Alice's Secret

by Lynne Francis

  ‘You were pretty drenched the first time I set eyes on you,’ Rob said. ‘And the second, come to that. The first time it was the rain, the second time because you were swimming.’

  The remark hung in the air a moment as they both thought back. Alys felt a response was required, preferably a witty one, but her mind was a blank. She opened her mouth to speak, hoping inspiration would strike, at the same moment as a crowd of new arrivals burst in out of the rain and forced their way into the already crowded space, knocking Alys off-balance and propelling her into Rob.

  ‘Oh!’ Alys found herself clutched in a bear hug, which seemed to go on at least a minute longer than it needed to. She wasn’t complaining; she was suddenly aware of how long it had been since someone had held her so close. And how nice it felt.

  Reluctantly, she disengaged herself. ‘Rob, I’m really sorry. My drink’s gone all over you.’

  His shirt was wet, the checked pattern hiding what was undoubtedly a spreading stain.

  ‘No worries. I’ll get you another.’ Rob turned for the bar as Moira and Tom appeared.

  ‘Alys, we’re going now. It’s so busy we can’t hear ourselves speak. Do you want to come with us?’

  Moira’s questioning look moved from Alys to Rob, then back again. Alys was torn. She really wanted to stay and talk to Rob, but the wine she had drunk had started to add to her exhaustion rather than lift it. And the noise level was rising rapidly; they’d be yelling at each other rather than having an intimate chat.

  Alys smiled apologetically at Rob. ‘I’m really sorry about your shirt.’

  He tipped his head and cupped his ear to show he couldn’t hear her.

  ‘I must go. I’m really tired,’ she yelled. ‘And I’m sorry about your shirt.’

  He pulled her towards him and spoke into her ear. ‘Don’t worry. It’s crazy in here. I’m meeting Rosie and Sian on New Year’s Eve for dinner and a few drinks in Nortonstall. Come along? We’ll call by and collect you.’

  He made the question sound like a command and Alys, defeated by the noise level, could only nod.

  They parted company in a flurry of Christmas wishes, exchanging hugs and kisses. Alys knew she hadn’t imagined that, at the last moment, Rob had turned her face towards his and kissed her full on the lips.

  She carried the sensation all the way home with her, quiet as she trudged through the rain, grateful for Tom’s presence. It meant that he not only offered to carry her bag, but distracted Moira from asking probing questions. With the longed-for Christmas only a few hours away, she found that she was already looking forward to New Year.

  Chapter Six

  Rosie, Sian and Rob had called for her at the flat in Nortonstall on a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve, when a hard frost was already dusting the streets with silver. In buoyant moods, they’d hurried through the streets to the pub, laughing and chatting, their breath hanging in frozen clouds in the air.

  The pub had been busy, but nowhere near as crowded as on Christmas Eve in Northwaite. All the tables were booked and food was being served before the main festivities began. It felt like an enchanted place to Alys. A wonderful scent – wood-smoke, perfume, candlewax – filled the dark-painted room, which was lit mainly by candlelight that caught and sparkled in the sequins that most of the women in the room seemed to be wearing. Everyone had dressed up and made an effort: Alys was glad that she’d worn her black-velvet top, the scoop of its neckline edged with sequin-spangled lace. She’d put her hair up and worn her favourite earrings, gold droplets hung with pearls, and Alice’s locket.

  The four of them joined a large table in the window, draped with a starched white cloth and set with heavy silver cutlery and what seemed like more glasses than they could possibly need. Alys found herself seated next to Rob, both of them at first a little over-awed by the formal setting. As the waitress poured the champagne and the first sips were taken, the restraint slipped a little and the hum of chatter, mixed with laughter, rose from all the tables.

  Alys leant back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment.

  ‘Are you all right?’ She opened her eyes to see Rob watching her with concern.

  ‘Me? I’m really happy. Just taking a moment. This is a lovely place. I’ve never been here before.’

  ‘It’s only been open a few months. It’s already got good reviews, though. What with your place and this, Nortonstall’s making a mark locally.’

  ‘I always feel so sorry for the people who have to work on Christmas Day and at New Year.’ Alys sighed, then brightened. ‘But I’ve got two whole days off. Let’s not talk about work. Let’s talk about …’ she paused, considering a topic.

