Happy Ever After

by Christina Jones

  FANCY THAT

  ‘Off with the old!’ Kelly laughed as she stared at her now-flame-red hair. ‘And on with the new!’

  Mind you, it’d probably take more than a change from blonde to red-head and tonight’s party to turn her life round, she thought, reaching for the hair-dryer, but at least it was a start.

  And a fresh start was definitely what she needed after the lousy year she’d had.

  After Danny had left her for that flashy barmaid, Kelly had sunk about as low as it was possible to get. Still, with the help of her friends and family, she was just starting to recover and face life again. But she was lonely – her life was lonely. It was so hard not being part of a couple any more. She always felt the odd one out.

  Which was why tonight’s party for Paula’s thirtieth birthday was going to be a fresh start.

  ‘Come on your own,’ Paula had said. ‘Please, Kelly. There’ll be loads of singles there. You won’t be on your own for long, promise…’

  Not, Kelly thought as she dried her new red hair, that she wanted to be paired off with some sad bloke – but it would be so nice to have someone again… Someone to talk to, and laugh with, and share life with.

  Yes, she was actually looking forward to tonight, with her new hair, and her newly-healed heart. Who knew what might happen…

  In fact, the only trouble about Paula’s birthday party was that it was fancy dress and Kelly still didn’t have a clue what she was going to wear.

  Since Danny had legged-it, money was very tight, so there was now way she could hire a costume – no, she thought, flicking her vivid red hair, she’d just have to find something in her wardrobe and cobble together a home-made outfit of some sort…

  An hour later, Kelly giggled to herself as she looked at the oddments of clothes she’d rummaged from the bag of stuff that she’d ear-marked for the charity shop: one pair of dark green tights, some out-of-date red pixie boots, that awful green dress she’d worn for Danny’s work’s dinner, and the hideously ugly red pointy hat with the red feather she’d worn about a million years ago to her brother’s wedding…

  Kelly stared at them. What on earth could she make out of them? Unless she was going to Paula’s party as Frump of The Year, not a lot!

  Unless… she grinned to herself, picking up the tights, the dress and the ugly red hat – yes, maybe there was something she could make out this lot…

  She hurried to the kitchen and grabbed a pair of scissors…

  ‘Come in, Kelly,’ Paula dressed as a Bunny Girl, laughed as she opened the door. ‘I’m so pleased you came on your own and I love the new hair! You look really good. And I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing! Take your coat off and dump it in the bedroom and then come and get stuck into the punch…’

  Shedding her coat, and now feeling very self-conscious in the green dress – hacked off to groin-level in raggedy points – over the tights and pixie boots, Kelly adjusted the feather in her tiny hat and slunk into the living room.

  She needn’t have worried. Everyone else looked pretty weird too. Tramps were bopping with St Trinian’s girls, there were several sets of Posh and Becks, and naughty vicars were snogging tarts. Kelly grinned happily, grabbed a glass of punch, chatted to everyone, and soon forgot to be nervous.

  ‘This is my sister and her husband,’ Paula yelled at Kelly over the blaring Abba compilation, pushing forward a couple dressed as vampires, ‘and this is their mate, Ross.’

  ‘Hi,’ Kelly beamed at Ross. He looked swashbucklingly handsome in a long black coat and boots, a black tricorn hat dipped sexily over one eye. ‘Oh, and whoops!’ She’d almost caught herself on the coat hanger sticking out of one sleeve.

  ‘Captain Hook,’ he explained with a grin. ‘And I feel like a real prat!’

  They both laughed and then Ross was swallowed up by the party which roared wildly on.

  Kelly noticed that Ross was always dancing or laughing. Several other unattached girls, all in very scanty costumes, were constantly vying for his attention. She watched in amusement but she knew she wouldn’t stand a chance against such glamorous competition. Ah, well…

  It was a shame. She liked Ross’s smile and the way he seemed to be enjoying himself so much. If she’d been with Danny tonight, he’d have sloped off to the booze table in the kitchen by now, probably with some tarty girl or other…

  Still, she wasn’t short of partners – loads of people asked her to dance, and for once, being on her own really wasn’t a problem.

  Then Paula turned off the music.

