by Clare Lydon
Fran winced. She hadn’t seen the photos. Even though they’d gone to a small, back-street bistro, it was always a risk they ran. “Shit. I did warn her I was going out with Delilah, but I’ll drop her a message. We just went out for dinner to catch up. But I promise I was home by ten.”
“It’s not me you need to tell. A little reassurance never hurt anyone.” Pop said something off the phone to Dad, then came back. “Are you still going to make it on Saturday? That would put a smile on Ruby’s face, and onto ours. We’re used to having you around. It feels wrong you’re not here.”
That made Fran smile, too. “Unless something goes drastically wrong, I’ll be there. But I don’t want to commit totally and make promises I can’t keep.”
Dad was quiet for a few moments before he replied. “She was quizzing us earlier on whether we thought you’d make it, and obviously we were non-committal. We know your work always comes first.”
Ouch. That one stung, even though Fran deserved it. She’d not turned up for her parents too many times. She should change that pattern and commit. Starting now.
“I know this is important and I’ll be there.”
“It is. Not just for Ruby. For the village. But don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Fran didn’t even live in Mistletoe, but she was already connected. “I’m not. By hook or by crook, I’ll be there. Don’t overdo it and I’ll see you at the weekend.”
Fran clicked off the call, then put Delilah’s name into Google. Sure enough, when she clicked on the images tab, the first ones to pop up were from last night, with Delilah walking beside Fran. Delilah was turning her head and laughing. Fran was referred to as a ‘friend’. She winced. Why couldn’t Delilah have been frowning? Looking like she wasn’t having a good time? At least there was no physical contact. Mainly because there hadn’t been. But Fran saw how it might look from Ruby’s side.
She opened up Ruby’s message again. She needed to reply. Should she bring up the photos and Delilah? Ruby was busy, she might not have seen the photos. Fran hadn’t. She decided to ignore it and focus on what was more important.
‘I’m sure you’re going to kill it on Saturday. Fast Forward could use a little of your stage magic. I can’t wait to see you then. Xxx’
Fran stared at the message for a good few minutes before hitting send. She hoped Ruby knew the effect she was having on her. Ruby wasn’t just another girl, or just another singer.
Ruby could be huge professionally. But also, they could have something huge, too. Fran was going to make it back for the gig, whatever. Her and Ruby’s future depended on it.
Even though she’d have to get the train and it wouldn’t stop bloody snowing.
Chapter 25
“Let’s go again. From the top?” Ruby clutched the mic and sighed deeply. This evening wasn’t going to plan so far, and it was doing nothing for her nerves for Saturday. She glanced around the empty bar. It was Thursday, but they were opening an hour late so they had time to rehearse. Ruby had no doubt Norman was outside in his Morris Minor, frowning.
“Do you want to take five?” Eric rested his right elbow on the top of his electric-acoustic guitar, currently hanging from the well-worn brown leather strap around his neck. Eric was a seasoned performer and had been in many bands. This gig wasn’t fazing him one bit.
Ruby shook her head. “No, I have to get this right. I can’t believe I keep fucking up the words to ‘Fairytale Of New York’. It’s a Christmas standard, for fuck’s sake.”
Eric furrowed his brow. “You’re very sweary today and you’re making me a little nervous.”
Perhaps the tendrils of doubt from yesterday’s call with Fran were beginning to seep through. It hadn’t helped seeing photos of Delilah and Fran together today. Ruby’s mum had helpfully pointed them out to Ruby over lunch. Mum had no idea of Fran and Delilah’s history. Or what their present might be. Ruby, however, was fully aware. Fran had sent a vague text earlier telling her she’d be great on Saturday, but was she even coming? What if Delilah wanted to go to dinner again, and Fran chose her?
Ruby blew out a long breath. She’d tried to conjure up the feelings from Monday night, but they seemed far away. The more Ruby thought about her current situation, the glummer she got. It certainly wasn’t helping the rehearsal.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be snappy.” She gave Eric a half-smile. Ruby couldn’t quite form a full one. “Ready?”
