‘It’s a great idea,’ said India, nodding. ‘Let’s tell the others about it at lunchtime.’
‘Do you think Nick will mind?’ I asked. ‘He did specifically say that he doesn’t want to be involved in decorating the house.’
‘Well, he won’thaveto mind,’ said India. ‘It’s a super idea, and he doesn’t have to join in if he doesn’t want to, he can ignorethe whole thing. It’s not like we’re stringing tinsel up all over the place.’
Right on cue, we glanced at a movement outside in the garden and saw Nick striding across the lawn, Steve gambolling around him.
‘I worry about my grandson,’ said Marilise with a sigh. ‘He is lonely, anyone can see that, but he pushes everyone away, even his family, who care so much for him.’
‘He is lonely,’ agreed India. ‘But he brings it on himself, always rushing off around the world and refusing to put down any roots. Everyone’s always trying to set him up with women, but he won’t have it, at least…’
She stopped suddenly and we both looked at her.
‘At least, what?’ asked Marilise. ‘You can speak plainly here.’
I nodded, curious as to what her thoughts were.
‘I was going to say, “at least not for more than a night”, but that’s a bit gossipy of me.’
Marilise shrugged.
‘Maybe, but I think it is true, and it makes me very sad. He is such a warm-hearted man – he would make a perfect husband and father – but he runs from it all.’
‘Maybe he’s happy that way,’ I ventured. ‘My family think it’s wrong of me to move from job to job and refuse to contemplate marriage again, but I like my life.’
Marilise and India both stared at me, identical sceptical expressions on their faces, but didn’t comment. Instead, India said:
‘You know, you should go to that concert with him. You can be a sort of bodyguard and I’m sure Minty would be glad, too. It would get her family off her back.’
I raised my eyebrows and was glad not to have to reply when a knock came at the door and it was pushed open.
‘Is it all right to come in?’ asked the doctor.
‘Perfect timing,’ I said, standing up. ‘We’ve just finished breakfast.’ I turned to Marilise. ‘I’ll see you for our swim at eleven, then? I might get started on that advent calendar.’
‘Marvellous,’ she replied. ‘I’ll see you then and we can continue plotting to get some Christmas cheer into this house.’
As I carried the tray downstairs to the kitchen, I reflected on the irony that it was I, who had avoided Christmas for three years now, who was the one bringing it to Lyonscroft.
I sorted out the breakfast things and drove into Taunton where I knew there to be the most beautiful toy shop. I could have stayed for hours but restrained myself to buying just one furry friend for the first day’s advent calendar. I didn’t know Sofia, of course, but the lady in the shop agreed with me that it was a toy any eight-year-old girl would love. Goodness knows I’m nearly thirty years older and I was tempted myself. I returned to the house a little later than I had aimed to, so was relieved to be greeted by India, whose imagination had clearly been caught by the whole ‘advent calendar’ idea.
‘I know you have to take Marilise swimming, but come and see what I’ve done.’
She led me into a room I hadn’t seen before, a light, bright sitting room with peach walls, a rust-coloured carpet and a soft grey sofa and armchairs. A table stood under the window, and she led me to it to show me a large sheet of paper with a beautifully painted ‘1’, decorated with festive flourishes of bright green holly leaves with red berries.
‘I thought we could go up from one, rather than put the dates, that way it won’t matter if we miss a few.’
‘It’s perfect,’ I said. ‘You understood what I meant, and I agree about the numbering. Look what I’ve bought Sofia as the first present – do you think she’ll like it?’
I opened the bag to show her.
‘Aw, it’s adorable! I’ll have it if she doesn’t want it!’
I laughed.
‘Well, you’ll be behind me! Right, I’d better go and put this away; I’ll wrap it later. Do you want to pick the first window? You know the house much better than I do.’
She agreed and I ran upstairs to find my swimming costume and collect Marilise.
