CHRISTMAS MAGIC AT THE TENBY CRYSTAL SHOP
BY
KELLY MATTHEWS
Copyright © 2019 by Kelly Matthews
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Chapter One
Zoe Merrygale sat on her bed, put the last of her clothes into a suitcase and cast her teary eyes around the room she had called home for three years. The wall to floor window was open, leading onto the patio that let in the cool November air. Outside, the trees of the communal garden were still shedding their golden and orange leaves that surreptitiously blew in through the door.
Zoe welcomed the breeze lifting her long, dark hair from her shoulders. She'd been busy all afternoon with the packing, that she was now feeling hot and sweaty. The zipper refused to budge due to the amount she had crammed into it and after one final tug, the zipper broke off in her hand and the case sprung open. Exhausted, she gave up, pushed the suitcase away and flounced back on her bed. She loved this time of year, especially in London. For the last three years she had rented a room in a plush house owned by her friend in Notting Hill. She thought she'd never move, but because her gift company, Merrygale Home & Gifts, went into liquidation and she hadn’t found another job, she only had one option available to her. An option that she didn’t take lightly.
Boxes stuffed with shoes, clothes and books she had spent most of her salary on were scattered around the room ready for her to leave in the morning. At this point, she wasn’t sure if she’d fit everything into her small car and considered selling a few things online. She certainly could do with the money and besides, she didn’t think six inch high heels were quite suited to Tenby, a harbour town in south-west Wales.
‘If you want anything, just take it,’ she said to her friend, Jessica who had walked into the room with two mugs of steaming hot coffee. Jessica was tall with a boyish frame. She worked as a catwalk model and make-up artist which was the exact opposite of Zoe who had run her own company and secretly preferred cosy jumpers and jeans to high fashion. Despite their differences in style, they were the best of friends having met through Zoe’s ex. Zoe sat up and took the mug she handed to her. Jessica looked for somewhere to sit amid the chaos.
‘I thought you wouldn’t ask. I‘ve always fancied those cream Jimmy Choos.’ Jessica found a small patch on the fluffy white rug that was bathed in the weak sunshine and sat down.
‘They’re in one of those boxes,’ she pointed towards the foot of her bed. ‘I’m starting to regret buying a load of crap.’
‘I’d hardly call it crap,’ Jessica scoffed. ‘I’ll buy whatever you don’t want. I won’t accept freebies, hun, I know you need the cash and don’t say you don’t.’
‘Thanks, I appreciate it. Well, I do consider it crap now when the stuff I was buying wasn’t really “me”. If you want me to be really honest, you were the one who influenced me in the shops,' she smiled to show she was joking, even though it was the truth. ‘Anyway, I don’t know, Jess; it’s like I’ve suddenly become the person I used to be before I came to London.’
‘It's almost as if a magic spell has been cast over you. What have you done with my friend?’ Jessica laughed into her mug.
‘When it comes to my family, you’ll never know. I wouldn’t mind betting that they orchestrated the whole thing. Think about it, I lost my job; I’m broke, and then, out of nowhere I get a call asking me to look after their shop while they go gallivanting around the world.’
Jessica found it comical. ‘I think you’re overreacting. I wish my parents were as cool as yours. So, are you looking forward to going back home for Christmas?’
Zoe slurped on her coffee, reminiscing about her childhood spent at her parent’s new age shop, The Broom, Spell, and Candlewick. There wasn’t a thing Zoe didn’t know about crystals and their metaphysical properties. Although her childhood was a great one, Zoe was glad for normality when she decided to study marketing in London.
‘Yeah,’ she said, seemingly unsure. ‘What I'm not looking forward to is running the shop on my own,’ she made herself comfortable and crossed her legs. ‘They're off to India the day after tomorrow to do their annual charity work, so they’re not giving me much time to settle in.’
‘You didn’t tell me you’ll be spending Christmas by yourself.’
