Christmas at Butterfly Cove

by Sarah Bennett

  Showered, shaved and his belly straining after a huge cooked breakfast, there was little to show he’d been under the weather other than a slight husk to his voice. Making himself useful, he cleared the table and put the pans in the sink to soak. Kiki had followed the children upstairs to help them get dressed. Luke nudged Aaron to lift his coffee cup so he could finish wiping off the table. ‘So, what’s the plans for today?’

  Aaron’s eyes skittered away from his, and he buried his nose in his cup, apparently more interested in draining the contents than answering what was a pretty straightforward question. Luke folded the cloth then tossed it in the sink, leaving his hands free to find their way to his hips. His brother had always been terrible at hiding things. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘What? Nothing!’ Aaron pushed back his chair and brushed past him to put his empty cup in the dishwasher.

  Luke took a couple of steps back, putting himself back in his brother’s eyeline. ‘You’re a hopeless liar, Bumble. Why don’t you just tell me what you’re hiding?’

  ‘Nothing, really.’ Aaron scrubbed a hand through his thick hair. ‘Look, we weren’t expecting you to be up and about this morning, so we’ve already made plans. Kiki’s taking Charlie to a morning matinee at the pictures, and I’m taking Matty down to the cove to try out his new beach cricket set.’

  None of which explained his evasive behaviour. Luke brushed it off. A bit of fresh air would be just the ticket to blow away the last of the cobwebs in his head. He clapped his hands together. ‘Beach cricket sounds great. I’ll go and get changed.’

  His brother winced. ‘Jeez, I’m sorry, Spud, but with the girls going out, I thought it would be nice if Matty and I spent a couple of hours, just the two of us. You can understand, right?’

  Hiding a little pang of rejection, Luke forced a smile. ‘Hey, of course. Don’t even worry about it. I think it’s awesome the way you two have bonded. He’ll be chuffed to have your undivided attention.’ Much as he adored his big brother, those times growing up when his dad had spent time just with him had been magical.

  It hadn’t once occurred to him that dumping himself on his brother’s family might disrupt their plans. He really had had his head shoved halfway up his arse. ‘Go and have a good time, and you guys can tell me all about it later.’

  Blotches of colour rose on Aaron’s face. ‘Thanks, bro. If you’re sure you don’t mind? You still look a bit pale. With us out of the way you can have the TV to yourself. You can watch whatever you like instead of wall-to-wall Disney films.’ Luke didn’t say anything. He hadn’t minded the films, especially not when he had his niece curled up on his knee, or Nee nestled against his chest. Speaking of which… he pulled his phone out of the pocket of his jogging bottoms and checked to see if she’d responded to his latest text.

  ‘Well, as long as you’re sure?’

  He glanced up briefly to nod at Aaron, who was still hovering on the threshold, a frown of concern etched between his eyebrows. ‘Yep, it’s fine. A lazy day in front of the telly sounds great. Make sure I’m properly rested for the party later.’ His attention was already back on his phone by the time Aaron left the room.

  The message from Nee was short, and sweet: Glad to hear you’re feeling better. See you later x.

  Later, at the party, when she might be wearing something short and sexy… Love the accessories for my costume, he replied. Any chance of a peak at yours? He added a winking emoji.

  Her wordless response came through a short while later – a photo of a pair of sheer black stockings and a lacy garter laid out on the deep magenta quilt he recognised from the Harem bedroom. Things were looking up, and if those stockings held half the promise he hoped, then a day of rest would be a very good idea.

  Squeezed into the backseat of the family’s hatchback, with Batman on one side and Elsa on the other, Luke held the now-inflated toy machine gun across his knees. Kiki had offered to sit in the back, but the stiff green-and-red tutu of her elf’s costume had proven wider than expected when she put it on. The little silver bell on the end of Aaron’s matching cap jingled every time he turned his head while steering, and Luke could only be thankful his wife had better taste in matching costumes than her older sister.

  His wife. Funny how he’d never stopped thinking of Nee in those terms, even with Aaron’s warning about her possibly choosing to move on with her life without him. He’d convinced himself the little text exchanges meant things were okay with them, but that didn’t stop his nerves jangling as the car eased its way slowly over the little hill and over the crossroads leading to the cove.

