Christmas Promises at the Garland Street Markets: A feel good Christmas romance (New York Ever After, Book 5)

by Helen J Rolfe

  ‘What, and ask her why she cut you out of all the photographs?’ She swished her immaculate blonde, bobbed hair out from under the strap of her bag and it obediently settled back to how it was before. ‘You and Dylan can deal with this one. This is what you signed up for, Cleo – the family, all the kids.’ And with a smile she added, ‘I’ll see myself out.’

  *

  ‘There’s no need to call her that,’ said Cleo after she told Dylan how the conversation with Prue had gone and he had a few choice words about the woman. Cleo had been at the store, followed by the Inglenook Falls markets, and he’d been out all day with Tabitha and Emily. She’d replied to his texts assuring him everything was fine, she was OK, and she’d waited until they were both home before she told him about her encounter with his ex-wife.

  ‘Ruby!’ he called up the stairs. ‘Ruby!’ he bellowed again when she didn’t come running. ‘Believe me,’ he told Cleo, ‘I said plenty to Ruby in the car on the way to school but she hasn’t been anywhere near you since she got home, she certainly hasn’t apologised properly.’

  ‘Can you keep Jacob, Emily and Tabitha amused in the kitchen and let me have the lounge?’ she asked him.

  ‘You don’t need to do this on your own. It’s time I said something and stopped trying to play the nice guy.’

  He was looking out for her, Cleo knew. He was stuck between his fiancée and his daughter, much like Cleo’s dad had once been trying to please Cleo and Teresa. And she’d never gone easy on either of them. ‘I do need to do this on my own, Dylan. Ruby will be expecting you to tell her off, me to cry and then Prue to pick her up to take her for dinner.’ Dylan had already called it off with Prue and she’d been more than happy to postpone, citing Christmas drinks with friends – most likely to let Dylan know she had a social life of her own. She’d always been in some weird kind of competition, childish but completely Prue.

  When Ruby eventually braved coming downstairs, Cleo asked her to come into the lounge and shut the door behind them. ‘You and I need to talk.’ Silence. ‘Why did you do it, Ruby?’ More silence. ‘Come on, you’re not leaving this room until we’ve had this out.’ She was no longer angry, just sad.

  Cleo moved Ruby’s hand that was tugging at the loose thread on the bottom of her favourite multicoloured sweater, which Cleo had knitted for her last year, thankful it had escaped the chop this morning unlike the photographs.

  When Ruby began to cry Cleo could tell she wasn’t doing it for attention or because she thought it would save her from having to divulge what was going on. The little girl was genuinely upset, confused, and Cleo waited for the tears to flow, handed her a tissue and stayed by her side. ‘I thought you and I were friends,’ she said when Ruby’s sobs had faded to a subtle sniff. ‘I don’t think friends cut each other out of photographs, do you?’

  ‘No.’ Ruby looked younger than her ten years now, forlorn, nose snotty, hair falling across her cheeks so Cleo couldn’t see her.

  ‘Why, Ruby?’ She hooked Ruby’s hair over her ears so she could see her face. ‘I’m going to let you in on a bit of a secret.’ Red eyes looked up at her. ‘Nanny Teresa is, as you know, my stepmother. But what you never knew was that once upon a time I didn’t get on with her.’

  Her sniffling stalled as she looked up at Cleo. ‘But you love Nanny Teresa.’

  ‘Now I do. But back then I was rude, mean, or I just didn’t talk to her.’ Ruby took a shuddering breath, verging on the point of tears that threatened to come again, but Cleo ploughed on. ‘I didn’t like her at all when my dad first met her. I thought she was trying to replace my mum. I suppose in some ways I also thought she’d take my dad away from me, and I’d already lost one parent.’ Cleo smiled. ‘Since I got to know Teresa and stopped seeing her as the enemy, we get on really well. She’s kind, loyal, fun, she loves me and, what’s more, she makes my dad very happy. But it took me many years to be able to see that. And my dad was too nice to me, Teresa too, because they backed off and let me work my way through it. I’m not sure if I wish they hadn’t, or whether it was all for the best.’

