Coming Home For Christmas

by Julia Williams

  Infuriatingly, he was right about that, but Marianne wasn’t about to say so.

  ‘Well keep talking,’ she smiled sweetly. ‘But it would have to be a pretty big offer to make us change our minds.’

  There was no harm in keeping him dangling a little …

  Just then, Pippa and Felix emerged from the woods, the latter full of excitement. ‘I can’t believe it,’ he was saying. ‘Fancy seeing merlins in the wild. It’s a shame we couldn’t get a closer look.’

  ‘We didn’t want to disturb them,’ said Pippa, ‘and they don’t settle for long.’

  ‘True, true,’ said Felix. ‘And it was a damned nuisance that dog came out of nowhere and frightened the birds away.’

  Dog? What dog? Marianne wondered.

  Two minutes later Ralph Nicholas hove into view with his cocker spaniel trotting beside him.

  ‘So sorry about that, old boy, Charlie here gets a bit carried away when he thinks he’s smelt rabbit.’

  ‘No matter,’ said Felix. ‘At least I caught a glimpse of the birds. Remarkable. Quite remarkable. You should have seen them, Luke, son.’

  Luke, son, looked as if he would rather swallow his own bile.

  ‘Hello, Luke old boy. Fancy meeting you here,’ said Ralph with a dazzling smile. ‘On the side of the angels as ever.’

  ‘Uncle Ralph,’ said Luke with open distaste.

  ‘Now, now, Charlie, behave.’

  Marianne stifled a smile as Charlie decided to cock his leg against Luke Nicholas’ shiny shoes.

  It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.

  ‘I can’t believe Ralph Nicholas’ dog peed all over Luke’s leg,’ giggled Cat.

  ‘I know,’ said Pippa, ‘and he also arrived at the fortuitous moment before Felix realised he wasn’t looking at a pair of merlins but kestrels. I was glad I didn’t have to face any awkward questions, I can tell you. I have a feeling Mr Macintyre knows his onions and would have found me out if we’d got any closer.’

  ‘So what next?’ said Cat.

  ‘There’s another public meeting next Monday, prior to the county council meeting where they pass planning permission,’ said Pippa. ‘I think we can expect more interest than last time. Although it might get messy. There are still more people in favour of the hotel complex than I’d like. Do you think you can make it?’

  ‘Sure thing,’ said Cat. ‘And you’ll be pleased to know I’ve co-opted the director of my country series into featuring this story as part of a country life under threat episode.’

  Cat had already started filming the new series, and despite feeling a bit of a duck out of water, she was having fun. The first day of shooting had gone well, if a bit scary. She’d spent the day at a bird sanctuary and had spoken to camera while holding a very pissed off falcon. Despite the stress it had caused her, Cat had enjoyed herself. She’d missed being in front of the camera.

  ‘We’ve already shot some footage elsewhere in the county where they’ve brought in unsuitable developments and the difference it’s made to the locals. This will be a good counterbalance. I’ll see if we can get some cameras along to film the action and get people’s thoughts.’

  ‘Oh Cat, that’s great. I’ve already contacted the local press,’ said Pippa. ‘They were a great support last time.’

  ‘That’s brilliant,’ said Cat. ‘You’ll see, we’ll have them running for the hills in next to no time.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re confident,’ said Pippa, ‘because I’m feeling a bit wobbly …’

  She paused. She didn’t like to think what would happen if they didn’t succeed. Then her plans for the farm would probably be next to useless, and she and Dan might as well sell up.

  ‘You don’t really think you’d have to let the farm go?’ said Cat.

  ‘I don’t want to,’ said Pippa, ‘but we’re struggling at the moment, and Richard thinks we’re mad not to take LK Holding’s offer. Maybe we are.’

  ‘What about your plans for the farm?’ said Cat. ‘Won’t they help?’

  ‘I hope so,’ said Pippa, ‘I genuinely think I can turn it round. If we capitalise on the visitors in the summer, aiming for the family market with tractor rides and the like, and a small petting zoo, I’m sure we can get people in. We should have some calves, and Gabe will have some youngish lambs still, who can be fed. I’ve earmarked the lower field for some changes, and the bank manager has agreed a loan. So that’s something, but …’

  ‘But what?’

  ‘Richard thinks I’m wasting my time.’