  ‘Get into partners,’ she yelled. ‘I was born at a minute to midnight and we’re going to do a countdown to my Happy Birthday snog-in! Come on – cowboys and indians together – vicars and tarts – James Bonds with Bunny Girls – and everyone else form a queue for Ross!’

  Everyone laughed. Kelly giggled half-heartedly but she suddenly felt lonely again. She didn’t have anyone to pair off with…

  ‘Actually,’ a deep voice said behind her. ‘I think we match up pretty well, don’t you?’

  Kelly looked up at Ross, completely confused. ‘Do we?’

  He nodded, pulling her towards him. ‘Oh, yes – I’ve always had a thing for red-heads – and I think we’re a perfect match…’

  Kelly didn’t argue. Ross’s hand was warm in hers and everyone was counting down to Paula’s birthday.

  ‘… ten… nine… eight…’

  ‘Happy Birthday, Paula!’ they all yelled loudly.

  Then everyone was shouting and hugging and kissing one another. Ross pulled her towards him and kissed her slowly.

  The kiss seemed to last forever. Even when it was over, Ross didn’t let her go. Kelly was dimly aware of everyone singing “Happy Birthday” and a big cake with thirty candles being brought into the room, and all the time Ross was holding her in his arms.

  ‘Great, great party,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I was dreading it – being on my own – and now we’ve met, and I’ve got a feeling life is going to get a whole lot better from now on.’

  ‘Me too…’ Kelly whispered back, floating.

  Ross grinned. ‘It must have fated, mustn’t it? Me coming as Captain Hook and you being Peter Pan?’

  Kelly nodded in blissful agreement and melted as he kissed her again. She wouldn’t tell him – at least, not for a very long time…

  There would be loads of time in their future, she knew, to break the news to Captain Hook that not only was she not a natural red-head, but that she’d actually come to the party as Robin Hood…

  ILL WIND

  Jess shivered as she stepped down from the train. The first spots of icy rain spattered against her face and the wind tugged at her hair as she hurried across the station yard to the solitary taxi, lugging her suitcase behind her.

  ‘Spencer’s Farm, please. In Pendlebury.’ Jess’s teeth were chattering. ‘I’m sorry – I haven’t a clue where it is exactly – I just know it’s quite remote and –‘

  ‘I know exactly where it is,’ the driver smiled reassuringly as he hefted her case into the boot. ‘Pretty place - miles from anywhere, though. You sit tight and I’ll put the heater on full. Looks like it’s going to be a nasty night. Wind’s straight from the north-east. We could get some snow later’

  Jess attempted to return the driver’s friendly grin as the car rolled off into the gathering darkness. Hugging her coat closer round her, she huddled in a corner. She really felt very odd – cold and achy. It was probably the long and unaccustomed train journey, she told herself. That had to be it – the journey and the freezing weather, and, of course, the excitement at seeing Ella again.

  Jess and Ella had been best friends through school and college, and had kept in touch ever since, despite their lives shooting off at different tangents. Ella had a succession of increasingly high-powered jobs in the city, while Jess had settled as a fairly unremarkable secretary/PA.

  Then five months earlier, after a whirlwind holiday romance, Ella had married Al. Jess had been
a witness at the small civil ceremony, and had been amazed to discover that Al was no financial whiz-kid – instead, he ran a wildlife sanctuary on the remote East Anglian coast.

  Jess had had grave misgivings about career-girl Ella giving up her corporate life and settling for the rural idyll – but her phone calls and emails bubbled with constant joie de vivre, so Jess assumed that true love had conquered all.

  ‘Here we are,’ the taxi driver said after about twenty minutes. ‘Spencer’s Farm. The main house is just through that archway over there.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Jess shivered even more as she paid the fare and reclaimed her case. Then, taking a deep breath she ducked under the archway and along a path overhung with trees which dipped and moaned in the increasing wind. Shaking, she saw the welcoming lights from Spencer's Farm glowing through the gloom, and quickened her pace, practically hurling herself at the sturdy oak door.

  ‘Jess!’ Ella opened the door. ‘You idiot! Why on earth didn’t you ring from the station? I’d have picked you up.’

  ‘I didn’t like to disturb you,’ Jess’s teeth were chattering. ‘I thought you might be – um – bedding down the animals or something.’