‘It's no bother. I haven't loved Christmas in a long, long time. As I've gotten older, I just don't see what the fuss is about. Anyway, my aunt said I could go around hers for dinner and I'm sure there'll be plenty going on for me so I won't feel lonely,' she smiled weakly.
‘Well, I'm going to miss you around here. I'll keep your room until after Christmas. You'll never know what could turn up job wise by then.’
‘Thanks, but if you've got to rent it, I'll understand. I just hope this time away allows me to figure out my future.’
‘I'm sure it will. Call it a hunch.’
‘A hunch you say? You're beginning to sound like me.’
Zoe put her mug on the sideboard and picked up an envelope that was propped against a picture frame. ‘This is the last of the rent I owe you,’ she handed her the chunky envelope full of cash and then got off the bed. ‘I’d better start putting stuff in the car. Well, what I can fit. I plan to leave as early as possible. It’s a long bloody drive.’
‘Here,’ Jessica got to her feet. ‘I’ll help and then we can go out for one last lunch together. My treat.’
Chapter Two
After several stops at the service stations along the way and a sneaky half hour nap in a car park, Zoe pulled off the A478 onto a narrower country road. With one hand on the steering wheel, she rubbed her itchy eye with the other and yawned. She regretted not taking the train and having her things delivered. But then she remembered couldn't afford that luxury because she barely had enough money for the petrol home. She’d never felt so humiliated asking her father for a loan after being independent since she was eighteen. At the corner of her eye, she saw the infamous blue board welcoming her back to Tenby.
' Dinbych-Y-Pysgod Tenby'
There was no turning back now, she thought, plucking a few cold chips from the wrapper on the dashboard.
She drove the steep incline, passing rows of guest houses on either side and then took a turning that led her past the castle walls toward the seafront. Behind the metal railings on the opposite side of the road, the ocean came into view. The lights turned green so she put her foot on the accelerator only to quickly slam on her breaks, jerking her forward. Out of nowhere, a man who was walking a dog stepped in front of her car. Frozen, with her breath caught in her throat, she locked eyes with the tall, dark-haired stranger. He had the most striking grey eyes she'd ever seen. Even though they were narrowed, almost threatening.
Her heart pounded against her chest. ‘Jesus, what the hell is his problem.’ She didn’t like his pissed off expression and was about to scream at him for being so careless but thought better of it. She wound down the window and stuck her head out. ‘I'm sorry, I didn't…’
‘No, you’re not sorry. You weren’t paying attention to the road.’ He interjected and gave his dog a nudge on the lead.
‘How bloody rude,’ she muttered, knowing that he was the one in the wrong. She turned the corner and saw an empty parking space on the roadside overlooking the beach. Her encounter, who was wa
lking along the opposite pavement, glanced over. She wasn't sure if she detected a smile on his face, but he sure was handsome. If not a touch moody. Happy to stretch her legs and get a lungful of sea air, she got out of her car and gave herself permission for a little break before she made her way to the shop. She leaned on the railings taking in the view that she sorely missed. The ocean was dark and choppy and the sky threatened rain. Along the seafront was a harbour wall with Georgian houses painted in blue, pink and yellow. At the corner of her eye, she saw her cousin, Felicity walking up the street.
‘Hello, Felicity,’ she said, turning to the young woman who looked shocked to see her.
The woman, who had her dark hair pulled up into a bun on her head stopped in the middle of the pavement trying to gage if what she saw was real.
‘What are you doing here, Zoe?’ She rushed towards her with outstretched arms.
Zoe hugged her. ‘I’m home for the holidays. How are you?’ she asked, hoping she would be back in London sooner rather than later.
‘I was alright until you gave me a fright. No, I'm joking with you. It's great to see you. So you're still doing those tricks, then? You know the ones, where you guess things before they happen.’ Felicity laughed nervously. She had always been afraid of Zoe’s special ability to know things she shouldn't.