  ‘Does that matter?’ said Cat. ‘It’s not Richard’s farm.’

  ‘And it’s not mine either, is it?’ said Pippa. ‘Dan has to have a say in all of this.’

  ‘So what does he think?’

  ‘Dan has barely spoken to me,’ said Pippa. ‘Not since Richard announced we were moving in together.’

  ‘You are?’ said Cat, surprised. ‘Isn’t that a bit sudden?’

  ‘Yeah, well it is for me,’ said Pippa, ‘but not for Richard apparently. He rather forced the issue.’

  Cat looked at her friend.

  ‘If you don’t mind me saying,’ she said, ‘you don’t look that happy about it.’

  ‘I am,’ said Pippa quickly – too quickly – ‘it’s just, I wasn’t expecting it so soon, that’s all. I’m not long divorced. I think I need some space.’

  ‘Well tell him,’ said Cat. ‘I’m sure he’ll understand.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re right,’ said Pippa, but she didn’t sound convinced.

  Chapter Twenty

  ‘Gabe? Are you in?’ shouted Marianne, as she stumbled in with the twins over the bags of rubbish and paint pots still lining the hall where Eve, having persuaded them that it would cause more chaos if she stopped what she was doing, was continuing with her decorating efforts. The little she had done so far was stunning, but most of the time she seemed to be sitting in the kitchen drinking tea and perusing decorating mags. Marianne would have preferred less perfection and a little more action. The walls were filled with different shades of blue, while Eve chose the perfect one. Marianne had tried saying in vain, she didn’t care, she just wanted it finished, but was always met with a, ‘But Marianne, please let me. It’s my way of saying thank you’, which made Marianne feel once more like a stranger in her own home.

  It was hard to argue with that, and Gabriel agreed, ‘Just accept it in the spirit it’s offered,’ he counselled, ‘she’s got precious all else to focus on.’

  Which was true. After six months on sick pay and a round of job cuts, Eve had recently taken voluntary redundancy. She had taken the news badly and it had knocked her back a bit. She was quite often anxious, and her moods could be volatile. One minute she would be passive and docile, another bright-eyed and manic. Eve was still fragile and Marianne could see she needed a focus. It would just be nice if she found a different kind of focus. Like looking for somewhere else to live, maybe. But without a job, that would be impossible. So Gabe’s talk had been put on hold.

  ‘In here,’ Marianne could hear laughter coming from the kitchen, where she found Gabriel sharing a cup of tea with Eve.

  The kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it, and Dolly was snuffling up against Gabriel’s legs in search of food. Really, it was time they moved her out to the fields, she was nearly fully grown. But the twins wouldn’t hear of it.

  ‘I thought you might like some muffins,’ said Eve, producing them triumphantly from the oven. ‘Sorry I made a mess.’

  ‘Ooh, muffins,’ the twins eyed them with delight. ‘Can we, Mummy?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Marianne, feeling defeated.

  ‘They are delicious,’ said Gabriel. He looked apologetically at her, as if to say, What can I do? And Marianne felt churlish. Eve didn’t mean any harm, in fact she was very kind. But she was thoughtless, and had been in their space too long. The trouble was, how could they ask her to leave, when she had nowhere to go?

  ‘Yay, college is over till September!’ M
el came into the kitchen looking both exhausted and triumphant. Her sixth form college was finishing a few days before Ruby and Paige’s school, much to their disgust.

  ‘It’s not fair,’ Ruby said, ‘why can’t our school finish today?’

  ‘Because life isn’t fair, sweetie,’ said Cat, giving her youngest daughter a hug and sending her to school. It might not be fair, but Cat was pleased Mel was getting a break. She had worked so hard and deserved it.

  ‘Yay for the holidays!’ said Cat, giving her daughter a hug. ‘Look, Lou Lou, Mummy’s home for the summer, isn’t that lovely?’

  ‘Luvvy!’ said Lou Lou, tottering up to her mother, who whisked her up in the air and gave her an enormous hug.

  ‘Let’s celebrate,’ said Mel. ‘Why don’t we go up to the woods, and have a picnic by the stream.’

  ‘Excellent idea,’ said Cat, ‘because tomorrow I have to do some filming, and you, madam, need to look after your daughter. Unless you had other plans.’

  A look passed over Mel’s face, but was gone instantly.

