‘Amy, Tom. Do you want to decorate the tree now?’
‘Yes please!’ they both responded.
Fifteen minutes later, they had used all of the decorations she’d brought from her parents. The tree was literally groaning with the weight of them, but the children had been so enthusiastic about the tiny snowmen, reindeer, Santa Clauses and the tinsel, that Grace hadn’t wanted to curb their excitement by suggesting they hold back. Then they’d added some of their own from the boxes on the floor, and now the tree could have given the one at the Rockefeller Centre in New York a run for its money.
‘There’s one thing left to do…’ Grace pressed the switches on and the tree came to life, sparkling with the racing white lights and glowing like a rainbow with the small coloured set.
‘I love it.’ Tom came to stand next to her then slipped his small hand into hers.
‘Me too.’ Amy gazed at the tree, the lights reflecting in her eyes and over her face as she stepped closer. ‘Thank you, Grace. I thought it was going to be a rubbish tree. And that would have made Daddy sad.’
‘It’s my pleasure. No one should be sad, especially at Christmas time.’
Grace bit her lip. She sounded like she’d just stepped out of the TV. But she did know that she wanted these children to be happy, and that if they were happy then Oli would be too.
‘Now, that looks incredible.’ Oli was standing in the doorway, a big smile on his face.
‘You think so?’
He nodded. ‘You didn’t have to do that.’
‘I wanted to help.’ Grace shrugged, a bit embarrassed now.
‘And you have. I’ve finished dinner if you’re all hungry. Kids, pause the movie.’
In the kitchen, the children went to the table and took what must be their regular seats. Grace looked at the two spare chairs, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward. She didn’t want to take Oli’s seat but neither did she want to take Linda’s. That would just feel wrong.
‘It’s a new table,’ Oli said, as if sensing her discomfort. ‘I bought it in the summer. Sit where you want.’
Grace flashed him a look of gratitude then sat next to Tom and opposite Amy.
‘That’s Daddy’s chair.’ Amy pointed at her.
‘Oh.’ Grace stood up. ‘Shall I come round there?’
Amy eyed her, a frown settling on her pretty face. ‘No it’s okay, you can sit there. But you might have to cut Tom’s food up.’
‘No, she won’t!’ Tom slammed his fork onto the table. ‘Don’t be silly, Amy, I’m not a baby.’
‘Sometimes you are,’ Amy said.
Grace watched Amy carefully, but she seemed to be innocent enough as she cast the judgement on her brother. Sometimes siblings could be mean, but Grace hoped Amy hadn’t intended to hurt Tom.
Suddenly, Tom snorted then he nudged Grace. ‘Sometimes I am a baby.’
Amy and her brother both giggled at this, and Grace met Oli’s eyes as he set a bowl of mashed potatoes and a smaller one of peas on the table. He returned with four plates, then a baking tray with four breaded pieces of fish.
‘Can I have tomato sauce, please?’ Amy asked.
‘You know where it is.’ Oli nodded before taking a seat. ‘Oh… drinks!’ He jumped up and got four glasses from a cupboard then brought over a carton of juice from the fridge.
Grace polished off her food quickly. It was simple yet delicious and she enjoyed listening to the gentle chatter of the children and Oli’s additions to their conversation. The three of them were evidently close and had many shared stories and jokes. It made her think of Sam and how they’d shared so much, how they’d had their own in-jokes and how they’d made their parents laugh many times over dinner. She missed the closeness she’d shared with her brother, and hoped that Amy and Tom would remain close as they grew older. A good relationship with a sibling was something to treasure.
She caught Oli’s eyes on her a few times and when he realized she’d seen him, he’d quickly looked away. Was he comparing her to Linda, wishing she was here, or was he just enjoying her company?
Grace helped him to take the plates to the dishwasher, then Oli replenished their drinks before bringing four bowls of chocolate ice cream to the table.
‘It’s from Foxglove Farm.’
‘I shouldn’t really, but I can’t refuse ice cream,’ Grace said as she spooned some into her mouth. It was smooth and creamy and the sweet hit she craved after a meal. ‘Delicious.’
‘I know. I pick some up every week because it’s just so good.’
‘Another reason to stay in Conwenna Cove.’
Oli’s eyes widened. ‘You’re thinking of staying?’
‘Oh… uh… I’ve considered staying until the New Year. But I’ll have to go home then… I have a flat and… things.’
Things? What things? Belongings that could be moved anywhere easily enough?
‘Of course you do.’
Was that disappointment that just flashed across his features?
‘Are you married, Grace?’ Amy asked as she stood up and carried the bowls to the dishwasher.
‘No… never been married.’
‘Do you have children?’
‘No. No children.’
‘A boyfriend—’
‘Amy!’ Oli snapped. ‘That’s enough.’
‘I’m only asking, Daddy. People always ask me if I have a boyfriend.’ She placed a hand on Grace’s arm and leaned forwards. ‘To be honest, Grace, it gets on my nerves. Why would I want a boyfriend? The boys in my class are all so childish.’ She shook her head then tutted.
‘Right kids, chores time.’
