Chapter 18
‘I want to be Cinderella,’ says Clemmy, clasping her hands happily to her chest and doing a little twirl in an imaginary ball gown.
‘Clemmy,’ says Poppy, who’s sitting with her laptop at the breakfast bar. ‘You shall go to the ball.’ She ticks a box on the screen and Clemmy does a funny little dance of delight. ‘Right, I’m off to talk Ryan into ditching his Joker costume and going as Prince Charming instead.’
‘Good luck with that, Clem,’ grins Poppy as Cinders-to-be rushes out.
Ruby, Gloria and I remain, crowded around Poppy, looking at outfits available from the nearest shop hiring out fancy dress costumes.
Poppy decides she wants to go as a sexy Cruella de Vil.
‘But what about Jed?’ asks Ruby. ‘Don’t you want to go as Beauty and the Beast, or Romeo and Juliet, or something romantic like that?’
‘No, thanks,’ says Poppy rather too quickly. ‘I want to be a strong woman who can survive perfectly well without a man!’
‘And who terrorises puppies?’ Ruby looks at her strangely.
Poppy laughs. ‘I’ve always been the opposite of romantic.’
Ruby frowns, about to argue. So I step in quickly. ‘I’m going to be Clemmy’s fairy godmother.’
I’ve given it a lot of thought and this seems like the perfect solution. I need a costume that covers my top half completely, and the fairy godmothers I’ve seen in panto or on TV seem to come in one of two varieties: the glamorous diva in the sparkling, revealing dress or the quirky type with sharp one-liners and a penchant for motherly satin capes and hoods.
The latter will be perfect!
Ruby points at a glamorous version. ‘You’d look fabulous in that, Roxy!’
‘Er, no, I’m not keen on that one. I’ll – um – have a look at the website later and choose.’
‘I’ll be picking them up tomorrow so can you decide soon?’ says Ruby. ‘Sophie’s going to get her costume from the huge fashion store at Dazzle. Won’t that be awesome?’
Some half-hearted murmurs follow in response. Bloody typical, I think to myself. Sophie will look a million dollars and I’ll look like somebody’s weird, eccentric aunt.
‘Do they do camping equipment on that website?’ groans Gloria. ‘It’s just I’ll probably need to go to the party dressed as a tent if this abdominal bloating gets any worse!’
‘A marquee would be far more sophisticated,’ quips Sophie, entering the kitchen at that moment. ‘You could get one in blush pink to match your hot flushes.’ She gives one of her tinkly laughs. ‘Although you’re right, Gloria. A plain ridge tent is probably more your style.’
Gloria, who normally couldn’t give two hoots what people say about her, looks a little crestfallen.
There’s a beat of silence, then Ruby hoots with laughter. ‘A plain ridge tent is probably more your style! Good one, Sophie.’
Sophie smiles, basking in Ruby’s open appreciation, while the rest of us look on in stunned silence.
It occurs to me that Sophie must have a whole host of Dazzle-reading fans who drool over the magazine and regard her as the high priestess of fashion. Like Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada movie. Come to think of it, Sophie probably styles herself on the Meryl Streep character. She’s certainly ice-cold and ruthless enough.
Seeing her mum’s face, Ruby has a change of heart. ‘Mum, you’ll look lovely whatever you wear.’
Gloria rallies a little at her daughter’s words, and I find myself wishing Ruby would think before she spoke. Being a hormonal teenager is no excuse for bad behaviour.
‘Oh my God!’ Ruby is staring, wide-eyed, across the room. ‘Who on earth did that?’
We all look over to where she’s pointing, at the fridge door.
Everyone gasps in unison.
We were all too focused on choosing our costumes to have noticed before now. But the glamorous photo of Sophie has been ‘enhanced’ with a black felt tip pen. She’s now reclining on her lounger, sporting a moustache reminiscent of an evil dictator’s, plus several gaping holes where her teeth once were. Someone’s drawn a big thought balloon coming out of her head that says, ‘I’m editor-in-chief, you know. I love ME!’
Poppy and I look at each other with the exact same expression – a combination of shock, disbelief and a small measure of guilty glee.
