Escape To Christmas at Corner Cottage

by Sarah Hope

  Waiting until the girls were outside, Chrissy then ran upstairs and brought out the Christmas Eve Box.

  Back downstairs, she lifted the bottom branches of the Christmas tree and slid the box underneath. Taking a tube of green glitter she had hidden behind a photo on the mantelpiece, she gently shook it over the floor. As she backed out into the hallway, she watched the tiny grains of green foil flutter down, landing in swoops leading from the front door to the tree.

  ‘Mum...’

  ‘Hold on, just coming.’ Slipping the small tube into her clutch bag, she turned and went outside, pulling the front door shut behind her.

  ‘DOESN’T IT LOOK BEAUTIFUL?’ Following the thin red carpet, Chrissy led the way through the field towards the large marquee by the stream. The green of nature served as the perfect backdrop to the white marquee illuminated by hundreds of white twinkling lights wrapping around the outside. She had to admit when Gina had told her that the reception was going to in a marquee in the middle of the local farmer’s field, she hadn’t pictured something so picturesque.

  Two tall fir trees, again covered in white lights, flanked the entrance. In a sleigh stood to the right of the entrance, lit by an old-fashioned style lamppost, children sat gripping the reins to two wicker reindeer while their parents took pictures.

  Chrissy, Evie and Sophia joined a small queue of guests arriving for the reception which wound out from the entrance along the red carpet.

  ‘Why are we stopping here?’ Sophia fidgeted with her scarf.

  ‘The bride and groom are probably waiting just inside ready to greet their guests. Have you got the card and present still?’

  ‘So we’ve got to wait to say hello? But they already know us?’

  ‘I know, but it’s so we can congratulate them on getting married. Remember, there’s a lot of people here and it would take them forever to go around to everyone to speak to them, so it's traditional for the bride and groom to greet everyone as they come in.’

  ‘Oh, ok.’

  ‘Will they have a disco?’

  ‘I expect so, Sophia.’

  ‘Can we dance?’

  ‘Why not? Look, we’re almost at the entrance now.’ Putting her arms around Sophia and Evie’s shoulders, she led them forward a little into the stream of warm air escaping through the doorway.

  Following the couple in front of them, they stepped into the marquee through an archway of gold sprayed bamboo covered in fairy lights. Waiting for their turn to greet the happy couple, Chrissy paused, letting her eyes adjust to the bright of the inside. ‘Wow, it’s warm in here, isn’t it? We may as well take our coats off and hang them here.’

  Slipping out of her coat, Chrissy hung it on one of the coat stands grouped beside the entrance before turning to hang Evie and Sophia’s up too.

  ‘Who are those other people?’ Evie pulled on Chrissy’s elbow and pointed ahead. ‘We obviously know Adam, Kane and Luke, but who’s that woman and man?’

  Looking ahead, Chrissy froze. Why hadn’t she realised that Luke would be in the line up for greeting people? Glancing down at her stomach, she centred the fabric scarf. ‘I should think they are Graham’s parents.’

  ‘Hey, Chrissy. Hi, girls. So glad you could come.’ Leaning forward, Natalie held Chrissy’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug.

  ‘Congratulations! You look beautiful.’

  ‘All thanks to you.’ With a champagne glass in one hand, Natalie twirled, the train swirling around her ankles.

  ‘Not at all. You look stunning. And this place is gorgeous.’

  ‘It is, isn’t it? All of Gina’s painstaking planning has paid off, hasn’t it? Come here and give the bride a hug, girls.’

  ‘Congratulations.’ Evie smiled as she was pulled in for a hug.

  ‘Thank you, sweetie. Loving your curls.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Touching her hair, Evie grinned.

  ‘Congratulations on your wedding.’ Sophia stood awkwardly in front of Natalie.

  ‘Thank you, Sophia. Come here.’ Natalie hugged Sophia to her.

  Making their way down the line of the wedding party, Chrissy, Evie and Sophia congratulated Graham, said ‘hello’ to Adam and Kane before introducing themselves to Graham’s parents.

  Pushing the girls in front, they made their way towards Luke who was standing awkwardly at the end of the line.