  ‘The future,’ said Rob, clinking his glass against hers. ‘I have a feeling that this year will turn out to be a good one.’

  The rest of the evening had passed in a blur – of banter, chatter and fabulous food and wine. Alys felt as though she was drifting along on a cloud of wellbeing. It was quite definitely the best New Year’s Eve she had ever had.

  And when she had woken on New Year’s Day morning with a pounding head, she hadn’t been overly surprised to find someone familiar sleeping in the bed beside her. Someone who groaned as she stirred and turned towards her, wrapping his arms around her.

  ‘Don’t get up yet,’ Rob said. ‘It’s too early and my head hurts too much.’ He opened one eye. ‘Unless you were planning on bringing me coffee and some of that delicious cake. What was it? Lemon poppy-seed cake?’

  Alys pulled away, picked up her pillow and threw it at him.

  ‘I’ll take that as a no, shall I?’ And Rob had drawn her back down into the bed.

  It was past midday before Alys surfaced again, protesting as Rob tried to bear-hug her into staying beside him.

  ‘I need water, orange juice, coffee. And food.’ Suddenly shy, despite Rob having explored every inch of her body over the previous hour or so, she wrapped herself in her dressing gown and headed for the kitchen to switch on the kettle. The chill of the room struck her and she was just about to alter the thermostat to make the heating come on when movement at the kitchen window caught her eye. Fat, feathery flakes of snow were falling and, judging by the whiteness on the roofs opposite and the pavements down below, it had been snowing hard for the last few hours.

  She took orange juice through to Rob, who had fallen asleep again in the few minutes she’d been away. Alys looked at his face on the pillow, turned slightly to the side, his hair tousled and cheeks flushed. She smiled at the sight then, raising her voice, said, ‘Hey, sleepyhead! Wake up!’

  Rob’s eyes shot open and she could see that for a few seconds he didn’t know where he was. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I must have dozed off. Mmm. Orange juice. Yes please.’ He half sat up, propping himself on one elbow and reached for the glass.

  ‘It’s snowing,’ Alys said. It was her first experience of snow in the area and she realised that she felt as excited as a child.

  ‘Is it?’ Rob said. He looked troubled. ‘Has it been snowing long?’

  ‘A few hours I think. Why?’

  Rob had gulped his juice, thrown back the covers and was hunting around on the floor for his clothes, scattered the night before.

  ‘I’m going to have to get over to the farm. Check that everything is as it should be. Make sure there’s plenty of feed in the barns and the water hasn’t frozen over.’

  ‘Oh.’ Alys suddenly felt deflated. She’d thought they could have a leisurely breakfast, maybe go out for a snowy walk, then flop in front of the TV or perhaps go to the pub. Although right this minute, having a drink held no appeal whatsoever.

  Rob, hopping about on one leg as he tried to get his other leg into his trousers, which was proving difficult as he’d already put his shoes on in his haste, noticed Alys’s crestfallen expression.

  ‘I’m sorry, Alys. Snow wasn’t in the forecast. It’s rather spoilt things – we could have spent the day together.’

  Alys surveyed him, dressed in his going-out clo
thes from the night before. ‘You’ll freeze if you go out like that,’ she commented.

  Rob looked down at himself. ‘It’s OK, I’ve got my outdoor jacket and boots in the Land Rover. It’s parked near Sian’s.’

  ‘Why don’t I come with you?’ Alys went over to her chest of drawers, preparing to pull out a jumper and jeans.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know …’ Rob looked doubtful.

  ‘You don’t want me to?’ Alys felt awkward. Had she assumed too much?

  ‘It’s freezing, we’re both hungover and it’s pretty boring work.’

  Alys felt a sense of relief. She’d wondered whether Rob was embarrassed, maybe didn’t want to be seen with her.

  ‘If I give you a hand we’ll get it done twice as fast. But before we go, we’re going to have coffee. And bacon sandwiches.’

  ‘No time Alys.’ Rob was firm. ‘I’m worried about the animals. I don’t want to leave it another minute.’

