by Lucy Daniels
A thrill ran up Susan’s spine as she looked into his eyes, but she too kept her voice mild. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she said. ‘Glad you enjoyed it.’ And then he was off, striding towards the back of the church with a bounce in his step.
Michael put his hand on Jack’s head for a moment. Jack looked up and smiled and Michael smiled back. ‘You were the best shepherd ever,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid I have to go as well, but I want to see you again very soon. I’ll arrange something with Mummy, okay?’
There was an expression of pure happiness on Jack’s face. To Susan’s surprise, Michael crouched down, as Douglas had a few minutes before. He opened his arms and Jack stepped into his embrace. For the first time ever, they hugged properly. When Michael stood up again, there was an unusually gentle look on his face, as if he was truly touched. He too turned to look at Susan before taking his leave.
‘We’ll see you soon,’ she told him. ‘I’ll call you.’
‘Thanks,’ Michael said. He gave Jack’s hair a ruffle and smiled, then like Douglas before him, he turned and walked out of the church.
Susan held her hand out to Jack. ‘Time to go,’ she said. It was already after his bedtime, but Susan and Mandy had arranged another surprise for him. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction.
Mandy was waiting for them in the porch of the church. She was holding a cat box in her left hand. As Jack walked towards her, she held it up to show him. ‘Look, Jack,’ she said. ‘Frostflake’s in here. I’ve found the perfect home for him. I’m taking him today so he can settle in before Christmas. I wanted your help.’
‘He’s going away?’ Jack’s face was so stricken that Susan wondered if they should tell him, but he pulled himself together. ‘You mean tonight?’ he said. ‘Yes, I’ll help,’ he said seriously, ‘if Mummy says it’s okay.’
‘I’ll come too,’ Susan told him. ‘Then we’ll both see where he’s going to live.’
Mandy held out her right hand. ‘Come on then,’ she said.
They walked along the edge of the green. The night air felt wonderfully fresh. Their breath made white clouds in the air as they walked.
‘Is it far?’ Jack looked up at Mandy, who smiled.
‘Not far,’ she assured him.
His face brightened. ‘Maybe we can visit him,’ he said, then hesitated. ‘It is someone nice, isn’t it?’
Mandy laughed. ‘Very nice,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t give him away unless he had a lovely home to go to.’
Susan watched Jack carefully as they walked. He frowned as they rounded the corner onto the street where Moon Cottage stood. He looked doubly puzzled as they came to a standstill at their own door. He looked up at Mandy. ‘This is our house,’ he said.
Mandy grinned down at him, just waiting to see if he would work it out. Then Jack’s eyes went so wide it looked as if they might pop out. ‘Is he going to live with us?’ he gasped.
‘I hope so,’ Mandy said as Susan unlocked the door. ‘Will you and Mummy be able to give Frostflake a home? I can’t think of anyone better.’
Jack glanced up at Susan. His eyes were filled with hope. She nodded. ‘We can look after him together,’ she confirmed.
She had half expected Jack to go wild with excitement, but he seemed very serious as they walked into the hall. Susan shut the door. Mandy took Frostflake out of his box and set it on the floor near the door in the living room. ‘I’ll leave that with you for a few days,’ she said. ‘It’s important he knows there’s somewhere safe he can hide.’ She looked down at Jack, holding Frostflake against her neck. ‘You know it’s important he has his own space,’ she reminded him. ‘If he goes in his box, you should let him have some peace and quiet.’
Jack nodded. He seemed almost overwhelmed as they walked into the living room. He sat down on the sofa and Mandy reached out and set Frostflake in his arms. Though Frostflake seemed a little distracted, he tilted his sweet face up at Jack, then ran up to Jack’s shoulder and rubbed his small white head against Jack’s face. Jack reached up a hand to stroke Frostflake’s cheek. A moment later, his loud purr filled the living room. It was a wonderful sound, Susan thought. Best sound in the world. There was so much happiness in Jack’s face that she felt tears forming in her eyes. This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
Chapter Thirty
Susan’s heart was beating in double time as she surveyed herself in the mirror once more. Tonight was the night Douglas would give her his answer. She wanted to look perfect. She brushed a tiny speck of white from the skirt of her dress. It was the red skater dress she’d bought in York. She’d thought that she may as well wear it today instead of Christmas, since it was such a pretty party dress. She usually spent most of Christmas Day sprawled on the floor, playing with Jack anyway, so it would have been a bit of a waste. Just as well her black eye had faded quickly. It was barely visible now. As she turned from side to side, the material of the dress shimmered in the light. There were butterflies flitting round her stomach. Surely Douglas would like it? With a last nervous glance, she turned and made her way downstairs.
