‘Really? I’d never have guessed; you look kind of good together.’ Jimby flashed a cheeky grin at Zander and waggled his eyebrows. ‘Well, it’s still good to meet you, Livvie.’ He turned back to Zander. ‘I had no idea you’d be coming here tonight or I would’ve warned you.’
‘Warned me about what?’ asked Zander.
‘We’re having a Christmas party in the village hall.’ Jimby’s eyes twinkled. ‘To raise money for some new equipment for the school.’
‘And Jimby thought it would be a great idea if it had an eighties theme,’ said Vi. ‘Hence the outfits; you know what he’s like.’
‘Well, at least everyone’s fully clothed for this fundraiser,’ said Zander. He noticed Livvie’s eyes widen, and he laughed. He leaned into her and said, ‘I’ll explain later.’
‘Good point,’ said Vi. ‘It would be a bit chilly to expect the men to get their bits out on a night like this.’
‘Oh, right.’ Livvie’s eyes grew even wider.
‘It’s nowhere near as bad as it sounds,’ said Zander.
‘Thank goodness! But it’s a relief to hear that you all don’t normally dress like this,’ said Livvie.
‘Yeah, poor old Livvie here thought she’d stepped straight into an eighties time warp.’
‘Well, most of us don’t dress like this but I can’t say the same for Maneater Matheson over there.’ Vi nodded in the direction of a woman who was sixty if she was a day and doing a thorough job of invading the space of a man dressed like a member of Spandau Ballet. She was wearing a skimpy outfit made of what looked like a handful of chamois leathers sewn together that barely covered her modesty, while her over-processed yellow-blonde hair had been backcombed to within an inch of its life. ‘She reckons she’s supposed to be Tina Turner, but I don’t think the lady in question would be too flattered.’
‘Yikes!’ said Livvie. ‘We’ve already seen a Tina Turner tonight; but she wasn’t dressed quite as revealingly as that.’
‘Yes, I think there are a few “Tinas”, but I’d watch that one this evening, Zander. I don’t know what she’s been drinking, but she’s even more full-on than usual,’ said Robbie.
‘Thanks for the warning,’ said Zander. ‘Come to think of it, I can remember what she was like when we were having our photos taken for the calendar.’ He turned towards Livvie. ‘That’s linked to why we were naked, but she was absolutely bloody terrifying; had her hands everywhere.’
‘Ughh!’ Jimby shuddered. ‘Don’t’ remind me; I’m still traumatised by it.’
‘Drama queen,’ said Violet. ‘Anyway, I thought you were supposed to be getting the drinks in.’
‘I’m on my way and you’re both welcome to come over and join us; we’re at our usual table and can make room for a couple more.’
‘Yes, come and meet the rest of the gang,’ Violet said to Livvie.
‘I’d love to.’ Livvie looked up at Zander and smiled, making his heart beat faster and sending a wave of heat surging through his veins.
‘Great.’ Jimby beamed, rubbing his hands together. ‘What can I get you to drink?’
‘Well, I’m driving, so it’s just a shandy for me, thanks,’ said Zander.
‘Oh, what a relief I won’t be the only one sober tonight,’ said Vi.
‘Erm, I’m not sure what to have,’ said Livvie.
‘My sister Kitty loves the Prosecco here,’ said Jimby. ‘Her and Rob’s wife Rosie are drinking it, so we’ve got a bottle of it over at our table; I can get you a glass if you fancy some of that? Or Molly’s drinking Pinot Grigio which, judging by the way she’s necking it, is pretty good.’
‘Just as well she can’t hear you saying that, Jimbo.’ Robbie chuckled.
‘Ooh, I love Prosecco; I think I’ll have some of that, if you’re sure it’s okay?’
‘It’s absolutely fine. Come on, Robster, let’s get the drinks in before everyone starts complaining they’re dying of thirst.’
‘Do you need a hand?’ asked Zander.
‘No, we’re fine; you just go and get yourself parked with Livvie,’ said Jimby.
‘Zander, it’s good to see you,’ said another familiar voice. Zander turned to see a man wearing a large smile and a bright blonde wig. ‘It’s me, Freddie from the village shop.’
‘Oh, Freddie, I wouldn’t have recognised you.’