  ‘Some of the girls wanted to go to Alton Towers for the day,’ she said.

  ‘Oh Mel, you should have said,’ said Cat. ‘I can’t get out of it now. Bugger.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Mel, ‘it was only a spur of the moment thing. We’re all going to the pub on Friday anyway.’ But she looked so sad, Cat felt like hugging her. Damn Andy Pisldon, the love rat who had literally left Mel holding the baby, he had a lot to answer for.

  ‘Let’s see what we can sort out,’ said Cat. ‘I don’t have to go out till ten, and James never goes out. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind babysitting.’

  They got a picnic ready, put Lou Lou in her buggy, and managed even to prevail on James to join them, before tramping up to the woods. The path was luckily not too steep, and as the weather had been dry, they didn’t get stuck in the mud as was often the case. Reaching a clearing by a shallow bit of stream, they stopped and let Lou Lou out to scramble by the banks and do what she liked to do best, throw stones into the water, with James helping her.

  ‘Isn’t this perfect?’ said Cat, as she watched her granddaughter carefully, while Mel lay back on the picnic blanket, soaking up the sun.

  ‘Isn’t it? I can’t believe I have no more college till September,’ said Mel. ‘Bliss.’

  ‘Make the most of it,’ smiled Cat, ‘September will be here all too soon.’

  ‘I think I ought to get a job,’ said Mel, ‘to help out a bit.’

  ‘One thing at a time,’ said Cat. ‘You’ve spent all year having to be out and not be at home with Lou Lou, I think you should enjoy her while you can. There’ll be time enough for jobs later. Besides, you are still working on that cookery book, aren’t you? That’s enough for now.’

  ‘Unfair,’ said James, ‘you keep on at me to get a job.’

  ‘That’s because you’re a lazy tyke who needs to get off his backside,’ said Cat, looking at her son fondly. He was so tall now, in that half state between man and boy, but still the same old James, laidback and lazy. ‘Mel has a lot more on her plate than you.’

  James continued to grumble, but his heart clearly wasn’t in it, as he had moved on to trying to catch fish to impress Lou Lou, who was clapping her hands and laughing.

  ‘I wish I could be like other people!’ burst out Mel, suddenly, ‘is that bad of me? I wouldn’t be without Lou Lou, you know I wouldn’t, but …’

  ‘It’s hard I know,’ said Cat, ‘but it’s the way it is. You can’t change it, love.’

  ‘And next year, it’s going to get harder,’ said Mel. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to cope with uni, and leaving her, even if I am living at home.’

  Just then a bird flew past with a worm in its mouth. It disappeared into the hedgerow from where a chorus of cheeping sounds was coming.

  ‘See that bird,’ said Cat. ‘She has to leave her chicks to make sure they’re fed. It’s part of her job, just like it’s part of yours.’

  ‘You’re comparing me to a bird?’ said Mel. ‘Gee thanks, Mum.’

  ‘Mum, you are so weird,’ said James.

  ‘You know what I mean,’ said Cat, ‘besides, look at your gorgeous daughter. She’s worth it, isn’t she?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Mel, smiling, ‘she is.’

  Pippa was out in the yard sluicing it down and feeling morose. She shooed away stray chickens who kept getting in her way. Lucy was in a very stroppy mood and had refused dinner. She wouldn’t say why, but Pippa knew it was about Richard, who kept making enthusiastic plans for their future. Pippa kept trying to restrain him – there never seemed to be a good time to say slow down, please – but he was like a puppy with a bone, and was so excited by the idea, she found it difficult to curtail him. It was making her frantic with worry. While Nathan and George both claimed to be ‘cool’ with the idea, Lucy was furious with her and making no bones about it.

  ‘Does Dad know about this?’ she’d typed angrily.

  ‘Yes,’ said Pippa.

  ‘Bet he’s happy!’ Pippa could almost feel the venom coming off the keyboard.

  ‘Lucy, sweetheart, we’ve been over this. Your dad split up with me. It’s not what I wanted, but what he wanted. I’m sorry, but it’s true.’

  ‘But you don’t have to move in with Richard!’ came the swift response, and Lucy glared at her with a fury Pippa hadn’t known her sweet daughter capable of.

