‘I’ve been so busy I haven’t had much of a chance to think about it but, yes, I do miss him. He was in my life for years, it’s hard to adjust.’
‘I’m sure it is. And it takes time. How’s the flat?’
‘Getting there, feeling more like home again. It was weird to be back there after I’d rented it out, but I like it, I love the area. Vikram in the corner shop was delighted I’m back and he’s once again the source for my late-night packets of crisps or bottles of wine.’
Cleo laughed out loud. ‘Sounds as though you’ve got the essentials covered. Who needs a man when Vikram can keep you in crisps and wine?’
‘Here we go.’ Darcy came back through to the lounge with serving plates and Amelia opened up the box of cupcakes. ‘See how good they look, Cleo. If I were you I’d pick some up, take them home and save yourself the bother of baking from scratch. Ruby will love them too.’
Cleo shook her head. ‘I can’t, I’m going to have to bake,’ she insisted.
‘Up to you,’ Darcy shrugged, ‘but take it from someone who has very little time on her hands, I’d be the first in line to buy them rather than spend hours in the kitchen.’ She asked Amelia, ‘Any preference? You’re the guest of honour.’
‘I chose three different cakes, happy with any.’ She insisted Darcy had first choice as the host, then Cleo, who’d done her a huge favour lining up some work and accommodation, and took the third for herself. Indulging together in their frost-covered cupcakes piled high with swirly icing, red, white and green sprinkles, edible snowmen, Santa and snowflakes, they talked about life – Amelia’s work and her charge at her side for this holiday, Darcy’s love of the hotel industry and her investigations when it came to affording to buy the Inglenook Inn herself, Cleo’s ability to juggle parenthood with a business and still keep a level head. They giggled at the way Darcy and Myles had met, how they’d detested one another at the start. Amelia thought it all sounded very romantic and if she could have one ounce of these women’s happiness to ease the feeling of loneliness, she’d be right on track.
Cleo ducked out to grab takeaway hot drinks for all of them as a special treat. Darcy had a caramel macchiato, Cleo had the same, claiming she needed a good energy boost, and Amelia had gone for a hot chocolate. Back with their orders, Cleo asked Amelia what else she wanted to do while she was in the city.
‘I want to see Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, the shops along Fifth Avenue, the tree at the Rockefeller Center is a must, the lights on all the famous stores.’
‘Don’t forget the Winter Village at Bryant Park,’ Darcy suggested, ‘it’s really pretty and they have some great stalls.’ When Cleo cleared her throat Darcy added, ‘Of course, nowhere near as good as the Garland Street winter markets.’
‘Garland Street isn’t far from here,’ Cleo elaborated. ‘There are different stalls, I’m in a good position, and it’s really friendly. Small compared to some of the markets in the city, but that makes it extra special, in my humble opinion.’
‘Was it expensive to rent a stall?’
‘It was, but I’m hoping it’ll be more than worth it. It’s been easy enough to set up the merchandise, and I’ve had plenty of footfall so far. I’ve enlisted help from another school mum to run my stall out in Inglenook Falls too, with Dylan on hand for any problems.’
‘And what about Mitch – are you sure he’ll have plenty for Kyle to do? It might not go down well if Kyle thinks Mitch is only humouring him by giving him work.’
‘Don’t worry, there’ll be lots for him to do,’ Cleo assured her. ‘Mitch owns and runs the Christmas tree farm out in Inglenook Falls and this year he’s busier than ever with that. He also does a bit of painting and makes picture frames and so the market stall is something new. He has a son who can help out a bit at weekends and another boy, Jude, who can divide his time between Inglenook Falls and here, but I sense he’ll still be crazy busy in the city so don’t worry, Kyle won’t get bored.’
‘How does Kyle feel about helping Mitch with the market stall?’ Darcy ventured.
‘I don’t think he was entirely surprised I’d lined something up for him. And he seemed relieved I wasn’t going to make him help out with selling wool and knitting paraphernalia. He was much more willing when I explained his job would involve Christmas trees. He got all excited he might get to use an axe or chainsaw until I explained the trees would be chopped down already and he’d be helping to set up the stall, helping customers make a selection, all the boring stuff I think he’d prefer to avoid. I just hope he behaves himself with Mitch.’
‘Mitch won’t stand for any trouble,’ Darcy put in. ‘He’ll keep him in line. If I were you I’d be more worried about what a seventeen-year-old boy will make of all the stores you intend to visit.’
‘I haven’t told him the half of it yet,’ Amelia grinned.
‘What’s Kyle like? Is he all spotty and stroppy? What?’ Darcy had earned a look from Cleo. ‘From memory my brother Tate was both of those things at that age. He’s normal now, we get on well, but at the time it was steer clear unless you wanted your head bitten off.’
Amelia dismissed Cleo’s concern that Darcy had insulted her. ‘No offence taken. And he no longer has spots, but hehasgot stroppiness in spades. As you already know, he’s had some challenges and I’m hoping this holiday will get him away from everything and allow him a bit of perspective. I want him to realise he’s a good person, he needs to believe in himself.’
‘You’re as amazing as this one then.’ Darcy tapped Cleo’s knee. ‘I’m not very good with kids. Myles and I looked after Cleo’s baby Tabitha once, it was horrendous.’
‘You coped!’ Cleo assured her.
‘We lost Tabitha’s favourite cuddly toy in Central Park.’
Amelia couldn’t help but laugh. ‘It could’ve happened to anyone.’
‘But it happened to us. We were so stressed.’
‘Well, Kyle is beyond cute cuddly toys,’ said Amelia, ‘but I think I’d sometimes take a baby or toddler wailing rather than the emotional warfare of a teenage boy.’
‘Your sister is lucky you’re so involved,’ said Darcy.
‘She is,’ Cleo agreed, taking the lid off her takeaway cup and tipping it back to get the last dregs of her drink. ‘I was a terrible teen, I remember it well. I was horrible to everyone around me when my mum died, and half the time I didn’t even realise I was doing it.’