Eric gave her a less-than-certain nod, and began playing the intro to the song.
Ruby gathered up her strength and began to sing. She got through the first verse, then the chorus, then stumbled over the second verse again. Just like she had done the last three times they’d tried it. Her nerves were shredded. How could she not remember the words? And if she couldn’t remember the words to this song, what about all the others? What if it wasn’t just the Christmas songs, but also her own? She’d seen singers hit the stage with lyric sheets on music stands before, and suddenly, she understood.
Or perhaps it was early onset dementia.
Either way, she was screwed.
She let out a yelp of frustration, then stamped her foot. “Sorry, maybe I do need a break.” Ruby put her mic down on one of the bar tables and walked over to the corner table normally occupied by Norman. She slumped back, splaying her long legs in front of her.
The door between the shop and the bar swung open. Both Ruby and Eric looked up.
Victoria swept in, giving them both a wide smile. When she saw their faces, she stopped mid-grin and put a hand up.
“What’s going on? I swear I just heard the opening bars to ‘Fairytale Of New York’ a few minutes ago. I was expecting high fives and smiling faces. Instead, I walk in to Ruby slumped in a corner, and my husband fiddling with his capo. Not a euphemism.”
Ruby threw up her hands, then rubbed her palms up and down her face. She needed to put thoughts of Fran aside. She and Eric needed this time to rehearse. If the past hour had taught her anything, it was that.
“Everything’s fine.” Ruby sat upright. “I keep forgetting the words to all the Christmas standards. The gig is in two days. The whole fucking town is coming to see me and I can’t sing a song without buggering it up. It’s just peachy.”
Victoria walked over to Ruby, sat beside her and rubbed her thigh. “You’ve forgotten words before. You’ll be fine on the night. If you’re worried, take lyric sheets on with you and tape them to the floor. It’s always good to have back-up.”
Ruby sighed. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“No need to sound so surprised.” She stared at Ruby. “Plus, you can’t forget the words to ‘Fairytale Of New York’. It’s like forgetting the words to ‘Last Christmas’. You are doing ‘Last Christmas’, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Victoria squeezed Ruby’s knee. “Are you okay otherwise? Everything good in Ruby Town?”
Ruby ducked her head. “Fine.” When she looked up, Victoria was studying her intently.
“What?”
“This is about a girl, isn’t it? Mum said you crawled in early on Tuesday after spending the night out. I can only assume it was with Fran?”
Ruby’s cheeks flared.
“What happened?”
Ruby slumped again. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not, but it is.”
“You’re not making much sense.” Victoria paused. “Did you sleep with her?”
Ruby hesitated, but knew Victoria would see through the lie.
She nodded.
“I knew it!” She glanced at Eric. “What did I tell you?”
Eric rolled his eyes.
“And what was it like?”
Ruby gave her sister a stern look. “I’m not telling you that!” Ruby glanced at Eric.
Victoria slapped Ruby’s leg. “Eric and I have no secrets. I’ll only fill him in later, so he might as well hear it now.”
Ruby snorted, then relented. “It was great. But now she’s back in Lond
on and she might not be able to make it on Saturday because of her work.”
Ruby wasn’t going to mention Delilah.
Victoria made a sad face.
“Plus, she was out for dinner last night with her ex, which isn’t ideal.”
Victoria frowned. “I thought she was out last night with Delilah. At least, that’s what I saw in the papers today.”
Ruby watched as realisation dawned.
“Her ex is Delilah?” Victoria blinked rapidly.
Ruby had vowed not to say anything, but it just slipped out and then Victoria filled in the blanks. Ruby jumped up, waving her arms in a ‘cut!’ motion. “Forget I said that last bit. Forget I said anything. Delilah isn’t out, and this can’t get out. I promised Fran.” Horror thoughts ran through Ruby’s mind. Of all the people to tell, she’d told Victoria?
“Promise me you won’t say anything to anyone? None of your friends or our family? Swear on Eric’s life.” Ruby gave Victoria her sternest face.