‘Not since being in London. It must've been my hectic lifestyle blocking it out.’ She meant it as a joke but when she actually thought about what she said, it made sense. ‘But, anyway, it always felt more like a curse than a blessing. Is Aunty Tina okay? She did say I could pop around for Christmas lunch.’
‘She's fine. Since she heard about you coming home that's all she's talked about. Pop around when you've got the time, okay?’ She glanced at her mobile. ‘I've got to dash. I'm starting a shift at the cafe and Mam doesn't like it when I'm late.’
‘Don't tell me she still docks’ your pay?’ She laughed thinking of the times she helped her out when she was a teenager.
‘Yes, she does. She still thinks I’m fourteen and forgets I have bills to pay now.’
As she went on her way, she looked back and waved. ‘It was nice to see you again, Zoe. I hope you’re home a little longer this time so we can have a proper catch-up.’
‘And nice to see you, too,’ she said, thinking to herself that maybe it wasn’t so bad to be around family again.
Zoe waved back, her attention was now drawn to the fork in the road. Both streets dipped, heading towards Castle beach. Her parent's shop was to the right, half way down the row of shops between a bookshop and a clothes shop. At least, that's what she remembered. Over the years, businesses came and went but The Spell, Broom, and Candlewick had been in the family for the last fifty years and showed no-sign in leaving. She passed the sweet shop with hanging bags of pink candy floss in the window, a place she'd frequent when she was a kid and wondered why she'd been so reluctant to come back. So far, it hadn't been as bad as she imagined. But then she remembered that horrible day four years ago and it all came flooding back in her consciousness. The memory of the day her life changed forever flashed across her eyes as fresh as the day she experienced it. She thought she had repressed it and put it all behind her but how wrong was she.
‘Ugh,’ she shook away the vision determined to make the most of her time back home. She walked passed each shop, taking a moment to glance in each window. Happy childhood memories came flooding back that put a smile on her face. But as much as she would’ve loved to revel in nostalgia for a while, she figured she'd better make her way to the shop and announce her arrival. As she walked down the narrow, cobbled street she was happy to see that hardly anything had changed. The shops she remembered was still there and hoped the owners she knew were still there also. She stopped outside her parent’s shop and looked up at the building.
THE BROOM, SPELL, AND CANDLEWICK
The signage was gold with brooms on either side and the red framework had recently been painted. She could tell by the careless splotches on the pavement. Her father wasn't adept at DIY, preferring plotting plants and herbs. She gazed into the lattice window that was sprayed with fake snow and dangling multi-coloured fairy lights. Her mother had already got into the Christmas spirit and started the window display she’d do every year. Red, gold, and green candles were nestled on glittery fake snow with a Father Christmas in a sled full of crystals. She pushed open the door to the sound of the wind chimes jangling from the ceiling. There was nobody in the shop.
‘Is there anybody here? I'm a burglar and I want to steal your stock,’ she sniggered fully aware that her parents installed a camera not so long ago. A waft of Turkish delight incense that was burning on a metal dish on the counter almost made her gag. She never liked the stuff and made her first decision as a boss not to burn any. But then she remembered how her mother would tell her it cleansed the air of negativity and thought perhaps it would keep the weirdo’s away.
‘Is that you, Zo?’ Her father shouted from the back room.
‘Yeah, it's me,’ she replied walking around an oval table that was covered in baskets filled to the brim with different coloured crystals. The shop hadn't changed since she last saw it.
‘Come here, Libby, Zoe’s home,’ he yelled and drew back the curtain.
Zoe looked up from browsing a selection of Herkimer Diamonds, her favourite to see her dad in his usual tie-dye jumper and dark greying hair tied back. He came around the counter and pulled her in for a tight hug.
‘I can't believe you made it. We had a bet going you'd find an excuse not to come.’
‘Yeah, I'm not that creative when it comes to making up excuses, unfortunately. But it’s good to be back, Dad.’
