by Katie Ginger
Nell smiled at the fake compliment. She knew the enormous Christmas jumper was a bit shapeless, but she loved it nonetheless. It was warm and cosy and had a giant penguin wearing a hat and scarf on it. She’d had it for ages, and it was one of her favourites. ‘Where’s yours, Mr Christmas?’ He opened the front of his coat to show off his own Christmas jumper bearing a Christmas tree with light up baubles. As he switched it on, the tiny decorations glowed and so did she. ‘I love it.’
The second lot of residents arrived about five minutes later, including Nigel and Edith.
‘Well, this is a grand idea, Nell,’ he said as he was guided past.
‘Thanks, Nigel.’ She gave him a kiss on the cheek and Tom took his arm.
‘This way, Grandad.’
In the dining room, the joyful sound of chatter was growing. The residents began to enjoy themselves, settling into seats and digging through the piles of adornments in front of them. Nell made sure everyone was comfortable, finding cushions from the lounge and extra blankets, making sure they were tucked in tight around their legs. She even threw a couple more logs on the fire in the lounge and whacked the heating up, despite Brenda’s protests. By the time everyone was beavering away with their wreaths, Holly Lodge was filled with Christmas music, laughter and noise.
When Nell knew everyone was settled and she wasn’t needed for five minutes, she made Brenda and Cat tea and nipped into the lounge to tell them they could head downstairs to see Niall. Cat moved so fast even Brenda was surprised and Nell followed them downstairs, determined to keep an eye on things for as long as possible. As soon as the mayor arrived, she’d come back up, but for now she wanted to see what was happening with Cat and Niall.
He’d been right about the kitchen. Where the mulled wine simmered away it smelled like Christmas. The metal worktops were covered in extra plates of truffles, mince pies, Niall’s signature chocolate bark and other delights, and Nell filled with that excitement so particular to the festive season. A feeling of exhilaration, anticipation, hope and love.
‘Wow, Niall.’ Cat was so close to him Nell was surprised she wasn’t in the way. ‘This place smells amazing. Can I steal a coconut ice?’
‘Sure,’ he replied.
‘Darling.’ Brenda stepped forwards. ‘Do you really think you should? I mean, we’ve talked about this already. No one wants to be a tubby bride.’
‘She’ll be beautiful,’ Nell interjected. Niall looked down at petite Cat from his grand six-foot height. His gaze lingered on Cat for a second longer than was strictly necessary, but Nell wasn’t sure if it was just to let her know she didn’t need to listen to her mother or because he was secretly hinting he fancied her. ‘So, what are we here to discuss?’ Nell asked, taking charge. She didn’t have a lot of time to waste with the mayor arriving soon and she didn’t want to leave Tom managing everything upstairs either.
Brenda pulled out the dreaded wedding file. ‘I’m not sure the buffet choices are really suitable.’
‘In what way?’ asked Niall, leaning over the counter. To his credit, his tone was one of professional enquiry and not at all judgemental which Nell’s would have been. She and Cat had been excited about the menu when they’d had the initial tasting and thought there was something there for everyone. Niall had even asked if he could use it as a sample menu for the wedding fair so it couldn’t be that outlandish.
‘I think we need a few different things. I know Cat has strange tastes but I’m not sure mini pumpkin pies and Mississippi mud macaroons are the sort of thing Aunty Phyllis would like.’
‘But if it’s what Cat wants …’ Niall let the sentence trail away and everyone turned to Cat. Nell’s heart lurched for her friend. Her mother’s eyes were boring into her pulling her one way, and Niall’s sweet gaze, trying to help her stand up to Brenda, pulled her another.
‘I think Mum’s got a point,’ Cat said meekly. ‘I might have got a bit carried away with what I like and not thought about my guests.’
‘But it’s your wedding,’ Nell pointed out, earning the death stare from Brenda. Nell used her friendship like a suit of armour and continued. ‘Cat should have what she wants on her wedding day.’
