'He's right,' Rowan said. 'You can never have too many decorations in my book. Or lights.'
'I'll pass that on. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going into Merriment Bay and I need to be there by 9.30. Enjoy your day.'
'Thanks so much,' Dennis said.
'Drive safely,' Dawn added.
Neva watched him go.
'He's always so formal, isn't he?' Rowan said. 'So prim and proper. It must be hard work living like that every day. Or do you think it comes naturally to a man like that? I wonder if he ever lets his hair down. Adam seems much more laid back. Although still very proper and good mannered.'
'Excuse me,' said Neva, getting up and dashing after Rafe.
He was already at the front door when she caught up with him, and he was saying something to Sean and Carruthers. She hung back until he spotted her.
'The rose garden's behind the kitchen garden. Go through the dining room, down the stairs, turn left at the bottom and follow the corridor to the garden door. Once outside, simply follow the path. Or Archie can show you the way in a moment.'
'That's good to know. But I wasn't asking.'
A small frown creased his brow. 'Oh? Then what can I do for you?'
'You can take me with you to Merriment Bay. If that's not too much trouble. Unless you're taking someone else and there isn't room.'
It seemed he didn't know how to answer that and he stared at her for a moment or two. He then shot a look at Sean followed by one at Carruthers.
To her surprise, both men turned and walked away. Sean smiled at her and said hello; Carruthers did the thing with his brows and inclined his head ever so slightly in a bow and wished her a good morning.
'Um. Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be told off?'
Rafe's mouth twitched a fraction and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
'I have no idea, Neva. Have you done something wrong?'
'Apart from asking to go with you, no. Not as far as I'm aware.'
'I've got business there. I'm not sure how long I'll be. It could take just an hour. It could take longer. If you want to go shopping, I'm sure Adam will-'
'Will you please give the Adam stuff a rest!'
He blinked as if she'd slapped him. 'Excuse me?'
'No, Rafe. I won't. I like Adam. Yes. But I'm not some silly girl. And I really don't need you to keep throwing him in my face. I don't know if you meant what you said in the library yesterday, but if you're jealous, you've got a funny way of showing it. Unless this is sarcasm. In which case, stop it. Because it's getting on my nerves. But if this is your way of showing you're interested in me, then frankly, you're pretty crap at it.'
Oh God. Had she said all that? All of it?
'I ... I ...'
'Rafe Wynter - speechless. That's probably a first. Forget the lift. I'll call a bloody cab.'
She stormed back towards the dining room. She had no idea what Rafe did because she didn't turn around to look.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Getting a cab wasn't as easy as Neva thought it would be.
For one thing, cabs from Merriment Bay had to cross the stone bridge in Wyntersleap and as both bridge and village were currently under a few inches of water, no cab was going to risk that. The only other way to get to Merriment Bay was all around the houses. Well, via a couple of other villages to be precise. Instead of being five miles, the roundabout route was fifteen. That was easily do-able, but it seemed there wasn't anyone who wanted to do it.
Much to Neva's irritation, when Adam saw her half an hour later and asked what was wrong and she told him - although not the bit about her conversation with Rafe - he offered to take her himself.
'I can't ask you to do that. You're helping Gavin.'
'We've done the gathering bit. Now it's just the decorating and I'll make a deal with you. I'll take you to Merriment Bay if you'll help with the decorating when we get back.'
That was perfectly fair, but she could just visualise the self-righteous look on Rafe Wynter's face when he found out she'd gone with Adam, after all. She was about to say yes when Rowan appeared from nowhere.
'Did I hear you say you're going into Merriment Bay? Is there any chance I could join you?'
Adam's smile faltered for just a second. 'Of course. The more the merrier.'
'Really?' Rowan was clearly excited. 'How many people can you fit in a Range Rover?'
Adam tilted his head slightly to one side. 'Is this one of those jokes about elephants in a mini?'
Rowan looked at him as if he were mad. 'No. I was asking if there was room for Mum and Dad and Nigel and Sasha. And Tempest, too. Although if that's a deal breaker, I'm sure George would be happy to give her some more training. He's such a lovely man and so good with animals.'