“Of course, I can keep a secret!”
Eric snorted. “She can’t, but I’ll make sure she keeps this one.” He gave Ruby a nod. “Don’t worry.”
It was as good as Ruby could hope for.
“Delilah is gay? Well, shit the bed.” Her sister paused. “Fran has a thing for singers, huh?”
“Hopefully just a thing for me, but the photos of her and Delilah gadding about town have done nothing for my ego.”
“I saw those photos, but just assumed they worked together. She seemed pretty into you, didn’t she?”
Ruby nodded. “She did. And she does still work with Delilah, I know that. Plus, I hardly have any claim over her. We slept together once.” But ever since, every day had dragged like it was a year. Ruby wanted to know what Fran was doing, what she was thinking. The distance, albeit temporary, was killing her.
Victoria shook her head. “You and I both know that counts for something.”
Ruby pouted. “We only started being civil to each other two weeks ago. It’s too soon to tell.” Ruby’s words were rational, but her feelings were anything but.
“No wonder you’re forgetting words.” Victoria took Ruby by the shoulders. “Fran had to go back to London, but she will be back and you will work this out — whether she gets back for the concert or not. Even if she doesn’t, you’ve got tons of people who are looking forward to it, so you have to push your fears aside and do it. You’re going to smash this, little sister. You know why?”
Ruby shook her head. “I have no clue.”
“Because you’re a superstar! I knew that when Mum and Dad gave you your first microphone, aged three. I still know it today. I’m sure Fran will try her best to be here, seeing as it was her idea in the first place. She’s invested. But even if she doesn’t, there are still a million reasons to be excited about it. Mistletoe. The farm. The community. The exposure. This is your night to shine and make a difference. Don’t lose sight of the reasons you’re doing it in the first place.” Victoria paused. “It’s all going to work out with the gig and with Fran. I guarantee it.”
Ruby gave her a smile. She loved her sister for trying. “How can you be sure?”
Victoria gave her a wink. “Because you don’t fall off a ladder for just anyone. You want this to work. So, it will.”
Chapter 26
Damian slid into the chair beside Fran. He spun around once, twice, then let out a long sigh before he stopped, facing her.
“Why the long face?”
“Why the long sigh?”
Damian gave her a slow shrug. “I spoke to marketing to see if we could get Fast Forward’s next single moved up to jump on the success of this one. But the dates don’t work, which sucks.” He paused. “Your turn.”
“I was just looking at the trains back to Snowy Bottom on Saturday and wondering if they were going to be running. There’s currently a tree on the line and more snow forecast.” She glanced out the window, where a light flurry was still falling. Fran blew out a breath and Googled car hire. The prices made her wince.
Damian put both his palms up and sat forward in his chair. “Can we just take a moment to stop and marvel at the fact you’re getting a train in the snow to Snowy Bottom, and then heading to Mistletoe? If I didn’t know this was true, I would never believe you.”
Fran laughed. Damian was always good at light relief. “You can’t help but say the names and feel happier, can you? Everyone is happy in Mistletoe.” She thought of Audrey, Mary, Norman and the gang. “Eccentric, but happy. I just hope I can make it for tomorrow.”
Fran also hoped Ruby had remembered her words. She’d texted last night to say she was having issues.
Damian studied her, went to say something, then sat back.
“What?” Fran asked.
Damian shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just… This is about Ruby, right? You really want to get back for the gig. I get it. But you’ve never been like this before with anyone else. Certainly not with you-know-who.”
“I wasn’t allowed to be anything with her.” Fran remembered everything about being in a relationship with Delilah. Most of it was bad. She was glad they could be friends now.
Fran just hoped Ruby felt the same.
“But you’re distracted. You’re different.” He paused, tilting his head. “I think you’ve found someone you really care about.”
