‘Camm! Zander!’ A male voice came from behind them. They looked up to see Ben hurtling down towards them. ‘Mum told me you were looking for Livvie,’ he said when he reached them. ‘I’ve come to help. Is it her? Is she okay?’
‘We haven’t found her yet, but that’s her car and I reckon she’s still in it as I can’t see any footprints,’ said Zander. He strode towards the vehicle, his legs pushing hard through the knee-high snow.
‘Thank God,’ he said when they reached it, a wave of relief washing over him. ‘Livvie, are you okay.’ He bent down, clearing snow away with his hands, and peered through the window. ‘Livvie!’ His heart squeezed when he saw a pair of frightened, tear-stained eyes looking back at him.
‘Zander,’ she said, her bottom lip quivering.
‘She’s here!’ he said, a discernible shake in his voice as he began scraping the snow away from the door as fast as he could. ‘It’s okay, Livvie, we’ll have you out of there in no time.’
34
Livvie
The car had veered alarmingly back and forth across the road before plummeting down the bank side. Terror had taken a firm grip of Livvie as it swerved sideways then flipped onto its roof and slowly rolled over and over until it ground to a halt in a large wedge of drifted snow. All the while, her heart was galloping, fear squeezing every last breath out of her lungs. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.
When eventually the car had come to a stop, she remained motionless for several long moments, shock rendering her unable to move. She was hanging upside down, suspended awkwardly by the seatbelt that was digging into her neck. She was feeling dizzy which in turn made her feel sick, and her pulse was thrumming in her ears. She was slowly becoming aware that her right arm was hurting where it had slammed against the door, as were her legs that had made hard contact with the steering wheel. Her head didn’t feel great either. She reached up and touched her face; thankful to find she wasn’t bleeding.
What had happened slowly started to sink in and Livvie’s eyes filled with tears. Panic had scrambled her brain and she couldn’t even begin to think how she was going to get out. From what she could see, the car was well and truly embedded in deep snow which was blocking the door. She tried to unbuckle her seatbelt, but it wouldn’t budge, so she tried to slacken it, hoping she could wriggled her way out, but it just gripped her all the tighter. ‘Arghh!’ she cried in frustration.
It wasn’t long before the bitter cold started to seep in, making her shiver uncontrollably. She felt indescribably sad and frightened.
She swiped the tears away from her eyes and was struggling with her seat belt once more, when the sound of a dog barking drifted down from the road. Alf? Hope suddenly flickered to life. Could it be him or was it just wishful thinking, Livvie wondered. Alf had a distinctive bark, and another round of it made her sure it was him.
She wiped a circle in the condensation on the window with the side of her hand and peered out. It was him! It was really him! He was there, sniffing round the car, whimpering, his tail wagging harder than she’d ever seen it wag before. Oh, Alfie, you clever boy! Suddenly, someone was calling her name. ‘Zander!’ Her voice came out in a croak, a fresh wave of tears tightening her throat. He’d come looking for her. He’d actually come looking for her. In a moment, she saw his handsome face peering through the glass, his eyes a mix of relief and concern.
‘Livvie, thank God! Are you okay?’
She nodded, tears spilling back into her eyes and running off her forehead.
‘Do you think you’ve broken anything?’
She shook her head. ‘No.’
‘Good.’ He looked relieved. ‘We’ll have you out in no time.’
The kindness in his voice made her heart twist.
Alf was beside himself with excitement; whining and trying to push his way to her. Suddenly, a black, wet nose was squished against the window and she couldn’t help but laugh. Oh, Alf.
Zander was soon joined by Camm and a young man she didn’t recognise and, in a moment, all three were working like crazy to clear the snow away from the car. Livvie sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She had another go at undoing her seatbelt but it was difficult to see what she was doing and it remained resolutely stubborn.
‘Hang on, Livvie, leave your belt until I’ve got the door open, then I can help you; we might have to cut you out of it,’ said Zander.
‘Oh, okay.’ She hadn’t thought of that.
In a moment the door was pulled open and he had his arms around her. Camm opened the front passenger door and reached in. ‘Got her, Zander?’