'Err. Yes. Yes, there's room. And it's fine to bring Tempest too.' Judging by the expression on Adam's face, he felt as if he'd just been run over by a steam roller. 'I'll be ready to leave whenever you are.'
'Great,' Rowan said. 'I'll get the others and grab our coats. We'll be with you in less than five minutes.'
Twenty minutes later, the Greys, the Lanes, Tempest and Adam all piled into his vehicle and headed for Merriment Bay.
They took the scenic route: currently the only route possible, and for fifteen miles of countryside, Sasha pointed out every robin, every horse, sheep or cow and for some reason, every post box. Tempest joined in, barking at each sighting, whilst Rowan and Nigel discussed the pros and cons of Range Rovers and whether or not Adam was a very good driver.
'Should you be going so fast on such narrow lanes?' Rowan asked. 'You know the area of course, but if a horse had been around that corner it'd be sitting on your windscreen right now. And although it's a beautiful day, there're lots of puddles after all that rain.'
Adam slowed down until a tractor behind started tooting.
'I think you're in his way,' Nigel said. 'You may need to go a bit faster.'
Adam opened the window briefly and waved to the driver. 'It's a friend of mine, saying hello.' But he sped up again, just a little, even though the tractor turned into a gap beneath the hedges.
Dennis tutted in the front passenger seat. 'Leave the man alone. He knows these roads. We don't. Adam, you may want to get a bit further over to the left. Those bushes ahead on the right will get in the way of any oncoming traffic.'
On the back seat, Dawn hummed Driving Home for Christmas, one of the family's favourites, and Sasha, Rowan, Nigel and Dennis eventually all joined in.
Adam gripped the steering wheel tighter and screwed up his brows, as if in deep concentration. Either that or he was getting a headache.
Neva grinned at him via his rear-view mirror as she joined in with the Chris Rea song. At least her family were no longer commenting on his driving.
By the time they read the sign saying: Welcome to Merriment Bay, they'd even managed to persuade Adam to sing along with them, despite him repeatedly saying that he didn't know the words.
'We're here!' Adam said. He sounded more excited than Sasha. And from the way she was bouncing up and down on the back seat, she was very excited indeed.
'It looks beautiful.' Neva stared out of the window as they passed a large aircraft hangar to their left.
'That's the Merriment Bay World War II Museum. It's small but it has quite a lot of interesting items. It even has a vintage Spitfire. Amias Wells takes people up in it, but it's not cheap.'
'I know,' Dennis said. 'It's going to be one of the first things I do when we move here.'
Adam looked at him, and then at Neva via the rear-view mirror. 'You're moving to Merriment Bay? All of you? When?'
Did he sound pleased? Or terrified? Neva wasn't sure.
'Dawn and I are moving down in early January. We're hoping Neva's going to be moving here around the same time. That's one of the reasons we rented the cottage. We tried to get something here but everything was booked. It was all a bit of a surprise to our children. We only told them on the day we all arrived. W
e were going to wait until Christmas Day but I'm glad now that we didn't. There's a salon and a flat that we're hoping Neva may be interested in.'
'I am here you know, Dad. And I don't think Adam wants to hear all our family plans.'
Adam grinned. 'On the contrary, I do. So you may have a place of your own down here soon, Neva?'
'If I like what I see and think I could settle here and make a go of the business, then yes.'
'Rowan and Nigel are staying in Surrey,' Dennis continued. 'But they'll visit us often. It's not really that far.'
'Look at that bay,' Rowan said. 'I bet that's a great place to be on a hot summer day.'
'And so is the Spitfire Café,' Adam said, pointing to a brightly painted building on an equally brightly painted, raised deck overlooking the bay. 'And the pub, The Hope and Anchor. That's got a garden that also overlooks the bay. It's a wonderful place to come on a warm night to sit and listen to the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore and look up at a star-filled sky.'
'Aren't you the romantic?' Rowan jested.
'You have no idea.' Again he took a backward glance via the mirror and this time he also winked at Neva.