  ‘Look, Uncle Luke.’ The nudge from Matty provided a well-timed distraction and he ducked his head to glance out of the passenger window as they drew to a stop close to the barns. Their combined breaths steamed the window, obscuring his view, so Luke swiped his palm over the damp glass. He would never class himself as prone to sentimentality, but that first glimpse of the garden stole his breath.

  Like a magical grotto, coloured lights hung from the branches of the trees, sending soft pools of colour reflecting off the snow beneath. The torches which had lined the flowerbeds during the wedding were dotted here and there across the back lawn, casting their own pretty glows onto the crystal-white ground. When his nephew scrambled from his seat, Luke was hard on his heels, unable to tear his eyes away.

  He’d taken a couple of steps closer when Kiki called out, ‘No, Charlie! Not without your wellies on. Grab her, Luke!’ Swooping down he gathered the little girl up and hooked her over one shoulder, knocking his hat askew in the process. Feet kicking, she squirmed and giggled to be put down, and when he saw the thin ballet slippers she wore, he understood her mother’s worry.

  He switched his hold to bring Charlie back upright, but kept her perched in the crook of his arm. ‘Hang on to this for me.’ He handed her the inflatable Tommy gun then plucked off his fedora and set it on her head, almost completely obscuring her face, which set her off laughing again.

  A horn tooted behind them, and a grinning Daniel slipped out of the driver’s side. A familiar silver-haired figure climbed out of the opposite side and Matty pointed to the car. ‘Aunty Pat and Uncle Bill are here!’ he yelled, and zoomed off towards it, cape billowing behind him.

  The woman caught the boy in a hug as he charged up to her. ‘Steady on there, Batman.’ She crouched down to give him a hug. ‘Look at how big you’ve grown. Did you have a nice Christmas? If you ask Uncle Bill, he might have a present or two that Santa left for you at our house.’

  Luke grinned at her outfit – a black pinafore, embroidered with flowers worn over a white blouse. Her short hair was brushed into a pageboy style. Mia’s in-laws from her first marriage had remained a firm fixture in her life, and Pat and Bill had been only too pleased to welcome Daniel into their fold. He’d been genuinely delighted when he’d told Luke the couple had agreed to come down to the cove to see in the New Year, having spent Christmas with their other children and grandchildren.

  Pat waved at Luke over Matty’s head. ‘Hello, dear. It’s good to see you again!’

  ‘You too! Nice costume – Maria, I presume?’ She dipped a little curtsey, holding the skirt out to the sides.

  Her husband emerged from the rear passenger seat, looking strangely muted in a brown polo-neck and matching dark cords. Matty jumped for him, and Bill hoisted the boy up over his head with a grin. ‘Look at you, don’t you look splendid?’

  ‘Not dressing up?’ Luke asked, as he let a wriggling Charlie down so she could run over to hug Pat.

  ‘Oh, God, don’t!’ Pat groaned as she hooked the little girl onto her hip then moved past him to exchange kisses with Kiki. ‘I’m going to disown him.’

  With a laugh Bill disappeared around the back of the car, Matty in tow. A few moments of rustling later, he emerged wearing what appeared to be a cardboard box. He grinned at Luke and popped another, smaller box on his head. As he turned to give Matty a hand with a huge carrier bag, the box rustled and Luke r
ealised it was wrapped in plain paper, with a thin bow fastened in front.

  Still clueless, he shrugged one shoulder. ‘You’ll have to give me a hint.’

  Bill held his arms outstretched. ‘I’m a brown-paper package, tied up with string!’ Luke groaned at the terrible pun of a costume.

  ‘When I suggested a Sound of Music theme, I had high hopes you’d choose to be Captain Von Trapp, or at least a lonely goatherd,’ his wife grumbled.

  ‘I haven’t got the knees for lederhosen, my love, and no one wants to see my varicose veins.’

  Still laughing, Luke glanced behind him to find his brother rooting around in the car boot. ‘Do you want everything out now?’ Aaron asked Kiki.

