‘That wasn’t too bad, I suppose,’ she said, once she’d finished reading it. The tone of it was in his usual cocky style, trying to make a joke of what had happened, wondering when she’d be back. But after that, the messages got progressively more unpleasant, with him stating that he was annoyed that she’d left him without preparing his dinner and wondering what he was supposed to eat. ‘Honestly, the nerve of the man!’ It was so ridiculous, Livvie found it laughable. The final one had a sinister tone. “I’ll find you.” With a shiver, Livvie closed it.
After that text, she was reluctant to listen to his voicemails, wary of hearing his voice; it had a habit of getting right inside her head, drilling away at her and wearing her down until he got his own way. No, she’d call Bryony first; her friend’s words were always good to hear.
Bryony picked up almost immediately.
‘Liv, are you okay? Where the hell are you? I’ve been worried sick about you. Have you spoken to Donny yet?’
‘Hi Bry, I’m fine, honestly.’
‘Thank God for that. So where are you?’
‘After what happened with Donny and our neighbour, I just needed to get away from him and my family; I couldn’t stand the prospect of spending Christmas with them and having to listen to what a failure I am.’
‘No one could blame you for that, chick, but I wish you’d told me sooner, I was going out of my mind after Donny rang. He was quite unpleasant actually, accusing me of hiding you or knowing where you were.’
Livvie’s heart squeezed for her friend. ‘Oh, Bry, I’m so sorry, that’s why I didn’t get in touch, because I didn’t want to spoil your special night with Josh, plus the weather’s been affecting phone signal.’
‘Hey, you’ve got no reason to apologise, it’s that dick-head you were going out with that was causing the problems, as per usual – er, can I say that now you’ve dumped him?’
The last comment made Livvie giggle. ‘Feel free.’
‘Phew! Anyway, come on, fill me in on all the details.’
‘Well, it’s a long story.’
‘I’ve got all morning.’
‘Okay, here goes…’
Bryony listened quietly while Livvie brought her up to date with events of the previous evening. ‘Hmm. This Zander sounds nice, and something tells me that you quite like him, would I be right?’
Livvie smiled to herself; her friend knew her well. ‘I know it sounds bonkers, especially given the situation, but I really do, Bry. He’s not only gorgeous, but there’s just something about him that’s making me feel stuff I’ve never felt before; it’s really strong, and the weird thing is, I know he feels it too.’
‘Woohoo! This sounds like a classic case of love at first sight to me.’
‘And that’s exactly how it feels – even though I feel a bit ridiculous saying it out loud.’ Livvie could feel her cheeks beginning to glow. ‘We nearly kissed last night.’
‘No way? Sounds like you’ve got it bad; I’ve never known you like this before.’ Bryony paused for a moment. ‘And you’re sure he’s … you know, okay? I mean, you don’t think he’s a raving serial killer who’s going to put you in a stew or anything like that, do you?’
Livvie laughed. ‘No, I’ve got a really good feeling in my gut about him, which is the complete opposite of what I had with Donny; then it was telling me to run in the opposite direction as quickly as I could. Sadly, I chose to ignore it, and look where it got me.’
‘Right in the lap of Mr Gorgeous, by the sound of things.’ Bry gave a dirty laugh. ‘Hey, I wonder what Donny would think if he found out he was the one responsible for you finding your soul mate?’
‘Ooh, he’d hate that.’ Soul mate? Could Zander be her soul mate? Yes! her gut was screaming at her but a little niggle that it was all a bit too soon kept prodding at the back of her mind, pulling her back down to earth.
‘You always did say everything happens for a reason; this could very well prove you right,’ said Bry.
That would be nice, Livvie thought. ‘Do you really think so? He is lovely, and I’m enjoying his company and Alf is just absolutely gorgeous.’ She twirled a curl of hair round her finger.
‘Ah, you always were a pushover for a black Labrador; actually, you always were a pushover for anyone who was low enough to take advantage of you – Donny, King of the Knobs, and our battle-axe boss spring to mind.’
