Dennis joined them. 'That gingerbread smells delicious. Oh. Are we having cheese and ham?'
'Cheese and ham toasties, Gramps.'
'My favourite.' Dennis licked his lips and rubbed his stomach. He took a seat beside Sasha. 'It's raining again, by the way. Even harder than earlier, if that's possible.'
'This village doesn't look quite as beautiful as it did on the website, does it, darling?' Dawn smiled wanly at her husband.
'Nothing looks beautiful in the rain,' Nigel said.
'Adam Wynter did.' Neva twitched her eyebrows up and down as she grabbed the bread from the breadbin, and everyone laughed or groaned or sighed accordingly.
'The other brother didn't look too shabby either,' Rowan added with a sigh. 'He reminded me of Colin Firth. You know, when Darcy came out of that lake and strode across the lawn to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. I forget who played her.'
'I don't think anyone remembers,' Neva said, laughing. 'They only remember Colin and that shirt. That dripping hair. Those smouldering eyes. Hold on. Rafe Wynter looked nothing like that. Apart from being wet and wearing a white shirt.'
Dawn raised her brows. 'He did a little, sweetheart. Now that I think about it.'
'Then I need my eyes tested because all I saw was a rude and objectionable git. But he does have Darcy's arrogance down to perfection. I'll give him that.'
'Well, I love him,' Sasha said. 'And when I get as old as you and Mummy, I might even marry him. He did rescue Tempest, after all.'
'Rather you than me, sweetie.' Neva tossed her a thick slice of bread. 'Put lots of cheese on that and pass it to Granny.'
Rowan sliced the cheese and Sasha took three large slices and put it on the bread. Dawn took it from her and placed it under the grill while Nigel slathered butter on another thick slice of bread and slapped two slices of ham on it. He smiled at Dawn and stretched out his hands for the slice with the melted cheese. Then he stuck the two together and handed it back to Dawn to put under the grill once again. The process was repeated until each of them had at least one toastie, and Nigel and Dennis had two. Even Tempest, who had finally come to join them, clearly having caught a whiff of ham, or maybe cheese, got some, although hers was a small corner torn from Sasha's toastie.
'As we're not having a proper dinner this evening,' Rowan said, resting her elbows on the kitchen table, emphasising the point, 'and that means less washing up. Shall we decorate the tree tonight instead of tomorrow morning?'
'Yes!' Sasha bounced up and down on her chair, which creaked and moaned in protest.
'Don't break the chair, angel,' Dawn said. 'I think we've already made a rather poor impression on the owners. Let's not add breakages to the mix.'
'That's a good plan.' Neva winked at Sasha. 'If it ever stops raining, I was thinking of going for a long walk tomorrow morning. I'd like to see Wyntersleap Falls.'
'The place where that woman and her daughters leapt to their deaths back in the good old days?' Rowan queried. 'I expect Sasha would like to see those too.'
'Oh yes please. We might see their ghosts.'
'Not in daylight, sweetie.'
'We might, Neva. Ghosts are around us all the time. We just don't see them. We only see them at night because they're evereal beings.'
Rowan grinned. 'She means ethereal beings.'
Sasha drew her brows together and pouted. 'That's what I said, Mummy.'
'I know, baby, but I'm not sure Neva understood.'
'I'm not a baby, Mummy. I'm eight. I'm almost grown up.'
'Of course you are. What am I thinking?'
Neva fought back her laughter. 'You're welcome to come with me. We can even take Tempest. But I think I'd better hold her lead, just in case. We don't want her going into the pool at the foot of the Falls. From the photo on the website, it looked idyllic - like one of those pools on hair shampoo adverts. But on the website River Wynter looked like a babbling brook and as we discovered, it's not. God alone knows what the waterfall pool will be like. A swirling vortex going directly to the depths of Hell, no doubt.'
Dennis smiled. 'If the weather's good, why don't we all go?'
'I'm not traipsing through miles of mud, thanks all the same.' Rowan screwed up her face. 'I forgot my walking boots. Even if it is nice tomorrow, after all this rain the ground will be sodden.'
'Swear jar!' Sasha demanded, slapping one palm on the table.