  She shook her head, sending the little bell on her cap ringing. ‘Just the coats and wellies for now. I know Daniel’s offered up the barns if we want to stay over, but let’s wait and see how things go on, shall we?’

  Aaron grasped a large holdall and slung it over one arm as he shut the rear of the car. ‘Good idea. I’ll drive us home if it comes to it. That alcohol-free beer Daniel gets in is as good as the normal stuff. I can still have a glass of champagne for the toasts.’

  ‘Aaron!’ Kiki’s hiss was accompanied by another jingle from her hat as she whipped around to glare at him.

  ‘Toasts? You’re not planning any more surprise speeches, are you?’ Luke couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease Aaron, who’d sprung a heartfelt surprise proposal on Kiki whilst acting as best man at Daniel and Mia’s wedding.

  It was hard to tell given the relative darkness of the early-evening sky and the two bright-red circles painted on Aaron’s cheeks as part of his elf ensemble, but he could swear his brother blushed as he mumbled something about toasting in the New Year.

  Whatever.

  He’d been acting weird all afternoon, refusing to say much about the beach-cricket match when Luke had asked him about it. And after he’d made such a fuss about it earlier too. A chill ran down his back. It was too cold to be standing around pondering the deep inner workings of his brother’s brain. He reclaimed his hat, which was still drooping over Charlie’s eyes. ‘Come on, everyone, let’s get inside in the warm.’

  The heat and noise rolling out from the kitchen hit him like a welcoming wave. The table, which normally took pride of place in the centre, had been pushed to one side close to the fridge, and the chairs removed. A bright-red cloth covered the table and was in turn laden with plates and bowls filled with snacks and hot hors d’oeuvres. Greetings reached him from every side, and he gathered from a couple of jokes that they were the last to arrive.

  Sounds of a scuffle and laughter came from behind him, and he glanced back to see Bill wedged in the back door, the dimensions of his costume too wide for the opening. ‘Lift your arms up out of the way,’ he heard his brother say from outside, moments before he put those years of rugby playing to use and shoved the older man through the door. The two of them staggered in – Bill’s costume resembling a parcel that had suffered the worst deprivations of the postal system, and Aaron’s hat hanging askew. Kiki and Pat edged past the pair and moved to the farthest side of the kitchen, making it clear they wanted nothing to do with them.

  Still laughing, Luke let his gaze roam around the room, taking in all the costumes as he searched for Nee. Harry Potter and Hermione were helping themselves to the food. It took a moment to place them before he recognised the celebrant from the wedding, together with her wife. He knew they’d become good friends with Mia and Daniel, but it was still a surprise to see them. The couple were talking to a sixties-style go-go dancer – Maggie, resplendent in knee-high white boots and a psychedelic mini dress – and Nee’s dad, who’d gone all-out with a long white robe and fake curly wig and beard. George gestured with one hand to emphasise whatever point he was making, waving a miniature trident. Poseidon was as good a choice as any for a Professor in ancient Greek studies.

  Making his way over, Luke accepted a kiss from Maggie, and a warm handshake from George.

  Luke raised his hat to Maggie. ‘You’re looking splendid, Maggie. Save a twist for me later?’ Turning towards the uniform-clad pair, he offered a smile. ‘You’ll have to forgive me. I know we met at the wedding, but I can’t remember your names, ladies.’

  The one dressed as Harry Potter smiled a little nervously. ‘I’m Alison, and this is Sue. We were at a loose end, so when Mia called to invite us to the party, it saved us from a boring night in front of the telly. I’ve not been to a fancy dress party since university; everyone’s really pushed the boat out.’ The woman drained her glass, which at least served to stop the stream of words.

  Sue grabbed her arm. ‘Come on, let’s stop monopolising Luke and grab a refill. Nice to see you again.’ The two women bustled off, leaving him slightly bemused.

  With a shrug, he turned back to find George and Maggie had moved away, their heads bent in close conversation. Perhaps he’d overdone the aftershave. Oh well, at least the buffet was clear. He popped a sausage roll in his mouth and surveyed the rest of the room.