‘Yep, got her.’
‘Right, let’s get this done.’ Camm had a brief wrestle with the belt before they heard a loud click, and Livvie felt herself drop into Zander’s arms; she winced as her shoulder objected sending a shooting pain right across her upper back.
Zander carefully eased her out and helped her to he feet. ‘You okay to stand?’
She nodded, resting against the car; still feeling dizzy, she closed her eyes to quell the wave of nausea that rose in her gut. While she steadied herself she was aware of the two men’s voices expressing relief that the airbag hadn’t gone off in her car. ‘Would’ve made it harder to get Livvie out, no doubt about it,’ she heard Camm say.
‘Just as well she didn’t carry on head-first,’ Zander replied. Livvie scrunched her eyes tightly shut; as horrible as it had been, in that moment she felt thankful that her car had swerved sideways and rolled slowly.
Though Alf was excited to see her, he sensed she felt unwell and sat quietly beside her, his paw resting on her leg.
‘I’ll let you have a moment before I go into doctor mode and give in to the urge to check you over. You look pale, I suspect you’re in shock, maybe bumped your head and I dare say you feel like you’ve been on a rollercoaster after that tumble.’ He looked up towards the road. ‘You travelled quite a way.’
‘Didn’t she just?’ said Camm, his hands on his hips.
After a brief check over, Zander declared Livvie fit to start making her way up the bank assisted by him and Camm. With her arms wrapped around their shoulders they pulled their way up to the road side. The snow was deep and the incline steeper than it had looked on the way down, and all were panting heavily by the time they’d reached the top.
Livvie’s neck and shoulder were hurting but she didn’t like to complain since everyone had gone to so much trouble for her. The climb had been hard and she was sweating in her jumper and heavy coat, but it did nothing to detract from the icy wind, laden with tiny dots of snow, that sliced cruelly at their faces. What she would give to climb into a hot bubble bath right now.
Zander turned to Camm and Ben once they’d staggered to the top. ‘Thanks for your help the pair of you. I don’t know how we would’ve managed without it.’
‘No problem,’ said Camm. ‘We’re just glad Livvie’s okay.’
‘Who’s that, by the way?’ Ben nodded towards the Jeep.
‘It’s my ex, Melissa. It’s because of her all this has happened.’ He glowered towards the woman in question.
‘Oh, right.’ Camm looked in the Jeep’s direction.
‘I was taking her back to the station at Middleton and keeping my eyes peeled for Livvie en-route when we saw the tracks going over the side here; it wouldn’t have crossed her mind to help.’
‘So are you taking Livvie to the station with you?’ asked Ben.
‘I don’t see what else I can do.’ Zander frowned, rubbing the stubble of his chin. ‘Will you be okay with that?’ He turned to Livvie.
Livvie nodded, though the prospect of trailing over to who-knows-where in the same vehicle as the very reason she was leaving held little appeal.
‘One of us could drop your ex off, so you could take Livvie straight home,’ said Camm.
Home, he said home. The thought that they considered Dale View her home sent an unexpected warm glow through Livvie.
Zander thought f
or a moment. ‘Would you really not mind doing that?’
‘Not at all,’ said Camm.
‘If it’s alright with you, Camm, I’d rather let you have the Landie so you can do the Middleton run, while I take over ploughing.’ Ben eyeballed the Jeep with caution, nodding towards it. ‘The passenger over there looks a bit scary to be honest.’ He handed Camm the keys to the Land Rover.
Zander laughed. ‘Trust me, she can be.’
‘Thanks for the warning; I’ll make sure she behaves herself. And don’t forget, if you’re up to it, you’re welcome to join us this afternoon. It’s all very low-key and chilled.’ Camm smiled at Livvie. ‘No crazy dancing necessary.’
‘And Mum’s made masses of game stew with absolutely ginormous dumplings; honestly, it’s awesome, not to be missed.’
‘Sounds good,’ said Zander, scooping Livvie up off her feet and making her heart leap. ‘But for now, I think we’d better head home. I’ll be in touch, and thanks for this, you two; I owe you one.’