  ‘We don’t give them cocoa and tuck them in with a bedtime story,’ Ella laughed, pulling Jess into the delightful warmth of the kitchen and giving her a welcoming hug. ‘I’ll put the kettle on – oh, Jess – it’s great to see you again…’

  ‘And you,’ Jess sank into a huge armchair beside the stove. ‘You look incredible.’

  With her face devoid of make-up, her hair tied back in a plait, and wearing jeans and sweatshirt, Ella looked more beautiful than ever. Jess felt city-pale and weary by comparison.

  ‘Which is more than can be said for you,’ Ella said with the candour of true friendship. ‘I’ve never seen you looking more washed out. I think you could really do with this break. You’re working too hard – and no-one in their right mind takes their annual holiday in the depths of winter.’

  ‘I didn’t have a choice – we’ve been non-stop at work for months,’ Jess shivered again, clasping her hands round the coffee mug. ‘You know what that’s like better than anyone. Actually, I do feel lousy. I thought it was the train journey…’

  ‘More like exhaustion. What you need is a complete change,’ Ella bustled round the kitchen, juggling pans on the vast stove. ‘You’re doing far too much. I can’t imagine why you stay slogging away at that job and living in the city. That flat of yours is too small and you haven’t even got a garden. What you need is good fresh air and – ‘ she stopped. ‘Or is there some other reason for you still being a city-slicker? Tall, dark and handsome? Short, blond and cute? Is that it?’

  ‘Absolutely not,’ Jess shook her swimming head and wished she hadn’t. ‘I never seem to have the time or energy for socialising – and as for meeting men… I can’t remember the last time I had a date.’

  ‘Right - we’ll have to see what we can do about that. I think this week could see the transformation of Jessica Brown.’

  Jess sketched a smile and sipped her coffee, wincing as it scalded her aching throat.

  Having made sure the supper was cooking nicely, Ella curled in the rocking chair opposite her, and they began to chat about mutual friends and past shared adventures.

  As they talked, the wind increased in strength, roaring round the walls of the house, battering against the windows, sighing down the vast chimney.

  Jess’s eyes grew heavy and her arms and legs were aching. This was more than overworking stress. Surely she wasn’t going down with flu? Not on her first holiday for over a year.

  Ella leaned forward. ‘Al is out checking the pens with Ritchie. These sudden night time storms can play havoc with nervous animals – but he’ll be back soon. He’s looking forward to seeing you again – Jess, you really do look awful. Would you like something to eat now, before Al gets back?’

  ‘I’m not very hungry – oh, Ella – I’m sorry. I really don’t feel very well. Would you mind if I went to bed? It seems so rude, but – ‘

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ Ella’s eyes were full of consternation. ‘A good night’s sleep is probably all you need. I’ll run you a bath.. Come on…’ she hauled Jess to her feet. ‘You’ll feel as right as rain in the morning.’

  Within half an hour, Jess was snuggled in bed in a tiny room beneath the eaves. A fire danced and crackled cosily in a black-lead grate, and feeling drowsy from the deep, lavender-scented bath, she allowed her aching body to sink into the softness of the feather mattress.

  The screaming wind smashed the icy rain against the latticed panes and Jess languished in the delicious child-like luxury of being cosseted.

  ‘I’ll pop up later,’ Ella said. ‘Just to see how you are. I’ve left some lemon barley by the bed. Try to get some sleep.’

  Jess lost all track of time. She wasn’t sure if she’d slept or not. She was vaguely aware of cheery voices downstairs, and the moaning of the wind and the lashing of the storm and the comforting hiss and crackle of the fire.

  ‘Jess? Are you awake?’

  Jess raised her head heavily from the pillow and peered at the two figures in the doorway.

  ‘Ella? Al?’ she croaked. ‘I’m so sorry…’

  ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ Ella said softly, ‘but I’ve brought someone to see you. He might be able to help.’

  The taller of the two figures moved closer to the bed, and in the firelight Jess could see streaky blond hair – not Al’s dark curls and brown eyes – and blue eyes and cheekbones she’d have killed for if only she hadn’t felt so ill.

  ‘I’m Ritchie,’ he smiled kindly. ‘Friend, neighbour, and tonight, Al’s co-checker of storm damaged animal runs. Ella was really worried about you, so I offered to see if there was anything I could do.’