  ‘What about a compromise?’ Alys thought quickly. ‘You go and get the Land Rover, drive past here and I’ll run down and join you. It will give me time to get dressed.’ And make a flask of coffee, she thought to herself.

  ‘OK.’ Rob, already heading for the door, blew her a kiss. Alys grabbed some clothes, flew into the kitchen and quickly made the coffee. Instant will have to do for now, she thought. She would have loved to have a shower but that would have to wait. Food, though, was another matter. She felt light-headed – something was required. As she was standing in the hall, trying to do up her jeans and pull on a sweater at the same time, inspiration struck. She grabbed her coat, keys and phone and was halfway down the stairs before she realised she was in her socks. Cursing, she ran back up to the flat and grabbed her wellies. It was lucky that she kept a pair in Nortonstall as well as Northwaite, she thought, otherwise she couldn’t have stepped outside today. Heart hammering, worried that Rob would be waiting impatiently outside or – even worse – would have driven off without her, she stepped outside and gasped as an icy wind blew a flurry of snow into her face. She was in luck – there was no sign of the Land Rover or of any tyre tracks on the road. Fumbling the keys with fingers instantly chilled by the wind she let herself into the café, silenced the alarm and had a quick look to see what the cake tins in the kitchen held. Flapjacks – they would have to do. Syrup and oats: breakfast porridge in a bar, she told herself.

  Chapter Seven

  Alys locked up again and stood shivering on the pavement, the flask and bag of flapjacks in hand. Within a minute or two she saw headlights approaching through increasingly blizzard-like conditions as Rob drove the Land Rover along the road at an unusually stately pace.

  He leant over and pushed open the door for her. ‘In you get,’ he said. ‘It’s as cold inside as out at the moment – I think the heater must have frozen.’ He had donned a thick sweater in pale-grey wool flecked with black, its ribbed and zipped collar framing his face.

  ‘Lucky you had a sweater in here,’ Alys said.

  ‘It was a Christmas present. Mum would kill me if she knew I was wearing it on the farm.’ Rob grinned as he spoke, all the while focusing on the junction ahead of them, braking slowly so that they didn’t overshoot it as they came down off the hill. ‘Thank goodness the major roads have been gritted,’ he commented, as they turned onto the A-road and picked up a bit of speed. There was hardly any traffic around as they left Nortonstall behind and climbed up out of the valley bottom, the sun breaking through as the snow eased. Alys exclaimed at the beauty of the landscape as it was revealed. Snow lay thickly across the moors and sat like white cake frosting along the tops of hedges and the branches of trees. The brilliance of the sun as it reflected back off the sparkling whiteness made Alys’s eyes hurt and she longed for a pair of sunglasses. Rob had fished his from the side pocket of the Land Rover and turned to look at her with a smug smile as she groaned, frowned and tried to shield her eyes.

  ‘This isn’t helping the hangover,’ she complained.

  ‘What have you got in the bag?’ Rob glanced down at the paper package on her knee.

  ‘Flapjacks. Do you want one?’Alys held one out to him without waiting for an answer. ‘And I’ve got coffee. Can you drink it while you drive?’

  Rob, his mouth already stuffed full of flapjack, could only nod.

  Alys carefully poured half a cup into the top of the flask and handed it over. Rob, his eyes firmly on the road, downed it in one and held the cup out for more.

  ‘You’re a star,’ he said, after he’d eaten a second flapjack and would have drunk all the coffee if Alys hadn’t held some back for herself. ‘You don’t know how much I needed that.’

  He was turning off the A-road into a much narrower lane where the snow lay thick and untouched.

  ‘Do you think we’ll get through?’Alys asked, suddenly anxious.

  ‘I think so,’ Rob said, taking care to stay in the centre, between the high hedges, as he cautiously edged the Land Rover along. ‘The entrance to the barns isn’t too far along here. We should be okay.’

  Alys quickly finished her flapjack, rubbed the crumbs from her mouth and screwed the top back onto the flask. The hedges were too high to afford much of a view, but overhead the sky was now a brilliant blue and, as Rob coaxed the Land Rover along, the warmth of the sun through the windscreen made her wish that she’d taken her coat off earlier in the journey. Rob suddenly stopped the Land Rover, jumped out, went round the back and returned with a spade.