Freddie laughed. ‘I’m pleased you said that; I’m not so sure this wig’s me, nor this boxy jacket, but me and Lucy have come as Dollar so we had to look the part, apparently.’
Lucy, wearing an equally bright wig, peered round him and waved. ‘Hi there. We didn’t know you’d be at the cottage this weekend.’
‘Neither did I,’ said Zander
‘Oh?’
‘It’s a long story.’ From the corner of his eye he noticed Vi arch her eyebrows and flick her eyes in Livvie’s direction.
‘Ah, okay.’ Lucy gave her a knowing look.
‘How long are you here for?’ asked Freddie.
‘I’m not sure exactly.’ The question made Zander feel awkward since he and Livvie hadn’t really discussed it. ‘Anyway, can I introduce you to Livvie.’
‘Hi, Livvie,’ they chorused.
‘This is Lucy and Freddie; they have the village shop here,’ said Vi.
‘Hi, there. I love that you’ve all made such an effort to get dressed up.’
‘Thank you, though I’m not exactly comfortable in this dress; it’s a bit on the short side, that’s why I’m hiding behind Freddie.’ She stepped aside to reveal an eye-wateringly short skirt that barely skimmed her knickers.
‘Ooh,’ said Livvie. ‘At least you’ve got the legs to flaunt it.’
‘I’m not so sure about that.’ Lucy did her best to pull the hem down.
‘That’s not going to do it much good, Luce,’ said Freddie. He laughed when she pulled a face at him. ‘We’d better get back to Lucy’s sister and her husband, but it’s been nice to meet you, Livvie. Have a lovely night and hopefully we’ll see you both around.’
As they followed Vi to the table Zander stole a glance at Livvie’s pretty features; her eyes were shining and she looked happy and relaxed. He could imagine her fitting in really well round here…
20
Livvie
Vi led the way across to where the friends were sitting round a table laughing and chatting. Livvie glanced around her, taking in the effortlessly stylish décor of the pub; its soft furnishings in rich, heavy tweeds, hand-forged wall lights and thick oak tables spoke of the countryside and comfort. And the overall effect was enhanced by the thick uneven walls, low-beamed ceilings and a welcoming atmosphere she’d never felt in a pub before.
‘Here we are.’ Vi stopped at a cosy corner by the old inglenook fireplace, where a roaring fire danced in a huge dog grate. ‘Look who we found on their way to the bar and managed to talk them into joining us.’
They were greeted by a sea of friendly faces and a chorus of cheery hellos as well as much fussing of Alf, which put Livvie instantly at ease. ‘Oh, wow!’ she said as she spotted another two members of Bananarama, an early eighties Madonna, an Adam Ant and a Billy Idol.
‘Now then, Zander,’ said Billy Idol. ‘Good to see you; let me go and grab you a seat.’ Zander watched as he disappeared into the crowd.
‘Shuffle your bums up, you two; make some room,’ said Vi to Bananarama, who happily obliged. ‘Right, you can park yourself there, Livvie, and here’s Ollie with a chair for Zander. Just stick it on this side of the table opposite Livvie, Oll.’
Once Livvie and Zander were seated, Vi started on the introductions. ‘Right then, you all know Zander, but everyone, this is Livvie; she’s staying with him at Dale View Cottage – but they’re not an item, apparently.’ Vi cocked her eyebrow at her last comment which didn’t go unnoticed by Livvie, who could feel her cheeks beginning to colour. She could also sense Zander looking at her and daren’t look up to meet his gaze.
‘So, Livvie, my fellow Bananarama bandmates are
Molly and Kitty – they’re cousins, and Kitts is Jimby’s little sister. Madonna over there is Rosie – she’s married to Robbie who was dressed as Howard Jones and who you met with Jimby – and she also has the local beauty rooms which are absolutely awesome and I’d honestly recommend if you’ve got time while you’re here.’
The three women said their hellos, exuding a warmth which touched Livvie’s heart. Bryony would absolutely love it here, she thought.
Vi continued. ‘And moving on to the blokes, Adam Ant over there is Camm.’
Camm nodded. ‘Livvie and I have already met when I was out ploughing last night.’ He gave her a friendly smile.
‘Camm! I would never have recognised you! And thanks again for coming to my rescue last night; I think I’d still be stuck in a snowdrift somewhere if you hadn’t.’
