Christmas Romance Collection

by Melissa Hill

  She wondered idly if Emer’s husband Dave would be taking her out for dinner tonight. Probably not; finding a babysitter would undoubtedly be difficult, and anyway, Jess suspected the still-new parents might find it a wrench to leave their precious baby daughter with anyone. Still, she wondered now if she should forgo her quiet night in tonight and at least offer to look after Amy just in case the two of them would like some time on their own. She could be down there by seven, barring heavy traffic, and still allowing enough time to pop back home to her own place to pick up an overnight bag.

  Yes, that’s what she’d do, Jess thought, checking the time on her mobile phone before dialling her friend’s home number. It was just after five-thirty; Emer was sure to be home but she hoped the ringing wouldn’t interrupt poor Amy’s nap or something. For this reason, she was nearly always wary of phoning Emer’s house or mobile without warning as she could only imagine how frustrating it must be for new mums trying to get a young baby settled.

  ‘You’d swear you had experience with this kind of thing,’ Brian often teased her, making fun of her concerns, when they both knew that Jess hadn’t the foggiest idea about babies or what was involved in raising them.

  ‘It doesn’t take a genius to work out that noise wakes people – tiny or otherwise,’ she’d retorted tartly.

  Now, as she waited for Emer to answer the phone, she seriously hoped that this wasn’t a bad time and that her friend wouldn’t be cursing her from a height when she picked up.

  ‘Hello?’ Emer said somewhat tiredly and Jess winced.

  ‘Oops, sorry – I hope I haven’t woken her up?’

  ‘What? Oh hi Jess, how are you? No, you haven’t woken Amy up, she’s here beside me.’

  ‘Oh great, I’m nearly always holding my breath about phoning at the wrong time, just in case. So how is she? And how are you? Looking forward to tomorrow?’

  ‘Tomorrow….’

  Jess smiled. ‘Come on – stop trying to fool me by pretending it’s no big deal. Every birthday is a big deal Emer, especially when this time you’ll be getting a card that says Mummy on it.’

  ‘I know, that will be weird.’

  ‘Well, I don’t want to keep you as I’m sure you’re up to your eyes, but I just wondered if you and Dave wanted a night out on your own tonight, or tomorrow night even? I’d be happy to watch Amy. Brian’s away this weekend so I could come down and stay over?’

  ‘Oh …’

  Jess raised an eyebrow, wondering why her friend sounded so taken aback by this. Or wait no, was it more like … uncomfortable? Thinking about it now maybe it was stupid of her to offer and perhaps Emer wouldn’t in a million years dream of leaving her baby daughter with someone of limited experience, and no real idea about what was involved? But Jess was certain it would be a piece of cake; Amy was a little darling and thanks to Brian’s extended family, she wasn’t completely clueless when it came to changing nappies and suchlike. But whatever her reasons, Emer definitely didn’t sound enthusiastic at the prospect.

  ‘Thanks for the offer Jess, that’s really nice of you but it’s fine. We don’t really fancy going out.’

  ‘Are you sure? No need to worry; I’m positive I could handle her and -’

  ‘It’s nothing like that, honestly, it’s just that … well we’d really rather just have a quiet night in – no fuss you know?’

  ‘OK … well as long as you’re sure. And don’t ever be afraid to ask either; you know I’d only be too delighted to give you guys a break.’

  ‘I know that, thanks Jess.’

  ‘So will you be around tomorrow? I was going to pop down with your birthday present.’

  ‘Oh you really shouldn’t have. But yes, we’ll be at home all day, although around lunchtime would probably be best.’

  ‘No problem. Hopefully the nice weather will hold. It’s great at the moment, isn’t it? Must be brilliant for you and Amy to be able to spend time out in the garden.’

  ‘We’re really enjoying it, yes.’

  Unlike her and Brian’s postage stamp in Booterstown, Emer and Dave’s house had the benefit of a huge back garden with plenty of space for Amy when she got to running-around age. One of the major benefits of moving to the countryside, Jess supposed.

