by Karen King
The ring of her mobile startled her. Was it Hannah? Were the twins worse? Heart in her mouth, she reached over and picked the phone up from the table. To her surprise, Robbie’s image was flashing on the screen. She pressed the ‘accept call’ button. It’d be good to have a chat with him.
‘Hello, Robbie. Lovely to hear from you.’
‘I need the address to your sister’s house. Can you text it to me?’ Robbie said, sounding rather breathless. ‘I’m in a taxi on the way there.’
What? For a moment she thought she’d misheard. ‘You’re on your way?’ she repeated.
‘Yes, I’ve just got off the train. I remembered you said it was in Port Breok but I need the house number and street. Be quick!’ He ended the call.
Her mind buzzing, wondering why Robbie had travelled all the way down here, Saffy keyed Hannah’s address and sent the message to Robbie. He said he’d just got off the train, so he must be about ten minutes away. And he was obviously intending to stay. Perhaps he had a couple of days off work and had decided to spend them by the seaside. Well, it would be great to have some company.
She’d have to make a bed up for him, though, she thought, dashing upstairs. She’d put him in the room overlooking the harbour, where she’d stayed last time. She soon found the airing cupboard, where there was a supply of clean sheets and duvet covers and had just made up the bed when the doorbell rang.
‘Coming!’ she shouted, racing back down the stairs. Oscar was already at the front door, barking.
Saffy grabbed hold of Oscar’s collar and opened the door with a smile. ‘Robbie, this is—’ She stopped as she registered his clearly upset face and the large suitcase by his feet –much too big for a weekend stay, even by Robbie’s standards. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Me and Duncan have had a massive bust-up. It’s over. Finito. So I thought I’d come down to Cornwall with you and help you run the Lonely Hearts party for your sister.’
Saffy looked at him, stunned. ‘But I thought you were going to propose…’
‘I did. That was the problem…’ Robbie looked as if he was about to burst into tears. ‘I can stay here with you, can’t I?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Saffy let go of Oscar, who immediately bounded into the front garden, and she gave Robbie a big hug. He looked so upset. ‘Come in and tell me all about it.’
Robbie stepped in with his case and Saffy looked around for Oscar. Then she realised that the front gate was swinging on its latch. Robbie must have left it open. Where was Oscar? Hannah would never forgive her if she lost him, or he got run over…
‘Oscar!’ she shouted, running out of the garden and looking up the dark, empty road. ‘Oscar!’
‘He’s over here!’ Logan called.
Saffy looked over and saw Logan crossing the road with Oscar on a lead beside him.
‘Oh thank goodness, I thought I’d lost him!’ she said, relieved.
‘It’s a miracle you didn’t, or that he wasn’t run over,’ Logan snapped. ‘I was about to come over for Chloe’s presents – she’s fast asleep in bed so I wanted to take the bike to Annie’s so Chloe doesn’t discover it – when I saw the taxi pull up and your boyfriend get out. I decided to go back inside, give you a bit of time together then Oscar came charging over the road to me. It’s a good job I have a spare lead.’ He took Oscar into the garden then let him off the lead and Saffy quickly closed the gate. ‘Better remind him to close the garden gate in future,’ he said curtly. ‘Hannah and the twins will be devastated if anything happens to Oscar.’
Saffy was about to tell him that Robbie wasn’t her boyfriend but stopped herself. It was none of his business and he had no right to be so damned rude. Oscar wasn’t his dog.
‘Thanks. Do come in and get Chloe’s presents,’ she said stiffly. She pointed to the open front door. ‘Would you like me and Robbie to help you carry them over?’
‘No thanks, I’ll manage.’ Logan nodded briefly as he walked past Robbie into the house and was out again in less than five minutes, the bags containing the presents hanging over the bike handlebars. Robbie rushed to open the gate for him and Logan marched past him without a word.
‘Well, he’s a bit of a dish,’ Robbie whispered as Logan wheeled the bike across the road to the house next door to Daisy Cottage without so much as a backward glance. ‘Moody though.’
Rude, more like, Saffy thought. ‘Over Duncan already, are you?’ she asked.