  ‘What’s that for?’ Alys asked.

  ‘We’re here,’ said Rob. ‘I just need to dig out the gate so I can open it.’ With that he vanished through a gap in the hedge ahead. Alys was preparing to climb out and join him when he reappeared, threw the spade in the back, climbed back behind the wheel and edged them through into the barn yard.

  Alys had imagined grand, old-fashioned wooden structures and was taken aback at the sight of what appeared to be industrial sheds. ‘Are these the barns?’ she asked.

  Rob noticed her puzzlement and laughed. ‘Ah, you imagined Heritage breeds would be kept in tumbledown sheds, looked after by yokels in smocks, didn’t you?’

  Alys, who had thought that helping him would involve setting to with a pitchfork, tossing hay into cattle stalls, had to confess that she’d expected something like that.

  ‘Come and take a look. It’s all state of the art, alarms and everything. These breeds are worth a small fortune so the barns have to be protected, temperature controlled, the lot.’

  She followed him across the yard and waited while he punched a code into the door of the biggest barn. ‘So, if it’s all high tech, why the urgency to get over to see them? I thought they were in barns open to the elements. I’d imagined them all huddled together, shivering in a corner.’ They were through the door now and inside the barn, lit by artificial light, where the temperature was a good few degrees warmer than outside.

  Rob had the grace to look a bit shame-faced. ‘Okay, I’m a bit of a control freak around these cattle.’ He gestured at them – the animals had come forward to the front of their pens and set up quite a noise as soon as he and Alys had entered the barn. ‘They’re my responsibility and I’m always conscious of how valuable they are. They’ll have eaten more than usual to keep themselves warm so I need to check whether to replenish the hay before tomorrow. And the water supply comes from outside – it’s frozen over before now, so I wanted to double-check everything was okay.’

  He was working his way around the cattle, stroking their necks and patting their noses as they jostled each other for his attention. He’d donned a Barbour jacket before leaving the Land Rover and he fished in the pockets frequently, dishing out brown pellets that reminded Alys of the treats she used to give her cats.

  ‘What’s in the other barn?’ she asked.

  ‘The rare-breed sheep,’ Rob said. ‘We’ll go there next. Why don’t you sit over there,’ he pointed to a bale of straw. ‘And I’ll just get this lot seen to.’

  Alys did as she
was told, watching him work his way around the animals, checking the feed levels and talking to all of them as he went. He was oblivious to her, absorbed in what he was doing, and she enjoyed watching him, sure in everything he did. She hugged her knees to her chest and smiled. She could have stayed like this all day, watching him work, but she also wanted to take him home, join him in the shower and then in her bed. Her face grew hot as she imagined his hands on her body again, his lips on hers. She stood up suddenly and went over to stand close to him, stroking his back. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side.

  ‘Getting bored?’ he asked.

  ‘No, I’m enjoying watching you,’ she replied truthfully. ‘But I got to thinking about bacon and eggs. And proper coffee. And …’ she paused.

  ‘And?’ He was smiling as he looked at her and she knew that he knew exactly what she was thinking. He turned her face towards him, kissing her softly then deeply. Lost in the moment, she was vaguely aware of something butting against her arm. Breaking free, she discovered one of the cows busy licking and nibbling at her coat sleeve. Rob laughed and pushed the cow’s nose away.

  ‘Let’s go – don’t want you upsetting the cattle. They’re pretty possessive, you know. I’m done here anyway – just need to check the water isn’t frozen outside.’

  The sheep received a much more cursory visit and within the half-hour Alys and Rob were back in the Land Rover and heading back towards Nortonstall. The changes that snow made to the landscape left Alys feeling disorientated. Landmarks had vanished and instead a vast patchwork of white was spread before her, interspersed with the darker outlines of hedges. Rob knew the route like the back of his hand and their return journey to Nortonstall seemed to take far less time than their outward one. The streets of the town were free of traffic but they’d seen families with sledges heading up towards the hills, well-wrapped against the cold in colourful hats, scarves and jackets.

  ‘What would you like?’ Alys asked, as they parked outside the flat. ‘Full English? A shower?’