Camm chuckled. ‘You’re welcome. And can I just say, I don’t make a habit of going out like this. But, anyway, it’s good to see you got settled in okay.’
‘I did, thanks. Last night seems like a lifetime ago now.’
‘It does, I agree. At least we’ve had no more snow, though more is forecast for tomorrow.’
‘And last, but not least, is Ollie, otherwise known as Billy Idol for tonight’s purposes – he’s Kitty’s husband,’ said Vi. ‘And with perfect timing, here’s Jimby with the drinks.’
Once Alf had said hello and had a good sniff and tail wag at everyone, he went over to where the pub’s resident rescue dogs Nomad and Scruff were curled up in front of the fire and flopped down with them. He was greeted by wagging tails and friendly sniffing.
‘Ahh, that’s so sweet,’ said Livvie.
‘They’re good friends,’ said Zander
‘Bless him, it’s lovely how he’s just fitted in; it must be a special place.’
‘It is.’ She felt the warmth of Zander’s gaze on her but resisted the urge the look up at him, conscious of other watchful eyes on them.
Conversation flowed freely and Livvie couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so welcome anywhere. Her face was aching with laughing so much – especially at Jimby and hearing about his escapades.
‘I must say, I love your dress, Livvie,’ said Kitty.
‘Oh, thank you. It’s nothing fancy; just something I rustled up on the sewing machine.’
‘You made that yourself?’ asked Molly.
‘Yes.’ Livvie nodded.
‘Wow!’ Molly turned to look at her cousin wearing an expression Livvie couldn’t quite read. She was accustomed to her mum and her sister criticising her clothes – Donny, too – so her heart automatically steeled itself in preparation for others to do the same.
‘It’s a lovely cut and those pin-tucks are beautifully done,’ said Vi, taking interest. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get your pattern from?’
‘Erm, I do my own,’ said Livvie. Happiness began to fill her heart; unless she was way off the mark, these ladies seemed genuine and not in any way mocking. A little glimmer of self-confidence gave her the push she needed to continue. ‘I start by doing a rough scribble in my sketch book, then make a pattern out of tracing paper – or any paper I can get my hands on at the time actually; I’ve even been known to use newspaper if I’m desperate.’ She took a sip of her Prosecco, which was slipping down rather well. ‘I source my fabric from, well, anywhere really. The fabric for this dress came from a charity shop. I made my coat, too. It started life as a couple of blankets.’ She pointed to the raspberry-red boiled wool coat that was folded up on the seat beside her.
‘Double wow,’ said Vi. Her eyes widened at Kitty.
Livvie sensed that unspoken messages were passing between the two women, though she didn’t have a clue what they could be.
‘Do you make a lot of your own things or is that your line of work?’ asked Kitty.
‘I make pretty much all of my own things, but it’s got nothing to do with my job, that’s selling wedding dresses – though the alterations are my responsibility. I studied art at college, with the hope of going on to do a degree in fashion design but it never happened.’ Livvie didn’t want to remember how her mother had sneered at her suggestion of going to university, or how she’d declared it a waste of time and money, refusing to offer any financial support. She shook that thought away as she saw Kitty and Vi exchange more loaded looks.
‘Why?’ she asked.
‘Cos you might just be heaven sent,’ said Molly. She laughed at Livvie’s baffled expression.
‘I reckon Zander thinks that too, judging by the way he’s looking at her, don’t you, mate?’ said Jimby, earning himself a nudge in the ribs from Violet. ‘Ouch; I was only saying.’
‘Well, don’t,’ said Vi. ‘We were having a private conversation. Ignore him, Livvie.’
‘Yep, shut your cakehole, Jimbo,’ said Molly. She prodded him under the table with her foot.
‘Ouch again, I’m only pointing out the obvious aren’t I, Oll?’ Jimby rubbed his leg where Molly’s boot had made contact.
Ollie shook his head and laughed. ‘Don’t drag me into it, mate.’
Livvie did all she could to avoid making eye contact with Zander, hoping he couldn’t sense her embarrassment. ‘What do you mean – about the thing that Molly said?’
‘Kitty and I have a business called Romantique, designing and making vintage-style underwear and burlesque costumes, but we’ve been getting more and more orders for wedding dresses, especially since we made Kitty’s and mine,’ said Vi. ‘And we’re struggling to keep up with demand.’
