‘It’s the big brown eyes and dark curly hair, isn’t it?’ said Rosie.
Livvie nodded. ‘Yeah, it is.’
‘Yeah, and while Kitty’s features area all dainty and elfin, I’m like a bloody great carthorse,’ said Molly.
‘Though no one knows where Moll’s filthy mouth comes from, do we, chuck?’ Vi giggled.
‘Bugger off.’ Molly grinned at her friend.
‘Molly!’ Her mum gave her a disapproving look.
‘Could be worse,’ said Vi. ‘Usually is.’
‘Nowt wrong with a hearty dose of Anglo Saxon, if you ask me. It’s part of our heritage.’ Molly gathered a handful of mugs together and set them on the table to make tea.
Livvie giggled; Molly was a hoot.
‘Well, I’ve heard some excuses for your filthy language, but that’s the best so far,’ said Vi. ‘I’m impressed, Moll, I’ve never heard it described as being “part of our heritage” before. Inventive, chick.’
Molly curtseyed. ‘Thank you.’
‘Molly, lovie, while the other children are in the living room letting off steam on the game thingamajig, I’m just going to take this little one for a lie-down; she’s looking shattered.’ Annie had a drowsy-looking Emmie in her arms. The little girl was sucking her thumb, a finger hooked over her nose.
‘Oh, okay, thanks, Mum.’ She turned to her daughter, placing a hand on her chubby cheek. ‘Oh, you do look like a sleepy little pudding. Have a good nap, sweet pea.’ Molly dropped a kiss on the top of Emmie’s dark curls which made the tot suck on her thumb with greater vigour.
‘Any idea how many swear boxes you’ve filled this year, and have you worked out what you’re going to do with the money?’ asked Kitty. She reached into the fridge for the milk, passing it to her cousin.
‘Hundreds, I should imagine,’ said Vi, dryly.
‘Could even be running into thousands,’ added Rosie.
‘Very funny. I’ve lost count, actually, but I was talking to Tom and Ben about it, and we’ve agreed that it should probably go to the Air Ambulance.’
The friends went silent for a moment and Livvie sensed they’d touched on something sensitive but she didn’t like to ask.
‘That’s a good cause; they’ll be over the moon that you’ve got a gob like a fishwife.’ Vi gave Molly a nudge and the mood lightened in an instant. Livvie made a mental note to mention it to Zander; she didn’t want to put her foot in it at a later date.
She sat back in her chair, sipping her tea and doing her best to ignore the throbbing ache in her shoulder as she listened to the good-natured banter between the friends. Molly had a wonderful home; the atmosphere was so friendly, welcoming and happy. A far cry from the one Livvie had grown up in, or her sister’s for that matter. Poor Ryan, though he could be obnoxious, Livvie felt for her nephew; he knew no better.
‘Ooh, that reminds me.’ Livvie set her mug down, a twinge in her shoulder making her wince. ‘You said you wanted to talk to me about something, Vi.’
‘We certainly do, don’t we, Kitts?’
Kitty nodded enthusiastically. ‘Absolutely.’
‘I’m intrigued.’
‘Good,’ said Vi. ‘We’re hopeful you’ll like what we’ve got to say.’
Livvie listened intently as between them, Kitty and Violet explained how they were keen to expand Romantique into wedding dresses – not just the occasional one as they’d been doing so far. They’d been inundated with orders and had even had to turn some away owing to Vi’s pregnancy and Kitty’s family commitments. Mary, Vi’s mum, had been a talented seamstress in her younger days and had been keen to help out, but arthritis had cruelly distorted her fingers, making it difficult and painful for her to sew.
‘We’ve been testing the water locally, trying to spread the word that we’re looking for someone who can sew, but no one who’s applied has the skill level we’re after,’ said Vi.
‘We’re just putting it out there,’ said Kitty. ‘We love your clothes, the fact you can make your own patterns and your sewing’s of an amazingly high standard, plus the fact you work in a wedding gown shop and do the alterations – and this dress you’ve made is stunning.’ Kitty smoothed her hand over the plum coloured midi dress Livvie had made and embellished with beads she’d found in a charity shop.