Robbie’s eyes clouded over. ‘It’ll take me years to get over that man but I won’t be spending them wallowing, that’s for sure.’ He held his head up and put his shoulders back. ‘There’re plenty more men who’ll appreciate me.’
‘Duncan appreciates you. You two are made for each other,’ Saffy said gently. ‘Come on, I’ll make you a coffee and you can tell me all about it.’
So, over three cups of coffee, laced with brandy, Robbie told her how he’d seen a gorgeous ring in the jeweller’s window yesterday and had bought it on impulse. He pulled it out of his pocket and showed her – it was a slim gold band with a row of three dazzling diamonds. Then this morning he’d decided he couldn’t wait until Christmas and had proposed. But Duncan had looked so horrified when Robbie went down on one knee in front of him, holding out an engagement ring, that they’d ended up having a massive argument.
Saffy listened, stunned. ‘I’m so sorry, Robbie. Are you sure Duncan was turning you down? Perhaps you just took him by surprise?’
‘It wasn’t surprise on his face, it was horror! Marrying me is clearly the last thing he wants.’ Robbie looked as if he was about to burst into tears.
‘That’s rubbish, I’ve seen the way Duncan looks at you. He adores you. You’re both made for each other. You can’t fall out over this. You need to talk to each other. Maybe he’s not quite ready to take such a big step yet.’
‘A big step? We’ve been living together for years. I would have thought marriage was the next step. It’s obvious that he doesn’t see us as a forever couple.’
Saffy put her hand over Robbie’s and squeezed it reassuringly. She hated seeing him so upset. ‘I’m sure you’ve got it wrong. Duncan probably needs time to take it in. I bet he’ll be on the phone in a minute to tell you he’s sorry and that of course he wants to marry you.’
‘He doesn’t know I’m here,’ Robbie said miserably. ‘He stormed out so I packed while he was gone and left him a note to say it was over. And I’ve turned off my phone so he can’t contact me. Not that he’ll want to. I bet he’s glad to get rid of me.’
Saffy groaned. Robbie could be really stubborn sometimes. ‘Why have you done that? He could be trying to contact you right now, to explain.’
‘I bet he isn’t.’ Robbie picked up his mug. ‘Anyway, there’s no explaining this away. The look on his face said it all. Duncan and I are over.’ Robbie set his mouth in that determined way Saffy knew so well.
‘Robbie, it’s Christmas. You guys can’t split up at Christmas.’
‘Too late. We already have. And I don’t want to talk about it any more.’ Robbie took a long swig of his coffee. ‘And I’m not going to let it spoil my Christmas so I’ve decided to come down to Cornwall and help organise a fantastic party for those lovely families.’
‘But what about your own Christmas party? You’ll be letting all your guests down.’
Robbie glared at her. ‘Honestly, Saffy, I’ve lost my partner, my home, my future and all you can say is that I’ll be letting our Christmas guests down.’ He sniffed. ‘They’re all Duncan’s friends anyway and knowing him he’ll still host the party and spend the whole day bitching about me.’ He put his mug down. ‘Now what’s the plan of action for the Lonely Hearts Hotel Christmas Do?’
‘Lonely Hearts Hotel?’ Saffy repeated.
‘Good name, isn’t it? The initials of your sister’s place, and they’re single parent families, so are “lonely hearts”. It’s got a catchy ring to it.’
She smiled. Trust Robbie. Even when he was upset his market
ing mind was still working. It was such a shame he and Duncan had fallen out; they were so right together. She was sure that they’d make up though. Duncan would probably phone tomorrow and Robbie would be back home. There’s no way they would spend Christmas Day apart. But it was good to have Robbie’s company tonight.
‘I’ve been making a holly wreath and was about to hang it on the door,’ she told him, showing him the wreath. ‘Then tomorrow I’m going to get the decorations down from the loft, see what’s there, order a Christmas tree and take a walk along the harbour…’
‘That all sounds good to me. We’re going to give those lonely hearts a day to remember.’ Robbie yawned. ‘Do you mind if I turn in now, hun? I’m shattered.’