'Mummy said “sodden”, darling.' Nigel grinned at Rowan and shook his head. 'Not that other word that she knows she shouldn't use but does all the time.'
Rowan rolled her eyes. 'I've got much better. I haven't said it once since we arrived.'
'True.' Nigel nodded and nudged Neva's arm. 'We were well on our way to being able to afford a week in Barbados. We even had to buy a bigger swear jar.'
Sasha nodded as she handed Tempest her final mouthful of toastie. 'Mummy uses lots of naughty words. She said she gets them from you, Neva.'
'Oh does she?'
Rowan shrugged. 'I've got to blame someone.'
'Thanks.'
'You're very welcome.'
'I've got boots you can wear,' Dawn offered. 'I brought a couple of pairs with me, just in case. And we're the same size, aren't we?'
Rowan pulled another face. 'I knew I could count on you, Mum. It's not as if I'd like to spend the day lounging on the sofa, reading or anything. I'm not on holiday, after all. Oh wait. I am.'
Dawn laughed. 'No one's forcing you to go, sweetheart. But it would be nice if we all went together, don't you think?'
Rowan smiled like a clown with a painted face. 'Oh yes! Let's all go. I'm sure it'll be such fun. Especially having to give Tempest yet another bath, because she's covered from head to foot in mud, yet again.'
'That's tomorrow sorted then,' Dennis said, ignoring Rowan's sarcasm. 'And if the weather's really good, there's another footpath from here to Wyntersleap reservoir. It passes Little Wynter Falls. They're the baby version of the big ones and they're farther down the river.'
'Was the reservoir the thing that looked like a lake as I came across the raised bridge before the turn-off to here?' Neva stood up and began clearing the plates from the table.
'Yes, sweetheart. In good weather there's sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and virtually any other water sport you can think of on that reservoir.'
'Is there one of those banana rides?' Sasha looked hopeful.
'I'm not sure about that, angel. But there are Swan pedalos. They're in the photos on the website.' Dennis smiled at her before turning his gaze to Rowan. 'It's called Wyntersleap Water Sports and it's run by someone called Amias Wells. He gives lessons in any of the water sports you fancy. It might be the perfect place for us all to learn to sail.'
'Why do we want to learn to sail?' Rowan looked confused.
'Because Merriment Bay has some of the best waters for sailing on the south coast. We could continue on the footpath tomorrow and go there. It's only five miles. And the sooner you all see the place, the better.'
'Oh? Why's that?' Neva's stomach flipped. 'Is there something you haven't told us, Dad? Are we here in this village for a reason other than “spending our family Christmas somewhere different for a change”, which is what you said when you told us you and Mum had rented this cottage? Because you also said that you had something to tell us and this cottage was the perfect place to do that.'
'We were going to tell you once you'd got settled in,' Dawn said, smiling lovingly at Dennis. 'Or possibly on Christmas Eve. But now's as good a time as any and we're so excited.'
'We're moving to Merriment Bay,' Dennis and Dawn said in unison.
'You're what?' Rowan looked horrified.
'When?' Neva asked.
'As soon as the sale of our house is finalised,' Dennis said. 'Completion is set for Wednesday January 8th.'
'But that's just a few days after we leave here.' Nigel seemed as shocked as Rowan.
Now Neva was even more surprised. 'And just two days before I complete on my flat.
Why didn't you tell us you were selling the house and moving? And why Merriment Bay?'
'We thought you might try to talk us out of it.' Dennis looked at Rowan.
'You were right,' she confirmed.
Neva shrugged. 'It's your house and it's your lives. You should do whatever you want. But as I said. Why there?'
'Because we've been there a few times on day trips and for weekends and we both love it. It's larger than a village but not really a town. There's fishing and sailing and lovely walks over miles of beautiful countryside. The sea. The South Downs. There's a World War Two museum and that chap I mentioned earlier, Amias Wells, flies a vintage Spitfire. You can take a flight with him but it's expensive. It's something I've longed to do. My dad was an RAF pilot and he fought in The Battle of Britain. I'd love to experience the thrill he did. Only I won't be shooting down German planes, of course. Although there is one of those simulators you can go in and that lets you shoot at enemy planes. That's a reasonable price. Sasha would enjoy it, I'm sure.'