Jack was getting Frostflake ready. He had set the kitten’s box in the kitchen along with his food and water bowls and several toys. There was a hot-water bottle in the box and a fluffy blanket to lie on. Susan was touched again by Jack’s care and attention to detail. He was determined that Frostflake would have the best home ever. Now he was cuddling the little white body, stroking under Frostflake’s chin in the way that seemed to be most pleasurable. The booming purr filled the kitchen.
‘Time to go now, Jack,’ Susan said. ‘Is Frostflake all prepared?’
Jack nodded. He placed Frostflake down on the floor beside his box. ‘We’ll see you soon,’ he promised, then whispered, ‘I’ll send your love to your mummy.’
Susan smiled and held out her hand. ‘You’re very good with him,’ she said, and Jack beamed.
The reception at Hope Meadows was packed with bodies. Susan and Jack stood together near the door. Mandy had moved the small desk and replaced it with the huge scrubbed pine table that normally stood in the cottage kitchen. Emily was spreading a white tablecloth over the wood.
Susan walked over. ‘I brought these,’ she said, handing Emily the tin of mince pies.
Emily smiled. ‘That’s lovely,’ she said. ‘I’ll just put them here. Mandy’ll sort them out in a minute.’
Susan moved a little away from the table. She didn’t want to get in the way. She and Jack were early. Setting up was still in full swing.
Mandy appeared, carrying a pair of plates piled high with filled rolls. Jimmy rushed in behind her with two huge bowls of crisps and Adam followed, clutching a tureen of soup.
‘That looks great!’ Mandy surveyed the table, patted Jimmy on the back, then walked towards Susan. She paused for a moment to inspect the decorations that Helen Steer and Rachel, who worked part-time as a receptionist at Animal Ark, were stringing round the room. They had twisted streamers together around the walls and brought in branches of holly, which were bright with berries. Helen was balancing on a chair, fixing a bunch of mistletoe right in the centre of the ceiling. She and Rachel were both laughing. So much so that Susan wondered if Helen would fall, but then something seemed to catch Helen’s eye. She stopped laughing, straightened up and pulled her skirt straight. Susan glanced round. Toby had just walked into the room with James and Raj. All three of them were looking around appreciatively.
Mandy finally arrived at Susan’s side. She seemed breathless. No wonder, Susan thought. There was so much to do. ‘Good to see you,’ Mandy said. ‘And you, Jack. Did you bring the photo I asked for?’
Jack held out the photo he had been clutching in his hand as they’d driven over. It was the most gorgeous picture of Frostflake. Susan had taken it that morning in the kitchen at Moon Cottage. Frostflake had been hiding inside a wellington boot and Susan had caught him just as he’d emerged.
‘Will you come and hang it up?’ Mandy asked. She led Jack and Susan over to
the far wall, which was taken up with a collage showing lots of animals.
‘Look!’ Jack pointed. ‘Holly and Robin.’
It was indeed a picture of the two miniature donkeys that Mandy had rescued last year. The photo had been taken in high summer up at the smallholding where they lived now. Mandy helped Jack to pin Frostflake’s picture to the wall. ‘Thanks for bringing it,’ she said.
Jack seemed worried. ‘Won’t the kittens be frightened?’ he asked. ‘When all the people arrive?’
Mandy grinned. They’re very sleepy actually,’ she said. ‘Pretty sure they’ll be all right. Feel free to go in and see them. It’s a bit emptier than usual. I moved three of the cats that don’t like noise into the residential unit.’
Susan could picture the old residential unit within Animal Ark itself. ‘To stop them getting scared?’ she asked.