  She led Ruby over to the sofa and sat them both down. ‘Nanny Teresa came to see me here in New York when I had my store in the city. Before that I’d been civil to her but not much else. But when she came, we really talked and I got to know her, how insecure she’d been feeling, how much she longed for my approval.’ She clasped Ruby’s hand. ‘You see, losing a parent is really hard, whether it’s the way I lost my mum or the way you lost yours.’

  ‘But I still have my mom.’

  ‘But she’s not with your dad anymore, and I think that sometimes makes you sad.’

  ‘It does.’

  ‘Do you wish they’d get back together?’

  This time Ruby shook her head. ‘Dad says they used to fight a lot. Mom says it too. I don’t think they’d be very good together anymore.’

  ‘But you’ve still lost something, Ruby, that’s what I’m trying to say. Maybe you’ve lost the idea of your mum and dad being together. I understand, I really do. But I’ll never try to replace your mum, and I’ll never take your dad away from you. He has a whole lot of love to give, for all of us.’

  ‘That’s not it.’

  ‘No?’

  Ruby’s tears started again and this time Cleo pulled her to her. ‘Talk to me, Ruby, please. I can’t help if you don’t.’

  It took her a while but eventually Ruby got the words out. ‘You ran away.’

  ‘From England? Well, yes, I suppose I did.’

  ‘Not that time.’

  ‘Then what time are you talking about?’

  ‘You ran off once, you went missing, before your friend’s wedding.’

  ‘How did you know about that?’ She and Dylan had always been careful not to frighten the kids with too much adult stuff, but her doing a runner that one and only time had been something they’d likely talked about thinking they weren’t overheard, not realising little ears always had a surprising ability to pick up the things you really didn’t want them to hear rather than those you did.

  ‘I heard you and Dad talking.’

  Cleo thought how best to word this. ‘I did disappear but not for long, I needed space. I never said anything because we didn’t want you kids to worry.’

  ‘You ran away from us.’

  ‘Oh no, is that what you think?’ She pulled Ruby in tighter and planted a kiss on the top of her head. ‘Is that what’s got you so upset and worried? I love you all, I promise you that.’

  ‘Jacob and I aren’t your children.’

  This again, and no doubt some of it came from Prue. ‘I’ve told you this before, but I’ll tell you again because I really want you to see it the way I do, Ruby. You are my children, you and Jacob. I might not be your mum but you’re very much my children. From the moment I moved in here with your dad, we became another version of family.’ She looked at Ruby now. ‘Is that what started all of this doubt? Why you’ve been misbehaving? Is it because you think I don’t love you two enough?’

  ‘You might run away and leave us again. Mum left. You might not have come back if Dad hadn’t found you.’

  She kept Ruby close to her side. ‘I ran for reasons that had nothing to do with your dad or you kids.’ She took a deep breath, remembering the time as though it were only yesterday not more than a year ago. ‘I was very sad at the time about losing my own mum. I was sad that she would never get to meet her grandchildren, and by that I mean all of you. I was sad that she’d left my life when I was so young, that I never got the chance to know her more. The problem with sadness and grief is that you don’t have a timeslot in which it’s all dealt with, it creeps up when you least expect. It comes in waves.’

  ‘Like the waves in the ocean, you mean.’

  ‘Exactly. Think of the ocean, how calm it is sometimes.’

  ‘Not when there was the storm in Nantucket.’

  ‘No, not then, those waves were big, dark and angry. I guess that’s how my emotions go somet
imes. The wave got bigger and that time it managed to topple me over and I ran away.’

  ‘Where did you go?’ Ruby turned to face her, her legs tucked up on the sofa between them, her expression inquisitive.

  ‘I went to a place that had very good memories for me. I went to Litchfield, where we’ve all been before, leaf peeping, do you remember?’

  A guilty look crossed her face. ‘The place in the photos.’

  ‘We can print them all out again.’

  ‘Can we?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I’m sorry I ruined them. It was mean.’

  ‘You were knocked over by a wave, Ruby, that’s all.’ She pulled her into her arms again.