'No doubt,' Nigel said. 'I wouldn't mind a flight in a Spitfire. How expensive is it exactly?'
Dennis patted him on the arm. 'Don't you worry about that, my boy. Once our house is sold we'll have lots of cash in the bank. We've lived in that house for so long, the value has gone through the roof, and we paid off the mortgage years ago. We'll never want for anything again, within reason. That's after taking into account the house we're buying in Merriment Bay. We'll be able to treat you all.'
'That's great, Dad,' Rowan said. 'And I'm really happy for you and Mum, but have you honestly thought this through? What about all your friends in Surrey? What about the business? Are you retiring, too? What about ... us?'
'Sweetheart,' Dawn said, hugging Rowan to her. 'Merriment Bay is only about seventy miles away from Epsom. We'll still see you all the time. And think how lovely it'll be in the summer to have a few weeks at the seaside. As for the business. Well, that's something we need to discuss. I've taken a far less active role of late and you can cope quite easily without me. Your father only works part time now. You and Nigel are running it these days, to all intents and purposes. We see no reason why that should change. And we've got our private pensions, so we don't need the income.'
'We were going to wait until Christmas Day,' Dennis said, 'but what the heck? We're signing the business of Grey Building & Design over to the two of you as your Christmas gift this year.'
'What?' Rowan blinked several times and Nigel shrieked like a girl.
'Are you serious?' Nigel asked.
'Absolutely. If you want it, that is.'
'Want it? I'm bloody well over the moon.'
'Swear jar!' Sasha yelled, looking somewhat confused. She clearly didn't understand what was going on.
'And to think,' said Rowan, a blissful smile appearing on her face. 'I only got you a hamper from M&S. Oh. But what about Neva? She should get a share in it, even though she's never been keen on being involved.'
'Nope.' Neva held up her hands, grinning. 'Don't you worry about me. I'm good. I have no desire to be a partner in a building firm. No disrespect to any of you. But it's really not my scene.'
'Which is why we've got an entirely different gift for you, sweetheart,' Dennis said. 'But if you don't want it, please just say so. We won't be offended in the least. And if you don't like where it is, or want something else, we can do that instead.'
Neva darted anxious but excited looks from her mum to her dad and then to Rowan. 'What? Please don't say I've got to wait until Christmas Day because that's not fair. You know how impatient I am.'
'You can see it for yourself when we go to Merriment Bay. You've always said you would love to have your own salon and beauty place. And once you left that Darius May and said you were starting your own mobile business, we thought it might be perfect.'
'What?' Rowan snapped. 'Sorry, but I'm even more impatient than Neva.' She smiled, excitement written all over her face.
'There's a salon and beauty parlour for sale in Merriment Bay. It's called The Mane Event, and there's a flat above the salon. The entire building is for sale, freehold, so you wouldn't need to worry about a lease. Or a mortgage. We'd be buying it for you.'
Neva's mouth fell open. 'I can't let you do that. That's ... that's far too much.'
'Nonsense.' Dennis shook his head. 'Besides, we want to do it. Property is so much cheaper down here. You wouldn't believe it. And the owner wants a quick sale as she's moving to Spain, so it's a bit of a bargain, too. But you must see it, of course. It may not be what you want.'
'Oh, Dad. Mum. I don't know what to say. A salon of my own is a dream come true. I'm sure I'll love it. And it'll mean I'll be living close to you.' She burst into tears and hugged everyone, including Tempest.
'Why did you rent this cottage then?' Nigel asked, as Dawn opened a bottle of champagne she had taken from the fridge. 'Why not somewhere in Merriment Bay?'
'Because there are very few places to rent there. And not one was available over Christmas. This was the closest we could get. And it looked so delightful on the website.'
'Which proves yet again,' Rowan said, raising the glass of champagne Dawn poured her and waiting for everyone to do the same, 'looks can be deceiving. But this is going to be our best Christmas yet. I can feel it in my bones. Cheers one and all. Merry Christmas to us. And here's to a very happy New Year!'
They all clinked glasses.
Then all the lights went out.
'Sodding hell,' Rowan said. 'What the bloody hell caused that?'
'Swear jar!' Sasha's voice echoed Neva's, in the darkness, and they both laughed, even though a blackout wasn't funny at all.