  ‘Well, hopefully we’ll get a chance to grab a few rays tomorrow. I’ll bring a bottle of bubbly, and maybe I can wrangle you into having a sneaky glass over lunch – just for your birthday.’ As far as she knew Emer was still off alcohol, her friend having decided well before her pregnancy that it was no longer appropriate for her to be behaving like the town wino. A casualty of their profession, Jess knew, (although some people might call it a perk) but she knew where her friend was coming from. Working for a drinks company inevitably led to lots and lots of alcohol-related and themed social events and gatherings over the years, and while Emer had since got off that particular merry-go-round, Jess was still very much in full, ahem … flow.

  Emer laughed. ‘We’ll see how it goes.’

  ‘Great. Well, enjoy your quiet night in, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Give Amy a kiss for me, won’t you?’

  ‘Will do Jess. See you then.’

  * * *

  The following day Jess got in her Mercedes SLK and reached Lakeview around lunchtime, having phoned Emer on the way to ask if she needed her to bring anything.

  ‘Thanks a mill, but no,’ her friend replied, sounding a bit groggy and Jess deduced that the baby must have been keeping her up the previous night.

  Well, hopefully her new handbag would give her a boost, she thought, looking forward to seeing her friend’s face when she opened the specially-wrapped gift box. Emer was always admiring Jess’s own faithful Jimmy Choo and now that the Kellerman’s were a one-income household, she suspected that Emer didn’t have a whole lot of money to spend on herself. Another reason Jess felt she deserved something a little bit special.

  ‘Oh dear, bad night with Amy?’ she said sympathetically to Emer upon arrival, catching sight of her friend’s grey and rather haggard appearance as they went through to the kitchen. Actually, she looked pretty much like she used to after one of their many nights out on the town.

  ‘No no, she was fine,’ Emer said, waving away Jess’s concern. ‘Dave had to go out for the afternoon but he says to say hi.’

  ‘Oh sorry I missed him. Well, anyway − before I forget, happy birthday!’

  ‘What’s this?’ Emer looked mystified by the large Brown Thomas gift box Jess handed to her. ‘Don’t say that’s for me.’

  ‘Of course it’s for you,’ Jess said grinning.

  ‘Jess, I –’

  ‘Oh go on and just open the darned thing. And don’t say anything else till you do.’

  ‘Well…’ Emer untied the soft black ribbon and slowly lifted back the folds of tissue paper. And when she finally revealed the magnificent leather bag, she froze, and her face flushed in appreciation … or discomfort, Jess couldn’t be sure.

  ‘Do you like it?’ she asked, worried now that she’d chosen the wrong option. Maybe this was too OTT and the Fendi would have been much more Emer’s style? ‘Perhaps the colour is a bit tricky but – ’

  ‘It’s amazing. Wow Jess, I don’t know what to say …’

  ‘You don’t need to say anything. I know it’s a bit unexpected but I really wanted to get you something nice this time, something special I suppose after everything you’ve been through this year.’

  ‘I just can’t believe it. I’m gob-smacked, never in a million years did I expect something like … or that you would…’

  ‘Well, of course you didn’t expect it; it wouldn’t be a surprise then, would it?’ Jess smiled, pleased that her gift seemed to be having the desired effect, although she really hoped it hadn’t made Emer uncomfortable or anything – or worse, made her worry that she had to return the favour. ‘Look, this is just a once off, something to celebrate you becoming a mum, and your birthday of course, but also just for being a great friend for all these years, yo
u know?’

  Emer was shaking her head. ‘I just can’t believe it. And Prada! Jess this really must have cost you a fortune.’

  ‘It’s nothing really. I got a surprise bonus last month so it’s really no big deal.’ That wasn’t strictly true but if it made Emer feel better then…

  ‘No big deal? Wow, looks like I got out of the game too soon. That promotion obviously has you rolling in it.’ And did Jess imagine it, or was there a slight tinge of … resentment in her tone? No surely not, Emer was the one who’d decided to bow out of the workplace in order to move to Lakeview and concentrate on family life, and she knew better than anyone how hard Jess worked.

  ‘Well not quite, but unlike you, I suppose I don’t really have anyone else to spend it on but oh, speaking of which…’ Jess reached again into the bag and took out the small teddy bear. ‘This is for Amy.’