Tom rolled his eyes at Grace and she hid a smile behind her hand by pretending to cough. She watched in amazement as Amy loaded the dishwasher then popped in a capsule and switched it on. Tom cleaned the table with kitchen roll and an antibacterial spray that Grace wanted to tell him to be careful with, but then she realized that Oli was supervising him discreetly.
‘What now, Tom?’ Oli asked.
‘Wash my hands very well.’
‘Good lad.’
Grace felt like a complete lazybones for not helping with anything, but every time she’d tried, Oli had raised a hand and shaken his head. When the kitchen was clean and tidy, Oli gestured at the doorway.
‘Shall we go and put the rest of the movie on?’
‘What time is it?’ Grace asked. ‘I’ve completely lost track.’
‘Six.’
‘Already?’
‘The weekends fly past. We even forgot to have lunch because I was about to make some when you arrived. Although those two did have a snack in town so that’s probably why they didn’t ask for anything else. Do you fancy a glass of wine?’
‘That would be nice.’
‘You go on through and I’ll catch up in a moment.’
Grace went through with the children and Tom pushed her towards the sofa. ‘Sit by me, Grace.’
‘Okay…’ She sat down between the children then wriggled as she realized she was on Santa’s rather inadequate lap. ‘I’ve been very good, can I have a new book, please?’
‘What?’ Amy frowned at her.
‘I’m sitting on Santa’s lap,’ Grace said, raising herself so she could pull the toy out from beneath her.
‘Oh!’ Amy smiled. ‘Funny.’
Grace chewed her bottom lip. Amy was so lovely at times then almost spikey at others. It was confusing, but then Grace had little experience of children and no frame of reference, except for her own time as a child. Perhaps it was linked to Amy’s age, or perhaps it was because of what she’d been through. And, of course, she hardly knew Grace so might warm to her as time went on. Although Grace would probably be leaving, so that probably wouldn’t happen.
‘How’s this?’ Oli held a glass of wine out to her. ‘It’s a pinot noir. Light and fruity.’
‘Fantastic, thanks.’ Grace took a sip of the ruby liquid and sighed as it slid down her throat. ‘That’s delicious.’
‘I like wine, so it has to be good.’
When they were all seated, Grace in between the children and Oli in the chair by the fireplace, Tom put the movie back on and festive music filled the air.
The fire crackled in the grate, the lights twinkled on the tree and soon, Tom was sleeping against Grace’s arm, his weight warm and solid – reassuring. Melting her heart. Because it was nice. Nice to be a part of a family, nice to be able to cast glances at Oli that he returned with smiles, nice to see Amy shuffle closer and closer to her until she was able to rest her head on Grace’s shoulder, and nice to be a part of this little family.
It might not be her own, but right now she was enjoying their company and she could almost imagine what it might be like if they were hers.
Almost…
Chapter 11
Oli padded down the stairs, listening carefully for noise from above. It was instinctive now; his ears were trained to capture any sound, even a cough, from his children, and he often spent his evenings running up and down the stairs to check on them. He knew he could be described as overprotective, but having lost one person he loved, this had left him anxious about Amy and Tom in case they became ill too. Losing them would be absolutely unbearable. But it happened; he knew that. After all, the woman sitting on his sofa knew that better than most: her parents had lost their son.
He entered the living room and goosebumps rose on his arms. It was a combination of the twinkling tree lights, the fire glowing in the grate, the department store Christmas advert playing on the TV and that fact that the room wasn’t empty. He had company and beautiful company at that.
He went to sit on the chair but changed his mind, and instead took a seat on the sofa. Grace had moved over so that there was a whole cushion between them, and it seemed strange to take the chair when there was a space closer to her.
‘Are they sleeping?’
‘Tom is and Amy will drop off soon. She has to read a chapter of her book first though, whatever time she goes to bed. It’s a ritual and who am I to discourage reading? Sometimes, I creep back up ten minutes after bedtime and I’ll find her sleeping with the book in front of her nose.’
‘Do they always go to bed at the same time?’
He shook his head. ‘That wouldn’t be fair with Amy being older. I try to stagger their bedtimes, but tonight was different as it’s been a very busy day and I think Tom would have kicked off if she’d stayed up because you’re here. He does seem very fond of you.’
Grace chewed her lip.
‘He’s very sweet. They both are.’
‘I know Amy can be more difficult to win round, but I think it’s all down to what she’s been through. She takes a while to get to know people, especially women. Not that there’s been women as in dating and that… uh…’ He shook his head. ‘What I meant was with any women who enter our lives. But I hope that with time, she’ll lose that wariness. I just want her to be able to be a child, you know?’
‘Childhood doesn’t last long these days does it?’
‘If it ever did. I think there’s something else bothering her though.’
‘Like what?’
‘Linked to the cat and kittens that came into the surgery recently. I suspect that Amy knows more about them than she’s letting on.’
‘Have you asked her about them?’
He nodded. ‘But she clammed up.’
‘Is there someone else she might talk to?’
‘Possibly. But it’s hard to tell with my daughter.’
‘I could always try if you like? Not that I’m being presumptuous or anything. It’s just sometimes easier to speak to someone you don’t know very well.’