  ‘Hey, Sophia. Hey Evie.’

  ‘Hi. Do we have to say congratulations to you too?’

  ‘You can do if you want, Sophia. But, no, you don't have to.’

  Luke smiled at them and pointed to the far side of the marquee. ‘There’s a pic-n-mix stall over there, you best get in there before all the adults hit it.’

  ‘Oh, can we, Mum?’

  ‘Yes.’ Watching Evie and Sophia make their way through the busy marquee, Chrissy fiddled with her scarf before looking up at Luke. Blinking her eyes, she forced herself to smile. ‘Congratulations on your sister’s wedding.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Leaning forward, Luke pecked her on the cheek.

  Without thinking, she held onto his elbow, forcing both of them to freeze momentarily. She breathed in his distinctive aftershave, the woody fragrance making her think of security, love and home.

  Placing his hand on her shoulder, they were locked in position, so close and yet emotionally still miles apart. The warmth and weight of his hand through the satin of her dress filled her with longing. What had she done? Why had she ruined something so perfect?

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Closing her eyes, she bit her bottom lip before turning her head and pulling away to find the twins.

  WITH THE BUFFET EATEN, the dance floor began to fill. Sitting at a table against the edge of the marquee, Chrissy watched as Evie and Sophia wound their way through clusters of Natalie and Graham’s friends and family to meet up with their classmates standing by the disco booth.

  Taking a sip of her orange juice, she twisted the glass, tiny silver sequins in the shape of wedding bells stuck to the bottom. To her right, a couple sat with their heads bowed, deep in conversation. The other couple who had been seated with them had already said their goodbyes and left to collect their daughter, who had apparently just thrown up over the babysitter.

  Gina had transformed the inside of the marquee into a winter wonderland with elements both for the adults and the children. A Santa’s grotto set up towards the far corner of the marquee boasted a winding walkway filled with glittering silver wicker animals. Small children holding their parents’ hands chattered to two elves as they waited their turn to meet Santa. The pic-n-mix stall stood next to a craft table laden with glitter glue, sequins and plain baubles to decorate. While for the adults, a photo booth complete with an array of hats, wigs and accessories stood waiting to capture drunken memories. The sparkly black dance floor was set up in the centre of the marquee, red and green disco lights illuminating guests enjoying classic Christmas hits.

  Taking a deep breath in, Chrissy smiled, it was amazing what Gina had achieved. She had mentioned that she might start her own events business and, if this was anything to go by, she’d be very successful. Chrissy was glad they had come in the end, it would be a Christmas Eve to remember and the girls were definitely enjoying themselves. Leaning back in her chair, she watched as Evie, Sophia and about five other children from their school gathered in a circle at the edge of the dance floor, taking it in turns to step into the middle and perform a silly dance to make the others laugh.

  Looking around, although she recognised quite a few of the guests as parents of pupils from the school, she only really knew Natalie and Gina to say more than a cursory hello to and they were both busy. The happy couple were making their way around the tables, sitting down and chatting with their guests, and Gina was nowhere to be seen, probably busy organising something or other.

  Shifting in her seat, she picked up sequin bells, piling them around the bottom of her glass. Luke had sat down at a table on the opposite side of the dance floor, straight in her line of vision
. He sat alone, his arm resting on the table, clutching a bottle of lager in his hand. Had he sat there on purpose just to remind her of what she had done? Her eyes stung as she thought about how she had ruined their future. Looking from her stomach to him and back again, she took a gulp of orange juice, the acidic flavour sticking in her throat. She had to tell him, didn’t she? People would begin to notice soon and it wouldn’t take long for him to realise the baby was his. As much as it terrified her, it was the right thing to do.

  Twisting the ends of her scarf together, she watched as he ran his hand through his hair and nodded at someone dancing on the floor in front of him. Maybe she should just tell him everything, that she’d made a huge mistake, that she’d been stupid to finish with him, that she should have trusted him.

  Standing up, she pulled her dress down over her thighs. If she didn’t do it now, she’d lose her confidence.

  Weaving her way through the tables and around the dance floor, she made her way towards him.

