Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

by Abby Clements

  She stepped down from the chair and turned towards Laurie. ‘Rachel mentioned she was having a friend come and stay,’ her tone was measured and cool. ‘You must be Laurie.’ Laurie nodded. ‘I’m Diana. Now, what on earth have you been doing to their kitchen? Don’t you know how to work an Aga?’

  No, Laurie thought, she didn’t. In her block they had ovens, and central heating, and she’d really never found either of those lacking. Siobhan thought Agas were cool, of course, along with every other nearextinct household item, but Laurie couldn’t understand why anyone would want a hulking great mass of metal in their kitchen.

  ‘I thought I’d be able to smell it when the food was cooked,’ Laurie said, in her own defence. Diana took out the embers in disgust. ‘Is this a ready meal?’ she said contemptuously, pulling apart the more recognisable pieces of meat and holding them up to get a closer look.

  ‘Yes,’ Laurie said, reaching over the sink to open the kitchen window to clear a bit of the smoke, ‘but it had the oven option on it.’ She shrugged her shoulders as nonchalantly as she could manage. Diana widened her eyes in disbelief and put a hand up to her necklace of delicate pearls.

  ‘Oh dear, no,’ Diana said, bringing her thin, plucked eyebrows together and causing tiny creases to appear around her cat’s-bum mouth. ‘That’s not the way.’

  ‘Yes, thanks,’ Laurie said, snatching the charred packaging from Diana and putting it on the hob to cool off. ‘I can see that now. It doesn’t help much, though. Do you happen to know if there’s a good takeaway round here?’

  ‘Takeaway?’ Diana repeated, spitting out the word as if Laurie had just asked her where she could go to meet some fellow swingers. ‘I don’t really know. I prefer to cook from scratch, myself.’ A look of profound distaste was fixed on her face, as if she feared that some of Laurie’s culinary incompetence might rub off on her if she didn’t keep her distance. Laurie wouldn’t have even asked if she wasn’t bordering on desperate – she’d only picked up the one M&S meal from the station, which was now in blackened pieces, and after the long journey she was starving.

  ‘There’s a farmers’ market on in town on Saturday,’ Diana said. ‘You’ll be able to get some healthy supplies in then.’ She gave Laurie, in the pink dressing gown she’d borrowed from Rachel’s bathroom, a look up and down.

  Laurie returned Diana’s stare. She longed to give the stuck-up woman a piece of her mind – but bit her tongue. She owed it to Rachel not to ruin her neighbourly relations on her very first day.

  ‘OK. Well, thanks, Diana, for your help,’ Laurie forced herself to say as she ushered her visitor towards the door. Diana didn’t need much encouragement, striding out the front door without a backward glance.

  Laurie closed the door after her and leaned against it for a moment. She looked around Rachel’s cottage, at the smoke-filled kitchen, freezing air now coming in through the open window, and let out a long sigh. It was only later, once she’d got dressed, that she saw the bottle of wine on the table. Rachel had left a bottle of Oyster Bay, her favourite, out for her, and next to it was a typed, laminated house manual. She looked at the handwritten note that was clipped to the front of the manual.

  Welcome to our home, Laurie. I hope you have a really happy stay! Here are some details to help you get settled.

  Rach x

  P.S. There’s some food for you in the pantry.

  Laurie located the little room that led off from the kitchen and found the home-made pie that Rachel had left her. Typical Rachel, Laurie thought, with a smile. But as much as she longed for a proper hot meal, Laurie couldn’t face the Aga again. Instead she found a cupboard full of snacks, presumably for the kids, and opted for a feast of Mini Cheddars, Quavers and dryroasted nuts, grabbing the packets and filling bowls. She picked up the house manual and took a seat in the armchair near the fire – or where the fire would be when she’d worked out how to light it – and poured herself a large glass of white wine. She popped a Mini Cheddar in her mouth and opened the manual, flicking past the carefully word-processed details about the heating, searching for the wireless password. She brought her iPad out of her handbag and tapped it in, clicking on the page that allowed her to remotely access her Seamless work emails.