  There it was again, that guilt-inducing angst. Pippa wasn’t even sure she wanted to live with Richard, she certainly couldn’t live with him while Lucy was feeling like this. She had many late nights worrying about it. Why was everything so complicated?

  ‘Lucy, let’s talk about this—’ began Pippa, but Lucy ignored her and wheeled herself into the lounge where she and George were watching The Big Bang Theory back to back with How I Met Your Mother. Pippa had felt the need to get out of the house, so had come out to the yard to take her mind off things.

  ‘You look fed up,’ said Dan, looking dusty and tanned from a day in the fields mending fences with Gabriel. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘You wouldn’t want to know,’ said Pippa, putting down her broom and wiping her brow. It was a hot evening and thirsty work. ‘Fancy a beer? I was just about to call it a day, and the kids would be pleased to see you.’

  ‘Is Richard in?’

  ‘No,’ said Pippa, ‘would it matter if he were?’

  ‘Well, things are a bit different now, aren’t they?’ Dan looked embarrassed and was staring at his feet as if he found them suddenly fascinating.

  Pippa felt stiff and awkward. Oh god, was this how it was going to be if she moved in with Richard? Lucy not speaking to her? Dan making her feel uncomfortable? Her not 100 per cent committed? Richard was a nice, kind man. He deserved better.

  ‘You don’t look very happy,’ said Dan. ‘Is everything ok?’

  Nothing’s really been ok since you left, was what Pippa wanted to say. Being with Richard had been papering over the cracks, she could see that now. She’d wanted to believe she could move on, and leave the past behind, but it wasn’t as easy as that. And Pippa certainly couldn’t tell Dan what was in her head, so she said instead, ‘Lucy just being arsey.’

  ‘Oh?’ said Dan.

  ‘She’s not told you then?’ said Pippa. ‘How pissed off she is about me and Richard? I’ve tried to explain it to her, it doesn’t change things, she can’t see it.’

  ‘Would it help if I talked to her?’ said Dan.

  ‘I can’t seem to get through to her anymore.’ said Pippa blinking back tears.

  ‘Oh Pippa,’ said Dan softly. ‘I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I put you here. I’ll make sure Lucy sees that. I’ll go home and freshen up and come round tonight at bedtime so I can chat with Lucy, and you and Richard can go out for a bite to eat. You’ll see, it will be ok.’

  He kissed her on the top of her head, and strode out of the farmyard.

  Pippa watched him go. Dan. The man she’d married. The man
she thought she’d never lose. Generously giving her up to someone else.

  This wasn’t how it was meant to be.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The village hall was packed, Cat noticed with satisfaction. Marianne and Gabriel were gathering signatures for a petition to be presented to their new Green MP Sarah Carnforth, who’d replaced the previous incumbent, Tom Brooker, after a by-election called following his fall from grace caused by one expenses scandal too many.

  Miss Woods was talking long and loudly to whoever would listen about the evils of corporate life, while Diana Carew, her preposterously large bosoms bouncing in front of her, was declaring vociferously that no one was going to get her into a spa tub, not even if they paid her.

  ‘As if that fat old bat would even fit in a spa tub,’ Keeley Jacobs said cattily.

  ‘God these people,’ said Angie Townley, ‘what century are they living in?’

  Ouch, thought Cat as she and her cameraman Tony, wandered about among the crowd, getting some atmospheric shots, there were plenty of dissenters here today. She hoped the mood wouldn’t turn ugly.

  ‘So feelings here in Hope Christmas are running high against the new hotel development being proposed. Vera Edwards, you run the local post office, what is it that you object to?’

  ‘It’s not the idea of another hotel, that’s a problem,’ said Vera blushing pink, as she always did when anyone paid her any attention. ‘We welcome tourists here; they’re the lifeblood of the town. But this hotel complex won’t cater for our normal tourists, it’s far too luxurious and it’s in the wrong place. They’re in danger of destroying the very reason people come here. The woods they’re planning to build on are a haven of wildlife. It would be criminal if that were lost for the sake of big money. We none of us want to see that happen.’

  ‘And I understand there is some very special wildlife in the woods at the moment, isn’t that right, Miss Woods?’ continued Cat.

  ‘Yes indeed,’ declared Miss Woods. ‘We’ve got some merlins living there – small birds of prey, a little like a kestrel. They’re quite shy, but we’ve had several sightings.’