‘Please don’t go there.’ Livvie held her free hand up. She didn’t want to hear what she thought he was going to say; it would sound unbearably crass and she didn’t want to think of him like that.
‘No, you’re right.’ He looked suitably chastened. ‘But I do deeply regret it.’
Livvie sighed, her mind was all over the place and she really didn’t know how to answer him. Zander was a free agent now; free to kiss her without it making her feel like she was doing the dirty on another woman. But, although he knew his relationship with Mel was over, he’d still gone and had sex with her and that really bugged Livvie. Consequently, kissing him was the last thing she felt like doing. She just wanted to sit here, in this beautiful, cosy room, sip her tea and eat delicious biscuits, without having a complicated conversation that would only add to her headache. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the sofa, the twinge in her shoulder reminding her of the morning’s earlier events. Why are things never straightforward?
After soaking in the bath until her skin was wrinkled and prune-like, Livvie changed into her pyjamas and headed downstairs. Zander was in the kitchen, sitting at the table, eyes focused intently on his phone. He looked up when she walked in. ‘Hi,’ he said, his face lighting up.
‘Hi.’ She smiled and bent to stroke Alf’s head.
‘How was the bath?’
‘Good, thanks.’
‘You look better.’
She pulled out the chair opposite him. ‘I feel it; though I’m still trying to process what happened. And then I keep remembering about my car being stuck down that bank side.’
‘Well, I hate to say it, but I suspect that’s a write-off.’
‘Really?’ Livvie didn’t want to think about the ensuing problems that would cause.
‘But don’t worry, Camm’s been on, said he’d popped in to the garage at Middleton-le-Moors and arranged for someone to come out and tow it away when the weather improves. Said they’d check it over for you, too.’
‘That’s good of him.’ That was one thing less to worry about; she wasn’t even going to think about a replacement or how she’d get back home at the moment.
‘Yeah, he’s a good bloke. He said Molly had asked him to remind us of their get-together this afternoon – if you’re up to it.’
The thought of seeing her new friends again sent a warm glow through Livvie. ‘I’d like that, if it’s okay with you?’
‘It’s great with me; they’re a good fun crowd – though, if I remember rightly, I don’t need to tell you that. If you take it easy – no booze with concussion, I’m afraid –you’ll be fine and we can come home when you’re ready. I actually think it’ll do you the world of good after the last couple of days.’
Livvie couldn’t argue with that, noting that the happy sparkle had returned to his eyes.
36
Zander
While Livvie was in the bath Zander’s mind began replaying scenes from the last twenty-four hours. The sense of relief at getting her out of her car and into the Jeep was still overwhelming; he’d felt physically sick when he’d seen the tyre tracks disappearing over the edge of the road and finding her car on its roof. There was no denying, his feelings for her ran deep.
If that’s the case, then why did you go and shag Mel last night, you utter knob? Though the accusing voice of his guilty conscience made him cringe, he still couldn’t come up with an answer to that, other than his testosterone levels were in over-drive, running riot round his body, thanks to his intense attraction to Livvie, and he needed to do something with them. It was a split-second decision when he’d opted to take Mel up on her offer of a sanctuary for them. One he bitterly regretted.
‘Arghh!’ he said. Alf looked at him as if he’d lost the plot. ‘I’ve cocked-up big time, buddy.’
Alf harrumphed and snuggled back down; there were no biscuits on offer and he wasn’t interested.
The roads to Withrin Hill Farm were clear thanks to Camm and Ben’s vigilant ploughing and gritting efforts, and the snow that had threatened earlier had come to nothing. But the bitter wind was still whirling around, blowing dense, angry-looking clouds further along the moors, keeping the snow off them for now.
‘It’s easy to see why this is called Withrin Hill,’ said Livvie as the wind pushed and shoved the Jeep as they made their way up the lane to Molly and Camm’s.
‘Yep, it’s very aptly named. We’ll keep an eye on things and if it looks like snow’s imminent, we can head home. I should imagine the last thing you’ll need today is getting stuck in more snow or having a long walk back,’ Zander said as they pulled into the neat farm yard where a handful of Landies and four-wheel drives were lined up.
