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‘Well, they look most impressive. Well done. Which reminds me, what can I do to help for Christmas Day? Please let me bring something. It’s the very least I can do.’
‘Thanks,’ said Edie, touched by the offer. ‘To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought other than to ask the butcher if he could help me out with a turkey, seeing as I had missed the order deadline.’ She laughed. ‘They only had large ones left and it seemed ridiculous to have such a large bird for the two of us . . .’
‘I don’t mind if we have something else. That’s fine. I could make something non-traditional, like lasagne or roast beef,’ suggested Amelia.
‘Just a sec,’ said Edie, taking their cups into the kitchen and refilling them. ‘There you go. Isn’t it looking lovely and festive in here?’
‘What do you think? Would you like me to do something like that? It would save you cooking?’
‘Ah, well, the thing is that I ended up ordering the turkey anyway and . . . inviting a few others to help us eat it.’ She paused and watched Amelia glance over from the other side of the tree. ‘I hope you don’t mind?’
‘No, not at all,’ said Amelia, shaking her head, though Edie didn’t think she looked all that convinced. ‘That will be lovely. Who is coming?’
‘Just Grant and Thea, Cano and Naza . . . and Fergus.’ She kept a half-eye on Amelia’s face as she continued to drape the tinsel round the lower branches.
‘That sounds . . . nice.’
‘I am sure it will be.’ Edie sensed that she should change the direction of the conversation quickly as Amelia looked worried. ‘Well, have you guessed it then?’ She pointed at her cup and took another drink.
‘Guessed the secret ingredient?’
‘Yes. What do you think it is?’
‘I’m not quite sure but it’s making me feel quite tipsy and warm,’ she said, patting her flushed cheeks.
Molly ran into the room, dropped the angel at Edie’s feet and barked.
‘Oh dear, Molly. She doesn’t look healthy at all.’
‘She looks a bit how I feel just now,’ said Amelia, giggling.
Edie picked up the angel, whose wings still hung from her back, but only just. Her crown had been completely chewed off. ‘Oh, Molly, you are very naughty.’ Molly wagged her tail excitedly.
‘Tell me then,’ said Amelia. ‘What is it?’
‘Brandy. That’s what gives it that punch.’
‘Oh, I hope this won’t give me a hangover, Edie. It’s a good job that I haven’t already started working at the café because I’m not sure how I’d manage getting up at the crack of dawn, hungover.’ She burst out laughing and Edie sighed in relief.
She was glad she hadn’t ruined the mood by telling Amelia the change of plan for Christmas Day. ‘I am sure you will be absolutely fine for tomorrow. It’s only a wee dash of brandy. Hardly anything at all.’ She didn’t want to admit that she had poured half the bottle into the pot. ‘But I will go and get you some water anyway. Just in case.’
‘Thank you. I feel a bit giddy. But I think I’m just happy, Edie. I’m excited about the next step in my life.’
‘You should be. You have so much to enjoy.’ She patted her on the shoulder. ‘Let me just get some water.’
‘Thank you. For everything, Edie.’
Edie smiled kindly at her. Turning to go into the kitchen, she felt another stir of excitement as she thought about gathering everyone close to her and being with her friends on Christmas Day. Somehow she had a feeling that everything would be okay.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Fergus sat in the window seat in the darkness as lights twinkled around him. The ceilidh was tomorrow and he really couldn’t face it. He never normally bothered with Christmas decorations but had strung up some fairy lights this year just in case . . . But who was he kidding? He never invited anyone into his flat other than the man who read the electricity meter. What a mess. How could his life have become so complicated in the space of a few weeks? Why had he been so stupid to fall for someone? After everything that had happened with Ellen, he should have known better. His heart was too fragile.
But Amelia still managed to dominate his thoughts. He wished they were able to sweep the drama of Kelly and Declan turning up aside, and go back to the night of the fair before things had gone downhill. How he longed to turn the clock back. He was delighted she was back and here to stay, yet miserable about the awkwardness between them. He had almost sent her a text on several occasions over the past couple of weeks to suggest a swim. Then had stopped himself. What if she said no? Or just ignored him altogether? He hadn’t seen her walking on the beach or at the café either. Mind you, he had been keeping a low profile too, busying himself with work and spending as much time away in Brodick as possible.
When the sky began to lighten, he got dressed and walked along the high street, inhaling the freezing air. Rejuvenated by the cold and the tangy scent of salt and seaweed, he stopped at Cèic for a coffee. They were opening up and the scent of vanilla and cinnamon hung in the air, with the familiar sound of the coffee grinder whirring in the background.
‘Morning, my friend,’ called Cano. ‘You’re early this morning.’
