’ I swallowed, quickly diverting the focus of our conversation from family to friends. ‘But Peter rang too and his call was much more exciting.’
‘Oh.’
‘He rang to tell me he’s engaged.’
‘Well, that’s lovely news.’
‘It is,’ I agreed, ‘and he wanted to see if I still had the hots for you, of course.’
‘And what did you tell him?’ he grinned, kissing me softly. ‘Did you tell him that you had to carry a fire extinguisher with you everywhere now?’
‘Something like that,’ I chuckled, between kisses.
‘And did you tell your mum about me, too?’
‘You might have got a mention.’
I still didn’t go into details, but then, given the way our kiss quickly deepened and my body melded itself to his, I couldn’t have focused on details even if I’d wanted to.
* * *
It was only just after nine, but the city seemed to be waking up earlier and earlier in the run-up to Christmas. With just a couple of weeks to go until the schools broke up, harassed-looking parents were striding out with lengthy lists, all wearing stern expressions and carrying multiple reusable shopping bags.
They weren’t exactly exuding festive joy, but fortunately for us, Finn and I had the luxury of unlimited hours and could take things at a more leisurely pace when it came to enjoying the sights, sounds and scents of the season, of which there were many.
‘Let’s start at the market,’ he suggested. ‘The Christmas one,’ he hastily added, ‘not the permanent one.’
‘I don’t mind either now I’m coping with my claustrophobia,’ I told him, keeping tight hold of his hand as we wove our way through the rapidly growing crowds. ‘And it doesn’t feel quite so tight for space there during the day.’
Both the area in the front of the Forum and outside the shopping mall were packed with little wooden stalls selling festive treats. My favourites were the wreath and garland stall (the orange and pine scent of which you could catch from metres away), the one selling quirky and kitsch festive decorations, and the German Schokokuss, or chocolate kisses, stand. Neither Finn nor I could resist those and we both purchased a few, even though we were still full of Blossom’s breakfast.
‘Have you decided when you’re going to put your decorations up yet?’ I asked Finn, as we made our way along the wonderful cobbled Lanes, which housed a variety of unique artisan shops and boutiques.
‘I’m not sure I’ll bother, to be honest,’ he told me. ‘As you know, the studio flat isn’t exactly all that roomy.’
‘But you have to have something,’ I insisted.
‘Even if it’s just a bunch of mistletoe?’
‘Absolutely,’ I said. ‘Any excuse for a Christmas kiss, right?’
‘I don’t need mistletoe for that,’ he said, pulling me to one side and proving the point.
‘Apparently not,’ I blushed.
‘What about you?’ he asked, taking my hand again.
‘What about me, what?’
‘We were talking about decorations.’
‘Oh yes,’ I said, ‘well, I’ve got a few bits and pieces, so I’ll probably get a tiny tree, or even a few branches of something from the garden to display them on. And lights, I definitely need twinkling lights.’
I was rather looking forward to decorating the house and wondered what Harold used to put up. I’d have to ask him next time I saw him.
‘Where are we?’ I asked, looking about me.
After the lingering kiss and criss-crossing lanes, I was completely disorientated.
‘Why are we heading towards a church?’ I frowned as Finn led us down an even narrower path. ‘I thought you weren’t the religious type, or are there more green men in here, like the ones you’ve spotted in the cathedral?’
‘It’s not that sort of church,’ he told me. ‘Not anymore, anyway.’
And he was right. St Gregory’s was now an antique and vintage emporium selling everything from furniture to fancy ornaments, vinyl to vases. I could have spent the entire day exploring the stands and stalls. Some parts were a trip down memory lane, packed full of ‘we used to have one of these when I was little,’ moments and others were full of far more unique treasures. There was one
thing in particular which caught my eye.
‘What have you found?’ Finn asked, as he looked over my shoulder.
‘Just a brooch,’ I said, lightly running my fingers over the exquisite detail.
‘Wow,’ said Finn, ‘that’s beautiful.’
‘It’s art nouveau, according to the label.’
It was a beautifully handcrafted bunch of snowdrops made in silver. It was in pristine condition and the perfect reproduction of my all-time favourite winter flower. If I’d had cash to spare, I would have definitely been wrapping it up and putting it under my tree.
‘Snowdrops are my favourite,’ I smiled, ‘all that delicate and fragile beauty springing up during the worst the winter storms can throw at us. I don’t think there’s a more hopeful little flower in the whole of the world.’
I know everyone had their own ideas about that. Eloise favoured the yellow primroses which grew in abundance and lined the ditches along the edges of the fields around Broad-Meadows, but it was the snowdrop which struck a chord in me.
‘Come on,’ I said, as the grandfather clock next to the tills began to chime and alerted me to how long we’d spent browsing, ‘we’ve still got the cathedral to explore before the end of the day.’
‘I’ll meet you outside,’ said Finn. ‘I just want to ask the guy how much he wants for that suit of armour.’
I had thought he’d been joking when he fell into raptures over that, but as he called to the stallholder and walked back over to it, I realised I was wrong.
* * *
‘Why don’t you grab that table,’ I suggested to Finn when we arrived at the cathedral refectory after our walk through the city, ‘and I’ll get the tea.’
Our breakfast had, as predicted, sustained us for a good long while and the lunch rush had long since gone so we could take our time over our still-warm scones, thick cream and locally made strawberry jam.
‘I hope this counts as one of my five,’ I laughed, layering the jam on. ‘We’ve hardly had the healthiest of days, have we?’
As well as the bacon and egg breakfast, we’d also shared the Schokokuss on our walk down to Tombland.