Mandy nodded. ‘There are still a few animals here,’ she said. ‘I’m hoping people will have a look around in between their canapés. All the ones that are here now will be here over Christmas, but maybe some of them will find new homes after.’ She held up a finger. ‘If you listen,’ she said, putting her head on one side, ‘you can still hear Bounce, even though I moved him right to the far end of the building. I’d have put him through too, but he’d scare the cats.’ She laughed and rolled her eyes. ‘One day I might get him to quieten down enough to find him a home,’ she said. ‘Even though he’s a barker, he’s not scared of anything and he’s a great little dog.’
Dorothy and Tom Hope arrived. Each of them clutched a plastic bag in either hand. ‘Must go say hello to Gran and Grandad,’ Mandy said.
Susan watched as Mandy went over and helped her grandparents lift the bags onto the table. Between them, they began to draw out tins and boxes of cakes. A beautiful pink and white Battenberg was followed by homemade chocolate truffles and a platter of ready-cut Christmas cake, complete with chunks of white Wensleydale cheese. Emily pointed out Susan’s box of mince pies and Mandy waved and grinned at Susan before setting them on yet another plate.
Susan’s mouth was watering. She had been so busy this afternoon that she hadn’t found time to eat. Six people arrived all at once and Mandy abandoned the table and rushed over to greet them.
‘Hello.’ There was a voice in her ear. It was Miranda. ‘How are you, darling?’ she asked, then bent to greet Jack. ‘How about you and I go outside?’ she said. She winked at Susan and held out a hand to Jack. ‘Abi and Max are playing outside and I’d like some fresh air.’
Susan found herself alone in the middle of the floor. It was almost seven o’clock, she thought. That was the official time on the invitation. She turned to see Mr Gorski coming in, arm in arm with his sister.
‘Hello.’ She walked across to greet them. ‘I didn’t know you were coming,’ she said loudly, looking straight at Mr Gorski as she spoke.
Mr Gorski smiled. ‘Wouldn’t have missed it,’ he said. ‘Not after everything young Mandy did for Coffee. Got to support her.’
‘That’s great,’ Susan said. ‘If I’d known you were coming, we could have given you a lift.’
Mr Gorski patted her arm. ‘It’s fine,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t raining. It’s good to get out now and then. And Ida here’s a great walker.’ He nodded at his sister, who smiled. ‘Only a few days till Christmas now,’ he said. ‘Young Jack excited?’
‘Very much so.’ Susan shifted her feet. She wanted to be able to see the door. ‘We’ve adopted a kitten, did I tell you?’
‘From here, you mean? How lovely.’ Mr Gorski patted her shoulder. ‘Lucky kitten,’ he said, his voice a little gruff. ‘Couldn’t have a better home.’ He cleared his throat and glanced round the room. ‘Does Mandy have a lot of rescues in at the moment?’ he asked.
Susan laughed. ‘She’s always got a lot of rescues,’ she said. ‘I think she’s moved some of them to Animal Ark for the night, but you’d be welcome to go say hello to the ones that are still here.’
‘I might just do that.’ Mr Gorski looked pleased at the idea. ‘I do miss my little Coffee,’ he said.
‘She was lovely. Jack and I miss her too,’ Susan replied.
Several other guests arrived. It looked as though half the village were there. It was amazing so many people had been able to make it, Susan thought. They must love Hope Meadows. Susan searched the room again. Douglas was not here yet. He was so tall, she wouldn’t be able to miss him. Christmas music was playing from the stereo that Mr Hope had carried over from the house. It almost covered the sound of Bounce barking joyfully from the kennels.
A movement in the doorway caught her eye and she felt the room come alive. Douglas had stopped and was looking around. To Susan’s amazement and delight, he was wearing a kilt. His cream Jacobite shirt was loosely laced at the neck and his broad shoulders made him seem twice the size of most of the men in the room. He looked every inch the Highland warrior with his piercing blue eyes and unruly hair. Susan’s breath caught in her throat as he strode across the room towards her. In her peripheral vision, she could see people staring, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Douglas.
He grinned as he stopped beside her, so close that she could feel the heat from his body. Shivers ran up and down her spine. She breathed in his scent. He smelled of woodsmoke and the wind on the moors in summer. He reached out a hand and took hers and she felt his strength rush into her. Does this mean it’s a yes?
‘Where’s Jack?’ His first words threw her a little, but he was smiling so broadly she was reassured.
