Christmas at Wynter House

by Emily Harvale

  'Did you? Where did you go?'

  'To Wyntersleap Falls.'

  'Really? They're quite impressive at the moment.'

  'They were a little frightening.'

  'Did you all go?'

  'No,' Dennis said. 'Just Neva. She bumped into your brother who told her there's a chance the river may flood. Do you know if that's a possibility? Wendy says Rafe and Sean are discussing it now, so we're hoping to get an update because Rafe suggested we might want to leave. He very kindly offered to give us a full refund if we choose to do so.'

  Adam gave Neva an odd look. 'Did he indeed? That's interesting. I'm hoping it won't but it's hard to tell. Two days before you arrived, it was only an inch above its usual level for this time of year, so we weren't at all concerned. If it had been as high as it was yesterday, we'd have given you the option to cancel before you set out. But it rained here all of Wednesday night and all day and night on Thursday. And not just rain. It was a deluge. I've never seen the water rise so fast. By the time Rafe checked on Friday, you were already here, of course, and as you saw for yourselves, it rained again.'

  'But it's a gorgeous day today,' Neva said.

  'Yes. And we're hoping the levels will lower but I'm afraid the forecast isn't good, hence the little powwow.' He nodded his head towards the door.

  'I really want to stay,' Neva said, possibly a touch too eagerly. 'Unless of course, you think it might actually happen. I don't relish being swept away. At least, not by water.'

  He clearly picked up on her veiled hint because his huge smile reached his eyes.

  'I would save you, don't worry, but you're right. A flood is not an exciting prospect. I'll come and give you an update as soon as we've finished. If you've left by then, I'll call round to the cottage. And Neva, if you do go for that walk, perhaps I could come with you. Just to show you the way and to point out one or two areas of interest.'

  'I'd love that, Adam. Thank you.'

  'I'll see you later then. Enjoy your lunch. The food here is excellent.'

  He smiled at each of them and gave Sasha another formal bow before walking behind the bar. As he opened the door, he glanced back at Neva and winked.

  'Nigel,' Rowan said. 'I don't think you'll be getting your nap this afternoon. It sounds as if Neva's got a date, and Sasha and Tempest would seriously cramp her style. You'll have to take them out instead. And please don't argue. It's about time Neva had some fun in the romance department. And it's Christmas. The season of good will to all men and sisters-in-law.'

  'OK,' mumbled Nigel.

  And he didn't even look cross.

  Chapter Ten

  About three quarters of an hour later, as Neva and her family were finishing their lunch, Adam, Rafe and Sean appeared behind the bar. Rafe didn't look in Neva's direction and nor did Sean, but Adam couldn't seem to take his eyes off her and Neva smiled as tingles of excitement ran up and down her spine. The three men continued talking and Wendy had to squeeze past them twice. Once to take Ethel and Queenie more drinks and again to come and clear the plates from Neva and her family's table. Wendy frowned at Sean as she tried to balance several plates and he soon come rushing over.

  'Let me help with these, love.' He beamed at her as he cleared the remaining plates and put them on a tray.

  'What's the news about the river?' Dennis asked.

  'I'll let Rafe and Adam fill you in,' he replied, 'but we think it should be OK.'

  Neva sighed with relief. Apart from wanting to go to Merriment Bay in the next day or two to see the salon and to get a feel for the place, she wasn't ready to lose the chance of seeing more of Adam. It was unlikely that it would lead to anything, but a kiss or two, or maybe something more, would be good. And who knows, if she moved to Merriment Bay, she might get to see him again in the future.

  She watched as Rafe and Adam talked to Ethel and Queenie. Both women shook their heads, or nodded, as appropriate it seemed, to whatever Rafe was telling them.

  She smiled at Adam as he approached. She even smiled at Rafe but he merely gave her a cursory glance, although as he came closer, she was sure he became more attentive. He definitely gave her a full once over when he reached the table and she stood up to hand Sean the last two empty glasses. As she sat back down, she was very glad she had worn her red dress and put on make-up. But more so for Adam's admiration than for Rafe's.

  'After a lot of debate, we think the river may hold,' Rafe said, looking away from Neva and giving Dennis his full attention. 'But the forecast is changeable and it could go either way. The Environment Agency and the Met Office are both issuing flood warnings for several areas but the Merriment District Council are of the opinion that the river won't breach its banks and Wyntersleap reservoir can cope with any excess water. That's great for Merriment Bay, but what they seem to be forgetting is that the bank narrows as it passes Wyntersleap village. There's more water coming over Wyntersleap Falls than I've ever seen before. If I were you, I think I would leave.'

  'Are you telling everyone to leave?' Neva asked.

  'Excuse me?' Rafe's brows furrowed as if he didn't understand the question.

