Jack blinked repeatedly in dismay and started fiddling with his iPhone ‘Here you go. This is one of his videos. He plays Minecraft and explains insider tips and tricks, then posts it on YouTube. But unlike most of the other YouTubers you don’t see his face so people all over the world have fallen in love with his voice.’
He handed the phone to Carly. Beth casually leaned over her shoulder to watch as the game popped up and a little pixellated man was wielding a pickaxe. The YouTuber’s voice oozed from the phone – it was a slow melodic purr of a voice with a lilting accent. ‘I’m looking for resources in the nether in particular ghast tears …’
‘Fergus!’ squealed Carly and Beth together.
The revelation that Fergus was an Internet sensation dominated the rest of Christmas Day discussions; carrying on through more wine, clearing the table, the washing up, evening television and finally brandies in front of the fire. Throughout this Carly had been trying in vain to elicit a response from Fergus. The last text she’d received on Christmas Eve read:
I WILL see you Xmas day. Hope you like ur present F x
Finally Carly rang his mum in Ireland and Beth and Jack could tell by the frequent blinking and headshakes that things weren’t going well. When she’d finished the call she came in and slumped onto the sofa. Jack handed over her refreshed brandy glass.
‘He was on the last ferry out last night. It was coming into Liverpool. There are no trains today so she has no idea how he was meant to be getting to London. And he’s left his phone charger in Ireland so he’s most likely run out of battery by now.’
‘Bugger,’ said Beth eventually. ‘He did know you were coming here though, didn’t he?’
Carly shook her head. Beth and Jack both gave her confused looks. ‘I thought if I told him I was coming here he would try to persuade me to stay at the flat in case he made it home, which he was never going to do, and then I would have been all on my own for Christmas.’
‘But he did make it,’ Jack stated, and received a harsh stare from Carly.
‘We don’t know that,’ she said. ‘He could still be in Liverpool.’
‘He’s a famous YouTuber so I’m guessing he’s pretty loaded. He’d be able to find a way of getting from Liverpool to London,’ said Jack, as he took a sip of his brandy and breathed out the fumes slowly.
‘Loaded?’ laughed Carly, ‘I don’t think so. He might be famous on the Internet but he doesn’t make any money.’
Jack was looking at her quizzically. ‘He has over seven million followers and his own app. Every time someone watches a clip on YouTube, or upgrades on the app, he gets paid. I think you’ll find he’s earning far more than you or I ever will.’
The stunned silence was only interrupted by a large crack from the last log on the fire as it gave way and crumbled into the red glow of the hearth.
‘Oh,’ said Carly, jumping up and going for a rummage in her handbag. She came back with an envelope. ‘I just remembered this. It was in our letter box. I guess it’s a Christmas card.’
Beth regarded the innocuous white envelope now on her lap. She recognized the writing instantly. It was from Nick. Jack and Carly had started talking about exactly how much money Fergus might be making, so Beth quietly slid the envelope down the side of the sofa cushions. She would deal with that another time.
Jack and Doris stood up and stretched when Carly announced that it was now 12.05 so it was officially Boxing Day and Beth went to make herself busy in the kitchen. She wasn’t sure why but she had drunk quite a bit since lunch and she didn’t want to make a fool of herself if he did the cheek-kissing thing again. Jack strode into the kitchen with Doris at his side.
‘Happy Boxing Day!’ Jack said, as he pulled Beth into a hug. He hugged her for a little longer than she was expecting. He’d drunk quite a bit too. He eventually stepped back but still had hold of her arms, perhaps to help keep his own balance. ‘Thanks for a brilliant day, we loved it.’ He nodded towards Doris as he spoke and she lifted her tired head as if in agreement.
‘Good, I’m glad. Take care, it’ll be slippy outside,’ said Beth, trying to turn away. Jack still had hold of her arms and she instinctively went to pull free. As she almost toppled backwards, Jack grabbed Beth and stopped her from falling. Beth’s heart was racing and she was feeling uncomfortable sensations like the many times that Nick held onto her a fraction too long to show he was in control. Beth knew Jack wasn’t Nick but her body was reacting in exactly the same way. Now their faces were uncomfortably close and Beth’s pulse was racing for a number of reasons. But when she looked into Jack’s eyes it wasn’t fear she felt at all, but an undeniable attraction.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Jack, his voice breathy and his gaze fixed on her lips.
Beth took a deep steadying lungful of air. ‘Yeah, sorry. Too much alcohol. I think we all need to sleep it off.’ She raised a smile and tapped his arm gently.