  ‘You promise you won’t leave us?’

  ‘I promise. Not even when you’re a teenager and telling me you hate me.’

  ‘I’d never say that.’

  Cleo smiled and didn’t say out loud that of course she would, and she’d take it, every single thing Ruby threw at her, and Jacob for that matter. ‘You need to promise me something too, Ruby.’

  ‘Anything.’

  ‘Promise me you’ll be the best bridesmaid ever and help me plan this wedding. I’m going to need all the help I can get.’

  And with a smile Ruby flung her arms around her and told her she’d never let her down again. And Cleo wouldn’t let any of the kids down because she’d take it all, every single bump in the road of parenthood, because they were finally beginning to find their way to happiness in their peculiar patchwork family pulled together in a mishmash of colours.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Amelia

  Amelia had been thinking about Nathan for the last twenty-four hours, since he’d almost kissed her. Good-looking, sophisticated, with a hint of trouble, a man she hadn’t liked at first but who she was very much attracted to. She’d thought about him all evening as she enjoyed another mulled wine, all this morning and the entire time helping out at the market stall, wondering whether he’d show up. He didn’t, and she found she was disappointed.

  As she walked back to the apartment alone after Kyle stayed back to work, flat out serving people who’d left buying a tree ridiculously close to the big day, there was still no sign of the snow they’d been promised, the kind that would settle and blanket the city. It was still freezing however and the second Amelia got inside she ran a bath. She added in the lavender oil she’d bought herself from the chalet next to hers at the market. Today the cold seemed to have seeped through all her layers with no regard for how many there were, but it was time to relax. She didn’t manage it when Kyle was around but tonight he’d offered to hang back and help Mitch clear up after the rush died down. Mitch was paying him cash in hand, perhaps that was his incentive, and it would go towards a lovely gift for Scarlett this Christmas if that’s where his mind was heading.

  She sank into the fragranced water for a bit of well-deserved relaxation and to carry on her daydream about Nathan, who she wished had come by to see her today or at least sent her a text. But he was probably busy with Scarlett, who’d be missing Kyle with the extra hours he was putting in. Kyle must be so wrapped up in Scarlett that he’d been in late last night and out first thing this morning. He’d even forgotten to open his parcel.

  Blissful in the warm water, she only stirred twenty minutes later when a knock at the door had her attention. She climbed out of the bath, wrapped herself in a towel and tiptoed towards the door, hoping it was Nathan. Clutching her towel, she went right close to the peephole. But when she saw who it was, her heart plummeted.

  Another knock.

  Amelia gasped. ‘Just a minute,’ she called. There was no time to get dressed, no time to think about what to say. When she’d sent that text she hadn’t expected a reply let alone a visit in person.

  She opened the door and Paul, the other side, beaming one of his smiles her way, looked as though the past six months of separation hadn’t happened at all.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘What kind of a welcome is that?’ He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. ‘I’ve flown thousands of miles to see you.’

  His familiar smell enveloped her and she hugged him back, the moment surreal.

  ‘I got your text.’ He’d closed the door behind them and Amelia was aware of him taking in the fact she was dressed in very little.

  ‘You could’ve replied rather than fly all the way here. I don’t mean…I don’t mean I’m not pleased to see you.’ Her voice softened and he pulled her in closer. But when he pressed his body against hers a funny sensation zipped right through her. It wasn’t the same excitement as the first time they’d been intimate, but rather a feeling of unease most likely brought on by the fact that this was out of the blue. ‘How did you even know where I was?’ she asked, scrambling for answers as she tried to make sense of this.

  ‘I called your sister’s number – figured she’d ignore a text – lied and said I wanted to send you a Christmas card. She sounded terrible actually, if you don’t mind me saying, drunk maybe, that or really sick, couldn’t get me off the phone quick enough.’

  Connie had never been his biggest fan so no wonder she’d kept the conversation short when he called. But it wasn’t like Connie to party quite so much even if they were coming up for Christmas and it wasn’t like her to give out Amelia’s address without asking questions. Maybe she had come down with the flu rather than a mere cold, but Amelia couldn’t worry about it right now, she had to shake it off, because Paul was here, standing in front of her. A few months ago she would’ve fallen into his arms and not let go but, now, she wasn’t so sure what to do.