  ‘Luke?’

  ‘Chrissy?’ Looking up at her, he tilted his bottle towards her.

  ‘Can I have a quick word, please?’

  ‘Of course, sit down.’ Leaning towards the chair next to him, he pulled it out slightly.

  ‘Not here, outside. If that’s ok?’

  ‘Ok.’ Standing up, he held the bottleneck between his thumb and index finger and followed her through the crowds and out of the marquee.

  The cold air stung her cheeks as she glanced around, trying to find a quiet spot where they could talk. A few people sat on chairs watching their children play tag across the field. A small group of smokers huddled together towards the back end of the marquee.

  ‘There’s a bench up here.’ Pointing his bottle towards a small copse of trees, Luke strode across the field.

  Keeping her head bent, she looked down at the ground, stepping over the uneven tufts of grass and mounds of soil. There was no going back now. She had to explain why she’d acted the way she had. If she did, maybe there was a chance that he would forgive her and they could start over. Maybe.

  Stopping a short distance away from the copse of trees, Luke led them to the side to a bench which faced back across the field towards where the festivities continued, everyone else completely oblivious to how important their conversation would be. Shrugging out of his suit jacket, he laid is across the damp wooden seat.

  ‘Here, sit on this.’ Lowering himself down onto the bare wood, he patted his jacket.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘So, what did you want to talk about?’

  Taking a deep breath, Chrissy looked at him. ‘There’s something I need to tell you, but first, I wanted to explain why I pushed you away.’

  ‘Why you finished with me, you mean?’ Tipping his bottle up, he took another sip.

  ‘Well, yes.’ Clasping her hands together in her lap, Chrissy looked across the field as people began exiting the marquee, gathering in pockets opposite them.

  ‘I think they’re going to start the fireworks in a minute.’

  ‘Fireworks? Did you want to go back? This can wait.’ Standing up, she looked back at Luke. She was only kidding herself anyway. She’d done far too much damage for Luke to forgive her.

  ‘No, I’m happy watching from here.’

  ‘Ok.’ Sitting back down, Chrissy shifted and crossed her legs. ‘I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I know it’s nothing to do with you, but the girl’s dad, my ex-husband, was having an affair before we split up.’

  ‘You’re right, that has nothing to do with us.’

  Looking down at her shoes, the heels caked in mud, she whispered. ‘Laura.’

  ‘What about Laura?’

  ‘When I met her and I altered her dress, she was talking about you. And then, when I didn’t go out for Natalie and Graham’s dinner and you stayed out all night, I just...’

  ‘You thought I’d cheated on you?’

  ‘I...yes. I jumped to the wrong conclusion. She’s just so beautiful and successful, and everything I’m not. I got the impression she regretted splitting up with you, and then you didn’t come back, and...’

  ‘She wasn’t even at the dinner. And we were completely different people when we were together.’ Leaning forward, he leant his elbows on his knees and stared ahead at the illuminated marquee.

  ‘I know that now. I’m sorry.’

  ‘When did you find out she didn’t go?’

  ‘The other day after the Christmas Concert. Natalie mentioned it.’

  ‘Until then, you’d thought I’d cheated on you?’

  Rubbing her hands together against the cold, Chrissy looked across at him. ‘I’m sorry. I made a mistake.’

  Closing his eyes, Luke leant back against the bench, lifting his head to the sky.

  ‘Luke, say something. Please.’ Tapping her foot against the ground, she stared at him. Forgive me, forgive me. Say you want to get back, say you want to give us another go, please.

  Opening his eyes and leaning forward again, Luke stared at a tuft of grass in front of him. ‘What do you want me to say? You actually thought that little of me to think I would do that behind your back? And then lie about it? What sort of person do you think I am? You think I’m a liar and a cheat?’

  ‘No, not at all. I made a mistake that’s all. Andrew...’

  ‘I’m not Andrew.’ Without looking at her, he stood up and begun striding towards the marquee.

  ‘Luke, please? I know you’re not, you’re nothing like him. I was feeling rubbish and I just let my imagination run away with me. I’m sorry, I really am.’ Standing up, Chrissy picked up his suit jacket and followed him, running to catch up with him.