‘Too true. Oh wow, what a beautiful house, so different from the cottages in the village,’ said Livvie.
Zander looked up at the rambling Georgian farmhouse that stood steadfastly against the howling winds of the capricious moorland weather. ‘Yes, it’s old but not as old as the ones in the village. I believe it’s been in Molly’s family for generations, which is typical of the farms around here; either that or they’re tenanted out by the Danskelfe Estate.’
Before Livvie had chance to answer, the door to the house flew open and Molly called to them. ‘Great to see you, get yourselves in here where it’s warm.’
‘Hi dere,’ said three-year-old Emmie, peering round her mother’s skirt, waving a chubby hand at them.
‘Oh, my goodness, she’s so cute,’ said Livvie.
‘How’re you feeling after your escapade this morning, chick?’ Molly pulled Livvie into a hug. ‘Sounded bloody awful.’
‘Buddy awful,’ said Emmie.
‘Mother, that’s another pound in the swear box,’ said Ben. He caught Zander’s eye and chuckled.
‘It’s fair to say, it won’t go down as the best way I’ve spent a morning.’
The pair followed Molly and Emmie down the hall to the large kitchen with warm yellow-ochre walls, where an ancient cream Aga threw out a gentle warmth. There was a huge casserole dish simmering on one of its hotplates, kicking out a mouth-watering aroma that made Zander’s stomach rumble. Beside it, Molly’s mum Annie was busy beating a huge bowl of mashed potato, while her dad Jack was helping himself to a little tot of damson gin. A nineties playlist was belting out hits from the iPod speakers and the room was full of friendly faces who called out their delight at seeing Zander and Livvie. Noushka, Ollie’s daughter, was dancing with her half-sister, eleven-year-old Lily and her best friend Abbie, twirling them around with her fingers, while their brother Lucas was surreptitiously trying to stick something on his Uncle Jimby’s back. Somehow, amidst the chatter and banter, Lottie, Kitty and Ollie’s angelic-looking toddler, was fast asleep in her pushchair, thick, dark lashes resting on plump, rosy cheeks. It made Zander smile; he remembered Steff sitting her two beside the washing machine when they were babies, swearing that it helped them sleep.
His eyes settled on the large kitchen table, it had been extended by the addition of another two smaller ones of a slightly different height at either end; huge festive tablecloths had been flung over them disguising the fact. A variety of mismatched wooden chairs were set around it before bright white plates with Christmas crackers laid across them. In the centre of the table sat a squat miniature Christmas tree, decorated with glittering baubles and sparkly shapes that were clearly little Emmie’s handiwork. A wave of happiness washed over him. He thrived on this kind of family get-together, full of warmth, noise, chaos and love; he couldn’t help but smile as he thought how much like Steff’s home it was, and how like the one they’d grown up in. But, from what she’d shared with him, so unlike the one Livvie had experienced. He turned to see her hazel eyes shining as she took it all in.
‘Oy! Get your grubby mitts off that brownie, Jimbo!’ Molly gave the back of Jimby’s hand a slap just as he was about to help himself to a corner of a traybake.
‘Ouch, that hurt! I was only making sure it was edible in
my capacity as quality control executive.’
‘Huh, a likely story. And what’s that you’ve got stuck on your back?’ She peeled off the sticker Lucas had just fixed on, handing it to her cousin.
He read it with frown. ‘Eh? “I’ve just farted”. Lucas, you little bugger! I wondered what you were up to.’ Lucas ran off sniggering and Jimby grinned, catching sight of Zander. ‘Now then, me aud mucker.’ He strode across the room, bottle of beer in one hand, clapping Zander on the shoulder with the other. ‘Good to see you made it, the pair of you – and Alf, too. He glanced across to where Alf was getting acquainted with Molly’s Labrador, Mabel. ‘Camm and Ben’ve been telling us all about what happened this morning.’ He turned to Livvie. ‘Must’ve been a right shocker for you. Are you okay?’
‘It was scary at the time, but I’m fine now. I think I’ve learnt my lesson about driving in snow with the wrong type of tyres.’
‘Aye, makes a big difference out here.’
‘Can I get you a drink?’ asked a pretty girl with a glossy curtain of long, dark hair.