  ‘I got a flight easy enough,’ Paul rambled on, ‘although I had to fly cattle class.’ He shuddered. ‘That wasn’t pleasant, but I’m sure I can book us both into business for the way home. My treat.’ He took in the apartment. ‘This is a nice place, bit shabby but it’s true New York, and nice and cosy for one. My hotel cost a lot this close to Christmas, but it’s huge, great view, you’d love it.’

  ‘I’m sure I would.’ Did he ever take a breath? And judging by what he’d said about this apartment being cosy for one, he had no idea she was here with Kyle. Connie must have really wanted to get him off the phone.

  He stepped forwards, smiling, and cupped her cheek with one hand before he ran it down her neck and across her collarbones. ‘I’ve missed you.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Don’t sound so surprised. When I got your text…’

  ‘But you ended it between us, I don’t understand.’

  ‘Your text said as much.’ He sighed. ‘I guess I didn’t explain myself very well.’

  She gripped her towel tighter. ‘Explain it now.’

  Taken aback with her serious tone, he said, ‘May I sit down?’

  ‘I’ll get dressed.’

  ‘Don’t, the towel suits you.’

  ‘I’m being serious, Paul.’ Maybe she’d forget getting dressed, she wanted him to talk, now. ‘Why did you end it between us? You said we wanted different things. That I always put everyone else first.’ Why couldn’t he have turned up in England and done all this? Perhaps then she’d have some idea how she felt. Why couldn’t he have talked before she’d moved all her things out of his place, before she’d been so emotionally confused that it had begun to impact her work life too?

  ‘I told you the way I felt at the time. I was being honest.’

  ‘So it was about me putting my family first all the time.’

  ‘Family, and work.’

  ‘It’s my job, you must get that.’

  ‘Kind of, but I always worried about you too, some of the families you were involved with…’

  ‘Families who’ve had a tough time.’ Who weren’t born into money, with two parents who stayed the course, without family in their corner. She’d never told him about the black eye she’d got trying to restrain a teen who was out of control and taking his anger out on chairs and tables in the community centre, throwing
them around as though they were confetti. A chair had clocked her high on the cheekbone and the bruise had come up a treat. Paul had been away on a work conference for a fortnight and so by the time he returned the swelling had decreased and the discolouration was easily covered with a good dose of foundation.

  ‘You put everyone else before us,’ he claimed again.

  She shivered in just a towel, but now he was here, she wanted to process the reasons behind the breakup. ‘So you didn’t think you got enough attention?’

  ‘You make me sound like a petulant child, Amelia.’

  ‘I didn’t mean it to sound that way. But I’ve always been the same person ever since we first got together.’

  ‘Not true. You were a telesales exec when we got together.’

  His attempt to lighten the mood didn’t work. ‘Deep down I’m still me. Are you saying my choice of job drove us apart?’

  ‘I’m saying I found it hard. I felt as though you and I were always on the back burner. Behind your family, behind your work. Remember our plans to go walking in the Lake District last year and how excited we were?’

  ‘I do. And I know you went to a lot of effort to arrange the surprise.’ They’d booked to go to a remote area and camp, walk all week and eat out at restaurants. Kyle had pushed the boundaries yet again, Connie was freaking out, and instead of the Lakes, Amelia had driven to Cornwall to sort it out. The thing was, as far as Amelia knew, all they’d sacrificed was a campsite booking they could revisit any time. Paul had been so angry. He’d actually booked a luxury cottage with a roll-top bath, a log burner, an idyllic hideaway where they could get away from it all, walk all day, cook together in the evenings and cosy up with each other and enjoy fine wines.

  ‘It wasn’t the only time either. You cancelled dinner on your birthday because of trouble at work and that time I’d arranged a room at the Shard no less. And you didn’t come to Christmas with my family, who were all excited to have you there, because Kyle had done a runner and you were scouring the streets of Cornwall.’