  From the blonde plaits which almost trailed to the floor, he assumed Mia was supposed to be Rapunzel. The broad shoulders clad in a battered leather jacket over by the door had to belong to his dad, although the brown hat on his head hid his blond-grey hair. The dark coil hanging at his hip made Luke shake his head. Where on earth had his dad got a bullwhip from?

  Brian turned at his approach, and all Luke’s jokes about his costume died on his lips as the curling tip of an ostrich feather came into view. His eyes followed the waving plume down to a jewelled headband holding back glossy chestnut hair, and down further still to a shimmering silver sheath clinging to a delicate, fine-boned frame. As Nee moved, the beads on the dress caught the light, sending little rainbow flashes dancing over the above-the-knee column. Black gloves covered her arms, and glittering diamante cuffs encircled each wrist. One hand was cocked in a saucy pose, with a long cigarette holder set between her first and middle fingers.

  He forgot how to breathe for a moment as their gazes met. Her eyes were all shadows and seduction, ringed in smoky kohl pencil and enhanced with thick curling false lashes. He wanted to drown in them, to draw her close until there was nothing in his vision but those warm, brown pools filled with fire and promise. All those vows he’d made about being patient and giving her time would prove him a liar because there was no way he was letting her out of his sight again. Not tonight; not ever.

  Shaping her ruby-red lips into a moue she blew him a kiss. ‘You look like you know how to show a dame a good time,’ she drawled in a terrible American accent.

  Seizing on the chance to mask his visceral reaction to her, Luke raised a finger to tip back the brim of his hat a fraction. ‘And you look like just my kinda trouble, Dollface.’ He’d meant it as a joke, but it was absolutely true. That inner fire, so long missing, seemed to glow from her every pore. Incandescent. He wanted to draw her close and absorb the heat and life of her.

  The noise of the party faded behind him as he moved closer, trapping her against the wall with one arm braced over her head. He didn’t touch her, wouldn’t risk crushing her dress or messing up the makeup she’d so carefully applied. ‘I missed you.’

  One gloved hand rose to smooth the wide silk tie hanging down his chest. ‘I missed you too. I’m sorry I threw sand at you. I want you to know that I understand why you left.’

  He risked the softest of kisses against her cheek, taking the utmost care not to smudge her. ‘I’m glad one of us does, because from where I’m standing it feels like a monumentally stupid idea.’

  A thrill ran through his entire body as her next words confirmed his greatest hope. ‘You gave me back my art.’

  Much as he wanted to celebrate the news, to punch the air, to spin her around and shout to the rooftops, he had to make one thing crystal-clear. ‘No, sweet love. You took it back for yourself. You claimed it – I just gave you the breathing space to do it. Don’t give your credit away, not to me, no
t to anyone. Not ever again.’

  The sparkle in her eyes increased and he watched the extravagantly curled lashes flutter furiously as she blinked back the tears. ‘I did it.’ Her ruby lips stretched into a smile that could only be called triumphant. ‘I did it.’ Her spine straightened against the wall so the tip of her ostrich feather tickled his fingers where they curled above her. ‘I’m amazing.’

  ‘Incredible,’ he agreed, stroking the feather when he’d rather be stroking her skin.

  ‘Sublime!’

  ‘Remarkable!’ They were both grinning their heads off now.

  ‘Wondrous!’ She giggled. ‘You go to my head like the finest champagne. If we carry on like this I’ll have more trouble getting my head through the door than poor Bill did with his costume.’

  She had no bloody idea. He would make her feel like this each and every day given half the chance. His eyes traced every inch of her face, committing to memory the exact tilt of her head, the angle of her lips as they canted up into an even wider smile. This expression would be the goal he’d aim for, always.

  His gaze slid lower, and the bubbles of excitement in his stomach subsided. Her throat was bare. The necklace he’d given her with her wedding ring looped on it missing. There was no sparkling choker to match the bracelets at her wrists, nothing to offer a reassuring excuse why she’d removed it. He searched over her hands, but there was no bump in the sleek, smooth gloves so she hadn’t put it on her finger either.