  Jess groaned and pulled the duvet up to her chin.

  Ritchie placed a medical bag on the end of the bed. ‘Actually, I’d been invited to supper to meet you – I hadn’t expected it to be in a professional capacity.’

  ‘I’ll go back downstairs and make sure the food is okay,’ Ella said. ‘Shout if you need me.’

  Ritchie laid cool strong fingers on Jess’s thundering forehead, gently felt her neck and took her pulse.

  She was transfixed. Her city GP was nothing like this. Even feeling decidedly unwell, she could appreciate that Ritchie was stunning.

  She swallowed with difficulty. ‘I think it’s flu…’

  ‘More likely to be one of the 24 hour viruses doing the rounds. They always grab you when you’re at a low ebb.’ Ritchie straightened up. ‘If you take a couple of these to bring your temperature down and drink as much as possible, you’ll soon feel better. Al will have you mucking out the foxes by Monday.’

  ‘Thanks. I hope so – I felt so awful – arriving here and immediately collapsing. I’ve been looking forward to it so much and then…’

  ‘From what Ella says you’ve been overdoing things at work. I used to have a city practice and I thought I’d found paradise when I moved here. You ought to consider it.’

  He didn’t seem in any hurry to leave, and Jess lay there sleepily, looking up into his gentle face.

  ‘There’s still work, though. And somewhere to live. And -’

  ‘Plenty of scope for excellent secretaries close to here,’ Ritchie said briskly. ‘In far more laid-back companies that allow their employees to take proper holidays. And places at peanut rents compared to what you’ve been paying – and Ella would love it. She’s taken to the village life like a duck to water – but I know she misses you. Anyway, I won’t tire you. Sleep on it. And when you’re feeling better maybe you’ll let me show you around.’

  ‘I’d like that,’ Jess murmured. ‘Thank you. And thanks for the tablets and…’

  She was aware that the door had closed softly, and smiling, she turned over in bed and let the storm lull her to sleep.

  When she woke again it was daylight, and the room was filled with a strange white ligh
t. The wind had dropped and Jess could hear nothing but silence. Lazily, she stretched and discovered to her joy that she had no aches or pains.

  Her throat was dry, but that apart, it was a miracle cure. A cup of tea would soon put her on top of the world and she could start to enjoy her break properly. Ritchie had been right, she thought dreamily, it had been nothing more sinister than a 24 hour bug and –

  Ritchie!

  Jess sat bolt upright. Had she imagined him? Had he been some figment conjured up by the fever? Had she dreamed that fabulous face and gorgeous blue eyes?

  ‘Oh, lordy…’ she groaned. ‘What must he have thought of me? Didn’t I gush like an infatuated teenager? Oh – and didn’t I agree to him giving me a conducted tour? Oooh…’

  Staggering out of bed, Jess pulled back the curtains and felt a childlike surge of joy sweep through her. It had snowed! And settled. Oh, wonderful - it must be several inches deep. And so different from city snow - everywhere was draped in glistening, sparkling white.

  Running excitedly downstairs to make tea, Jess found the kitchen deserted - and then caught sight of the clock.

  Mid-day! She’d slept the clock round! Not only had she probably been acutely embarrassing to Ritchie, she’d also taken advantage of Ella and Al’s hospitality.

  Making the fastest cup of tea on record, then galloping upstairs again and dressing quickly in her warmest clothes, she stepped out into the cobbled yard and caught her breath. The sky was brilliantly blue with raggedy wisps of white cloud, and pale, cold sunshine washed over the most glorious snow-scene she had ever seen.

  ‘Jess!’ Ella, wrapped in scarves and a duffle coat, emerged from a barn. ‘Are you sure you should be out of bed? I looked in a couple of times but you were out for the count. It’s very cold and - ’ she paused, ‘I must say, you do look a lot better. Ritchie said it was probably nothing more than a short-lived bug. Er – what did you think of him, by the way?’

  ‘Oh,’ Jess blushed. ‘He was – um – very nice… It was really kind of him – and you… Ella, I’m sorry about last night – and sleeping-in this morning. It was so rude of me. You and Al must think – ‘