But Brenda was not to be derailed. ‘Nell, darling, when you finally get married, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. Until then, let’s just carry on with some common sense, shall we?’ If Brenda’s helmet-hair hadn’t offered indestructible protection, Nell would have hit her with a saucepan. Instead she looked to Cat who was trying her best to catch Niall’s eye like an awkward teenager; Nell hoped it was to let him know she was sorry for Brenda and not another attempt at flirting. She tried one more time to help her friend have the wedding of her dreams.
‘Cat, you loved the idea of the Mississippi macaroons and you said they were the best thing you’d ever tasted. And you said pumpkin pies were a dead cert.’
‘Nell, it’s fine,’ Cat replied sternly. ‘I don’t mind.’
Maybe divide and conquer would work. ‘Cat, can you just help me find that cocktail idea we were working on? It’s in my living room. Niall could you just top up the mince pies upstairs? I’m sure they’re going down a treat. And Brenda, while we do that why don’t you have one of Niall’s amazing chocolate truffles?’ Nell took one off the platter and shoved it into Brenda’s face. She looked horrified like the calories were already jumping out and turning parts of her body into fat. Nell took Cat by the arm and led her into the living room of her tiny flat.
‘We weren’t working on a cocktail idea,’ Cat said, folding her arms over her chest. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Cat, I love you. So please don’t be mad at me but you’ve got to stop letting your mum bully you so much. It’s like the mum in What’s Your Number? who keeps saying she won’t come to the wedding if her ex-husband’s there—’
‘Just for once will you stop with the romcom movies, Nell,’ Cat exploded. The vehemence in her voice nearly knocked Nell over. ‘Life isn’t like a romcom movie. It’s not just a giant misunderstanding that somehow rights itself in the end.’
Nell’s cheeks stung like she’d been slapped. ‘Maybe not, but Brenda’s taking over everything, telling you what you can and can’t have at your wedding and undoing all the decisions you’ve been so sure of. You’ve got to stand up to her.’ Cat didn’t respond, just dropped her eyes to the floor. ‘Maybe Kieran should come with you next time. I know he wants to be more involved in the wedding.’ At the mention of his name Cat lifted her head.
‘Kieran? He wouldn’t know where to begin in planning a wedding.’
‘But he’d be there to back you up against your mum.’
‘She’s just trying to help.’
‘I know, darling.’ Nell stepped forward and took Cat’s hands, but they hung limply in hers. ‘But she’s not helping, is she? She’s making you miserable. She’s planning a second wedding for herself, not your one. Every decision should be about what you and Kieran want and no one else. I mean this in the nicest possible way but stop being such a wet blanket before you end up having a wedding for her and not you. It’s not like you. I don’t know where the real you has gone lately.’
‘What do you mean the real me?’ Cat fired back, yanking her hands away and wrapping them over her chest once more. ‘I’m right here. I’m just trying to be considerate of other people’s feelings, that’s all. Which is more than I can say for you right now.’
Nell didn’t want to fight and figured the wet blanket comment had been a bit too much. ‘Cat, I’m sorry I—’
‘Just let me make whatever decisions I want for my wedding, okay? And if I choose to have a quiet life then that is my choice and you should accept it.’
‘I just want you to turn up on your wedding day and look around and see everything you’ve ever wanted, that’s all.’
‘I’m a grown woman, Nell. I know what I’m doing. Maybe Mum’s right. When you’re planning your own wedding, you’ll understand.’
Quietly gasping in a breath,
Nell closed her mouth. From Brenda the remark hadn’t hurt but from Cat it was like a knife in her back. She briefly thought about challenging Cat on her flirting with Niall, but she’d been much better today and had sworn that she hadn’t realised she was doing it before. Nell decided not to mention it now as the atmosphere was tense enough. ‘But what about Kieran? It’s his wedding too. What does he want?’
‘Kieran wouldn’t have a clue. Look, I love him, but he knows about gardening and flowers. He doesn’t know about planning a wedding.’
‘I think if you give him a chance—’
‘Oh, just mind your own business, Nell. You think you know everything about romance and weddings and love because you’ve watched some movies, but you don’t. You’re supposed to be my friend and friends support each other.’ Cat spun on her heel and flounced out of the flat back to the kitchen.