  ‘Thank you – again. I’m sure she’ll love it.’ But although her friend sounded normal enough, Jess still thought she noticed something on the edge of her tone.

  Oh she was probably just imagining it, she thought shaking off the feeling. Maybe Emer was just wrong-footed by her extravagance with the handbag and still a little taken aback to respond as enthusiastically as Jess had hoped?

  ‘Where is Amy anyway?’ she asked.

  ‘Out on the decking in her bouncer – and still asleep, I hope. Will a sandwich be OK for you for lunch? I didn’t have to time to prepare much –’

  ‘A sandwich is perfect and don’t go to any fuss, anything at all will be fine. Actually, do you want me to sort out something while you go and check on her?’ Jess didn’t want Emer to feel as though she needed to wait on her hand and foot, especially when she’d obviously had such a hard night.

  ‘No, it’s fine, I’ve got some made up. Orange juice OK too?’

  ‘Perfect.’ Somehow for reasons Jess still couldn’t identify, the vibe didn’t seem right for champagne.

  ‘You know you could have told me to get lost today if you wanted to,’ she said to Emer when they were seated outside at the patio table, Amy sleeping peacefully alongside them.

  ‘Get lost?’

  ‘Well, if you weren’t up to having visitors.’ Jess couldn’t think of any other reason why the atmosphere between her and Emer seemed so strained. It couldn’t be about the bag could it? Had she got that really wrong and made her friend uncomfortable rather than delighted?

  ‘Not at all, it’s fine,’ her friend said, but her tone definitely didn’t make Jess feel any happier.

  ‘Right. Well cheers then,’ she said, holding her glass of orange juice aloft. ‘Happy Birthday.’

  ‘Thanks Jess, and thanks so much again for the beautiful handbag. I’m floored by it.’

  ‘As I said, you deserve it.’ Jess smiled. ‘I don’t know what the hell you’ll wear it with but –’

  Just then Emer’s doorbell rang, and her friend jumped up to answer it. ‘I wonder who that is?’ she said frowning. ‘I’m not expecting anyone …’

  A few seconds later, she returned with a woman Jess didn’t recognise, but who was carrying a baby that looked a little bit older than Amy.

  ‘Jess this is Grainne, one of the neighbours.’

  Jess stood up to greet her. ‘Really nice to meet you. And who’s this gorgeous little fellow?’ she cooed, smiling at the little boy the woman held in her arms.

  ‘This is Ross. And great to meet you too,’ Grainne said before turning again to Emer. ‘Listen I’m sorry to interrupt, but amid last night’s craziness, I think Ross might have left his toy here. It’s a little black and white thing that looks like it might have been a dog at one stage, except for the two chewed off paws?’

  ‘Oh right. I don’t think I’ve seen it,’ Emer replied, but there was no mistaking the deep red flush that appeared on her face and travelled all the way down her neck.

  Jess was perplexed. What on earth was up with Emer today? Anyone would think that she was embarrassed at having her here. What was going on? And what did Grainne mean by last night’s craziness?

  ‘Not to worry. Maybe one of the other kids picked it up. I can only blame myself for not being um…observant enough to keep an eye on it. And the O’Connors weren’t much better. I blame Emer for force-feeding us all that booze, or should I say force-drinking,’ she added winking at Jess. ‘Great barbeque though,’ she added to Emer, who didn’t seem to know where to look. ‘I met Jill Carney earlier and she’s as bad as I am – none of us are able for late nights anymore. Oh, and happy birthday again.’

  Now it was Jess turn to feel wrong-footed. Late nights? Didn’t Emer tell her when she offered to baby-sit last night that she and Dave were having a quiet night in? But instead it seemed they’d hosted a big birthday barbeque. Not that it was any of Jess’s business what they did or didn’t do, but why lie about it?

  ‘I’ll keep an eye out,’ Emer was saying now, as she walked Grainne back through to the front door, while Jess remained in the garden, perplexed. She tried to get a handle on this for a second. Not only had Emer refused her offer to baby-sit, but she’d also lied outright about a party and decided not to invite her, while knowing well that Brian was away and she was at a loose end. And then to top it all off, today she’d been sniffy about Jess’s earnings and had questioned her generosity.