‘No worries.’ Camm turned to Ben and squeezed his shoulder. ‘You take it steady; your mother’ll have my guts for garters if anything happens to you.’
‘I’ll be fine, I’ve driven this thing loads of times.’ With that, Ben climbed into the tractor and rumbled off.
Once they’d reached the Jeep, Zander set Livvie down and opened the front passenger door. He was greeted by an icy glare from Mel.
‘Why have you opened my door? It’s absolutely freezing.’
‘Camm’s taking you to the station so I can get Livvie back to the cottage.’ He reached into the back and lifted out her case, throwing it into the back of the Land Rover that had just pulled up beside him.
Livvie watched in silence as Mel looked across at the mud-spattered Landie, her lip curling in disgust. ‘You expect me to get into that?’
‘It’s either that or walk.’
Livvie hardly dared to look at Mel whose eyes she could feel burning into her.
‘Right, I’ve moved your case across.’ Zander shot her an expectant look, his face, Livvie noted, was uncharacteristically hostile. When Mel didn’t move, he nodded impatiently for her to get a move on. ‘Come on, Mel.’
Mel seemed reluctant to take the hint. ‘But can’t she go in that thing?’
‘Right, that’s it.’ Zander took hold of her arm.
‘Hey, get off me! I’ll get out myself!’ Mel got out, looking daggers at Livvie as she made her way to the Land Rover. She climbed in and slammed the door.
‘Good riddance,’ said Zander as the Landie turned round and headed off down the lane.
35
Livvie
The warmth of the Jeep was a welcome relief after the stingingly cold air outside and Livvie sank into the heated seat, allowing it to sooth her aches and pains. They travelled along the snowy lanes in silence, Livvie’s mind going over the last half hour. Had Zander really sent Mel packing? She didn’t want to be unkind, but she hoped so. She stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye, taking in his strong jaw peppered with dark stubble, his straight, noble nose and the thick, dark eyelashes that framed his blue eyes.
‘You alright?’ he asked, turning to her, taking her by surprise.
‘Mmhm.’ She nodded. ‘My shoulder aches a bit.’ That wasn’t strictly true, it was bloody throbbing. ‘And I’ve got a bit of a headache, but other than that, I’m fine. Glad to be out of my car and in yours.’ She gave a small laugh. Had she really been in a car that had skidded off the road and rolled over and over before landing on its roof with her inside? Sitting here beside Zander in his Jeep, it seemed somehow impossible, surreal even. That’s the sort of thing that happens on the telly, in some far-fetched drama, she thought, not to boring, ordinary people like her.
In no time they were back at Dale View Cottage, where Zander had sat her down and carried out various checks, asking her questions, looking into her ears, her eyes, checking her bruises.
‘Good,’ he said, smiling. ‘The fact that you didn’t lose consciousness is a bonus and I can’t see anything that gives me concern. Though from your answers, I’d say you’re suffering from a mild concussion, and a bit of shock, which might make you feel quite tired over the next few days, so you should really take it easy; it’s important that you listen to your body. You’ve got a few bruises there that should get pretty colourful by tomorrow, but other than that, I think you’ll be fine.’
Livvie smiled, relieved at his prognosis; the last thing she wanted to do was sit in A&E over at Middleton Hospital. ‘Thank you.’ She’d tried to ignore the embarrassment of him lifting her jumper up at the back; after all, he’d seen it all before, she told herself! Though, it still felt a little weird to feel his hands on her, the intimacy of skin touching skin.
‘How does a cup of tea sound to help wash your paracetamol down?’
‘Sounds good.’ She watched him go through the process of making tea, her mind reaching back to the previous evening when she’d heard him and Mel through the walls. Mel’s unbridled enthusiasm had been toe-curlingly embarrassing at the time. Had he really done that? Had he really had sex with Mel after what he’d told her? She didn’t know what to make of the situation, what to think about the mixed messages that had been flying around over the last few days.
‘Come on, let’s have these in the living room.’ His smile made her stomach flip as he nodded towards the door, two mugs in one hand, a plate of biscuits in the other.
‘Okay.’ Livvie followed, Alf close behind.