Livvie sighed. ‘I need to listen to you more, then I wouldn’t end up feeling rubbish as much as I do, or make so many crappy decisions.’
‘Look, don’t think about that now, just concentrate on having a bit of fun; and if that includes a little Christmas holiday romance and letting Mr Gorgeous have a quick rummage in your knickers, then go for it.’ Another dirty laugh followed.
‘Bry!’
‘What? I’m just saying … anyway, what do you want me to tell Donny if he gets in touch again; apart from “bugger off”, that is?’
‘Just tell him you don’t know where I am, that you haven’t heard from me, cos if he thinks you have, he’ll hound you. I’ll send him a brief text, telling him we’re finished and that I’m having a break until the New Year and then we can give notice on the flat.’
She heard her friend sigh down the line. ‘Listen, I’m one hundred percent in agreement with you about not telling him where you are, but if I tell him I haven’t heard from you, he won’t believe that for a second; he knows how close we are.’
Livvie thought for a moment, gnawing on her bottom lip. ‘Yep, you’re right. Just tell him that I sent you a text saying that I was fine and you weren’t to worry, but that I wanted to get away from it all for a while and I didn’t want anyone to know where I was.’
‘Okay, cool. Hopefully, that should shut him up.’
‘Fingers crossed.’ Despite her words, Livvie had her doubts. When Donny wanted something, he was like a dog with a bone and wouldn’t give up until he’d got it, whether it be information, money, even sex. ‘Ughh!’ Just the thought of him was beginning to make her skin crawl.
‘You okay?’
‘Yep, I’m fine. Listen, I’d better go, but I’ll be in touch. Have a great weekend.’
‘You, too; and don’t forget what I said about giving Mr Gorgeous an invitation into your knickers. And text me later today, so I know you’re safe – just in case, okay?’
‘You’re terrible! And, okay, I promise to text later today.’
‘I know, and you love me for it. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. See ya, chick.’
‘See ya, Bry.’
16
Zander
Zander watched Livvie disappear through the door on her way to the shower; she looked cute in her over-sized pyjamas and bed-hair. What he’d give to know what she was dreaming about when he took her tea in earlier, he thought, a smile playing over his lips as he rinsed the coffee cups. She’d definitely been saying his name – several times, at that – and what had those groans been about; he knew what they sounded like.
While Livvie was in the shower, he lit the wood-burner in the living room. Though there was under-floor heating throughout downstairs, Zander liked the cosiness created by the glow of a real fire in the inglenook. He put on his wellies and threw on his jacket then crunched his way over the snow to gather up more logs from the woodstore in the back garden, knocking snow off them while Alf bounded about like a hound possessed.
‘Enjoying yourself there, Alfie boy?’ He couldn’t help but laugh at the Labrador’s happy expression.
Alf bounded over to him, his jet black coat covered in powdery snow, tiny clumps of ice clinging to his whiskers. Zander loved Alf’s zest for life, especially after its less than happy start. He grinned at him and ruffled his head. ‘And don’t go getting any ideas about running inside and tearing round the house while you look like the Abominable Snowman, okay?’ He scooped up a handful of snow and threw it. Alf raced after it, biting at the snow where it had landed.
Zander’s ploy had worked, giving him tim
e to close the utility room door before Alf could slip through it in search of Livvie. He was grabbing the dog towel just as the Alf skidded in. ‘Gotcha!’ Zander threw the towel over him, giving him a quick drying off before carrying the basket of logs through to the living room.
When he’d finished, his fingers were still red from the cold, and the thought of wrapping them round a steaming mug of coffee suddenly became very appealing.
Just as he put a pod in the coffee machine, his mobile phone rang. It was Steff. Reluctantly, he decided he’d better take the call and get the inevitable ticking off out of the way.
He was still on the receiving end of what his sister referred to as a “loving ear-bashing” – if ever there was such a thing – when in walked Livvie, a vision in warm shades that perfectly matched her stunning auburn hair. He felt his mouth fall open as he took in her glowing, creamy skin that only served to emphasize her stunning hazel eyes and full, red lips. The Goddess, he thought as his insides turned to mush. What was she doing to him?
