A Year at The Cosy Cottage Café_A heart-warming feel-good read about life, love, loss, friendship and second chances

by Rachel Griffiths

“Most of this was down to Jordan and Max. They’re a very efficient couple. Although, I have to admit that Chris did prepare a lot of the food.”

  “Again? Wow, he’s definitely a keeper.” Dawn didn’t try to hide her delight from Allie. She was so happy that her friend had found such a good man.

  “Come and have a look at the food. It’s incredible.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on the children.” Rick kissed Dawn’s cheek.

  She went over to the long trestle table that was covered in an orange cloth, and eyed the Halloween delights that Chris had made that afternoon. Savoury foods included witch fingers, ham and cheese bread bones, mummy dogs, pumpkin risotto and cheese and pretzel broomsticks. Then there were toffee apples, chocolate apples, chocolate bat- shaped cookies, meringue ghost tartlets and mini mice cakes.

  Chris was standing behind the trestle table wearing a black suit and cape, complete with drawn-on widow’s peak and plastic fangs.

  “Hello, Dawn! Can I offer you a mummy dog?”

  She laughed. “Not just yet thank you, Nosferatu, but they do look delicious.”

  “Nothing but the best for the village.” He winked. “You might also want to try the blood beetroot mocktail that Jordan is serving. The cocktail version is pretty tasty but I know that at the moment…” He nodded at her bump.

  “No alcohol for me.” Dawn placed a hand on her belly. “Only another twenty or so weeks to go, depending on whether baby comes early, on time or late. And even after she arrives, I’ll be unable to drink for a while if I’m breastfeeding.”

  She realised Allie and Chris were staring at her.

  “What? Is it because I said breastfeeding?”

  Allie’s eyes had filled with tears.

  “No. You said… she.”

  Dawn gasped. “So I did! We weren’t going to tell people but we found out at the twenty-week scan. Rick said not to ask but it was quite clear that there was no little penis there.”

  “Oh that’s so wonderful! Congratulations!” Allie hugged her.

  “Don’t say anything, though. We need to tell Laura and James first and I don’t think our son will be too pleased.”

  “He wants a brother?” Chris asked.

  “Really badly. And after finding out that Wallace number two was a girl, well… he feels outnumbered.”

  “You can always try for a boy next time.” Allie winked.

  “We’ll see. I know we’re making some big changes to our lives but this baby was a surprise, so I don’t know about a fourth one.”

  “And sorry about the hiccup with Wallace.” Chris shook his head. “It was just such a rush to find a replacement that I didn’t think to check. And then for her to be pregnant on top of it.”

  “Don’t worry about it. The children are delighted to have all the pups too.”

  “Shall we get a drink?” Allie asked.

  “Lovely.”

  At the drinks table, Allie ladled a ruby coloured liquid into two plastic cups.

  “Do you want to sit down?”

  Dawn nodded so they took seats under the pergola.

  “How’re you feeling now?” Allie asked.

  “Much better. Clearing the air was the best thing we could have done. And now that Rick is going to be home all the time… well…” Dawn leaned back in her seat and stared up at the tiny pumpkin lights. “I just feel so lucky.”

  “I’m so glad it worked out for you both.”

  “Thank you for being there for me. You’re such a good friend.”

  “Stop it or you’ll have me tearing up again.”

  “Anyway, cheers!” Dawn held out her plastic cup. “Here’s to the future.”

  “A future that looks very bright indeed.”

  They tapped their cups together.

  “And how is Fenella?”

  Dawn had outlined the basics about her chat with her mother-in-law when they’d met up last week, and about their plans for Fenella to visit more regularly, but she’d held back the more personal details, of course.

  “Well… I told Rick about how his mother was feeling; I couldn’t keep it from him really, and he insisted on speaking to his father. Paul admitted that he’d probably got a bit carried away with his hobbies since he retired, then he promised to make more of an effort with his wife. I rang Fenella yesterday to ask if she’s coming to stay this Thursday, and she said she’d have loved to but she can’t as Paul is taking her to Cornwall… Poldark spotting!”