Damian was only 29. The same age as Ruby. However, he was wise beyond his years. He’d also been in a committed relationship for three years with a lovely woman named Isla. If anyone was the relationship expert of the two of them, it was him. Damian managed to juggle work and love, a trick Fran had never mastered. Instead, she’d just put love on hold and thrown herself into work. The only reason she and Delilah had met was because it had happened at work.
But Damian had a point. Fran was distracted. She wasn’t focused purely on her job.
Ruby had her attention.
“I like this new side of you, by the way. It makes you seem more human. More vulnerable.”
Fran knew vulnerable was all the rage. However, it wasn’t normally her thing. She glanced at her pink trousers. Just as colour hadn’t been, until she met Ruby. “Vulnerable wasn’t what I was going for, but I’ll take your word for it.” She paused. “But yes, I would like things to work out with Ruby. But it means I have to get home on Saturday.”
Damian raised an eyebrow. “Home?”
Fran sat up, rolling her shoulders. “Back to my parents’ place. You know what I mean.”
Damian said nothing, just shot her an amused smile.
“Stop staring at me like that.” Fran checked her phone. No new messages from Ruby since her good morning message today.
What was she doing?
Fran had work to do, and she was fretting over a woman and allowing Damian to see it all.
“You’re mooning,” he told her.
“I’m going crazy not being able to talk to her. Also, I’m worried that she’s seen photos of me and Delilah online.”
“So long as Delilah wasn’t pawing you like she was when I came in the other day.” More eyebrow raising.
“It was a momentary thing and it was hardly pawing.” But Damian was right. “Why is real-life dating so hard?” Fran lowered her voice so nobody else overheard the next bit. “Dating Delilah was easy because I just had to pretend she didn’t exist.”
“It’s ironic you’re worrying about being seen with her now you can be, isn’t it?”
The irony was not lost on Fran.
“If you’re going a little crazy, that says to me you’re falling for this woman.”
Fran’s flush began in her toes and hit the very edges of her eyelashes. “It’s a bit early for that. We’ve slept together once.” But she already knew there was some truth in Damian’s words. She couldn’t stop thinking about Ruby. Their sex had been off the chart. She desperately wanted to do it again. It was another reason she wanted to get back to Mistletoe as soon as she could. London, which had always held su
ch glamour, paled beside Ruby.
Damian shrugged. “I knew the first time I kissed Isla that I wanted to kiss her for a very long time.”
“But tell me truthfully: can it ever work with a singer? You’re with a teacher. A far more sensible profession.”
“Ruby O’Connell is not Delilah.” Damian’s words hit home. He lowered his voice. “She’s as far away from Delilah as she could possibly be. She’s sorted and sane. Plus, she has a better voice, but don’t tell Delilah I said that.”
Fran snorted. “Your secret’s safe with me.” She closed her eyes and spun in her chair, still thinking. “But I’ve tried going out with a singer and it was a car crash. I can’t escape that.”
“Thanks very much,” Delilah said.
Fran’s eyelids sprang open, and she jumped up, clutching her chest. “Where did you come from? Shit. I didn’t mean for you to hear that.” Bugger. She threw Damian a why-didn’t-you-warn-me? look. Had Delilah heard Damian’s comments, too? They’d just got back onto solid ground with their friendship. She didn’t want Delilah to think badly of her.
Delilah shook her head, glancing around the office. There was nobody close by. “I was a car crash, no need to sugar-coat it.” She threw Fran an apologetic look, then glanced at her screen. “Why are you hiring a car?”
“She needs to get back to Mistletoe for Ruby’s concert tomorrow,” Damian replied.
Delilah glanced at Fran, then shook her head. “Don’t hire a car. Take my Porsche. You’re still on the insurance, and I’m not using it.”
Fran’s mouth gaped. “Are you sure?” Delilah was proving more useful this week than she ever had when they were together.
“Positive. I’ll get someone to drop it around to yours in the morning and give you the keys. Just let me know a time.”
“That would be perfect, thank you.”
Delilah shrugged. “Happy to help. I just stopped by to check about Fast Forward’s gig tonight. I can get there for 8pm. Is that okay?”