‘Oh, hi there, Kristy – this is Livvie, by the way; Livvie, this is Kristy, she’s Ben’s girlfriend,’ said Zander.
‘Hi Livvie, good to meet you. I heard about your accident and I’m so pleased you’re okay.’ The young girl beamed at Livvie and leaned in conspiratorially. ‘Ben and me have made some punch; it’s really fruity but it’s lethal.’
‘Ah, I’m afraid I’m driving and Livvie’s got a mild concussion, so much as I think it sounds delicious, unfortunately neither of us can have it; doctor’s orders, I’m afraid.’ Zander laughed when he saw their disappointed expressions. ‘Maybe next time.’
‘Don’t worry, you’re not the only ones on juice or water.’ Vi waddled over, a wide smile on her face, her aubergine-tinted hair glossier than ever, a glass of apple juice held aloft.
‘Hello, there, Vi, you’re looking well,’ said Zander.
‘Ah, I’m counting down to the day I can have a cheeky little gin and tonic.’ She turned to Livvie. ‘Remind me to have a word with you about Romantique before you head off, but first, I must pop to the loo; all this apple juice …’ Vi pulled a face as she rushed off.
‘Oh, will do.’
Zander wondered what that meant. He’d heard them jokingly offer Livvie a job the other night. Were they serious? If so, would Livvie be tempted to stay here in Lytell Stangdale?
That thought set his mind whirring.
Before long, the men had grouped together, engrossed in their usual favourite topics of tractors, Landies and four-wheel drives. ‘So, Zander, when are you going to come and take over from bloody useless Dr Goodliffe? asked Jack.
'It’s a nice idea, but not very practical for me living in Leeds I’m afraid.’
‘Ah, but you could always move here full time,’ said Robbie.
‘Means you’d be closer to Livvie.’ Jimby winked at him.
‘Aye, everyone already thinks the sun shines out of your arse which puts you way ahead of Dr Goodliffe,’ said Camm.
‘And you get on well with Dr Beth,’ said Ollie. ‘In fact, I think you’d make a great team at the surgery.’
‘I agree,’ said Jimby.
‘Same here,’ added Robbie.
‘It’s worth thinking about,’ said Jimby. Zander noted his expression was serious for once.
His mind wandered for a moment; Beth had jokingly suggested he join her in the partnership at the surgery but he’d never really given it serious thought, being happy where he was, working with Noah. This was definitely food for thought.
Conversation eventually turned to Mel. ‘Dear God, she’s a frosty one,’ said Camm. ‘She barely spoke two words to me all the way to Middleton. Her face was set like granite.’
‘Lucky you,’ said Zander. ‘She’d been screeching at me earlier; my ears are still ringing.’
‘So, me aud mucker, now she’s out of the picture, that leaves things nice and clear with you and Livvie.’ Jimby waggled his eyebrows mischievously.
Zander sighed. ‘Hardly.’
‘Hey, even I can see that you’ve got the hots for each other; it reminds me of Kitty and me, skirting around each other for ages,’ said Ollie.
‘Uhh, tell me about it.’ Jimby rolled his eyes. ‘Please don’t take as long as Oll before he got his arse into gear – seventeen years, wasn’t it, mate?’
‘Aye, something like that – worth it in the end, though.’
‘If you want my opinion, it was pretty clear the other night at the village hall that Livvie likes you.’ Robbie nudged Zander’s shoulder. ‘More than likes you.’
‘Hmm. That was then, something’s happened, or should I say, I’ve done something bloody stupid that I think makes her feel differently about me now.’
‘Come on, tell all, let’s see if we can help,’ said Jimby.
Zander dragged his hand down his face. ‘I know it sounds stupid – soppy even – but I’ve honestly never felt anything like this about a woman before. From the moment I set eyes on her, I got this powerful feeling in my gut that she was “the one”. There, I’ve said it, you can have a good old howl at me now.’ He felt his face burn with embarrassment but, somehow, he didn’t care; it felt good to get it out in the open.
Ollie patted him on the back. ‘Hey, mate, you’re talking to the right blokes here, Jimby and me know exactly where you’re coming from.’
‘Too right,’ said Jimby, winking at Vi across the room.