  Danny had told her before she left that Jacques would be in charge of handling her work emails, but she was sure he’d have a hundred queries. Poor Jacques would probably be desperate to hear from her by now. She watched the tiny buffering circle creak around on her screen, anticipating design queries and requests, and then an error page came up. The same one she’d seen on the train: access denied. She refreshed the page and tried again.

  Laurie drained the rest of her glass of wine, refreshing the page repeatedly until what had happened finally became clear. Danny had locked her out.

  Laurie was startled by a knock at the front door: after polishing off a couple of glasses of wine trying to soften the blow of her total work ban, she was still struggling to take it all in. She made her way to the front door, bracing herself for the gust of cold air.

  ‘Hi, Laurie.’ Aiden was standing on the doorstep, wearing jeans and a dark coat.

  ‘Hello,’ she replied, running a hand over her hair to tidy it. ‘Wow. It’s been a long time since I saw you last.’

  He leaned forward to kiss her hello. ‘Yes. Years.’

  Aiden hadn’t really changed – the same broad shoulders, hazel eyes and strong jaw. There were patches of grey hair at his temples now, and perhaps he was a little fuller in the face, but other than that, he looked the same. At school there was something about Aiden, a vibe, that made you want to be around him – and even in that brief moment when they said hello, Laurie noted that he still had it. She wondered for a moment if he was assessing her in the same way.

  ‘I just thought I’d pop by and check you were settling in OK.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Laurie said, smiling. Then she remembered the blackened mess of the kitchen walls. You could faintly smell the smoke from the doorway.

  ‘Could you just wait here for a second?’ she said, her heart racing. She ducked back into the kitchen, leaving Aiden open-mouthed in surprise on the front step of his own home as she closed the door on him.

  She dashed into the kitchen and scanned the shelves, then flung open the kitchen cupboards – eventually she located some air freshener under the sink and sprayed it liberally around the kitchen and into the living room. The blackened walls glared at her accusingly and the smell lingered. In the open-plan living area they were impossible to hide. Shit. She’d have to fix that, but there was no time now.

  Laurie returned to the front door. ‘Sorry about that,’ she said. ‘I thought I heard the phone, but I must have imagined it.’ She stood blocking the doorway so that Aiden couldn’t see past her.

  ‘So I spoke to Rachel this morning,’ Laurie said, trying to divert attention. ‘Sounds like they are settling in well.’

  ‘Yes, she’s finding her feet, I think.’ Aiden was peeking behind her, presumably looking for an invite in and away from the freezing temperature outside.

  ‘Can I …?’ Aiden said. Laurie’s mind raced.

  ‘Give me a tour of the neighbourhood, and show me Bea’s cottage? I’d love that!’ Laurie said, grabbing her coat. ‘No time like the present, eh?’

  CHAPTER 10

  Thursday 30th November

  ‘Slow down, Zak,’ Rachel called out, as her son hurtled through Green Park on his bike, towards a group of elderly Japanese tourists. A delicate-looking lady with a white parasol clung on to her husband in fear as Zak whizzed past. ‘So sorry,’ Rachel called out. They smiled politely, but looked a little traumatised.

  ‘Zak!’ Milly called out, picking up pace on her own bike and catching up with him, holding the back of his bike to slow him down.

  Rachel had had the idea for their outing on her way home from an early visit to Bea at the hospital. It had been a difficult morning – Bea looked tired and drawn, and the white, sterile ward was quieter
than usual. The first batch of tests had proved inconclusive, so the doctors had booked Bea in for an MRI scan later that morning. As she approached the block Rachel thought of Zak and Milly cooped up in the flat. They’d perked up when she’d given them their Advent calendars to open the following day – but they were due an outing, they’d hardly seen London beyond the hospital and flat yet.

  ‘Morning,’ Bill called out as she passed. He was in his front yard, putting a bike chain back on.

  ‘Morning,’ she’d replied.

  ‘Are you staying next door?’ he asked, readjusting the striped woolly hat on his head slightly. ‘In Lily’s block?’

  ‘This one here,’ she pointed at it. ‘Yes. Yes we are.’

  ‘Tell her Bill says hello,’ he smiled. ‘It’s been a while.’

  ‘Sure – when I meet her,’ Rachel said. Laurie had mentioned a Lily, hadn’t she? ‘Actually, Bill, could I ask you a question?’

