The words struck at Rachel’s heart. It was as if Milly really hated the place.
‘I want to get out, Mum,’ Milly said, ‘and I thought this guy might be the answer. But it was stupid. It was never really him I was interested in, Mum. I just wanted something exciting to happen to me for once. I’ve tried to tell you and Dad how bored I am in Skipley, but you always just gloss over it.’
It was true that Rachel hadn’t taken Milly’s protests seriously. She’d dismissed them as Milly being spoiled. But, by ignoring her daughter’s frustrations, she’d made things worse.
‘OK,’ Rachel said. ‘I can see your point. I should have listened earlier – it was easier for me to tell myself that you were fine, rather than accepting things are different now. You’re growing up, and maybe we haven’t adjusted to that yet. Once your dad’s back, I think we should all talk about this.’
Aiden got home late from the hospital and tried to get into bed without waking Rachel. She heard him and instinctively moved towards him, touching his shoulder. ‘How’s your mum?’ she asked him, still half-asleep.
‘She’s good,’ Aiden whispered. ‘Amazing, actually. Good old Mum, from the look of her you’d never know what she’d been through.’
‘That’s great,’ Rachel whispered back. In her sleepy mind she knew that there was something else she should mention to him … but the thought drifted away. It could wait until the morning, whatever it was.
‘I love you, you know,’ she said, curling in towards him and feeling the warmth of his chest, touching his hair. He kissed her gently on the mouth. ‘I love you too, Rach.’
CHAPTER 30
Friday 22nd December
Aunt Clara and her family had a cherished annual tradition – Christmas karaoke. It was one of the reasons that Laurie had stopped visiting her aunt during the festive season. But this time, there was no way out.
Laurie was staying with Clara and that meant playing by her rules. The twenty-second of December was karaoke night – all the women from Clara’s beauty salon, Andrea’s schoolfriends and the neighbours from their street were called upon to shout their lungs out to eighties Christmas hits at the local karaoke bar. The one saving grace was that at least it had private rooms, minimising the risk of Laurie being spotted by anyone she knew.
Laurie felt a pang of regret as she thought of what would be happening over in central London that same night. It was the Seamless Christmas meal, and Danny and Laurie’s colleagues would be at Nobu, her all-time favourite restaurant. She’d wondered yesterday about calling Danny and seeing if she could still come along – but it didn’t feel right. He’d made her take a break, and she wasn’t going to go crawling back just for the sake of a slap-up meal.
After dinner, she and Andrea got ready and Clara called friends to arrange last-minute details. She’d put her Santa hat on over roller-perfect curls and her flashing Christmas tree earrings, even though she was still in her dressing gown at this point.
‘Do I really, really—’ Laurie protested.
‘Yes, you do,’ Andrea said, in a tone that made it clear there was no room for argument. ‘This is my life, Laurie – I do this every single year. And just this once you can make it slightly – slightly – more bearable for me. There’s no way you’re getting out of this one.’
Laurie wrinkled her nose, then rifled in her handbag for her make-up.
‘Stick this gold glitter gel on you and it’ll make Mum’s day.’
Laurie reluctantly put a little glitter on her shoulders and collarbone. Andrea took it off her and mischievously plastered it all over her cousin’s cheeks.
Aunt Clara peeked around the bedroom door. ‘Wow – you look pretty!’ she exclaimed.
Laurie glanced in the mirror. She looked like an actual bauble. Well, if you can’t beat them, she thought to herself, join them.
However, after a few Raspberry Margaritas, Laurie turned into a total microphone-hog. Her sultry rendition of ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ brought on a roar of applause and whistles that were near to deafening. From that point onwards there was really no stopping her – Blondie, Tina Turner, Cheryl Cole, she was strutting around to all of them.
‘Give it to me!’ she shouted, laughing and grabbing the mic from Andrea, who had been dithering for about five minutes about what to sing.
‘We’re all glad you’re enjoying yourself,’ Clara said, physically restraining her. ‘But snatching’s not really in the Christmas spirit, is it, darling?’