‘What we’re trying to say is, we’ve been having a chat – well, a few actually – and wondered if you’d consider applying for the job?’ said Kitty, beaming at her.
‘Wow!’ Their words tumbled around Livvie’s mind. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘Yes!’ said Vi. ‘Just say yes.’
‘That would be the perfect answer, but please feel that you can take your time to think about it, you don’t have to let us know right now,’ said Kitty.
‘The only thing is, it’s a long way from Rickelthorpe.’ Already, Livvie had started to weigh up the pros and cons.
‘Jimby’s cottage will be available in the New Year. The rent would be very cheap; we’ve already discussed it. Just saying …’ Vi gave a hopeful arch of her eyebrows.
‘But you hardly know me,’ said Livvie.
‘Ah, but we’re bloody good judges of character, chick, and the way you’ve just slotted in says it all, really.’ Molly gave her a wide smile.
‘Talking of good judges of character, have you seen Mabel and Alf?’ Kitty nodded towards the two Labradors who were curled up together by the Aga, Mabel resting her head on Alf’s rear.
‘Ah, bless.’ Vi smiled across at them. ‘They look like an old married couple.’
‘Not sure Ethel would be pleased to hear you say that; she was quite taken with him on the night of the eighties do,’ said Kitty. ‘I reckon there’ll be a touch of the green-eyed-monster there.’
‘He’s such a lady’s man is old Alfie.’ Zander had joined them. ‘I hate to break up a party but it’s started to snow, Livvie; I think we should consider heading back.’
‘Really?’ Livvie didn’t want to leave, but if she was honest, she was feeling shattered and, on top of the increasing pain in her shoulder, her headache was creeping back.
‘Afraid so,’ he said.
‘Don’t forget what we said, Livvie, and you’re very welcome to have a look around the studio, see what it’s like, how we work. Just let us know and we’ll make sure we’re both there.’ Vi gave a hopeful smile.
‘Ooh, yes, that’s a good idea.’ Kitty looked equally hopeful, making Livvie giggle.
‘Okay, I’ll do that.’ She liked the sound of having a peek in at their studio; it sounded like an awesome place.
‘And you know I said fate was talking to you the other night?’ said Molly.
‘Yes,’ said Livvie.
‘Well, it’s bloody bellowing at you now.’
Livvie laughed and pulled her coat on. ‘Point taken.’
Outside, the weather was worse than Livvie had expected and giant snowflakes swirled around the Jeep, dancing like feathers in the headlights.
‘Did you have a good time?’ Zander asked her.
‘The best; everyone’s so warm and friendly.’
‘They are; they’re fiercely loyal and look out for each other, particularly the women, and woe betide anyone who hurts one of them.’
Livvie turned to him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, it’s just a few unpleasant characters have been less than kind, shall we say. The ladies closed ranks and, Molly in particular, made mincemeat of them – she takes no prisoners, that one.’
Livvie grinned. ‘And I love her all the more for knowing that.’
38
Zander
Once back at Dale View Cottage, Livvie disappeared up to her room to text Bryony. Zander sat at the kitchen table and scooped up his phone; he had a couple of things he wanted to run by Noah and Beth.
He called Noah first. ‘Hi, Zander. You’ve got perfect timing.’
‘Hi, Noah. I do?’
‘Yep. I was just dropping the kids off at a party and
I couldn’t hear myself think; your call gave me the perfect excuse to escape. Anyway, how’s things?’ From the sound of traffic in the background, Noah was walking along the pavement.
‘Er, things are good. Well, that’s not strictly true, things are actually pretty complicated.’
‘Okay, and does this have anything to do with Mel?’
Zander sighed. Mel and so much more. ‘You could say.’
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? Where are you, by the way?’
‘I’m at the cottage near Lytell Stangdale; I thought it would be the best place for me to keep a low profile and get my head straight.’
‘I can see the logic in that.’
