“I love you, Harriet,” she whispers.
“I love you too, Mum,” I whisper back.
She pulls away from the hug still holding my shoulders. “Right.” She breathes in. “Let’s go and get our glad rags on.”
She heads upstairs to her bedroom. I stand a moment longer, watching the snow fall from the grey skies above. I occasionally need to pinch myself that this is my life. This warm and fulfilling life is mine to have.
It pulls a grateful smile from my lips as I finish my tea and help myself to a mince pie that Granny had cooked this morning.
The soft buttery pastry and spiced filling make my mouth drool. I am addicted to homemade cakes now and I will die on this hill.
I finally make it upstairs and get myself into something less “fleecy reindeer pyjamas” and more party wear. I pick out asweet black jumper and red tartan woollen skirt with tights and boots, and place a black bow in my half-up half-down hairdo.
I meet my mum downstairs who has opted for black jeans and a sparkly gold blouse. Her hair is tied into a loose bun, a little rouge on her cheeks and lips.
“Twit-twoo.” She smiles as I come down the stairs. “You look beautiful, darling.”
“As do you!” I return the compliment back to her.
She passes me my coat and slips into her own. After giving Nettle his dinner and a quick scratch behind the ears, we head out into the snow.
The crisp white blanket crunches under foot as we make our way down the dirt driveway. The moon reflects beautifully off the pristine white surface lighting our normally dark passage to the village. We link arms trying not to fall. As we approach Brindlewood the twinkling of Christmas lights hung from the cottages adds more light to our path. Each cottage window is adorned with decorations or the glimpse of their Christmas tree inside, the snow adding the most festive backdrop to it all.
We hear music playing from The Wandering Wisp. A few people are gathered on the green under a gazebo they have put outside the cafe. The chatter and drinks clinking along with the Christmas jazz playing out of the door is magical. I see Pete on a ladder up the village green Christmas tree trying to fix a broken light bulb.
“Evening, Harri, Cassie.” He smiles.
“Evening, Pete!” we say in unison as he returns to the most important job of getting the tree to light up on Christmas Eve.
We walk into Gloria’s. The usual village members are there in force drinking mulled wine and eating Granny’s mince pies, the children running around full of excitement for Father Christmas to visit them tonight.
Aradia finds us first, wrapping us both in her arms.
My mother pulls away. “I’ve been doing all your chores since you’ve been hiding away with your boyfriend.” She smirks.
“Well, it’s about time you did some stuff, sis.” She smirks back. “You have years to make up for. That’s at least all my chores until I’m in a retirement home.”
They bang shoulders playfully and Aradia takes my mother away for a drink. It’s so good to see them actually getting on and acting like sisters rather than sworn enemies. I think it’s really made them both happy having each other again.
I see Lois and Hannah in the corner sipping their drinks and deep in conversation. I shuffle through the crowd to get to them.
“Harri!” Hannah coos, looking up from Lois.
I sit down with them excitedly. “So?” I whisper quietly.
Lois smirks and looks at Hannah. “Do we tell her?”
I lean in closer, my hands on the table. “Honestly, Lois, if you don’t spit it out I won’t be held accountable for my actions!” I smile playfully.
Hannah takes a deep breath. “It’s a girl!” she squeals.
“Ahhhhh, I knew it!” I squeal back. “Oh, guys, that is just amazing! God, she is one lucky little girl!” I reach my hand out to Hannah’s tiny bump and pout. “It’s so amazing, isn’t it? A little life growing inside you.” I smile at them both.
We had bets on the gender when they went for the scan today. Obviously thanks to my dream telling, I already knew! But Sam doesn’t need to know that and he now owes me a fiver.
Lois brings me back into the room. “Could be you next.” She raises her eyebrow smirking as she sips her mulled wine.
I feel a pair of large hands hold my shoulders. “What could be us next?” His voice is smooth as silk. My body melts under his touch. His aftershave fills my nostrils. My body ignites with a fire so fierce every time he is around me it takes all my energy to stop it spilling out and burn the world around me. I can hardly keep my hands off him. Any chance we have we’re at it like rabbits.I’m surprised I can even walk straight. I tilt my head back to look up at him. His eyes meet mine. His slightly possessive, but filled with desire, eyes. He leans down to kiss me deeply.