They passed a few houses on the right and a massive, beautifully decorated Christmas tree before crossing a raised bridge over the river that flowed out into the sea.
'Is that still River Wynter?' Neva asked. 'It doesn't look anything like it does in Wyntersleap.'
'That's because it's lost its impetus in the reservoir, and because it's wider from the reservoir down to the sea. In the summer, people take kayaks from the reservoir, down the river and out into the bay. Where would you like me to drop you?'
'Anywhere here will be fine,' Dennis said. 'Are you going to come with us, or do you have plans of your own?'
Adam hesitated for a second before pulling up outside an Italian restaurant called Bella Vista. 'I think I'll leave you by yourselves for a while and let you do your family stuff, if that's OK. Rafe's here at our bank for a meeting. I'll grab a coffee with him. What time do you want to go back? There's no rush so please don't feel under any pressure. I know several people here so I can go and shoot the breeze, as they say.'
Dennis looked at his watch. 'It's 10.15 now. We'll go and look at the salon and flat first. I know it's Monday and it's not Christmas Eve until tomorrow but the agents might be closing early and they've got the keys. The office is just along there. Horton & Wells, estate agents, so this is perfect. After that, we'll nip round to take a look at our new home and then just have a quick wander.'
'Oh. I'll drop you at the estate agents then.' Adam inched further along Coast Road and pulled across it to stop right outside.
'I want to do some last-minute Christmas shopping too, if that's OK, Adam?' Neva said. 'But it shouldn't take me longer than an hour.'
'There're several shops along here,' Adam said, 'and Merriment Bay Market is at the end of this row. At this time of year it's a Christmas Market with lots of stalls selling festive goods, and a couple of other attractions. I won't spoil the surprise. Shall we say we'll meet up in the café there at 12.45? Just in time to get home for lunch. Or I'll give you my number and you can text me when you're ready to leave.'
'No need for that,' Dennis said. 'We'll be there at 12.45 on the dot. We Greys and Lanes are always punctual.'
'Remind Rowan of that, will you, Dad?' Neva said. 'We had to wait twenty minutes for her this morning.'
'Don't blame me.' Rowan rolled her eyes. 'Nigel couldn't find his phone.'
'I really hope you like the salon and the flat, Neva,' Adam said.
'So do I, Adam. Thanks so much for bringing us. Have fun. We'll see you later.'
'I'm missing you already,' he said.
He probably was. But not in a good way.
He was no doubt relishing the prospect of some peace and quiet.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Neva loved both the salon and the flat the minute she saw them. The two-storey building fronted Coast Road and was on the corner of that, and Main Road leading off it. It was just a short walk from the estate agent's offices and they had actually driven past it, but Dennis had wanted to keep it a surprise until they stood outside. Main Road separated it from Bella Vista, the Italian restaurant where Adam had originally planned to drop them.
A large gold-painted pillar separated the entrance to the salon and the bright blue door to the flat upstairs. Neva and her family decided to view the salon first. It was closed at the moment, because the owner had gone to Spain for Christmas.
Two large picture windows either side of a central glass door which had a tinkling bell above it, fronted a spacious reception area with a desk, shelves with product displays, and a sumptuous multi-coloured sofa and a gold leaf, metal and glass, coffee table, scattered with magazines.
The salon itself extended back for some way, giving plenty of space for the row of three retro black faux leather chairs in front of three black dressing-table type units each with a grand, gold-leafed framed mirror sitting on top. Opposite those, were a line of five realistic-looking orange trees which separated the cutting and styling area from three wash basins with three reclining chairs, again of black faux leather. Behind all this were two doors, each leading to beauty rooms. One had a treatment table that matched the salon chairs; the other, had a large massage chair and add-on foot bath for pedicures and a couple of table and chairs for manicures.
One thing was apparent. If Neva took this on, she was going to need some staff. If only Jo hadn't just started a new job, got engaged, and moved to Upminster. They could've had such fun running this place together. And they could've built themselves a good business too. Oh well. What was meant to be would be. She'd have to find herself someone just like Jo. But that was never going to happen. There was no one on the planet who could ever take the place of Jo.