‘The thing is, there’s been a mix up with the cottage. When I arrived on Friday night there was already someone here – a paying guest.’
‘Oops! How did that happen?’
‘I’m not sure, but I think it was something to do with a last-minute cancellation and the website not updating properly.’
‘Right…’
‘Anyway, to cut a long story short, the guest is … well, we’ve really clicked. She’s called Livvie, and honestly, Noah, I know it’s going to sound crazy, and you’re going to think I’ve lost my marbles, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And I’m pretty certain she feels the same. Don’t ask me to put it into words, cos I can’t.’ Zander gnawed on his bottom lip, anxious for his friend’s reaction.
‘Wow! I wasn’t expecting you to say anything like that.’
‘I know, which makes me really wish I hadn’t gone and slept with Mel last night.’
‘What? Mel’s there, too? I thought she was in London.’
‘She was until yesterday; she turned up here last night.’
‘And you couldn’t resist temptation?’
‘That’s about the measure of it.’
‘Things were sounding so good until you said that.’
Zander grimaced. ‘I know. I honestly think it’s one of the most foolish things I’ve ever done.’
‘I can think of a few others – namely to do with your dodgy choice in wildly unsuitable women – but this Livvie, well, I’ve never heard you talk about anyone like this before. Sounds to me like you’ve got it bad, mate.’
Zander ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Like I said, I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I just wish I hadn’t made such a bloody stupid mistake with Mel. What can I do to put things right?’
‘Obviously, I’ve never met this Livvie before and I can’t begin to guess what she’s feeling, so all I can suggest is to give her a bit of time and space. Don’t push things or you could run the risk of it having the opposite effect. I can’t explain it, Zander, but from the way you’ve been talking, I’ve got a good feeling about this. But promise me one thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You’ll keep away from Mel. That means no texts, no calls, no anything. If she tries to get in touch, ignore her; she’s bad news and always has been. There, I can say it now without fear of offending you.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ve no intention of having anything more to do with her.’
‘I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear you say that.’
‘There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.’
‘My, you have been busy,’ said Noah, laughing.
‘I’m thinking of relocating to Lytell Stangdale.’
‘Does that mean what I think it does?’
‘Yep, I’m also thinking of taking Beth up on her offer to join her at the practice in Danskelfe.’
‘About bloody time!’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really! I wondered how long it was going to take you to accept that you’re a country lad at heart. You’ve always looked like a fish out of water in the city, but completely at home in the countryside.’
Zander sat back and smiled; Noah was absolutely right.
Buoyed by Noah’s enthusiasm, Zander fired off a text to Beth, asking if he could call her. Strike while the iron’s hot! He hoped she wouldn’t mind him intruding on her holiday, nor take an age to reply. He didn’t have long to wait when less than five minutes later his phone pinged and her name appeared on the screen.
His pulse picked up speed, racing round his body as he called her number.
Zander was stacking logs by the wood-burner when Livvie came downstairs. She’d changed into a pair of pale purple and green gingham pyjamas, her stunning hair tamed into plaits that hung either side of her face. His heart leapt; she looked incredibly cute.
‘Good idea to get comfortable. I think I might do the same,’ he said.
‘It’s the first thing I do when I get home from work; jump straight into my jammies. Can’t beat getting comfy,’ she said. ‘Especially after a stressful day with Mrs “Dragon” Harris.’
‘I can imagine.’ He wiped his hands together, dusting away any splinters of wood. ‘And how’s Bryony? Has she heard anything more from Donny?’
‘She’s fine and, thankfully, he’s kept away.’
‘Good.’
‘But it’s not so good with my family.’ A shadow fell across her face.
‘Oh?’
‘Yeah, I tried to ring them to say I wouldn’t be going to Cheryl’s for Christmas dinner – I probably should’ve done it sooner, but I was dreading it, so ended up putting it off; pathetic excuse, I know. Anyway, neither of them picked up, which is nothing new, so I texted them. Both replied straight away.’
‘I’m guessing they weren’t very happy.’ Why wouldn’t they answer her call? It bothered Zander that their behaviour might make her feel sad; he couldn’t imagine his family treating him that way.