By the end of the evening, Laurie had nearly forgotten Patrick Carter even existed. She leaned on Andrea’s shoulder in the taxi home, trying to stop everything from spinning. Skipley had been about more than him – she had done it, she had finally learned how to relax. Her mini gap year had worked: Laurie had found herself.
‘That was funnnnn,’ she shouted out to the three women in the cab. ‘Where are we going next? Clubbing? Let’s go clubbing! YAY!!’
A message came through on her mobile, she slurred an excuse to the others as she read it, squinting to focus. It was from Danny.
Laurie, Merry Xmas. We’re all missing you tonight.
‘Ha, good,’ Laurie said out loud, to no one in particular. She read on.
Quick work update – the new Navajo bags were only held back a few days – total hit with the Christmas market. Exceeded our expectations. And the faulty bags – well, get this. Someone in-house leaked a photo and it went viral – people thought the logos were an anti-capitalist protest?? There was a rush on our Dalston sample sale and we sold the lot in a morning. Gillian’s saying something about anti-branding being the new branding … But, listen, it’s been crazy without you. We need you. Gillian asked just now if we could talk about you coming back sooner. Start of Jan? What do you say? Dx
Laurie thought about her plane tickets to Spain. How much she’d learned over the course of a month about what she really wanted. She tapped back a short reply.
Hi Danny. Thanks for the offer, but you were right – I do need a break. See you in Feb. Merry Christmas. Lx
She pressed SEND. Her spinning head felt suddenly clearer. When she went back to work, she thought, it wouldn’t be like before – working all hours, weekends, evenings. She was in control now, and things were going to change.
CHAPTER 31
Saturday 23rd December
‘I still can’t believe it,’ Bea said, as her family crowded round her bedside. ‘They said I’ll be home for Christmas – and, touch wood –’ she reached out and tapped what was almost definitely a cheap veneer on the side table – ‘plenty more to come.’ She had a wide grin on her face, an expression none of them had seen for quite a while. Bea really looked fine – only the dressing on her head and a shaved patch of hair gave an indication of what she had gone through, and, typical Bea, she’d already found a sparkly headscarf of Milly’s she could cunningly cover it up with. Everyone agreed that it suited her.
Milly gave her gran a big hug. ‘I’m so happy you’re well, Gran.’
‘Me too,’ Zak said, reaching in to join their cuddle.
The ward, which had looked so bare, cold and unwelcoming each time they’d come to visit Bea, now seemed to be bathed in a warmer light. From Bea’s bedside you could see a fairy-lit Christmas tree and make out the glimmer of decorations hung up and down the corridor.
Aiden’s head turned as Dr Patel came in through the curtain.
‘All the family here to see you, Mrs Murray?’
‘Yes, Doctor, they’re rather a lovely bunch, aren’t they?’ she smiled. ‘Don’t know how they put up with me sometimes, but I’m happy they’ll have to do it for quite a while longer.’
‘Yes, they certainly will,’ Dr Patel said. ‘You gave us all quite a scare. Unfortunately any operation like this carries risks and you were very unlucky. But I’m pleased to tell you that the surgeon managed to remove all of the tumour. The chances of it recurring are small, but of course if you do notice any symptoms returning – please don’t ignore them.
We’ll need to do some tests on your hearing before you leave here, and your GP back home will follow up on those checks. You’ll need to rest over the next couple of months, and no driving either.’
‘When do you think we’ll be able to take her back home?’ Rachel asked tentatively.
‘She should be fine to go in a few days,’ said Dr Patel, with a smile. ‘So you’ll be home in time for Christmas. Just remember to rest when you get there, Mrs Murray,’ she said, with a look at her patient that showed her suspicion that Bea was unlikely to sit still for a moment after the enforced bed rest she’d already had.
Rachel felt a wave of relief. As she joined the children in their hug, she reached around and held Aiden’s hand. She caught his eye and felt a missing piece of her heart slip back into its regular place.
‘Half an hour and we’re out of here,’ Rachel called out, as she cleared the breakfast bowls. ‘Go on, scram – pack up your last bits of stuff,’ Aiden said, as Zak popped back and opened his mouth to ask another question – it was his classic delaying tactic.