Jack blinked hard and let go of Beth. ‘Okay.’ He didn’t look certain but he gave her a brief kiss on the cheek and left anyway, whispering his goodbyes to an already sleeping Carly who had nodded off on the sofa. Beth wasn’t sure what had just happened between her and Jack, but she knew that it could go no further.
Beth walked back into the living room and was about to wake Carly when her mobile chirped and she sprang awake. It was a text from Fergus:
So I’m guessing that you’ve left me then. F x
‘Shit,’ said Carly.
Beth left Carly exchanging frantic text messages with Fergus and went to bed. She didn’t hear Carly come up, but was aware of a bum nudging into her back at six the next morning so Carly had evidently turned in at some point. Beth lay still for as long as she could and then decided she needed coffee so padded to the kitchen. It was tranquil and dark outside and it had stopped snowing, but there was still a good layer of the stuff on everything.
She thought back to the previous day. She had enjoyed it far more than she ever thought she would. Leo had been pleased with his presents, and the television had been a deciding factor in how much he enjoyed Christmas. It had been lovely for her and Leo to spend it with Carly, and she’d liked having Ernie and Jack there too. She dwelled on thoughts of Jack for a moment; he was easy company and, almost without her noticing, he and Doris had become a part of her life.
She warmed her hands on her mug. There was something about Jack, something that was pulling her closer to him. Now was not good timing. She was fresh out of an abusive relationship and had no plans to stay in Dumbleford long-term, so she needed to make sure she kept Jack at arm’s length.
A yawning Carly broke Beth’s thoughts as she flopped onto one of the chairs and made it screech as it juddered across the kitchen floor. They were adding their own marks to the patina, thought Beth.
‘How are things with you and Fergus?’ Beth was scrunching up her shoulders as she asked the question.
Carly pouted. ‘We’re okay.’
‘But are you still together?’
Carly smiled for the first time. ‘Yes, we’re all sorted on that front. We’ve both been idiots but this New Year that’s just a few days away is going to be our year.’
‘That’s terrific, I’m really pleased for you both,’ said Beth, giving her a hug. ‘What about not meeting him at Embankment yesterday?’
‘He said not to worry about it. We can do it some other time.’
‘That’s a relief then.’
Carly nodded. ‘Fergus is such a sweetheart. Thankfully, he understood why I’d hot-footed over here for Christmas.’
‘What’s the plan now?’ asked Beth.
‘I need tea and then I’m going back to London.’
‘But there’s no trains today,’ pointed out Beth.
‘I know. Fergus said to get a taxi. Turns out Jack was right, Fergus is loaded.’
‘You’re kidding me?’
‘Nope, he admitted it all in our marathon text exchange last night. He knew I wasn’t interested in the gaming so he never me
ntioned it.
‘I’m really going to make it work this time, Beth. No more dreaming about proposals and weddings, I’m focusing on the two of us being happy just as we are,’ said Carly, and she looked like she meant it.
So much for keeping Jack Selby at ‘arm’s length’, thought Beth when she found herself with his arm casually draped round her waist on New Year’s Eve. In fact, Jack’s arm had made its way around her waist a number of times during the evening. They had spent the whole time together in the overflowing pub. Granted, she had been working but Petra was a great boss and Beth and the other bar staff had each managed to catch breaks throughout the evening. Petra had even closed the bar temporarily so that everyone could join in the countdown to midnight. Leo and Denis barrelled into the bar just in time and made their way to their respective parents. Leo squeezed in between Jack and Beth as the count reached its climax.
‘… one, zero! Happy New Year!’
Beth picked Leo up and kissed him. He was always the first person she kissed at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Even when he had been a baby and had been sound asleep, he was always her first kiss of a new year. Leo quickly squirmed away and he and Denis disappeared again. Petra was next with a hug and kiss for both Beth and Jack followed by one of her theatrical winks.
Jack gently steered Beth to the edge of the room. The noise around seemed to ebb to a mutter as Jack spoke. ‘So, here we are. A brand new year.’
‘I wonder what it holds,’ said Beth, as she looked into Jack’s eyes. She marvelled at the colour; they were the palest grey-blue and quite mesmerizing this close up. Jack reached out and took her hand. Beth followed his gaze and they both watched as their fingers perfectly knitted together. She looked up and he was smiling. He really was gorgeous especially when he smiled, and she felt her pulse start to quicken. Despite all her protestations, right now she wanted him to kiss her. It was New Year’s Eve, she was completely sober, and she wanted to be kissed.