‘That is so disrespectful!’ exclaims Ruby, speaking aloud what Sophie would probably say if she wasn’t completely struck dumb. ‘Did you do that, Poppy?’
‘No, I bloody didn’t.’ She’s trying not to smile as she denies it, and just for a second I wonder if Poppy is the culprit.
‘Well, if you ask me, it’s just plain sour grapes,’ says Ruby crossly. ‘Whoever did it is obviously really jealous of you, Sophie, so I wouldn’t waste a single second worrying about it.’
Sophie finds her voice. ‘I don’t intend to,’ she says icily. ‘Ruby, can you organise a courier for me? I need to get my costume biked over from Dazzle. I’ll give you the phone number of the one we always use.’ She whisks out of the room, her body language revealing her total displeasure.
‘Some people are so horrible!’ says Ruby, following her out of the kitchen.
Poppy sighs. ‘I thought Ruby had more sense than to fawn over Sophie just because she’s a magazine editor.’
‘She’s still just a kid, really,’ murmurs Gloria, who’s being a darned sight more forgiving of her daughter than I would be.
‘Do you think one of the guys did it for a joke?’ I ask, staring at the photo. Jackson is probably the only person who can be ruled out.
‘I know Ryan’s pretty pissed off at Sophie,’ says Poppy. ‘He’d be much happier with a small wedding and he hates that Clemmy’s been talked into doing this fat-shaming magazine feature. All for the sake of a glamorous wedding venue.’
‘Would Ryan have done that? It doesn’t seem like his style. So who, then?’ I wonder aloud.
I happen to glance at Gloria when I say it and she frowns and says quickly, ‘It wasn’t me.’ Her cheeks are flushed bright red. But that could be just one of her ‘glowing moments’. She certainly has more reason than any of us to deface a poster in protest. In fact, I really hope it was Gloria and that she’s found some satisfaction in getting her own back on Sophie!
Chapter 19
Next day, the morning of the pairs skating contest, we wake to a surprise.
Snow has fallen thickly overnight, casting its fairytale spell on the trees and turning the entire landscape into a magical winter wonderland.
The snow lightens the atmosphere in the cabin, and Ruby, especially, seems completely entranced by it. She disappears soon after breakfast without telling Gloria where she’s off to, and returns at lunchtime, announcing that she’s been getting to know Sam, from the farm across the road.
‘Who is this Sam?’ Gloria wants to know. ‘Would I like him? How old is he? What are his intentions towards you, Ruby? Because I know teenage lads and they’re definitely a species apart.’
‘Tom’s all right,’ points out Ruby.
‘Your brother’s got some sense, not like some of the youngsters I know,’ concedes Gloria. ‘Just don’t go diving into anything, Ruby, that’s all I’m saying. You’re still far too young for boyfriends.’
Ruby, who’s busy making a hot chocolate in the kitchen, gives a big sigh. ‘Chill, Gloria. I’m seventeen! And anyway, Sam’s just a friend. His dad owns the farm and we’ve been chatting, not smoking anything weird in case you were wondering.’
Gloria’s eyes open wide in horror. ‘Well, I wasn’t wondering – until now! And don’t call me Gloria!’
‘Sorry, Mum.’
Poppy and I exchange a grin. We’re busy making the extra mince pies that will be needed for the skating contest later. Thankfully, I don’t have to think about making a dessert for tonight. The plan is we’ll eat up leftovers when we return later from the ice rink – including the rest of my successful apple crumble cake.
The contest is due to start at six. By five-thirty, we’re all gathered in the hall, suitably wrapped up in our scarves, gloves and thick winter coats against the gaspingly-cold December air, then we set off crunching through to the rink.
We’re meeting Alex, Jackson and Sophie at the rink.
Ruby seems a bit distracted and keeps glancing over the fields to our right. Suddenly she stops and cheers, then starts waving. We all stare over the snow-blanketed fields and a loud mechanical noise fills the wintry air.
‘It’s Sam on his snowmobile. He said he’d give me a lift!’ yells Ruby. She opens a gate and starts marching across, converging with the figure on the snowmobile.
‘Just be careful!’ shouts Gloria, but her voice is drowned out by Sam revving the vehicle as Ruby clambers on behind him. They take off across the snowy field with an ear-splitting roar, Ruby clinging on perilously with one arm and turning to wave at us with her other.