Aiden caught Rachel’s eye and smiled. ‘It’s almost like …’ His words trailed off.
‘Just what I was thinking,’ she said, and touched his hand. His brow furrowed, but his smile remained. ‘Go, on,’ Rachel said, ‘you’re allowed to think it now, you know.’
‘It’s almost like normal,’ he said. ‘Mum’s the main thing, of course,’ Aiden added, bringing Rachel in towards him and kissing her head. ‘But it’s more than that.’ He leaned back against the counter, a dazed smile on his face. ‘Everything just seems to be coming together, Rach. The first two pieces of Jay’s furniture have arrived and Simon says they were a real hit. I still can’t quite believe it – we’ve pulled off the Westley barn job, and more than that – the clients are thrilled. I’ve spoken to that furniture showroom about us promoting Jay’s designs and they’ve agreed – so it looks like we’ll be able to carry on working closely together.’
‘That’s fantastic,’ Rachel said, Aiden’s exhilaration blending with her own sense of relief.
‘John and Sue, the Westley-barn owners, have recommended us to some friends of theirs – a couple who have bought a church in Giggleswick and want to convert it into a family home. We’ve never worked on a church before, but you know I’ve been wanting a challenge like this – and it could open up a whole new market for us.’
Rachel gave Aiden’s arm a squeeze. ‘I’ve got a good feeling about next year,’ she said, with a smile.
‘Me too,’ he said. Then he leaned in and gave her a kiss.
Bea was in the passenger seat, so she got to listen to The Archers at top volume. Granny’s prerogative, she said.
Rachel was crammed into the back seat with Milly and Zak, and the boot was overflowing with their luggage.
‘Is it nearly over, Gran?’ Milly whined. ‘I mean seriously, what even happens in The Archers? It’s the same every single time.’
‘Oh, you’re wrong there,’ Bea said, turning around in her seat. ‘Quite wrong. Have you forgotten when that chap fell off the roof? You can’t miss it, Milly. It’s too important. Something like that might happen again.’
Milly let out a groan. Rachel was squashed up against the car door, with a teenager, a six-year-old boy, pillows and soft toys surrounding her. The only thing keeping Zak quiet was chomping on a bag full of gummy E numbers she’d probably live to regret giving him when the hyperactivity kicked in.
Rachel didn’t like goodbyes, and even though she was looking forward to getting home, their farewells to Jay and Siobhan had made her feel sad. At least she knew she’d see Jay again soon – he would be coming up to Yorkshire in the New Year with more furniture for the barn, and to install everything with Aiden.
Lily had tried hard to convince all of them to stay and sample some of her Christmas-Day feast. ‘It’s the least I can do after what you did, making my home so beautiful again,’ she had said. ‘If it weren’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have such a pretty home to show off at the party. I insist. I’ve got pull-out mattresses,’ she’d said.
In the end she’d given in, sending them away with a mini Caribbean Christmas cake and a bottle of rum. ‘You all have your celebration,’ she said. ‘But then, on Boxing Day, have this, and remember your old neighbour Lily.’
Zak and Milly had given her hugs goodbye and Zak pulled out a hand-made Christmas card. ‘We can Skype,’ Zak said, and Lily smiled.
‘Of course, son. Thanks to you, I know how to do it myself now.’
Aiden had gone ahead to check that the car was working OK and it was with a wave of relief that Rachel heard the engine start up. ‘That’s our cue,’ she said.
Then another sound, purring, like a quiet motorbike, came from around Lily’s feet. Zak and Milly swung around. Mr Ripley crept past Lily’s legs and towards them, putting up his head to be stroked.
As Rachel looked at her family, it was hard to believe they’d only been away from Skipley for a month. Life had been turned upside-down for each of them, and yet here they were, heading back home. But they were closer than ever. Yes, Christmas would be a little thrown together this year – she hadn’t reserved a turkey and none of the normal preparations had been made. Who knows – they might even end up eating pizza – but it just didn’t matter. She had all of her family together and happy and that was what mattered.