‘Sure. I’ve made a bed up for you. It’s got a lovely view over the harbour, not that you’ll be able to see much now.’ She stood up. ‘Want me to make you a hot chocolate? If you have any more coffee you’ll be awake all night.’
‘No thanks, I feel like I’ve got gallons of liquid swishing inside me as it is. Just lead the way to my chamber.’
* * *
Logan looked out of his window over at the bedroom window opposite, the one it seemed Saffy was sleeping in, as he’d seen the light on and curtains drawn the past couple of nights . As they were now. Saffy and her boyfriend were probably about to go to bed. Together.
Well, it was none of his business if they were but Saffy could have mentioned that he was coming. Not a hint of it all the time they were at the carol concert or walking on the dunes. Hannah hadn’t mentioned it either, so Saffy couldn’t have told her. He guessed her boyfriend hadn’t been able to come earlier, he was probably working, and he’d followed her down so they could spend Christmas together. Robbie, she’d called him. And by the way she’d greeted him she was very pleased to see him. So pleased that she hadn’t even noticed Oscar shoot out of the gate and across the road. If there had been a car coming… Logan shuddered at the thought. Hannah, Lee and the twins adored that dog; they’d be devastated if anything happened to him.
He should have guessed Saffy would have a boyfriend, though. She was the sort of woman that always did. And Robbie was the ideal partner. Tall and handsome, with his chiselled features, cropped blond hair and designer clothes. They made the perfect magazine cover couple.
He thought back to Saffy on the dunes, wearing that bright yellow duffle coat and laughing as if her sides would burst. She’d been like a different person then. She was a real dichotomy, all elegant and self-assured one minute and then switching to the endearing girl-next-door the next.
Well, he was glad she had a boyfriend. He’d been starting to like her. More than like her. And a woman like Saffy was the last thing he needed in his life.
Chapter Nine
Bang! Crash! ‘Bloody hell!’
Saffy woke with a jolt. It took her a couple of minutes to identify the voice that had sworn so loudly as Robbie’s. And what was that crash? It sounded like it came from the kitchen. She hoped Robbie hadn’t broken anything or injured himself.
She was out of bed, into the hall and racing down the stairs in a flash, glad she was wearing her onesie – it was freezing.
‘Robbie! Are you okay? What’s happened?’
She anxiously peered around the half-open kitchen door, hoping she wasn’t going to be confronted by a pile of broken crockery scattered all over the floor. To her relief it was only a few saucepans and a frying pan. Robbie, clad in black Hugo Boss pyjama bottoms and a grey and black striped T-shirt, stood facing her, wet tea towel clapped theatrically to his forehead.
‘It’s a miracle I wasn’t knocked out!’ he said dramatically. ‘I can’t believe your sister kept the pots and pans all piled up in a high cupboard like that. I reached up to grab the frying pan and they all came crashing down onto me. I’ve got a bump the size of an egg on my forehead. Look.’ He took off the tea towel, revealing a big swelling on his forehead. ‘Now I’m going to have to go around like this all Christmas!’
‘Put some frozen peas on it.’ Saffy stepped over the pans on the floor to reach the freezer, opened the door and pulled open the trays one by one until she found a bag of peas. ‘Here you are. Now hold the bag over the bump and go and lie down on the sofa for a bit. I’ll make you a cuppa.’
‘Thanks, hun. I do feel a bit shook up.’ Robbie wrapped the frozen peas in the tea towel, placed it back over the lump then shuffled out.
Saffy filled up the kettle and plugged it in, then picked up the pots and pans, checking to see if they were dented – none of them were, thank goodness – and put them back in the cupboard. Brr! It really was cold. She checked the radiator – yes, it definitely was on. The forecast was for snow over the weekend and it was certainly cold enough.
Glancing at the kitchen clock she saw that it was nine-thirty. She hadn’t meant to sleep so late again, there was such a lot to do today. She made two mugs of tea – adding extra milk and two sugars to Robbie’s – then took them into the lounge where Robbie was now sprawled out on the sofa, the towel-wrapped bag of peas firmly pressed onto his forehead.
‘I didn’t realise it was so late,’ she said, putting the two mugs down on the coffee table and sitting down on the chair opposite Robbie. ‘I must have zonked out.’