Chapter Six
Neva pulled her phone from her pocket and used the torch to illuminate the room.
'I brought some candles,' Dawn said. 'They were for the table settings for Christmas Eve, but we'll have to get some more. Can you shine that over here, sweetheart? Now where did I put them? And where did I put my phone?'
Rowan used the torch on hers and so did Nigel and Dennis and Sasha, so by the time Dawn found hers and switched on the torch, the kitchen was almost as bright as it had been before the lights went out.
'We can check the fuse box if we can find it and see if a switch has tripped,' Nigel said. 'It may just be a bulb or something.'
'Let's do that while they look for the candles,' Dennis suggested.
They were back a few minutes later, just as Neva found the box containing the table decorations.
'I've got the candles.' She placed them on the table.
'I'm afraid we'll need more than that.' Dennis shook his head. 'It's not just a bulb. The power is out on the entire street. Even the Christmas tree lights are out. It must be a problem with the National Grid. Unless it's something more localised. Like some cables down or damage to a pylon or something.'
'I'll check the news on my phone before my battery dies,' Nigel said.
'I told you you should've charged it up earlier.' Rowan rolled her eyes. 'At least we'll have mine and Sasha's. And probably everyone else's.'
'OK. Point taken.' Nigel scrolled on his phone. 'I can't get anything. That means the communication masts are down, so it's not just this village, it's everywhere within range, or I'd be able to get a signal from one of them.'
'Does that mean we can't make calls?' Neva asked.
Why hadn't she called Jo again this evening? She was dying to tell her about Tempest and her brush with death. And about meeting the odious Rafe, the wife-killer and possibly, future brother-in-law. He would make Charmaine Ashford pale in comparison.
No. That was ridiculous. Nothing was going to happen between her and Adam Wynter. And if it did, it would just be a holiday fling. She certainly wasn't looking for a future husband.
Although ...
'I'm afraid so,' Nigel confirmed.
Damn. Because now she also had the fantastically exciting news about the salon, to tell Jo, too.
'Is that someone at the door?' Ro
wan said. 'Or is that knocking a sign that the cottage is about to fall down?'
'I'll get it.'
Neva dashed past Nigel and her dad and made it to the door before anyone else had a chance. Although in her haste, and the fact that her torch wasn't directed at the floor, she did trip over the hall carpet and landed against the door with a resounding thud. And an ache in her shoulder.
It wasn't Adam, as she had hoped, but she did recognise the man who stood before her in the pouring rain, a concerned expression on his face.
'Did something just smash against the door?'
'No,' Neva lied as she rubbed her shoulder. 'You were at the river this afternoon. Sorry. I don't know your name. We weren't introduced. Have you been sent to give us another telling off?'
The man smiled and shook his head. 'No. I've come to give you these.' He held out his hand and gave her two large bags. 'And to see if there's anything else you need. I'm Sean. Sean Small. My wife Wendy and I own the Wyntersleap Inn.'
Neva peered into the bags. One contained candles, another, torches and a third contained several lanterns.
'Thanks, Sean. I'm Neva. Neva Grey. Do you want to come in for a moment?'
'Thanks, Neva. It would be good to get out of this rain. I feel as if I've been wet through all day. But not as wet as Rafe.'
He grinned at her as she stepped aside to let him into the hall.
'A man with a sense of humour. Unlike your friend.'
His brows knit together. 'Rafe's got a sense of humour. He just doesn't have much to laugh about at the moment. In fact, he never really has. But he's a good egg, Neva. You caught him on a bad day, that's all.'
'Well, he's got a good friend in you. That's one thing. But you don't need to convince me. I couldn't care less either way.'
'The man risked his life to save your dog. You could at least give him the benefit of the doubt.'
'Sorry. I didn't mean to make you cross. I'm grateful, believe me. But it wasn't my dog. Not that that matters. The thing is, he was rather rude.'
'I'm not cross. I'm just telling it like it is. You weren't sweetness and light either.'
'True. But let's not have a discussion about it. We've got other things to worry about right now. Like this blackout. Thank you for thinking of us and bringing these. Do you know what's happened? Is the power likely to be out for long?'
Christmas at Wynter House Page 6