Chapter 33
Showered and dressed ready for a productive day, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I put the kettle on, before letting Frank out into the garden. Standing in the doorway watching him, I breathed in the cold countryside air. As I filled my lungs, I was surprised at how energised I felt. Especially when I couldn’t say I’d had the best night’s sleep.
Unable to stop thinking about Jules’s response to the fact that I wouldn’t be spending Christmas Day on my own that year, I’d lain awake for what seemed like hours. I could still see the tears in her eyes and the mix of relief and joy on her face when I’d told her about Seb and Lizzie coming round to celebrate. If I’d known Jules had hated me being on my own during the holidays to that extent, I’d have accepted every festive invitation she and Harry had given me. I felt so guilty, which probably explained why I let her run away with herself on the planning front. Then again, as I pictured her face as her ideas got bigger and bolder, I couldn’t deny that I, too, had got carried away on her wave of enthusiasm.
Leaving Frank to his mooching, I poured the dog’s breakfast into his bowl. As I finished making my cup of coffee, I was determined to make up for the worry I’d caused. I might not be spending Christmas Day with my closest friends, but I was intent on doing them proud. I was going all out to make that year a Christmas to remember. My stomach lurched. Even if I had begun to regret agreeing to all of Jules’s suggestions.
“Come on, Frank,” I said. Calling him in, I thought of the numerous tasks on my Yuletide to-do list. “We have a very busy day ahead of us.” I stood there, impatient, while he plodded inside, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Closing the door behind Frank, I sifted through the pile of notes Jules had helped me put together. Menu, cooking instructions, order of works… I thanked goodness for my friend’s ability to organise. I knew without such assistance,I’dhave been stuffed, never mind the turkey. I looked at my list again. Goodness knew where I was going to get a Santa suit at that late stage.
Because it was my first time catering for Christmas, Jules hadn’t only insisted I keep the menu simple, she’d made sure I could get ahead by doing most of the preparation on Christmas Eve. At the time, she’d made everything sound so easy, but looking at what I’d written, in the cold light of day it appeared anything but. My nerves began to creep in and having spent much of the previous night telling myself Christmas lunch would be a success, a little voice reminded me that doing the shopping, the cooking and playing host was the easy bit.
My phone bleeped and seeing the incoming text was from Oliver I couldn’t help but smile as I picked it up. I took a deep breath, staring at the screen for a moment before opening his message.
Hope you enjoy today as much as I did yesterday. Maybe next time I can cook for you? xxx
Seeing the xxx on the end, I allowed myself a moment to consider our afternoon together. I sighed a dreamy sigh as I reread his words. Good looking, great kisser, and a dab hand in the kitchen. Was there anything that man couldn’t do? I pulled myself together. “That’s enough of that,” I said. It was not the time to be daydreaming. “Come on, Frank. We’ve got places to go and people to see.”
“I won’t be a minute,” I said to Frank, as he howled and yelped from Violet’s front passenger seat. I didn’t blame him for being excited to see me. I’d been in Wildeholt’s supermarket for way longer than I’d anticipated. The poor dog must have thought he’d been deserted.
Struggling to control my trolley, I hoisted bag after bag into the back of the van. Having ticked off each item on my shopping list, I’d bought everything I needed for Christmas lunch and more. I smiled a satisfied smile as I lifted in the last of the carriers. Even if I turned out to be the worst host on the planet, it felt good to know my guests wouldn’t starve.
With Christmas Day being so close and the store packed, I’d fully anticipated having to fight my way up and down the aisles, and squeeze through my fellow customers as I reached for the shelves. However, as I shut the van doors, got rid of my trolley, and climbed into the driving seat, I couldn’t believe how well my shopping trip had gone. Patrons and staff alike had been polite; there’d been no angst in the air or catfighting over the last box of mince pies. And the choices to be made… Having never paid much attention before, I couldn’t believe how many different kinds of Christmas pudding, tins of chocolates, and varieties of cake were available.
Naturally, I’d expected at least a couple of ingredients to have sold out, leaving me no option but to traipse around shop after shop in search of an elusive bag of parsnips or sought-after carton of brandy sauce. But thanks to the supermarket staff, who’d done a sterling job on the shelf stacking front, my single concern was the size of the turkey I’d had to purchase. The only birds left were huge, leaving me no choice but to pick up a ten-pounder. I shook my head, all the while hoping my guests had healthy appetites. If not, I’d be force-feeding myself the damn thing from Christmas through to Easter.
I fired up Violet’s engine, before putting her into gear and pulling out of the car park. Leaving Wildeholt behind, I began winding my way back to Little Leatherington. I turned on the radio to hear Mariah Carey’s “All I want For Christmas” coming through the speakers, and as the DJ introduced Christmas hit after Christmas hit, I found myself joining in. I glanced around at my surroundings and as I ambled along one country road after another, for the first time since landing north, driving felt fun.
I fell silent when flashing lights in my rear-view mirror suddenly caught my attention and narrowing my eyes, I scowled at the driver behind. Beeping long and hard on his horn, the man was clearly trying to bully me into speeding up, but no matter his impatience, I refused to feel intimidated. Instead, I decided to let him pass and steered Violet over to the side accordingly so he could overtake. Going off his subsequent hand gestures, however, it was too little, too late. The man clearly thought I should have done that miles back. Shaking my head as I watched him disappear into the distance, I told myself there was no pleasing some people. However, after a quick glance at my speedometer, I fast found myself appreciating the man’s frustration. I’d been driving thirty miles per hour on a sixty road, and I could have put my foot down a bit more if I’d wanted to.
I sighed, realising that, albeit on a subconscious level, I’d chosen to drive slower than necessary. Not only that, I knew the reason why. My heart sank as I considered my to-do list. I cursed Jules’s eagerness, but also my stupidity for going along with it. It was all right for Jules; she enjoyed being the centre of attention; and she wasn’t the one who risked being laughed out of town.
“Go big or go home,” she’d said.
In that moment, I knew which I preferred.
Despite wishing I hadn’t listened, I eased my foot down on the accelerator, insisting there was no point in delaying the inevitable. The sooner I got home, the sooner I got the worst of things out of the way.
It wasn’t long before I landed back in Little Leatherington and pulling up outside Number 3, Bluebell Row, I steeled myself to lug all my shopping inside.
Getting out of the van, I opened up the cottage to let Frank inside, before returning to Violet. I opened her rear doors and stared at all the bags of food. “Here goes,” I said. Reaching out, I pulled one towards me and grabbing a second, I carted them into the house. The bags dragged on my arms they were so heavy and by the time I got to the kitchen, the handles had dug into my hands. As I was returning for the next lot, a familiar Land Rover pulled up opposite, causing my heart to race.
Jason wound his window down to speak. “Need a hand?” he said.
I swallowed hard, before nodding. “Yes, please,” I said, my voice cracking.
Jason nudged his brother who sat looking as miserable as ever in the driver’s seat.
My pulse quickened further when, despite his apparent reluctance, Barrowboy unclipped his seat belt and just like Jason, got out to assist. I pictured Jules, willing me to get on with it and I took a deep breath. “It’s now or never,” I said, plastering a smile on my face.