‘Lucky you. I couldn’t sleep most the night, I must have finally dropped off about five.’ Robbie yawned. ‘I’m knackered.’
Saffy reached for her mug and cupped her hands around it to warm them. She’d have to go and turn the thermostat up in a bit. ‘I’m guessing you couldn’t sleep because of Duncan?’
Robbie swung his legs off the sofa and sat up. ‘Obviously because of Duncan. I’m devastated. Totally broken. I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with that man.’
‘I’m sure he regrets how he acted now. Have you turned on your phone yet to see if he’s messaged you now he’s had time to think about things?’
‘I’ve told you, we’re over. Finito.’ Robbie took the bag of peas away from his forehead. ‘Has the lump gone down a bit?’
Saffy hesitated as she looked at the massive lump in the middle of his forehead. It didn’t look like it had gone down at all but Robbie was so vain, she knew if she told him that he’d hide himself in his room all over Christmas.
‘It hasn’t, has it?’ Robbie sprung up to look in the mirror. ‘OMG, it’s horrendous!’
‘Keep the frozen peas on it, it’ll go down soon,’ Saffy reassured him.
Suddenly the bell rang and they both turned towards the window.
‘Whoever it is, don’t let them in! I can’t possibly let anyone see me looking like this!’ Robbie exclaimed.
‘It’s probably the postman. Who else would call this early?’ Saffy went over to the window, pulled aside the corner of the still-closed curtains and peered out. She was horrified to see Logan standing on the doorstep, a big box of what looked like vegetables in his hands. Chloe was standing beside him. Saffy instinctively pulled back but it was too late, Chloe had seen her and gave a friendly wave. Not wanting to ignore her, Saffy waved back, then stepped away, out of sight. She’d expected Logan to bring over the veg on Christmas Eve, not today. He’d probably be too busy with his own stuff then though. But why so early!
‘It’s Logan and his daughter, it looks like he’s brought the vegetables for Christmas dinner,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to answer it. I’m not dressed.’
‘Absolutely not! No way! Not with my head like this.’
She had no intention of letting Logan see her in her polar bear onesie and with bed hair and no make-up. There was only one way to make sure Robbie did it. ‘Robbie, if you don’t answer the door I’ll message Duncan myself and let him know you’re here and that you’re pining for him.’
Robbie glared at her. ‘You wouldn’t!’
Saffy folded her arms. ‘Try me.’
‘That is total blackmail!’ Robbie got to his feet, pressed the towel-wrapped frozen peas firmly to his head and strode to the door, muttering, ‘Ca
ll yourself a friend.’
Saffy heard Chloe ask what Robbie had done to his head, then Robbie launch into a detailed explanation, followed by the soft murmur of Logan’s voice. Stop talking and hurry up and go, she thought. She was dying for a shower and to get dressed. Then, to her dismay, Robbie said loudly and clearly, ‘You’d better come in.’
Saffy stepped back in horror. He was actually inviting Logan in! How could he when he knew she wasn’t dressed, showered, made-up? She was in absolutely no state to see Logan who’d looked drag-to-bed gorgeous in his dark brown jacket and jeans.
‘Carry it through into the kitchen, will you?’ Robbie said in an extra loud voice.
Okay, chill, he was letting Saffy know that Logan was just carrying something into the kitchen and then going. Although if Robbie had taken the bag of frozen peas off his head he could have taken the box from Logan and brought it through himself.
She sat back down on the sofa, watching the door warily.
‘I’ll bring the turkey over on Monday. Hannah asked me to pick it up. I’ll leave you to it now, I can see that you aren’t dressed.’ She could hear the disapproval in his tone. He probably thought they’d been at it all night. Well, what business was it of his if they had? She could hear their footsteps walking towards the kitchen. Five minutes and they’d be gone.
‘I’ll let Saffy know,’ Robbie replied.
‘Can’t we say hello to Saffy, Daddy? I want to show her Snowy’s new jumper.’
‘I think she’s busy, poppet. We’ll see her later.’
‘But she’s in there. She waved to me out of the window.’
Saffy froze in horror as she heard small footsteps run along the hall then saw the door handle turn.