‘It’s cos they were absolutely stunning,’ said Rosie. ‘And you should’ve seen the bridesmaid dresses.’
‘They’re being inundated with orders,’ said Molly.
‘Yeah, you’ll be next Moll,’ said Jimby. The cheeky glint had returned to his eyes.
‘Bugger off, Fairfax!’ Molly gave him a sturdier kick under the table which elicited a yelp from him. Livvie noticed Molly’s cheeks burning red, while Camm remained quiet, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
‘Serves you right, Jimby.’ Violet gave him a warning look.
‘Romantique, what a gorgeous name for your business,’ said Livvie; it was conjuring all sorts of wonderful images in her mind.
‘The problem is, Vi’s baby is due in February and I only work part-time owing to my family commitments – between us Ollie and me have four kids, and the youngest, Lottie, isn’t at school yet,’ said Kitty. ‘Our eldest, Noushka, helps out when she can, but she commutes to university in York and we don’t want to interfere with her studies.’
‘Oh, right.’ Livvie’s mind was half wondering at the large age-gap between Kitty and Ollie’s children and half wondering where this conversation was going.
‘What they’re trying to say, Livvie, is do you want a job at Romantique?’ Molly gave her a wide grin.
‘Oh, wow! I wasn’t expecting that!’ Livvie’s heart skipped with excitement; was Molly joking? She looked across at Zander who was smiling broadly at her. What the women had just described was Livvie’s dream job; she’d always wanted to design and make wedding dresses and had a sketch book full of ideas. But Lytell Stangdale was miles away from home …
The conversation was brought to an end by a slender, well-groomed lady arriving at their table. ‘Hello, darlings, how are we all?’
There was a chorus of hellos followed by Jimby saying, ‘Bea, can I introduce you to the latest member of our gang? Bea, meet Livvie, she’s staying with Zander at Dale View Cottage though they’re not an item – allegedly.’ His eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Livvie meet Bea – the landlady of the Sunne and creator of the most amazing food ever.’
‘Hello there, it’s lovely to meet you my dear. And hi there, Zander, it’s good to see you back here again so soon.’
‘It’s good to be back, Bea,’ he said.
‘Will you be joining us for the buffet fund-raiser – it’s all part and parcel of the eighties evening and the latest event for raising village funds, tho
ugh I expect you’ve already been filled in on that?’
‘Yes, you must join us,’ said Vi.
‘Oh, you’ve got to,’ said Kitty.
‘Of course they are,’ said Molly
‘I just assumed you would be,’ said Jimby.
‘Do we need tickets?’ asked Zander.
‘Strictly speaking, yes, but we can make an exception for you two,’ said Ollie.
‘Wouldn’t be the same without you,’ said Robbie.
‘Hear, hear,’ said Rosie.
Zander laughed. ‘What do you think, Liv?’
‘Woah, it’s “Liv” now is it?’ Jimby waggled his eyebrows and received another dig in the ribs from, Vi. ‘Bloody hell, missus, have you been sharpening your elbows?’
Vi gave him a warning glare, while Livvie wondered if it was possible for her cheeks to burn any brighter. ‘I’d love to – if it’s okay with you?’
‘It’s great with me.’ He turned to Jimby and Ollie. ‘But I insist on paying the price of the tickets.’
Livvie went to speak. ‘But I want to pa—'
‘My treat, no arguments.’
Livvie couldn’t remember when she’d last felt so happy. What a friendly group of people; Bryony would like it here too, she thought. If only they were serious about her working for Romantique; and if only it were closer to Rickelthorpe. As for the comments about Zander, she supposed they were to be expected given their unusual circumstances; anyone would be forgiven for thinking they were an item. Wouldn’t they?
It wasn’t long before the men slipped into a conversation about cars, tractors and the most suitable tyres for snow. Molly looked at Livvie and feigned a yawn. ‘I honestly think that’s all they can talk about. Anyway, what’s the story with you and the hot-to-trot-doc?’
‘Moll, you can’t go asking questions like that!’ said Kitty. She turned to Livvie. ‘Please excuse my cousin.’
‘Honestly, what’s she like?’ Vi shook her head. ‘Anyway, what is the story; we’re all dying to know?’
A Christmas Kiss Page 14