‘Actually, I don’t. But it’s like she doesn’t want him to be happy with anyone else. She was fine for a long while but maybe the permanency is making her uneasy. Not that it was ever temporary, when we’ve had another two children. Marriage is just a formality so I don’t get why she’s causing such a stir. It’s as though the wedding plans are an official reminder that Dylan chose to be with me rather than give his marriage with her another go.’
‘All I can suggest is to keep talking, keep Ruby onside as much as you can, involve her in things and don’t rise to Prue’s antics because that’s probably exactly what she wants. Why don’t you schedule some special Cleo–Ruby time?’
‘I don’t think Ruby would like that one bit.’
‘So make it something she can’t refuse. Like a pamper day – she’s at the age where girls love all that fuss. Do the pamper day, take her for hot chocolates, maybe to a movie or to see the Christmas lights. But only you and her. Otherwise your focus will be on everything and everyone else. Then, I’d talk to her about your wedding, keep it all in the open. Perhaps search on websites for dresses, get her looking too, say you’re giving her responsibility now she’s older. It could be anything…choosing flowers, cake tasting, watching you try on dresses.’
‘I think you’re right. I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to find the time to do it, but I will, and before Christmas,’ she said determinedly. ‘I can’t go into Christmas with things like this, it’s really unpleasant. I’m on edge all the time and I’m not sleeping.’
‘I didn’t realise it had got so bad. Does Dylan know?’
‘Some of it, not that I’m struggling to sleep at night. I don’t want him forced to take sides. He’s seen Ruby playing up so he does know but I don’t want to go on and on about the effect it’s having on me.’
Amelia put a hand over Cleo’s. ‘Trust me, he needs to know. You need to manage your stress levels. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary. Keep him in the loop and it’ll make your life easier. And then sit down and schedule a time for you and Ruby.’
Cleo smiled and nodded and when she noticed another guest come to join the party she said, ‘That’s Holly,’ and waved over at her. ‘Come on, let me introduce you.’
Holly was as lovely as Cleo had described and she sounded as though she’d found her niche with freelance journalism and photography, and seeing her with Mitch, Amelia felt a pang of sadness that she was single for the first Christmas in a long time. The holiday season seemed to make the loneliness multiply tenfold. And watching Mitch with Holly, Amelia could see the love between them and wondered if she’d ever find that closeness again. Maybe Paul was her only chance and, for whatever reason, he’d ended it.
When the fire in the grate crackled away too enthusiastically Darcy moved the fireguard across as the last log took hold and Amelia wandered over to the tree to admire the ornaments up close as the lights faded in and out. After the talk with Cleo she was feeling nice and relaxed and wanted nothing more right now than to absorb the holiday atmosphere, merry on the bubbles she’d drunk and pleasantly sated with the canapés that Rupert had treated them all too, each one a perfect-sized portion.
Darcy topped up Amelia’s champagne flute before they both looked out of the window and up into the dark skies above the tree-lined street. ‘You know, I think it’s going to snow soon. When I went to put grit on the stoop earlier the air had that smell about it. You mark my words.’
‘I hope so. Kyle isn’t keen but maybe he’ll change his mind.’
‘There’s nothing like New York in the snow, you wait. The city falls silent, the park is a sight to behold.’ She put a hand against her chest. ‘Listen to me, I’m getting far too carried away. Now, let me introduce you to a couple more of my guests.’
She really was a good hostess, giving people space to chat, to have a moment, but not letting anyone miss out. Apparently the Christmas Eve party at the inn was a hit every year – this was just the warm up – and Amelia was already looking forward to being back for another social occasion. When it was just her and a teenager, these occasions were enough to keep her spirits up if things with her nephew were hard.
Amelia turned around ready to be sociable but didn’t expect to come face to face with someone she already knew, or at least had met before.
‘Amelia, this is Nathan. Nathan, this is Amelia,’ Darcy began. ‘Nathan is staying here with us. He’s a friend of Myles’s and missed out on the apartment you and Kyle are in – you got there first.’
‘Is that right?’ Nathan asked, a twitch in his jaw showing he was either unhappy about that or else he was trying to work out how to treat this woman he’d run into before.
Darcy carried on, oblivious. ‘Amelia is new to the city, Nathan, just like you and Scarlett. And you’re all from England.’
Nathan extended a hand to Amelia, obviously not wanting to offend Darcy. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘Likewise.’ The hand shake didn’t last long and when Darcy swung off to grab him a drink, she said, ‘You’re lying.’
‘Totally.’
They stood in silence until Darcy came back with his bottle of beer but she was too busy talking to Rupert about more canapés to be brought through to notice the tension.
‘Look, this is crazy,’ Amelia began. ‘Why don’t we start again?’ She held out a hand but he didn’t take it straight away.
‘Did you donate the twenty to charity?’
‘I gave it to a homeless shelter not far from here, you can go ask them if you need to check. I handed it, plus another thirty bucks of my own money, to a woman called Marion, crazy ginger hair and taller than you.’
He seemed satisfied enough and at last shook her hand. ‘Truce?’
She laughed. ‘What were we even fighting about anyway?’
‘Because your –’ He realised she’d been joking. ‘You know what, never mind. Cheers.’ He chinked his beer bottle against her glass gently.
‘Is that your daughter?’ Amelia nodded in the direction of the pretty girl in the black sequinned dress and long legs she wished she’d been blessed with herself.