  “No!” Allie laughed.

  “Yes! She’s delighted. She even asked me if I thought she might see Aidan with his shirt off.”

  Allie clutched her stomach as she laughed and Dawn covered her bump with her hands; the baby was fluttering there, as if she was enjoying the joke too.

  “I hope you told her to take lots of photos if she does see him.”

  “Of course.”

  “Hello darlings!” Camilla sashayed towards them. “What’s so funny?”

  Dawn’s jaw hit the ground as she looked at her sister’s outfit.

  “Camilla, that’s what I call a costume.” Allie wolf-whistled. “It’s like that scene out of Grease when Sandy turns up all sexy.”

  “Are you all right, Dawn?” Camilla asked.

  “Yes… fine… I just saw your… costume and… wow!”

  “It’s a little something I had in the cupboard.”

  “You fibber.”

  “Okay, well it’s a little something I ordered especially for this evening.”

  “From the cat-alogue?” Allie giggled.

  “I don’t care where you got it from, Camilla, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for a children’s party.” Dawn eyed her sister. “It’s barely there.”

  Camilla was wearing a metallic-black wet-look jumpsuit with a zip-up front, slashed leg detailing and cut out shoulders. It clung to her svelte frame like a second skin. To top it off, she had on a black cat mask that covered her eyes and forehead and sparkled with silver glitter. Her short dark hair had been gelled into spikes.

  “I’ve just popped by to say hello. I’m off to another party later on.”

  “Oh?” Dawn raised her eyebrows.

  “Yes, oh.” Camilla grinned.

  “In the village?”

  Camilla nodded.

  “Is it at the new vet’s house?” Allie asked.

  “That’s the one.”

  “We had invites too but I didn’t really fancy going. I’m quite partial to my evenings on the sofa followed by an early night.” Dawn thought about the past couple of nights, where after the children had gone to bed, she and Rick would cuddle up on the sofa and watch TV together. It was so nice, so much better than sitting alone wondering what time he’d come home. She had asked Rick if he wanted to go to the fancy-dress party, suggested asking her mother to babysit, but he’d told her he just wanted to know his children were safely tucked up in bed and that his wife was in his arms. It was almost like they were rediscovering each other all over again and Dawn knew that she didn’t want to be anywhere else of an evening either. There would be plenty of time for parties and the like after baby number three joined them.

  “Chris and I would have gone too but it’ll be late by the time we’ve cleaned up here and he’s got edits to work on tomorrow, so a late night isn’t the best thing for him.”

  “Well you party poopers, I intend to enjoy myself.”

  “Hold on…” Allie placed a finger on her lips. “Isn’t the new vet… what’s his name—”

  “Tom.” Camilla blurted.

  “That’s it! Tom Stone. Isn’t he pretty good-looking?”

  Dawn watched her sister’s cheeks darken.

  “He’s all right. For a vet.”

  “Is that why you’re looking so sexy?” Dawn giggled. “You fancy the vet.”

  “I do not.” Camilla pouted. “And keep your voices down, won’t you? I don’t want this getting back to him.”

  “What because that outfit won’t give him ideas?”

  “Y
ou know I don’t date anyone from the village,” Camilla said. “It’s far too risky to get involved with someone local.”

  “Perhaps he’ll offer you a free examination though.” Allie snorted. “You know, with you being a cat and all. He might even take your temperature…”

  “Oh stop it.” Camilla flicked the stick on tail that she’d been toying with. “I’m just going to a party, I’ll have a few drinks then I’ll head home. Alone.”

  “Just be careful.” Dawn pointed a finger at her sister. “But have fun.”

  “What’s all this then?” Rick asked as he joined them.

  “Camilla’s having a night on the tiles.” Allie blurted.

  “She’s like a cat on a hot tin roof.” Dawn added.

  “Watch you don’t get stuck in the cat flap if you get home late.” Rick joined in.

  “Right, that’s it, I’m off. I’m not staying here for you to poke fun at me.”