Nell remained in her small living room, shell-shocked. She and Cat never argued, and even if they did it was in a jokey fake manner and they always managed to come to some agreement in the end. This was totally new, and Nell didn’t like it one bit. Just then her phone beeped with a message. It was Tom. The mayor had arrived. Rolling her shoulders back and taking a deep breath, she decided to leave Cat and Brenda to it and get back to her event.
As she walked through the kitchen to see Cat very close to Niall, Nell said, ‘Niall, could you bring the mulled wine up, please? The mayor’s here.’ Then let the door swing shut behind her.
Though she hadn’t been downstairs long, the wreath-making was in full swing when she came back up. They were looking lovely and all so different. An older lady, who had a real eye for it, had made one of dark red ribbon and studded it with silver pine cones and tiny sprigs of holly. Others were more traditional and full of festive greenery. So many joyful faces greeted her it felt like Holly Lodge was full of life, love and Christmas spirit. It was just a shame it hadn’t reached the basement.
‘Ah, there you are,’ said the mayor, Linda Armstrong. Her long, thick grey hair was tied back in a messy plait and fixed with a velvet scrunchy. As it was an informal occasion, she’d worn wide-legged suit trousers with a high-necked jumper and three or four long necklaces adorned with giant coloured stones.
‘Mayor, how are you? Isn’t this lovely?’ From the corner of her eye she saw Niall bring up a large silver bowl full of mulled wine with a ladle sticking out the side.
‘It certainly is. How wonderful to see so many of our elderly citizens out and about, socialising and enjoying some festive fun.’
‘Speaking of which,’ said the mayor’s consort, ‘might have a little drop of that mulled wine. Looks delicious.’ Nell and Tom exchanged glances. Arnold Armstrong enjoyed his wife’s role as mayor as much as possible on account of all the free booze he was provided with. He was a lovely man but could sometimes over-indulge. Now, he helped himself to a ladle full, plopping it into one of the small glass cups provided. ‘Ah, lovely. You’ll have to give me the recipe for this, Nell. The best mulled wine I’ve ever tasted. And I’ve tasted a lot recently.’
Linda fired a warning glance at her husband, then surveyed the room. ‘This really is just wonderful to see, Tom. Thank you for inviting me. These wreaths are going to be beautiful. Whatever will you do with them all?’
‘I’m not really sure to be honest. Some will go back to the care home to decorate there and I know some of the residents have promised theirs to their families, but there’s going to be more than I thought. I’d anticipated some people wouldn’t want to do it, but everyone’s been so excited I’ve got more than I bargained for.’
Linda leaned in. ‘If you’ve got any spare, I could use them around town. We’ve got lights but there are a few strategic points I could hang a wreath. And a wreath made by some of our local residents in one of our local hotels would mean so much. I think we could do a whole marketing campaign about it. What do you think, Nell?’
‘That sounds great.’
Arnold came over with another glass of mulled wine. ‘And it’d get you some local publicity, dear, wouldn’t it?’
Linda carried on. ‘And I understand you’ve got the wedding fair this weekend and you’re hosting St Herbert’s Welcome to Christmas carol singing in a week’s time?’
‘Yes,’ Nell replied bouncing on her toes. ‘I’m going to be busy. I’m really looking forward to them both. I’ve never done anything like it before.’
‘I know the headteacher of St Herbert’s and she is so thrilled the night can go ahead. She was so worried all the children’s hard work would be in vain. You’ve saved the day.’
Nell could feel how cheesy her grin was, but she didn’t care. It felt amazing to be thought so well of. ‘A few of the older kids should be coming along at three to sing some carols. I hope you’ll stay for that. We thought the residents would like it.’
‘I’m sure they will.’ Linda’s forehead wrinkled as she frowned. ‘If only all our hotels were as welcoming as yours, Nell. It’s lovely that you’re such a part of the community. It’s just a shame that some seem to think they’re too high and mighty to deal with the riff-raff.’
Tom and Nell both looked at each other in confusion, but it was Nell who asked the question. ‘Is everything all right, Mayor?’