  ‘Of course you can,’ he said, getting to his feet slowly. ‘What can I help with?’

  ‘You look like the local expert. Is there anywhere I could rent bikes around here, so the kids can see a bit of the city?’

  ‘You can borrow those blue ones in town, pretty handy. But they’re just for grown-ups. You’ve got a little one, haven’t you?’

  ‘Yes, Zak. He’s six.’

  ‘Borrow this one for him.’ Bill hauled over a small BMX from a stack of bikes behind him. ‘It’s my grandson’s, but he’s at school today, won’t be needing it.’

  ‘That’s really kind,’ Rachel said, imagining how Zak’s face would light up on seeing it.

  As Zak bombed down in the direction of Buckingham Palace, out of his sister’s reach, Rachel hoped she’d be delivering the BMX back to Bill in one piece. An Airedale terrier leapt towards his wheels and Zak just managed to swerve to avoid it.

  ‘How about some hot chocolate?’ Rachel called out with what little breath she had left, pedalling hard to keep up. She pointed to a small café in the middle of the park – sitting down for a while would at least keep Zak out of the way of tourists.

  ‘OK,’ Zak said, screeching to a halt.

  Milly and Zak rested their bikes up against the wall and Rachel bought hot chocolates for all three of them. They sat down at a small metal table, bringing their cups towards them for warmth; their breath was visible in the cold air that morning.

  ‘Buckingham Palace is huge, isn’t it?’ Zak said, looking over. ‘Do you think we’ll see the Queen?’

  ‘I’m not sure about that,’ Rachel said, ‘she probably heard you coming. What do you think, Mills? Would—’

  Rachel looked over to Milly, but her head was bent over her phone, texting, oblivious.

  ‘Millllly,’ Zak said, jabbing his sister in the side.

  ‘What?’ she said.

  ‘Nothing important,’ Rachel said. There was a distance in Milly’s expression, as if she were partly somewhere else. ‘Are you OK, Millypede?’

  ‘I’m fine, Mum,’ Milly snapped.

  Rachel flinched, then tried to get things back to normal.

  ‘OK, well, while we have your attention, where do you fancy cycling to next?’ Rachel asked. ‘Shall we go down to the river? We’ve still got a bit of time before your dad’s train gets in.’

  ‘Yes, the river! Let’s go and see the boats!’ Zak gulped down his hot chocolate and bounced to his feet.

  From: Carter@yahoo.com

  To: Millypede@gmail.com

  Hi Milly,

  It’s good to hear from you. And damn, you are even cooler than I thought … I’ve always wanted to see Paris too. When did you say you were coming home again?

  You mentioned Kate, actually I bumped into her on the high street yesterday. We chatted for a while, mainly about you. She told me you want to be a fashion designer, is that right? She also said she’s having a house party this weekend as her parents are going away, and she wishes you could be there.

  Carter x

  P.S. You asked about my name. Carter’s my surname, but it’s what most of my friends call me. And talking of nicknames, where’s yours from? It’s cute.

  From: Millypede@gmail.com

  To: Carter@yahoo.com

  Hi Carter,

  If your friends call you Carter, then Carter it is. You asked about my nickname, well my dad started calling me Millypede first, and it stuck. It’s silly, but I kind of like it.

  What Kate said is right, I’ve always liked designing clothes, so my dream is to do it for a living. I WISH I could go to her party this weekend. But my grandma’s still not well and we’re going to be in London for a while.

  London is fine, my Dad’s getting down today so hopefully that’ll chill Mum out a bit. I brought a copy of The Hunger Games down with me so I’m reading that at the moment. It’s amazing – I really want to see the film.

  What are you up to this weekend?

  Milly x

  From: Carter@yahoo.com

  To: Millypede@gmail.com

  Hi Milly,

  This weekend is all about chilling out for me. Seeing friends on Friday. Lying in. Playing some Playstation probably.

  Enjoy your book. I’ve not read that, but I’ve heard it’s good – I prefer films generally (hope that doesn’t make me sound dumb?!). Anyway, we can watch it together when you’re back? I wish you were here now. I can picture you now – cool red hair, awesome clothes, great smile. So that I can remember, can you send me some pictures of you?