‘If the opportunity arises naturally, I’d appreciate that. Thank you.’
Grace drained her glass.
‘Would you like another?’
‘I shouldn’t really. I guess I should be heading home.’
His heart sank.
‘Of course.’
‘Although… I have nothing to rush off for.’ She smiled. ‘Go on, let’s have another one.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yes, please. It is delicious.’
Oli filled their glasses then handed one to Grace.
‘Would you like to watch a film or something else?’
‘I really don’t mind. I’m thoroughly relaxed.’
‘Put your feet up if you want.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. I want you to feel comfortable.’
While Grace tucked her feet up under her then leaned against the arm of the sofa, Oli flicked through the channels. He found an old action film that had just started.
‘Is this okay?’
She nodded.
They watched the film in companionable silence – except for the three times Oli had excused himself to go and check on the children who were both sleeping soundly – and Oli enjoyed every minute of it. He knew he’d missed having adult company in the evenings but this just confirmed it. Just having someone sitting close, enjoying the same wine and breathing the same air was more comforting than he’d thought it could be. A few times, he experienced a flicker of guilt that he was with a woman other than Linda. But then he reassured himself with the fact that nothing had happened between him and Grace. And nothing was going to bring Linda back, however hard he might have wished it could in the past, and he knew that she wouldn’t have wanted him to spend the rest of his life alone.
As the credits rolled, he stretched and yawned. Grace’s mobile beeped in her pocket and Oli watched as she checked the screen.
‘Oooh!’
‘What is it?’
She met his eyes.
‘Mum and Dad have asked if you’d like to join us for lunch tomorrow. If you’re not busy that is. Dad cooks a mean roast and his Yorkshire puddings are melt in the mouth!’
‘That would be lovely. We usually go to Dad’s, but I’ll text him and tell him we’ve got an invite to Rosehip Cottage.’
‘Won’t he mind?’
‘No. He’s quite easy going, and it’ll mean less washing up.’
‘Well, come for lunch then. Mum said about one.’
‘Fantastic. Please thank them for me.’
Grace nodded then stood up.
‘I really had better go now.’
They went out into the hallway, and she put on her boots and coat and opened the front door. Icy air swirled into the hallway making Oli shudder.
‘Temperature’s dropped then. It was cold earlier but that’s freezing now.’
‘Do you have much snow here?’
‘Sometimes. Not every year and not always a lot, but we have had white Christmases.’
‘I hope we do this year. I’d love to see the village covered with snow.’
‘It’s not much fun when I have to go out on a call in the middle of the night though.’
‘How do you manage… with the children?’
‘A quick call to Dad, usually. I tend to share the on-call with other local vets in nearby towns, so I’m not expected to go out every night if something happens.’
‘Well, uh… see you tomorrow then?’ Grace stepped over the threshold.
Oli followed her. ‘I’d walk you home, but I can’t leave the children.’
‘Of course not. It’s not far anyway.’
‘No it’s not. But even so… it’s something I would do if I could.’
She gazed up at him and her pupils dilated in her pretty eyes. In the moonlight, her freckles were dark on her pale skin and her lips were full and inviting. She could have been a fairy from one of the children’s storybooks or an angel fallen to earth.
His heart thudded and he reached out and gently stroked her cheek. Her lips parted and a small sigh escaped. Her eyes closed and her eyelids fluttered as he moved his thumb softly over her mouth.
Heat coursed through Oli and he reacted by slipping his hand behind her head and pulling her to him, kissing her. At first, he kissed her gen
tly but soon his passion surfaced and the kiss deepened. He was overwhelmed by desire and need, and something that he hadn’t experienced in a long time. It was the simple joy of being alive and connecting with another being.
He broke away from the kiss and tried to catch his breath. Grace was breathless too and she was leaning on him heavily, as if her ability to stand unaided had deserted her.
‘Grace… I’m sorry. Was that… wrong?’
She made an effort to stand up straight but still held on to him.
‘No. It was so right. I’m positively weak though. I wasn’t expecting it and I’m not sure if it’s the wine making me a bit lightheaded but… wow!’
‘Wow?’ He laughed. ‘So I haven’t lost it then?’
Relief coursed through him. Oli didn’t make a habit of kissing women, especially not on his doorstep when his children were sleeping upstairs. But it had seemed inevitable that this would happen with Grace, as if he’d known it from the first moment he’d seen her and wished that she wasn’t with Nate.
Grace giggled. ‘Whatever it is, you certainly haven’t lost it. Now I should go because if you kiss me like that again, I won’t be able to tear myself away.’
‘I won’t be able to let you go. Text me when you’re home.’
They gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment longer, as something between them grew and flourished like a flower opening its petals to the sun, then Grace pulled on her hat and set off. Oli watched her go, until she reached the main road and disappeared from view.
He stood there for a while, taking deep breaths and gazing out at the sea where the moonlight bathed the water in a silvery glow. His heart was pounding, which was not an unfamiliar sensation for him, but tonight it was not because of anything negative.
Tonight, it was down to desire, excitement and something he was delighted to feel again.
That something was hope.
Christmas at Conwenna Cove Page 10