‘Yes, but you won’t believe what I did last night.’ Zander cringed at the memory.
‘Surely nothing can be that bad,’ said Ollie.
‘I slept with Mel.’ Zander looked around; their shocked expressions told him exactly what they were thinking.
Silence hung in the air for several long seconds. Jimby was the first to speak. ‘Well, in the cold light of today, it might feel like you’ve pissed on your chips, but with a little bit of distance, I’ve got a good feeling that things will be fine.’
‘Same here,’ said Ollie. ‘Livvie’s had a bit of a time of it from what you’ve said, what with her ex, your ex, and the car accident, but it’s clear that she has feelings for you; and there’s something about you two together that just seems right, but being a useless bloke, I can’t put my fingers on the right words or the right way to describe it.’
‘Oll’s right,’ said Camm. ‘Just give her a bit of time, things have a habit of working out. Trust me, I know all about that.’
The other men nodded in agreement. ‘You two are meant to be together, even we can see that,’ said Robbie.
Their words swirled around Zander’s mind; he hoped with all his heart they were right.
‘Can you set this on that mat on the table?’ Molly handed Zander an enormous tureen of mashed potato. Her phone had just pinged with a text. ‘Normally I’d leave that, but I’m expecting to hear from Tom so I’ll just quickly check it.’
‘Course, no problem.’
Molly clapped her hand to her forehead. ‘Arghh! The troublesome old bugger, I wish I’d ignored it now.’
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Zander.
‘Well, from that tone, it can only be one person,’ said Kitty. ‘Granny Aggie.’
‘Yep, it’s Granny bloody Aggie; up to her usual with the vicar.’
‘Sounds ominous,’ said Zander.
‘You’ve no idea,’ said Jimby. ‘What’s she said now, Moll?’
Molly sighed. ‘You know how she’s been feeding that stray cat?’
‘Yes.’ Rosie looked worried.
‘Oh, God, I think I know what’s coming next,’ said Violet.
‘Well, she’s only gone and sent Rev Nev a text telling him that she has a lovely pussy and asked him if he wants to go and stroke it. Told him it purrs if he does it gently.’
Zander, had been taking a sip of beer from his bottle and swallowed it quickly to avoid spraying the room. He looked around at the others who were bent double with laughter. ‘Please tell me
she’s done that in innocence.’
Molly snorted. ‘Like bugger she has; the wicked old bat knows exactly what she’s doing, pretends it’s innocent though.’
‘She tortures poor old Rev Nev, I’m surprised he hasn’t asked for a transfer,’ said Ollie.
‘Does she say how he replied to her?’ asked Rosie.
‘Apparently he wasn’t keen.’
‘Can’t say I blame him.’ Camm headed to the worktop where a bowl of buttery garden peas were waiting. ‘These ready for the table, Moll?’
‘Yep, let’s get cracking, just stick a lid on them so they keep warm. I need to line my stomach before I deal with that wayward old pensioner and her sodding mischief.’ Molly took a breath. ‘Grub’s up. Come and park yourselves at the table. Young ’uns, you’re at that end, big ’uns, you’re at this end. Pass your plates down and I’ll stick some game casserole on them for you.’
‘Talk about a foghorn.’ Vi rubbed her ears.
‘It’s the only way I can get you lot to listen.’ Molly grinned at her friend.
Zander tried to imagine Mel fitting in up here. Nope, he thought, that was never going to happen. Livvie, however, was a different matter. He turned his gaze to her; she was having an animated conversation with Kitty and Rosie, chuckling about something, her nose scrunching up in that cute way that made his stomach flip. He needed to do all he could to show her what she meant to him.
37
Livvie
‘That was absolutely delicious, Molly.’ Livvie leaned back in her chair and rubbed her stomach. ‘Thank you for inviting me.’
‘You’re welcome, hon, I’m just glad you could come.’ Molly beamed at her. ‘Anyone fancy a tea or a coffee?’
‘Ooh, I could murder a cuppa,’ said Kitty.
Livvie glanced between the cousins. ‘I couldn’t tell the other night – for obvious reasons, with the fancy dress and all that – but there’s such a strong resemblance between you two and Jimby, and your mum too, Molly.’
A Christmas Kiss Page 23