‘It’s been too long if you ask me. It’s nice to have you home for a change rather than us driving back and forth to London.’
Her mother, who was short in height compared to them, threw back the curtain and rushed around the counter. She had mousy brown hair that came to her jawline and wore a pink fluffy jumper and jeans. ‘I had a feeling it was you when I heard the wind chime. How are you, love?’
‘Hi, Mam. I'm fine, just a bit tired and hungry after all that driving. Oh, is that a new haircut?’ She asked, thinking how much she suited a bob.
‘I had it done this morning. Come on, we'll go back to the house for food. I made a casserole last night. It’s your favourite, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah, it is, thanks,’ she looked around the shop, noting it was devoid of customers. ‘But what about the shop? Have you employed a bunch of ghosts or something to look after things?’ She joked. ‘If so, does that mean… ’
‘No and no,’ her mother laughed, collecting her handbag from behind the counter. ‘You're not going back to London yet. I mean, where would you go? You're penniless.’
Zoe scoffed. ‘Thanks for the reminder, Mam.’
‘Anyway, it won't harm to close up for a while. It’s not like we are thriving with customers, eh?’
Zoe could see that they weren't and became concerned. ‘Has this been a regular occurrence then?’ She asked as they hadn't mentioned the shop being in any difficulty.
‘It’s quiet most days, but don't you go worrying now,’ said her mother switching off the lights. ‘It may pick up the closer we get to Christmas,' she winked.
Chapter Three
Zoe woke at a ghastly hour in her old room staring at a poster of David Bowie. Her parent's hadn't moved a thing since she left at eighteen. Even her crystals were still on the windowsill. She heard a commotion outside and wondered what was going on. She threw the bedcover off, got out and pulled back the curtain to find her parents in the middle of a heated argument.
‘Libby, you've packed far too much. At this rate, you'll have to pay extra for the baggage.’
Zoe leaned on the windowsill, laughing as her father yanked the suitcase out of the boot of the car and threw it on the pavement.
'But I need my clothes.'
‘Nothing changes around here,’ she mused, and a
ffectionately shook her head at them both.
Zoe pottered around the kitchen, browsing in the cupboards whilst she waited for the kettle to boil. Her parents were still busy loading the car with suitcases so it meant that today was her first day alone in the shop. She inwardly groaned at the thought of difficult customers and ripped open a packet of chocolate digestives.
‘We're all ready to go,’ her dad said as he walked down the hallway to the kitchen. He handed her a bunch of keys. ‘I don't think there's anything I needed to remind you about…’ he scratched his forehead.
Zoe put the keys into her dressing gown pocket.
‘Don't panic. You can use mobiles in India, you know.’
‘Did you tell her about the Christmas Street Market?’ Her mother said walking into the kitchen with several shiny red gift bags. She handed them to Zoe. ‘No peeking until Christmas Day, alright? So when you put up the tree, which you will…’ she gave her a stern look. ‘You'll place them under there. Got it?’
Zoe had no intention of decorating the house. She never did in London so she certainly wasn't going to do it here.
‘Thanks, Mam, Dad. So what about the Christmas Market?’ She asked, hoping it wasn’t going to mean more work.
‘It's a new thing the council decided to do to boost business. I’ve asked Rachel from the coffee shop to come and talk to you about it. She's the one that helped organised it. I think you’ll both get on, she’s a lovely girl.’
Feeling a little overwhelmed already, Zoe gave her parents a hug and stepped out the front door in her dressing gown to wave them goodbye.
‘Don’t worry about a thing, I’ve got all under control.’ She hoped. ‘Have a safe trip, see you soon.’
‘Zoe,’ her mother turned back on the pavement. ‘If you’ll look in the freezer, you’ll see I've made you a batch of lunches. It should see you through a couple of weeks.’
Christmas Magic at the Tenby Crystal Shop Page 1