  ‘So a late night last night then?’ she said evenly, when Emer came back outside.

  ‘Yeah. It was one of those unexpected things, you know.’

  ‘So you and Dave didn’t get your quiet night in after all?’

  ‘No. Look Jess, I would have invited you but …’

  There was a heavy silence, and right then Jess understood that something major had shifted in their friendship.

  ‘Well it’s just …it was more of a kid’s thing really, so I didn’t think...’

  Immediately Jess felt wounded. So she needed children to gain a pass to her friend’s life these days?

  ‘Look I just thought it would be easier if you I didn’t …I mean …’ The sentence trailed off, but Jess didn’t really need to hear the rest.

  Her heart sank. Best friends or not, clearly Emer felt it was preferable to cut her out of certain aspects of her life and keep her at arms’ length – simply because she wasn’t a member of that exclusive club that lately, most of her friends seemed to have joined.

  The mummy club.

  6

  Nina had spent her first night in Lakeview tossing and turning, thinking over all of her problems. She knew that the quiet of the countryside and the travelling that she did that day should have knocked her out, but instead she lay awake staring at the ceiling.

  She was bothered by many things; to start with, the break-up with Steve. This time last month she had been as happy as she’d ever been, with no clue of what was to come and certainly no reason to suspect that anything was amiss.

  How could I have been so stupid? she wondered bitterly. Still, no matter how much she loved him, or how much he’d hurt her, she knew she’d made the right decision in ending the relationship. But as if breaking up with him wasn’t bad enough, they’d worked together in the same company and Nina knew she couldn’t bear having to face him every day – especially now – which was why she’d decided to pack up her entire life in Galway and come back East. As things stood, she had no relationship, no job, and a whole lot of other problems.

  She rolled over in bed, wishing more than ever that her mother was here. Cathy would travel back in a shot if she realised the full extent of Nina’s situation, she knew that, but this was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for her and Tony and she didn’t want to ruin it for her. Heaven knows her mother had sacrificed enough for her over the years, raising her by herself until meeting and falling and love with Tony when Nina was in her late teens. . He was a wonderful man, kind, gentle and an absolute rock for Cathy – for them both really.

  Nina sighed thinking about how different Patrick – her real father – was. She wasn’t sure why she’d thought he migh
t have changed; change was anathema to a country man like Patrick. She wasn’t sure if her father had ever even travelled outside the country, or even outside Lakeview. Although he must have to get all those bits and parts he needed for his TV repairs and suchlike.

  Nope, they had nothing in common really, nothing except genetics. How long could realistically she stay here? Until she got her head together at least, Nina thought. That was the plan after all.

  In the meantime, she needed to focus on trying to get to sleep. Deciding on the age-old solution of counting sheep, she was about to doze off when she heard a loud snore from across the hallway. Typical she thought, that the only time her father chose to be involved in something she was doing was when she didn’t want him to be.

  Somewhere in the middle of all of her frustration, she drifted off, only to be awoken a few hours later by Patrick knocking on her door, telling her to ‘Rise and shine.’

  Knowing it was seven a.m. and not enjoying the idea of having to spend another silent meal with Patrick so soon after last night, Nina decided to get out of bed, throw on some casual clothes and head down town for a coffee or something. Her father had always been a tea drinker and Nina knew he didn’t even possess a jar of instant, let alone a cafetière.

  She went downstairs to find Patrick in the kitchen, making his usual breakfast.

  ‘Morning Dad,’ she said blearily.

  Patrick turned around, as if he’d just remembered that she was in fact there. ‘Oh good morning, Nina. Would you like some breakfast?’

  ‘No thanks, it’s a beautiful day so I thought I might go out for a walk, get some exercise maybe. I’ll probably just grab something while I’m out.’

  ‘Hmm,’ he said, turning back to the frying pan.

  She stood there for a second longer, trying to figure out if this reply was meant as some kind of acknowledgement. When she realised that it was in fact a dismissal, she turned on her heel and walked from the house. Goodness, she thought, how does anyone put up with him? Then almost immediately, she was met by a wave of compassion, remembering the fact that her father was a loner, and that her mother in fact had left him. She said a silent apology and vowed to not think about it.