Jack was looking at her intently. ‘Happy New Year, Beth.’ He gradually bent forward and placed the gentlest of kisses on her lips. The noise of the pub was now replaced by her own pulse thrumming in her ears as every fibre of her being focused on the kiss. For so many reasons she had been fighting this but right now it felt completely right. Beth had her eyes closed but, more than that, they were screwed up like those of a child awaiting a surprise. And this was a surprise. His firm but gentle kiss was sending ricochets around her body. She felt herself naturally relaxing against Jack. She was considering how to take the kiss further without looking like a hussy when a tap on her shoulder ended the moment abruptly.
‘Sorry,’ said Petra, ‘bar’s opening now.’
Jack gave a disappointed eye roll as Beth sighed and drew away. What had just happened between them? There was a post-midnight frenzy behind the bar as punters eagerly awaited top-ups. When the rush had died to a trickle, Petra beckoned Beth out the back and she followed.
Petra took a deep breath and splayed out her hands. ‘This is not my business but I feel I should say something,’ she said, her accent sounding stronger somehow. Beth was a little taken aback at the ominous start to the conversation. ‘I don’t like to see people get hurt or let down, okay?’
‘Of course,’ said Beth, wishing that Petra would spit it out.
‘Jack’s past has not been good. Did you know?’
‘No,’ said Beth, with a brief shake of her head.
‘Then it’s not for me to tell you the details, that’s for Jack. All I will say is that domestic violence is a terrible thing. He’s getting his life back together but still it was a big thing in his past … Do you understand what I’m saying?’
Beth felt sick and she swallowed hard. ‘Loud and clear.’
‘I wouldn’t want to see people I care about get hurt.’
‘Of course not.’ Beth tried to smile but failed.
‘You okay? I’ve not said the wrong thing?’
‘No, you’ve said exactly the right thing. Thanks, Petra, I appreciate it.’
Petra looked surprised and relieved in the same moment. ‘Oh, that is good then. Phew. I was worried. Anyway back to work.’ Petra disappeared and Beth gave herself a moment to compose herself; her hands were shaking. She had to get through the next hour and then she could escape back to the cottage. Until then it was stiff upper lip territory.
Beth kept herself busy, racing past the other members of staff to serve customers, collecting glasses, chopping umpteen lemons – anything rather than have to speak to Jack. Jack spent most of his time drinking Guinness and laughing; whenever he looked over he had a look in his eye. It was a deceptively gentle look that an hour ago would have melted something inside Beth but now it had the opposite effect. A core of steel was growing inside her. How could she have been so gullible for a second time? She was furious with herself for not being more on her guard. When Petra eventually said she could finish for the night she collected a reluctant Leo and disappeared quietly out the back way. Beth swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked away the tears. She couldn’t face Jack right now and she didn’t know when she would ever be able to again.
Acknowledgements
Huge THANK YOU to Charlotte Ledger and Caroline Kirkpatrick who came up with the original bones of the idea for this book and have done an amazing job as joint editors. Thanks to my agent, Kate Nash, who is always on hand to steer me in the right direction and special thanks to Kim Leo and Alex Allden for my stunningly beautiful cover.
Special thank yous to my terrific technical experts: Sarah Butt and Helen Cottingham and all at Rugby Deaf Club for sharing their experiences and making me feel welcome. Thanks to Charlotte Hancock for her Primary School Guidelines advice and Eamonn Finnerty from the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry for information on signed performances. Thank you to Helen Phifer for guiding me on police procedures and Ruth Hooton for checking my Irish.
Heartfelt thanks to those who shared their experiences of domestic violence – I admire your courage immensely.
Special thanks to my amazing grammar guru Chris Goodwin.
Without the support of my writing friends from the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) and in particular the Birmingham Chapter, I would have gone crackers long ago – so thank you for maintaining what is left of my sanity. Thank you to my other fabulously supportive group of writers at Gill Vickery’s Writing Fiction class. More thank yous to everyone at Boozy Book Club for your support and, of course, the wine and nibbles.
A massive thank you to my writing fairy godmother, Katie Fforde, for being on hand when I needed her.
Thank yous and hugs all round to the amazingly supportive blogging community, the unsung heroes of the book world – you are all amazing!
Mammoth sized hugs of thanks to my wonderful family for always being there and for helping me enjoy the real world as well as my make believe one. Thank you to my husband and daughter who never complain and have managed to feed themselves when I was ‘in the zone’. Special thanks to my Minecraft guru, Grace.
Lastly thank you to all the lovely readers for taking the time to read my book.
Bella Osborne
Bella 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 RNA’s Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and the 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).
For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com o
r follow her on Twitter @osborne_bella.
www.bellaosborne.com
@osborne_bella
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