  'What about Ethel and Queenie? And Wendy and Sean. Not forgetting the other villagers we haven't met and any other holidaymakers in your additional rental cottages. Oh, and the terrible twosome, Cecil and Ronnie. Are you suggesting they all go elsewhere?'

  'Not yet, no.'

  'Then why are you telling us to go? Especially if the other holidaymakers are staying.'

  He took a deep breath. 'You're the only ones in the rental cottages at the moment. One family cancelled on Friday morning and the others weren't due until today. I advised them not to come.'

  'Oh. But Ethel and the others? They're all staying put?'

  'For now. Yes.'

  'Then I think we should stay too. If the local council says there's nothing to worry about, and you said yourself it's never flooded before, then I don't see any reason for us to leave.' She looked at the rest of her family. 'What does everyone want to do? Stay or go?'

  'Stay!' yelled Sasha. Tempest barked but that could have meant stay or go.

  'Stay,' said Rowan. 'I'm too knackered to pack up and drive all the way back to Surrey today.'

  'Whatever my wife and daughter say,' said Nigel.

  'Mum? Dad?'

  'It seems we're outnumbered anyway.' Dennis smiled at Dawn. 'But what do you think, darling?'

  'I was so looking forward showing everyone Merriment Bay. It seems a shame to leave now that we've settled in. And surely if there was a real risk of it happening, the local authority would be issuing sandbags or something or telling people to leave their homes. Isn't that what they usually do?'

  'Has the council issued sandbags or warnings?' Rowan asked.

  Rafe shook his head.

  'It looks like we're going to stay then,' Dennis said.

  Rafe didn't look at all pleased.

  'Then I hope you've got holiday insurance that covers flood damage to your belongings, because now that I've warned you, our insurance probably won't extend to you.'

  'We can make sure all our things are out of harm's way, just in case,' Neva said. Even if it floods, it won't go higher than a few inches, will it?'

  'As it's never flooded before, I have no idea.' Rafe glared at her.

  Adam had remained oddly silent but now he spoke. 'That's the point, Rafe. It never has flooded. Not since records began. So if they want to stay, what's the problem?'

  'The problem, Adam, is I'll have enough to do if the river breaches. I don't want to have to worry about holidaymakers too. No offence to you and your family, Dennis.'

  'None taken. As we've decided to stay, we wouldn't expect you to. We'll set our phones for weather updates and the local news alerts, and if it sounds like it may become an issue, we'll leave, I promise you that.'

  'Yes,' Neva said. 'We're not idiots.'

  Judging by the look Rafe gave her, he clearly didn't agree.

  'Fine.' Rafe glanced across
at Sean who was leaning on the bar. 'They're staying. Will you keep an eye on things down here?'

  Sean nodded. 'You know I will.'

  Rafe gave Dennis and Neva a perfunctory smile. 'Good bye then.' He turned to walk away. 'Adam? Are you coming?'

  'Right behind you.' Adam smiled apologetically at Neva. 'I'm sorry but Rafe needs me to help him on the estate. I'm afraid I won't be able to join you on your walk. But can I have a rain check? Sorry. Not a good choice of phrase given the situation. Can we do it another day?'

  'Any time you want. You know where I am.' Neva smiled at him, and glared at Rafe's back as he and Adam left the pub via the door at the end of the bar.

  'Well', said Nigel, 'this is all very exciting. And the best bit is, I get to have my sleep this afternoon because now Neva can take Sasha and Tempest for that walk as originally planned.'

  'Yay!' Sasha jumped up and down.

  'Yay,' said Neva, despondently.

  Did Rafe Wynter have the slightest idea that he had just ruined her day? And not just hers, but possibly also his brother's.

  And would he give a damn if he did?

  Chapter Eleven

  Neva woke with a start and opened her eyes. Despite having an early night, she was exhausted, but that was only to be expected. She had had another restless night. This time she had dreamt of thunder storms so loud she was sure the cottage shook, and lightning bright enough to light up her room like day. In her dream, the rain had been so heavy that it sounded as if a dance troupe, all wearing clogs had held a performance on the roof. She glanced at her phone and groaned. It was 5.30 a.m. and still dark outside. Pitch black, in fact. But it would be twilight in half an hour. She turned over to go back to sleep, knowing precisely what had caused her strange dreams.

  After the pub, yesterday afternoon, she had gone for her walk with Sasha and Tempest. They'd seen Little Wynter Falls, which were nowhere near as impressive as Wyntersleap Falls. From there they'd walked to Wyntersleap reservoir and Neva had been relieved to see that there was certainly room for a lot more water in there. But that of course, was way past the village. Having seen the amount of water gushing over Wyntersleap Falls that morning, and the height of the river between them and Little Wynter Falls, she began to wonder if she and her family had made the right decision.