  “Ring me in the morning.” Dawn met her sister’s green eyes. “Let me know how it goes.”

  “Okay, Dawnie.” Camilla kissed her cheeks then Allie’s before sauntering along the path and out onto the street.

  “I hope she knows what she’s doing,” Allie said.

  “She probably does. My sister never does anything without thinking it through. Although he must be pretty special if she’s breaking her no dating anyone from the village rule.”

  “Let’s hope so. Anyway, I’d better go and give Chris a hand.” Allie got up and took Dawn’s empty cup. “You want a refill?”

  “Not just yet, thanks.”

  “Why’s Camilla so dressed up?” Rick sat next to Dawn.

  “Fancies the vet.”

  “Does she now? But Camilla never dates anyone local.”

  “Perhaps this time is different.”

  “I take it he’s hot then?” Laughter danced in his eyes.

  “I have no idea.”

  “You can tell me.”

  “I haven’t seen him yet.”

  “Shall we fabricate an animal emergency so we can check him out?”

  “Rick…” Dawn nudged him. “We can’t do that.”

  “Sure we can. Actually we’ve had an animal emergency, haven’t we? We could ask him to come round to check on the baby guinea pigs.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.”

  “Don’t you want to make sure he’s good enough for Camilla?”

  “I’m sure she can take care of herself. She’s been doing it for long enough.”

  Camilla had protected her heart for all of her adult life, but Dawn always worried that her sister would get hurt at some point. If she hadn’t already been hurt that was. After all, it wouldn’t be like Camilla to let on if she had been.

  Squeals of excitement broke into her thoughts and she looked over to where Jordan was guiding tiny ghosts, pumpkins, fairies, witches and skeletons around the garden. It seemed that some of the children were looking for clues in some sort of monster treasure hunt. Max, meanwhile, was supervising the games of Frankenstein bowling, which involved knocking down tins painted with monster faces, and every time someone hit them over, there was a loud cheer.

  “We’re so lucky to live in Heatherlea,” Dawn said, as Rick wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  “Are you sure?” Dawn asked her husband as she gazed into his eyes.

  “Never been more certain about anything. I love you Dawn Dix-Beaumont and I always will do.”

  He cupped her chin then kissed her gently.

  “Oh!” she gasped.

  “What is it?”

  “Feel.” She guided his hand to her belly and he smiled.

  “Little one is busy tonight.”

  “She certainly is.”

  “Just like her mum always is.”

  “Not as much now that you’re home.”

  “And I bet she’ll be beautiful… just like her mum.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No, Dawnie, thank you.”

  “What for?”

  “For making me happier than I could have wished for.”

  Dawn sighed with contentment as she snuggled into him.

  “I’m happier than I ever could have imagined too.”

  And they stayed that way for some time, on a perfectly cool and crisp autumn evening, watching their two children as they played on the lawn of The Cosy Cottage Café.

  Life wasn’t always perfect; there were bumps and grooves in the road, and there would no doubt be more ups and downs along the way. But Dawn and Rick had each other and their wonderful family, so they knew that they would be okay.

  Winter at The Cosy Cottage Café

  By Rachel Griffiths

  A deliciously festive feel-good Christmas romance…

  Camilla Dix is fiercely independent. Growing up, she had to be strong for her mother and younger sister after her father left them for a new life in Benidorm. Camilla has kept her heart firmly closed to love, and never allows her relationships with men to develop into anything serious.

  Tom Stone moved to Heatherlea for a fresh start. He’s been hurt in the past and has no intention of making himself vulnerable again. The only company he wants at night is that of his rescue British Bulldog Hairy Pawter.

  However, when Camilla and Tom meet, they can’t deny their mutual attraction, and something deeper soon develops between them.

  As snows falls over Heatherlea, mulled wine flows and festive carols fill the air. But can Camilla and Tom put their fears aside and trust each other enough to let love in?

  1

  “Would you like it wrapped?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “The scarf. Is it a gift for someone?” The shop assistant blinked, drawing Camilla’s attention to the larger-than-life false black lashes that surrounded her big blue eyes.