‘He’s outside,’ she replied. She had the strangest sensation that she was floating in the middle of the room, as if she and Douglas were on an island in a sea of eyes.
He glanced upwards. Overhead, the sprig of mistletoe hung from the ceiling. ‘That’s lucky,’ he commented, quirking an eyebrow. He took her in his arms and bent his head.
‘Oh so you must be Douglas! Introduce me then, darling.’ Miranda was suddenly at Susan’s side.
Mum! Susan felt herself flushing as red as her dress, as embarrassment and frustration bubbled together inside her. Her mother’s timing couldn’t have been worse. ‘Douglas, this is my mother,’ she managed, through gritted teeth.
‘Miranda Collins.’ She flashed a smile and held out her hand to Douglas.
He took it and shook it gently. ‘Lovely to meet you, Miranda. I’m Douglas.’
‘Mum, where’s Jack?’ Susan asked, frowning.
‘He’s still playing outside with the twins. James is there now, don’t worry.’ Miranda flapped a hand at Susan.
‘We were just talking about something.’ Susan tried to give her best go away look to Miranda without Douglas noticing.
Miranda finally seemed to get the hint. ‘All right, darling. I’ll leave you to it, I wanted to have a chat with Emily anyway. Lovely to meet you, Douglas.’
‘You too!’
Douglas gazed down at her.
This is the moment …
Just then, the door to Hope Meadows crashed open and Jack ran in, with Abi and Max in hot pursuit. Susan thought that this must be the only time in her life that she hadn’t been entirely pleased to see her son.
That wonderfully familiar grin split Douglas’s face. ‘It would seem that this isn’t the appropriate place to show you my answer,’ he murmured. ‘So I can tell you instead. I’m in.’
Susan could feel the hairs on her arms standing up. ‘You’d like to date?’
Douglas dipped his head. ‘I would.’
Susan felt like she could jump for joy, or explode with happiness. She grinned instead. ‘It’s a pity there’s no band,’ she said, glancing down at his kilt.
‘Indeed!’ Douglas laughed. ‘I’d love to have whisked you round the floor in celebration.’
‘I’m dancing inside,’ she said with a sigh, leaning against him.
‘Me too.’ He squeezed her hand and they moved apart a very little.
All Susan wanted to do was kiss him, but not in the middle of a
room of people who included her mother. Sneaking off wasn’t an option either, since she was here with Jack.
‘So what now?’ he said, looking down at her. ‘From past experience, I’d say our dates go better when you’re in charge.’
Susan shook her head. ‘Not true,’ she said. ‘Nothing I like better than swinging from trees and rounding up cattle.’
His booming laugh filled the room. It was a wonderful sound.
‘But I suppose, as we’re at a Christmas party,’ Susan told him, ‘we’d better do what you normally do at Christmas parties: eat, drink and be merry.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ he said.
It was a new kind of freedom, she thought an hour and a half later as she chatted to Mandy. Douglas was there. She could feel his reassuring presence. Yet he had not monopolised her every moment. Mandy was laughing as she and Susan stood in the corner of the room and watched him charming Emily. ‘I couldn’t believe it when he walked in,’ Mandy said. ‘Isn’t he gorgeous in a kilt?’
Susan smiled. ‘He really is,’ she said.
‘And I’ve watched him when he’s been here to draw. Even the shyest animals love him. He’s so gentle.’
‘I know,’ Susan replied. ‘And I haven’t forgotten what you did. If it wasn’t for you, we’d probably be standing on opposite sides of the room, pretending not to notice one another.’
Mandy laughed. ‘You’d have found a way without me,’ she said, but she looked pleased. ‘Wonderful when something turns out just right,’ she said. ‘Especially at Christmas.’ She was clutching a glass of wine and she raised it. ‘To you and Douglas at Christmas,’ she said.
Susan laughed as she raised her own glass. ‘I’ll drink to that,’ she said.
Mandy grinned, then she glanced across the room and her eyes widened. ‘Look at that,’ she said. Susan followed her gaze. Mrs Ponsonby was clutching Fancy to her smartly dressed bosom. She was wearing the most uncharacteristically flirtatious look as she simpered up at Toby. Susan had rarely seen such a look of alarm on anyone’s face.