‘Are you listening to me, Zandie?’ Steff’s voice brought him back to reality. ‘You sound distracted; is there someone with you?’
He raised his hand in a wave to Livvie who, seeing he was busy, gestured that she’d go into the living room. He nodded and smiled. ‘No, I mean, yes. I mean, yes, of course I’m listening to you.’
‘Good,’ Steff said, and continued to give him a gentle telling-off for not letting her know that he wouldn’t be joining them in Carcassonne. She was being tactful by not referring to Mel and Zander was grateful for it.
As siblings went, Steff and Zander were close, and had an unspoken understanding that things would be talked about when the other was ready to share, pushing and cajoling were never put into play. He was close to Toby too, but his bond with Steff ran deeper.
‘I just worry about you, Zandie, that’s all. But as long as you know I’m here if you need me, need to talk or find yourself with the sudden irresistible urge to devour any of the delicious baking your niece and nephew seem very keen to partake in, then all you need to do is shout up.’
‘Is that baking with or without the bogies?’
‘Whichever you’d prefer. But joking aside, just holler if you need anything – and it still isn’t too late to join us in Carcassonne. Poor little Cynthia will be bereft when she finds out lover boy Alfie isn’t going to be here to give her Christmas cuddles.’
Zander was relieved the call had ended on a happy note; he’d go so far as to say that Steff sounded almost happy that Mel had done a runner. When they returned from Carcassonne, he’d have a chat with her, get her take on things. Steff got on with everyone, but he had the feeling she struggled to gel with Melissa.
He made his way into the living room where Livvie was flicking through the book of local photographs. She looked stunning with her hair tumbling over her shoulders in thick, rich waves. She glanced up at him, her smile setting his heart racing in the way it only did for her.
Speaking to Livvie over coffee about his pathetic excuse of a relationship with Mel – or should that be, pouring his heart out over coffee, Zander mused – had made him realise just how easy she was to talk to. She didn’t judge or criticise; she just listened.
Her comment that they were both running away from their partners had struck a chord, thought it wasn’t really Mel he was running away from, but rather, their situation. Having said that, he had a suspicion she’d be back sooner than she’d said, cutting her break short owing to a clash with someone or running out of money; that was usually the case with Mel. And he certainly didn’t want to be around to deal with the fall out and have to listen to her ranting when that happened. If he was running away from anything, it was that.
Though Livvie had told him of her situation with Donny, Zander had a feeling she wasn’t telling him everything. The effect the mere mention of his name had on her demeanour spoke volumes. What horrors was she trying to get away from, he wondered? He didn’t like the thought of some obnoxious creep making her unhappy.
‘Right, Alf, time for me to jump in the shower while Livvie’s making her calls,’ said Zander.
Alf briefly raised his head, then flopped it back down; there was no food on offer so he wasn’t interested.
As he headed across the living room, Zander could hear Livvie chatting away in her bedroom. He didn’t want to eavesdrop, but in old cottages, carpets and ancient floorboards with gaps here and there offered little in the way of sound-proofing. He took the stairs two at a time and crossed the landing to the bathroom. The tone of her voice and the occasional laugh suggested she was talking to her friend and he was relieved to hear that she seemed okay.
By the time he’d finished in the shower and got dressed, he noted that all was quiet in Livvie’s bedroom, but something told him she was still in there. He resisted the temptation to knock and check how she was, and instead went downstairs where Alf was snoring in the kitchen.
‘Right, Alf, I think it’s time we went and had a little rummage around the shed.’ Zander grabbed his keys from the worktop and headed towards the utility room and out through the back door. Alf woke up with a snort and trotted after him.
It didn’t take long to find what he was looking for.
Four sledges were stacked neatly under the shed window; two blue, two red. When he’d made a list of what would be needed to furnish the cottage for holiday-makers, sledges featured pretty high on it. The sloping fields directly in front of Dale View Cottage would be perfect for sledging, he’d reasoned. And today, he thought, would be perfect for exactly that; provided Livvie was up for it, of course.