  Carter x

  ‘I missed you, Rach,’ Aiden said, hugging her as they stood in the hallway. ‘I know it’s only been a couple of days, but still.’ Rachel pulled back to look at him: his skin was chapped from the cold December wind, and the lines around his eyes looked deeper than usual.

  ‘Well, I’m glad to hear it,’ Rachel said, smiling, ‘because this isn’t going to be a regular thing.’ It felt right to be back in his arms again.

  ‘The kids are upstairs,’ Rachel said, ‘they can’t wait to see you either.’

  ‘Great,’ he said. ‘Could you give me a hand with the bags?’ Aiden asked. ‘Milly’s weighs a ton.’ Rachel picked up a suitcase and shoulder bag and made her way to the stairs.

  ‘So how’s Mum?’ Aiden asked. ‘Any more news? I mean, I’ve talked to her on the phone, but she didn’t give much away. You know what Mum’s like.’ Rachel gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile and touched his arm.

  ‘I saw her this morning,’ Rachel said. ‘They’re still doing tests, and a …’ She’d tell him about the MRI scan later. ‘Come upstairs and we’ll get you warmed up. Milly made a cake last night. Lemon drizzle.’

  A glow started to return to Aiden’s cheeks. ‘Now you’re talking,’ he said, looking almost carefree for a moment.

  ‘How’s work been?’ Rachel asked, as they neared the front door. The lightness disappeared from his face.

  ‘Not great,’ he said. ‘All the structural stuff is done, but the interiors are a nightmare. Some of the builtin cabinets and shelves finally arrived from Italy, but a lot of the pieces were water-damaged in transit.’ He shook his head, an anxious expression on his face. ‘They’ve offered us a refund, but we’re running so close to the deadline on this. I haven’t let the client know yet. I’m just hoping we can sort out a replacement.’

  Rachel stopped on the landing and put her hand on Aiden’s arm, giving him a gentle squeeze. ‘You’ll do it,’ she said. ‘You always find a way.’

  ‘I hope so,’ he said. ‘Anyway, what’s the place like?’ he asked. ‘Laurie never really struck me as the domestic type.’

  ‘It’s nice,’ Rachel replied. It was nice – just not really how she would have decorated. With the white walls and monochrome furniture, lack of cushions and curtains and no photos of friends and family up on the walls, the flat was a little bare. Aiden caught the hesitation in her voice. ‘It’s very stylish but not much like the cottage,’ Rachel said, tucking back a stray strand of her hair.

  ‘You’ve alw
ays been so different,’ Aiden said, with a gentle laugh. ‘Funny how you ended up being friends. Mind you, she’s changed a bit, hasn’t she? I stopped by at the cottage and we went back to Mum’s house and had a glass of wine there, had a chat, talked about old times and all that.’ A faint smile came back to Aiden’s face. ‘She’s really glamorous now, isn’t she? She looked like she was going to a club, walking along in her high heels … If those blokes who picked on her at school could see her now, they’d be sorry, wouldn’t they?’

  Rachel suppressed a pang of jealousy. It was true – Laurie was the archetypal swan. Back at Hawley Comprehensive, she was the half-Spanish girl who’d turned up in a baggy pink tracksuit with a gold scrunchie holding her hair back. Nowadays, poised and elegant, it was as if she were cut from a different cloth. Rachel concentrated now on turning the key in the lock.

  ‘Skipley won’t know what’s hit it,’ Aiden added.

  Rachel pushed open the door and could already hear Zak dashing over. ‘Dad!’ Zak called out, rushing into the hallway, his hands and apron colourful with paint. Milly followed, stepping into her father’s welcoming arms and hugging him. Zak joined in the hug, grabbing hold of his dad and leaving colourful handprints all over his white shirt.

  As they got ready to go to the hospital, Rachel grabbed some bananas from the fruit bowl for them to eat on the way.

  ‘We’ll have a proper family dinner when we get back,’ she said to Aiden. ‘I made some shepherd’s pie.’

  ‘Great,’ Aiden said, zipping up Zak’s anorak.

  As she glanced back at the fruit bowl, Rachel spotted a beige fruit with an uneven surface.