  They were nearing the crowd gathered waiting for the fireworks.

  ‘Luke. Please? Just listen to me.’

  ‘Chrissy, I can’t do this.’ Turning around, he paused, holding up his hands towards her. ‘I had really fallen for you and I told you that. I thought we had a future together. I thought we could build a life together and then you just went cold on me. You didn’t even give me a reason.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry.’

  ‘You didn’t even confront me with the ludicrous idea you had that I had been with Laura behind your back. You didn’t even give me a chance to fight for us.’

  Standing in front of him, in the middle of the field, Chrissy hugged his jacket to her chest. He wasn’t going to forgive her, was he? She had messed it up forever. The fireworks began to the side of them. A small white fountain, followed by a larger rocket, the lights cascading from it mid-air, taking the form of bright, shining falling leaves.

  ‘I love you.’ Shouting above the crackles and bangs, Chrissy bit her bottom lip. Had she really said that? She hadn’t meant to. She had been thinking it, yes, but she hadn’t meant to actually say it aloud.

  Rubbing his hands across his face, Luke looked at the ground.

  ‘Luke, I...’ She’d made things worse, she could tell.

  His eyes met hers as he slipped his hands in his pockets. The fireworks illuminated the bright white of his long-sleeved shirt. ‘I can’t do this now. Not now.’

  ‘Look, I know I’ve messed up, I know that. The way I just shut you out can’t have been nice, but I had my reasons.’ Surely he must understand that?

  ‘I cannot be judged by your ex’s actions. Besides, it too late anyway.’ Turning on his heels, he strode towards the marquee, his head down, oblivious to the light show above him.

  Holding his jacket to her nose, Chrissy breathed in deeply, the fragrance of his aftershave plunged her straight back to the first time they had spent the evening in the pub, laughing, joking and drinking. They had really clicked and it hadn’t been just lust. They had both had feelings for each other. What they had felt had been real. It couldn’t be too late. She needed to fight for him, tell him again how she felt.

  Besides, regardless of whether they did get back together or not, he still deserved to know about the baby. It would be up to him if he wa
nted to be a part of the baby’s life, but it was his choice to make. She couldn’t take that away from him.

  With her heels sticking in the mud with every step she took, she avoided the worst mud patches and tufts of grass as she made her way after him. Running around the outskirts of the group of guests watching the fireworks, Chrissy followed Luke into the marquee.

  Pausing in the entrance, she let the warm air envelope her. ‘Luke, please?’

  Grabbing a new bottle of lager from the edge of the bar, Luke turned back to her. ‘I don’t know what else to say. What’s done is done.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to be. You’re right, I did just think you’d done the same as Andrew and that wasn’t fair on you, but it was a mistake. I’m sorry, I really am, but can’t we just get past it and try again? What we had wasn’t just some quick fling, it was real.’

  ‘Regardless of how I feel about you, it’s too late.’

  ‘So you do still have feelings for me then?’ He did. He had said ‘feel’ not ‘felt’. He did still want a relationship with her. ‘If you do, then it’s not too late.’

  Taking a swig from his bottle, he placed it on a table to his left and cleared his throat. ‘I’ve brought a property up North. It’s that old hotel that needs renovating. I managed to get hold of it. I have a lot riding on it and I’ll need to be onsite.’

  ‘You’re moving.’ Gripping the back of a chair, Chrissy stared at him. He was leaving?

  ‘If I’d even have thought there was any chance of us working things out, I wouldn’t have even given it a second thought but you’d made it quite clear and, truth be told, I needed to get away.’ Running his hand through his hair, he looked at Chrissy, his eyes glistening.

  ‘Right, well, ok.’ Squeezing her eyes shut, she rubbed her temples with her index finger and thumb. She’d well and truly messed things up. Opening her eyes, she looked down at her shoes. ‘When are you leaving?’

  ‘Boxing Day.’

  ‘How long are you going for?’

  ‘The hotel will take six months to a year to complete, all being well.’

  ‘And then you’ll come back?’