Linda sighed and took a glass of mulled wine provided by Tom. He poured another and handed it to Nell. The strong smells of deep, rich red wine, orange, cinnamon and clove filled her nose.
‘I was hoping to hold a winter wonderland Christmas party for my fellow councillors and everyone who works on the town council, and it was supposed to be held at the Langdon Mansion Hotel, but they’ve since told us they can’t accommodate us because there was a booking error.’
‘What sort of booking error?’ Nell asked.
Linda shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but they’re now making a big thing of the fact they’re holding a huge event for a travel company and it just happens to be on the same night as our do was.’
‘What are you going to do?’ Tom asked.
‘I guess I’ll have to cancel. There aren’t many venues that aren’t booked up already.’
Nell spotted Tom flashing his eyes at her, but she couldn’t figure out what he wanted. She looked around, checked her top for mulled wine dribbles and at last, admitted defeat. She gave her head a slight shake to show she hadn’t the slightest idea why he was wiggling his eyebrows at her. With a slight shake of his head, Tom gave in to her cluelessness. ‘What about holding it here, Mayor?’
‘Here?’ Linda looked around taking in the size of the room. ‘I’m not sure the dining room will be big enough.’
Nell finally caught on to what he was saying and grinned. ‘But we can open the double doors so the lounge and dining room are both open and the same for the conservatory so this will all make one huge space. Look.’ She strode over to the lounge and showed the mayor how the doors folded back. Nell pulled the doors closed again. ‘And behind you.’ In excitement, Nell jogged to the conservatory, weaving between staff from the care home, and folded the doors back there. The air was a little cold and a couple of grumbles sounded around her. Nell closed them quickly and went back to the mayor. ‘It’s what I’m doing for my friend’s wedding next month. In the lounge, we can remove all the armchairs and coffee tables so it’s another standing space, or just place seating around the edges. And we can place smaller tables around the edge of the dining room for refreshments and set up a bar in the conservatory. The conservatory is like another room too and if it’s dry, we can even set up some heaters in the garden because that’s a lovely space too. My favourite spot is down the path to the tall holly hedge at the bottom. There’s a bench there and a few more dotted around.’
‘And if you have a winter wonderland theme …’ Tom started to speak then paused, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. Worry inched its way down Nell’s back, but then he opened his eyes again, carrying on as if nothing was wrong. ‘We could decorate each doorway making them into a snowy Narnia-like arch. I can twist wi
llow and fir branches up and we can pin some holly sprigs. You won’t see it isn’t one big space.’
The mayor looked between them both, and Nell could see they were beginning to convince her. ‘But what about food?’
‘Just let me know your budget,’ said Nell excitedly. ‘And what sort of thing you’d like, and I’ll sort it out. All the food today is made by a local caterer called Niall Peters. Try some of the chocolate bark.’ She grabbed the platter and held it out for her. As the chocolate melted in her mouth, the mayor’s eyes closed with pleasure and Nell could tell the deal had been sealed. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think it’s a wonderful idea,’ Linda replied. Nell could have kissed Tom. She glanced at him with that idea in mind and an image of her lips meeting his flew across her brain. A strange feeling rose through her chest and into her heart. With his usual impeccable timing, Grandad Nigel decided to say something embarrassing.
‘Are those two being lovey-dovey again?’
As much as Nell loved Nigel, he really needed to get it out of his head that anything romantic would ever happen between her and Tom. They were friends, that’s all. So, what was this strange niggling at the back of her mind?
With a loud bang, the door to the basement bounded open and Brenda came storming out with Cat stomping along behind. Luckily, they bypassed the dining room and headed straight down the hall towards the front door.
‘Excuse me a moment,’ Nell said to the mayor and ran off to see what was happening.
‘You’re turning into a bridezilla, Catherine Wilson. I never thought it of a daughter of mine but there, I’ve said it.’
Nell’s mouth nearly hit the floor, especially when Cat responded vitriolically. ‘Ha! Bridezilla? Chance would be a fine thing.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
They left the building and Nell watched them climb into Brenda’s car and speed off into the distance. Nell turned and walked back into the house, seeing Niall come up from the basement looking shell-shocked. ‘What happened down there?’