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘But I suspect it’s probably because they’ll have no one to pick on or to ridicule or to make Cheryl look even more successful than she already is. But that’s fine; I’d much rather be here.’
Though she smiled, Zander could see their words had hurt her and, hard as it was, he resisted the urge to pull her into a hug.
He looked down at her, trying to read her expression. ‘Tea, coffee, teeny glass of wine?’ He demonstrated a small measure with his forefinger and thumb.
‘Ooh, if it’s allowed, I think I’ll go for the teeny glass of wine.’
‘It’s allowed, as long as you sip it slowly.’
‘Cross my heart.’
‘Right, you make yourself comfy while I get that sorted.’
‘What a day,’ said Zander, swirling the wine around his glass.
‘Just a bit. The afternoon was definitely much nicer than the morning.’ Livvie smiled at him, firelight shining in her eyes.
He shook his head in disbelief. ‘They seem like two separate days. In fact, these last few days, with everything that’s happened, seem like they’ve had weeks’ worth of things squashed into them.’
‘Tell me about it. I’m trying to push the horrible things that have happened out of my mind so I can focus on the good things.’
Zander glanced across at her. She looked so tiny sitting there on the sofa, in her over-sized pyjamas, her feet curled underneath her. She was watching Alf who was flaked out in front of the wood-burner, unmistakable affection in her eyes. That now familiar feeling that only she stirred in him tugged at his insides. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, feel those plump, red lips on his, then take her to bed with him. Reality kicked in, scattering his thoughts. After what he’d done with Mel, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.
‘You know, Kitty and Vi mentioned they’re looking to take someone on at Romantique.’ Livvie’s voice broke into his thoughts.
‘I wondered what they were talking to you so intently about. And what do you think?’
He watched her expression change as she thought about her answer. ‘Well, they said some really kind things about my sewing and the clothes I’ve made, but it’s so far from my home, my family …’ He noticed her voice drifting off and wondered if she was thinking the same
as him: were her family really worth staying at Rickelthorpe for? From what she’d told him, their lack of kindness and affection suggested they weren’t.
‘And you think you should say no?’
She sighed. ‘Oh, gosh, I don’t know. What they’re offering is actually my dream job, designing and making wedding dresses. And if there was a job like it going in Rickelthorpe, I wouldn’t think twice about applying for it.’ She pressed her hand to her chest, her expression animated. ‘But, it’s a big step, moving here. Does that sound silly?’
‘It doesn’t sound silly at all, it just sounds like you’re weighing everything up and trying to come to the right decision for yourself.’ If only she knew how her decision would help him reach his own.
‘What would you do?’
I’d say yes! ‘Well, I’d make a list of pros and cons, I find it helps clarify things in your mind if you see them on paper.’
‘Hmm. I quite like that idea.’
Zander could see she was hesitating. ‘But …’
‘Oh, nothing really, it’s just I’ve got a book of drawings … I’ve been doing them for years. Of wedding dresses, I mean.’
‘And have you got it here?’
She nodded. ‘I take it everywhere with me, in case an idea pings into my head. I haven’t done anything with them, though, I’ve never shown them to anyone. Not even Bryony. In fact, you’re the first person I’ve ever told about them.’
Her eyes looked huge in her face, almost as if they were wearing an expression of relief for sharing something secret with him.
‘I don’t suppose there’s a chance I could have a look at them?’
He watched her mull this over in her mind. ‘As long as you promise not to laugh.’
‘I’m sure I won’t be laughing, but if it makes you happy, then I promise not to.’
Livvie shot up the stairs, returning in a flash. She handed the book to Zander. His eyes roved over the doodles on the front as he opened it carefully. He flicked through it without speaking, feeling her gaze intently on him. ‘These are amazing, Livvie, you’ve got a real gift.’ He didn’t know much about wedding dresses, but it was clear to see that her designs were stunning. It would be a shame for her to waste such talent.
A Christmas Kiss Page 24