As the Ambridge theme tune played out and Bea agreed to put on a CD, Rachel called out that she had a request. She located the CD in the holder stuffed into the passenger-seat pocket and passed it forward. Bea put it on, and Milly was the first to recognise it and start to sing, the whole family joining in:
‘We’re driving home for Christmas …’
Back at the cottage, Rachel brought down the box of baubles and tinsel from upstairs, and Zak and Milly emptied it in an instant. Milly sifted through the decorations, picking out her favourites. They’d been lucky enough to find a tree for sale on the high street as they drove through it on their way home, and Aiden and Rachel had strapped it to the roof.
Rachel went to get them all drinks, humming along to the carols on the radio. They’d made a family decision that their unpacking could wait until later. As she walked towards the fridge she noticed a Christmas card on the counter top.
She ripped open the white envelope to find a reindeer-shaped card inside.
‘Murrays!’ Laurie had written at the top.
Thank you for letting me stay in the cottage. Have a wonderful Christmas. I’ve reserved a turkey for you at the butcher’s, it’ll be ready for collection on Christmas Eve.
Love,
Laurie x
P.S. There are a few things for you in the fridge.
Rachel opened the fridge door, full of curiosity. There were various Tupperware boxes and packages in there. She took them out and put them on the side.
She opened the first one – cranberry sauce. The next – mini Christmas wreaths.
‘Aiden,’ she shouted over, ‘come and look at this.’
Opening a lid at a time, she saw that each box was filled with something from Bea’s Countdown to Christmas. A smile swept over her face.
‘I thought you said Laurie wasn’t big on cooking?’ Aiden said, draping his arm around Rachel’s shoulder.
‘Well, it looks like people can change,’ Rachel said proudly. ‘Doesn’t it?’
It was 10 p.m., Zak was in bed and Milly was up in her room, reading. ‘Do you think it’s safe?’ Aiden asked, with a smile on his face, looking around the living room as if someone might pop out of a broom closet.
‘I reckon so,’ Rachel said, taking out the bags of presents that they still needed to wrap. Aiden got the wrapping paper, ribbons and tape out of the top drawer of their wooden chest, and the two of them sat down on the living room rug.
‘Bubbles?’ she asked, cracking open a bottle of Prosecco before he could answer and filling glasses for them both. Aiden put on the Christmas-carol CD they always listened to while they we
re wrapping presents. They’d done it every year since the first one they were married. A precious slice of time alone as a couple before the mayhem started. It was a tradition they’d sworn never to let go.
Aiden was wrestling with the tape dispenser. ‘This thing’s attacking me,’ he said. As he took the glass from Rachel gratefully with his other hand, Rachel untangled him from the sticky tape.
‘You’re free,’ she said.
‘Where would I be without you?’ he smiled.
They chinked their glasses and Aiden pulled her close for a kiss. ‘And as well as being heroic and helpful, you also look beautiful tonight.’
Rachel accepted the compliment, and, for once, believed it. She had on her favourite glittery black dress with long silver earrings. She’d looked in the mirror earlier and seen that the stress had fallen away from her face. The creases between her eyebrows had disappeared and the colour had come back into her cheeks. A slick of red lipstick was all she needed to feel glamorous that night.
‘Can we relax now, do you think?’ Aiden said.
‘I think so,’ Rachel said. ‘Once we’ve got these presents wrapped anyway.’ She put Milly’s new hair straighteners down sideways and wrapped them in silver paper.
‘No, I’m being serious. Are we sure this guy’s gone?’ Aiden asked. ‘The creep who was talking to Milly?’
‘Oh God, yes,’ Rachel said. ‘Put it this way, would you hesitate if Diana put her mind to running you out of town? Actually he legged it pretty soon after Laurie left town. Apparently he’s not even from round here. He’s a drifter, who the charity took on as a van driver, that was all the work he actually did for them – but he made everyone think he was a proper employee. He seems to have fooled a lot of people around here.’
‘Unbelievable,’ Aiden said. ‘What a nasty piece of work. If I saw him now …’ He shook his head. ‘Well. Just best that I don’t, really.’
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