'I love it, Mum and Dad. It needs a bit of a touch-up. Those bright red walls for example could do with being a much softer colour. I love red walls, but not in a space like this. And not when you can see the sea from here. And those black tables should be lighter. I'm going to bring the outside in and make this place a haven of relaxation and tranquillity. But the gold leaf's staying. I also love a bit of glitz.'
'We're so pleased you like it,' Dawn and Dennis said, beaming at her.
'Sounds like you've already moved in,' Rowan said. 'Obviously Grey Building & Design will do any work you need. At a discounted rate.' She winked at Neva and smiled.
'Haircuts all round?' Neva offered, laughing.
'That should do nicely. You've got a deal.'
'Can I have my haircut now?' Sasha asked. 'I want to look pretty for Christmas Eve tomorrow.'
'Not here, sweetie,' Neva said. 'But I'll do it back at the house. And that's given me an idea. I'll have to have a word with Rafe when we get back.'
But that wasn't a particularly delightful thought. Not after the last thing she'd said to him.
The flat was equally lovely. And what was even better was that there was a semi-hidden door leading from the salon into the long hallway that led from the main front door on the street to the foot of a flight of stairs. At the top of those, was another door and inside, a fairly spacious hall. As the building was situated on a corner, at the end of the small row of shops and flats, it had windows to the front and side, which meant the kitchen at the side was not only large, but light and bright and airy. To the left of that was a good-sized bathroom, and to the other side of the kitchen, was a large sitting room with two French windows leading out onto small balconies; one at the side and the other at the front. They were only wide enough to house a small table and at a push, two small chairs, but at least it was some outside space and each provided idyllic views over the bay and the English Channel. Neva could picture herself sitting in the evening, a glass of wine in one hand, a good book in the other. Or possibly just being one with the world and admiring the view. Also to the front were two fairly good-sized bedrooms with stunning views out over the sea and
glimpses of the bay to the left.
'When can I move in?' She beamed at her parents.
'Sod you,' Rowan said. 'When can I move in?'
Sasha, who had been hanging over the iron railing surrounding one of the balconies, probably calculating the drop, yelled, 'Swear jar!'
Decision made, they returned the keys to the agents and set the wheels in motion to finalise the deal. The owner was intending to emigrate to Spain, so the salon came with all fixtures, fittings and furnishings. Neva wouldn't even need to buy anything to get started. She already had her stock. It was just a case of moving in and unpacking. And suddenly, she couldn't wait. The next chapter of her life was about to begin.
From the agents, they went to see Dawn and Dennis' new home. It was a mere stone's throw from the salon, but when Sasha picked up a stone to try, Neva stopped her.
'It's an expression, sweetie. Not a suggestion.'
The Grey family home in Surrey was a large Edwardian detached house. Not large compared to Wynter House of course. Compared to that it was a doll's house. But this new home was completely different. For one thing it was modern; and by the look of it, designed and built by an architect, who was possibly either drunk or on drugs at the time if the odd shapes and angles were any indication. For another, it was virtually smack bang on the beach. OK, there was a narrow access road called Channel View Lane separating it from the shingle, sand and sea, but other than that and a small drive and front garden, the front door opened onto a wide expanse of beach.
Inside, it was even more up-to-date. Everything from the front door lock to the vacuum was high-tech and remotely controlled. Shutters at the windows were voice activated, as was the TV. Even some of the kitchen appliances and gadgets started on command. There was also a lift despite the fact the house only had two storeys, but it also had a roof terrace, so technically, it had three floors.
The four bedrooms all had en suites, and the showers looked like something you'd find on some futuristic planet. Each bedroom had a view of the sea and the master bedroom had views to the front and the side, overlooking the bay in the distance. On the other side of a long hall were a study, a small library, another family bathroom - this architect was definitely a fan of good hygiene, and the lift. Beside the lift was a staircase leading up and down and also to the large, open roof terrace which had plants, various sun loungers, chairs and tables, and astonishingly, a hot tub in which to sit and view the stars.
Christmas at Wynter House Page 17