He didn’t have long to wait to find out.
‘What have you got there?’ Livvie peered round the utility room door where he was leaning the sledges against the wall.
‘I have two brand-spanking new sledges that are desperately in need of breaking in.’ He beamed at her.
‘Right.’ She looked bemused.
‘You can say no, I’ll totally understand, but I wondered if you fancied joining Alf and me sledging in the field on the other side of the track?’ He nodded towards the front of the cottage.
Livvie paused for a moment and he was relieved when her face broke into a wide smile. ‘I’d love to! It’s years since I’ve been sledging; I used to think it was great fun.’
‘Brilliant,’ he said, feeling his heart melting. ‘Though, you might want to change into something you don’t mind getting drenched. Oh, and have you brought some wellies?’
‘Actually, I have; I thought I’d better if I was heading out into the countryside. Give me two ticks,’ she said, hurrying off to get changed.
Zander couldn’t believe how enthusiastic Livvie was at his suggestion; he was used to Mel refusing to do anything that meant she would look anything less than groomed to perfection. It was refreshing to see that Livvie embraced the idea with great gusto.
‘I’ve just remembered, I don’t have any gloves; I lost them a few days ago and haven’t had time to look for them or buy new ones.’ Livvie had returned to the kitchen dressed in a pair of thick navy trousers and a woollen Christmas jumper in bright red.
‘Oh, okay. I’d give you mine but I think they’d be so big they’d fall off. Actually, I’ve got some glove liners that should do the job, they’re very stretchy but they fit small, if you see what I mean?’
‘Erm, I think so.’
Zander rifled about in the pockets of his padded jacket. ‘Here you go, give them a try.’
‘Perfect,’ she said, pulling them on and wriggling her fingers.
‘Wow, this snow is so deep,’ said Livvie as they crunched their way over the track to the field, pulling their sledges behind them. Alf bounded about, only stopping for the occasional roll in the snow.
‘It is, looks like a lot more was dumped after the road was ploughed.’ Their breath hung in clouds in the chilly air; it was cold but Zander was relieved the icy, nipping wind of the previous night had dropped.
‘
And it’s easy to see why the cottage is called Dale View.’ Livvie shielded her eyes with her hand, the low winter sun bouncing off the brilliant white blanket of snow that covered the vast expanse of the moorland landscape. There had been a hard frost over-night and everywhere sparkled as if it had been liberally sprinkled with glitter. In the distance, plumes of smoke reached up to the sky from the chimney pots of the farmsteads that peppered the valley. In one of the fields there were tracks from a farm vehicle where a farmer had taken a bale of hay to the feeder for his flock of sheep. ‘Oh, look, there’s an owl!’ She pointed to a place halfway down the field in front of them.
Zander looked to see a white bird gliding through the air, its heart-shaped face scanning all around before hovering for a moment then swooping down to the ground, its talons poised. A second later, it rose, clutching its quarry, and swept off to the cluster of trees that lined the river at the foot of the valley.
‘It’s a barn owl; they normally hunt through the night, but I’ve heard the population is thriving round here, so there’s a greater demand on the food supply. I suspect that’s why it’s hunting in daylight hours.’
‘It’s stunning; I’ve never seen a real one.’ Livvie seemed reluctant to tear her eyes away from it. ‘And what’s that creature?’
‘Which one?’
‘The one that’s just run out from the trees. It’s running across the field now; it’s so graceful.’
‘I see it, yeah, that’s a roe deer; and look, there’s another, smaller one behind it. I usually see them on a daily basis whenever I’m here.’
‘Oh, they’re so beautiful; how awesome to see them every day.’
They watched as the two creatures ran the full length of the field and leapt effortlessly over the hawthorn hedge, scattering a brace of pheasants who took off, their vivid feathers shining bright against the pure white snow.
A Christmas Kiss Page 11