‘Hold on tight, Ruby!’ yells Gloria, watching in dismay as her daughter disappears over the brow of a hill.
Bob puts his arm around Gloria. ‘She’ll be fine. Don’t worry, love. Your daughter is more than capable of looking after herself.’
‘You’re absolutely right, Bob,’ laughs Jed. ‘Wish I’d thought of organising transport by snowmobile myself.’ He moves closer to Poppy and takes her hand, but I can tell from their stiff body language that things aren’t good between them.
Gloria snuggles into Bob and says, ‘Thank God I have you to stop me tearing my hair out.’
When we get to the rink, Alex, Jackson, Ryan and Clemmy are standing with their skates on by the rink but there’s no sign yet of Ruby.
‘Where’s Sophie?’ asks Poppy.
Jackson glances at his watch. ‘She’s – erm – got a problem at work she’s trying to sort out on the phone. She said she’d be here for the start of the contest, though.’
Poppy frowns. ‘Well, I hope she is. I’d hate to let Sylvia down after she’s gone to so much trouble organising tonight.’
‘Sophie will be here,’ Jackson says grimly.
At six o’clock prompt, we all gather around the rink and Sylvia makes a little speech, welcoming everyone and saying how pleased she is to have representatives of so many fine local businesses here tonight. She invites those taking part to the café for wine and mince pies after the event, then says, ‘And now, without further ado, let’s give a big round of applause for the first daring couple onto the ice. It’s Ronnie and Hazel Bickerstock, representing The Big Belly Deli.’
Ronnie and Hazel, who’ve really gone to town with the sparkle and are dressed as a pair of Christmas trees – with awkward-looking scaffolding under their bauble-covered green costumes – skate onto the ice, bow to the applause, then – to the soundtrack of ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ – proceed to glide gracefully and competently around the rink. There’s just a minor wobble as Ronnie loses the giant fairy from on top of his head and, in bending to rescue it, almost brings Hazel crashing down with him. But they manage to stay upright and fit in a fair few twirls and spins into the bargain. They get a huge round of applause when their routine ends.
The Big Belly Deli are followed by Doughnuts to Die For, Sugar-Coated News, Barney’s All-American Burgers and Roy’s Roast Chestnuts.
Sophie still hasn’t appeared – and it’s almost the turn of Truly Scrumptious to take to the ice.
Ruby has arrived with Sam, and Jackson is away trying to find Sophie. Poppy is looking more stressed by the second at the thought of having to tell Sylvia she doesn’t have a pair to skate.
‘There’s Jackson,’ she mutters and hurries over to meet him as he walks out of the hotel entrance.
Joining us, Jackson shrugs. ‘No idea where she’s got to.’
‘Will we have to cancel?’ asks Ruby, looking disappointed.
‘Nope!’ Jackson shakes his head. ‘I’ll just have to skate with someone else.’ For some reason he turns to me and gives me a big smile.
Everyone else is now looking at me, too, and for a second I’m not quite sure what’s happening.
Then Jackson holds out his hand. ‘Roxy?’
My heart starts beating at a million miles an hour. I stare, aghast, at everyone. This has to be a joke.
Surely he can’t mean he wants me to compete on the ice with him?
But apparently that’s exactly what he’s suggesting. More than suggesting, actually. His hand is at my waist, guiding me firmly towards the ice, and my feeble protests are being drowned out by everyone laughing and saying things like, ‘Go, Roxy! You can do it. It’s just a bit of fun.’
In my confusion, I catch Poppy’s eye, swiftly followed by Alex’s. They’re the only ones who don’t look enthusiastic about the idea of me skating with Jackson. But then, they’re the only ones who know about my romantic history with him.
Sylvia is announcing us now and there’s no going back if I don’t want to let Poppy down …
Everyone is cheering and Jackson beams down at me and shouts, ‘You’ve seen us perform it. Just do your best and follow my lead, okay?’
I’m sure he means this to be reassuring but tell that to my wobbly legs!
Jackson is skating off to the far side of the rink, so – my heart in my mouth and feeling about as likely to remain in an upright position as Bambi – I start making my way awkwardly over to the opposite side.