  “Oh! Yes… yes, please.”

  Camilla nodded and watched as the younger woman, who could well have been a university student with a Christmas job, produced a perfect square of gold foil paper then wrapped the gift effortlessly, before adorning it with a shiny red bow.

  “There! How’s that?”

  “Fabulous, thank you so much.”

  “Would you like a bag?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll tuck in here.” Camilla held up her Marc Jacobs leopard-print cotton-canvas tote – that had cost her over three hundred pounds in July, then she’d spotted in the sales a week later with fifty percent off – and the shop assistant nodded her approval.

  Camilla slipped her credit card from her purse and slid it into the payment machine on the counter. As she went through the familiar process of typing in her pin then waiting for the transaction to be processed, she gazed around the department store. Bright strip lights in the ceiling gave everything a surreal glow and bounced off shiny surfaces, mirrors and metallic clothes stands. (She was surprised the shop workers didn’t have permanent migraines.) People shuffled around like penguins, weighed down by their shopping bags, picking up items then discarding them as their eyes were drawn to other, better gifts. Strategically placed Christmas trees dressed with this year’s must-have festive decorations reminded shoppers that Christmas was on its way and that they didn’t have long to find the perfect presents for colleagues, friends and loved ones. And from the speakers around the store, carols blared, adding to the sense of urgency while disguising it as a time of fun, relaxation and togetherness.

  Scarf paid for, Camilla tucked her card back into her purse then took the gold package from the counter and carefully put it into her bag. She wished the shop assistant a merry Christmas, but the woman was already peering at the next customer. Camilla sighed; a handsome young man carrying a box of luxury crackers and a pair of corduroy slippers had quickly replaced her.

  She pushed her way through the crowds, which wasn’t easy as she was going against the flow, then emerged onto the cold street where she gratefully filled her lungs with the icy December air.

  Desp
ite her best intentions, she had failed to complete all of her Christmas shopping by mid-November, and instead, it was the first weekend of December and Oxford Street was heaving. Still, there was no time to regret being disorganised; she had gifts to buy, so she’d better get on with it.

  She hoisted her tote onto her shoulder then set off towards Selfridges. The regal exterior of the department store always lifted her spirits with its towering stone columns and the ornate clock at the building’s main entrance. The window displays were as famous as the store itself, and the Christmas ones always attracted a lot of excitement and attention.

  Camilla stopped in front of the nearest window and smiled. It featured a ski lift with Santa Claus in his traditional red suit the middle, with skis strapped to his feet, and on either side of him sat two mannequins. They wore festive outfits and ice-skates as if they were ready to slip off the lift and onto the ice at any moment. Beneath the lift was a pile of soft white snow that looked good enough to dive into headfirst, and tiny white reindeer frolicked at the front of the window.

  Camilla moved along and found a space at the next window. This time, Santa Claus was decked out in a red sequin outfit with his fur trimmed hat perched at a jaunty angle on his head. He was emerging from a white personal jet and in each hand he held a lead, at the end of which were two grey toy poodles. In this scene, one of the mannequins wore checked pyjamas while the other wore a knee-length fur gilet and high waisted blue trousers. Suitcases lay scattered around them and some of them were open, spilling their contents – including hot water bottles, fluffy socks and hats – onto the snow. The scene was framed by towering evergreens decked with sparkling white fairy lights. As she gazed at the plane, Camilla wished, not for the first time, that she’d arranged to go away for Christmas. After all, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t had offers…

  Harlan Wright, a long time friend of Camilla’s, had invited her to New York for a ten-day trip. A native New Yorker, he jetted around the world with his freelance photography business. The first time Camilla had met him, at a bar in Soho, he’d raved about her looks and told her she could be the modern day Elizabeth Taylor with her delicate features and cropped dark hair. Camilla had been three Manhattans in by then and suspected he was hitting on her until he’d introduced her to his boyfriend, Lance Havisham, a movie extra who’d appeared in lots of films Camilla had never heard of and didn’t think she ever wanted to watch.