‘And after you’ve had your tea, why don’t I run you a bath to help those aches and pains?’
‘Sounds lovely, but I can do that myself. I don’t expect you to run around after me.’ She winced as she eased herself down onto the sofa.
‘It’s no trouble; I can’t help but feel responsible for what happened to you.’ A shadow crossed his face; it tugged at Livvie’s heart.
‘It wasn’t your fault; I just thought it was best if I wasn’t around so you could get things sorted with Mel. And it was probably my crappy driving that meant I ended up coming off the road.’ She gave a shallow laugh, trying to make light of the situation.
‘Well, it certainly helped me get sorted with Mel, but I still wish it hadn’t been at the expense of you having an accident like that.’
‘Hey, no harm done – well, except to my poor little car. I don’t know—’ Livvie’s words were cut off by a loud rumble from her stomach. ‘Ooh, excuse me!’ She giggled, pressing her hand against it.
Zander’s eyebrows shot up. ‘You sound ravenous after your escapades, here, you must try one of Lucy’s home-baked cookies from the village shop. Shortbread with Belgian chocolate chips, they’re delicious I’m reliably informed.’
‘In that case, how can I refuse?’ She took a biscuit from the plate and nibbled at it, thoughts tumbling around her mind as she watched the flames dancing behind the glass of the wood-burner.
The pair enjoyed a few moments of silent contemplation in the soothing atmosphere of the cottage. Alf was curled up on the rug, his ears cocked in readiness for the sound of a crumb hitting the carpet.
‘What happened with Mel, if you don’t mind me asking?’ Livvie picked up her tea, peering over the rim of the mug. As soon as the words had left her mouth she regretted the question, cursing herself inwardly. ‘Actually, it’s none of my business, please just forget I asked that.’
‘I don’t mind telling you; I actually feel it is your business after what’s happened … after what’s been happening.’ He puffed out his cheeks, releasing the air in a noisy sigh. ‘It’s a number of things really, but I didn’t like the way she spoke to you last night, or how she did her best to make you feel uncomfortable. She wouldn’t normally trouble herself to come out here, she hates the countryside. The only reason she was here was because she felt jealous, threatened by you.’
‘Me? But she’d never met me.’
‘Well, er … she obviously sensed something.’
Livvie f
elt the heat of a blush warm her cheeks as happiness gave her heart a little squeeze. Mel sensed something? Was this him acknowledging he felt the same electricity between them as she did? And was it so strong that Mel could pick up on it? Livvie suddenly recalled how their friends from the village had teased about how they looked like they were an item, but they’d both laughed it off or ignored it. This, however, was the first time Zander had hinted at his feelings for her. Yes, they’d almost kissed a couple of times, but they’d never addressed it; they’d acted as if it hadn’t happened.
Zander continued. ‘And it really struck me how Alf never goes near her, but he adores you even though he hasn’t known you for long; I always think dogs are good judges of character.’ He paused for a moment, a muscle twitching in his cheek. ‘And, if I’m completely honest, I knew our relationship had run its course. Mel did, too, but she was desperate to cling onto it because it made life easy for her.’
‘Oh, right, well, regarding Alf, the feeling’s mutual; I think he’s awesome.’ Alf’s ears flickered at the mention of his name.
‘Then, there’s the matter of my feelings for you.’ Zander turned to face her. ‘I’ve never felt anything like this before, Livvie, it’s just about knocked me off my feet.’
Livvie felt her blushes intensify. She took a sip of her tea, seeking refuge behind her mug. Butterflies took off in a flurry in her stomach, looping the loop, while her heart started to pound. She swallowed. Oh, Lord above, this was so confusing. ‘But last night … I heard … I heard you and Mel …’ She didn’t want to say she’d heard him and Mel getting down and dirty, but she was struggling to work out how he could so easily switch from that to declaring such strong feelings for her.
Zander clamped a hand to his forehead. ‘Arghh! I know, I’m such a prat. I regretted it as soon as … well, you know. I can’t believe I was so weak, but she was there and … If it’s any consolation, I wasn’t thinking of Mel—’
A Christmas Kiss Page 22