When I finally get there, remarkably in one piece, I see Ruby standing at the rail. She shouts, ‘We’re right behind you, Roxy!’ and I realise the whole of the Truly Scrumptious team have moved round the rink to where I am. I’m not sure if I feel better, knowing they’re supporting me. Or worse because I’m about to make a complete arse of myself in front of them.
Then I catch Alex’s eye and he gives me a big smile and a double thumbs-up – and just the sight of him actually makes me relax a little. I give him a scared little smile then turn to face Jackson, ready to start skating towards him.
The space between us seems massive. How, I wonder, are we going to meet in the middle, since Jackson skates about five times as fast as me?
I turn to Ruby. ‘Can you give me a push?’ I hiss.
‘A bush?’ She looks puzzled.
‘No, a push!’ I mutter anxiously. ‘Just to give me a bit of a head start on Jackson.’
Ruby’s face clears. ‘Oh, right. Gotcha! Right, here goes …’
‘Not yet!’
But it’s too late. I feel myself being shoved abruptly from behind and I’m off. Ruby must have some strength in her because, with a bit of effort on my part at keeping up the original momentum, I find myself flying along the ice with a speed I’ve never reached before.
Suddenly there’s a shout from someone in the crowd. ‘I’m here, darling!’
Jackson glances over and so do I. It’s Sophie and she’s climbing athletically over the barrier onto the rink, looking unbelievably cute in her crystal-encrusted skating dress. And, to my horror, Jackson stops in his tracks and starts skating towards her.
I’m travelling at a fair old speed but I was expecting to land in the safety of Jackson’s arms and let him catch me and keep me on my feet. But now it’s not going to happen and, although I’ve started to slow down, I’ve passed the middle point of the ice and the barrier on the other side is starting to loom horrendously close. I’m just going to whack straight into it if I can’t stop on time.
Panic rears up inside me. Should I just deliberately sit down on the ice as a stopping tactic?
But a second later, I realise it’s far too late to take evasive action. I’m going to crash into the barrier …
I close my eyes tightly, praying I’ll survive the impact.
And then, suddenly, I’m grabbed by the waist by two strong hands and forcibly steered away from danger. Panting, I cling onto my rescuer as relief floods through me.
‘You’re okay. You’re okay,’ murmurs a soothing male voice.
Alex?
I collapse weakly into his arms,
my whole body trembling, and allow him to lead me gently over to the rink entrance.
Chapter 20
We stand on the other side of the barrier to watch Jackson and Sophie skate their routine.
I’m still trembling quite violently but Alex keeps his arm firmly around me and I sink against him, so grateful to have the solid strength of his body supporting me. I feel as weak as a new-born chick and couldn’t move away from him, even if I wanted to.
And I very definitely don’t want to …
Jackson and Sophie are brilliant together and the audience applauds wildly when they finish. It’s strange, but with Alex’s arm around me, I feel so secure again that I don’t even feel any anger towards Jackson for abandoning me on the ice the way he did. And I’m sure he didn’t mean to desert me. He just reacted instinctively to Sophie’s sudden shout, that was all. It could have happened to anyone …
‘It looks as if Truly Scrumptious has the edge,’ murmurs Alex into my ear, and a funny little shiver runs through me. Thinking it’s the cold, I snuggle a little closer.
‘I hope so, for Poppy’s sake.’ I nod at the TV camera-men who’ve set up in a special area at the rink side. ‘Winning this would be great publicity for her business.’
‘You were very brave to do what you did,’ Alex says, and I laugh awkwardly and turn to say it was nothing. But my eyes collide with his and for the first time I notice how gorgeous and mesmerising they are – so the words on my lips just float away unsaid into the frosty air around us.
At last, I find my voice, although at first try, it comes out rather croakily. ‘Thank you, Alex.’ I clear my throat. ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving me,’ I tell him solemnly, meaning every single word. ‘I don’t know how you managed to get to me in time. You must have been literally flying across the ice. But I’m so grateful.’
He gazes down at me, his arm still tightly around me, and I can’t help noticing the way his eyes crinkle attractively when he smiles. My heart gives a weird little lurch.
Second Chances at the Log Fire Cabin Page 15