  But Rafe was the only one who seemed to be especially worried. The local authorities were clearly not concerned enough to give out more than warnings. They weren't telling people to leave their homes. How awful that would be; even more so at this time of year.

  Sasha was as tired as Neva when they returned to the cottage and after a late afternoon nap, followed by a supper of Dawn's homemade, hot sausage rolls, and later, warm mince pies and cream, then a few games of scrabble, monopoly and charades, every member of the family, including Tempest was in bed by 10 p.m.

  But someone was up early. Who would be running a bath at this time in the morning? And taking a shower. And now something was hammering on the roof.

  A crack of thunder brought her to her senses and she leapt out of bed and raced to the window, peering through the darkness. That wasn't the bath or the shower. That was rain. The Christmas tree lights gave some illumination and shock set in immediately. The river had breached and water was already at the door of the cottage closest to it.

  'Mum! Dad! Everyone! Get up! The river's flooding the village!'

  She raced to each room, banging on the doors and within seconds everyone was up and running around like headless chickens.

  'What should we do?' Rowan shrieked. 'Sasha! Sasha where are you?'

  'I'm here, Mummy. And Tempest too. Are we all going to drown?'

  'No,' Neva said, trying to regain her composure. 'No one's going to drown. I think the water's only reached the first cottage but we need to get our things together and get to our cars. We can't go over the bridge so we must make our way to higher ground. I've got to let the rest of the village know. I don't think anyone else is up.'

  She dashed downstairs and grabbed her jacket, slipping her bare feet into her walking boots but not stopping to tie up the laces. She ran outside. Which cottages were empty and which ones were occupied? Sean would know. She ran to the pub, banging on Cecil and Ronnie's door as she passed and shouting as loud as she could above the storm.

  She banged on the door of the pub and screamed Sean and Wendy's names. The door was opened within seconds.

  'I know,' Sean said, pulling her into the doorway even though she was already saturated. 'I've seen it. I've called Rafe, and he and Adam are on their way.'

  'I've told my family we must get everything into our cars and get to higher ground. Where does the road lead from your car park? We can't cross the bridge.'

  'To Wynter House. And beyond that, there's nothing but fields and hills for several miles.'

  'Then we'll have to go to Wynter House for now. I'm sure there must be room on their drive or whatever. But we need to tell the other villagers. Who lives where, Sean?'

  'Don't worry about that. You go back to your family and get yourselves to safety. The water's just flooding right now. It's not a torrent. But I can see it's rising quickly and if this storm continues, it won't be long before we're up to our knees or worse. Wendy and I will deal with the villagers, and Rafe and Adam will be here any minute.'

  A screech of brakes and tyres proved Sean right. Rafe and Adam appeared in two Range Rovers which they drove right in front of the pub. Rafe leapt out and shot a look at Neva through the rain.

  'Are you OK?'

  'Yes.'

  'I told you to leave.'

  'It's a bit late for that, isn't it? Sean says you and Adam will help get everyone out. Can we go to your house and park outside until we know what's happening?'

  'Of course,' said Adam. 'You must come and stay with us. You all must.'

  Rafe glanced at Adam and seemed to hesitate for a second before nodding to Sean, but neither of them looked pleased.

  'Thank you. I'll go and get dressed and tell my family.'

  Dennis was rushing towards her. 'I'll get the car and park outside the cottage. That'll be quicker.' He ran on towards the car park.

  'Don't waste time dressing,' Rafe said. 'Just grab your things and get out of here. I don't think the water will reach dangerous levels but I'd rather not take that chance.'

  Neva dashed back out into the rain and bolted to the cottage. She grabbed a towel from the kitchen, dried her hands and then whizzed around unplugging everything electrical, especially the Christmas tree lights. She checked around to see if there was anything of theirs on the ground level but they'd all taken everything upstairs last night, just in case. Now they had to bring it all down again.

  Rowan was tossing suitcases and bags down the stairs and one nearly hit Neva.

  'No breakables, don't worry,' Rowan said. 'This is faster. Sasha? Bring your things, and don't leave anything behind.'

  Neva moved all the cases and bags to the door and Dennis charged back in, and began ferrying everything out to his car.

  'We'll use ours for as much of the luggage and presents etc. as we can. Nigel's gone to get his. Does anyone else in the village need to move anything because if so, is there any room in yours?'

  Dennis was half way to the kitchen as Neva replied, 'Yes. I'll find out who needs what.'

  Rafe appeared at the door. 'We need to get things moving. How many cars do you have?'

  'Three,' Neva said. 'I can fit some stuff in mine and some people. We're going to put all our belongings in Dad's and some in Nigel's but there may still be some room for other people's things. I've turned everything electrical off but not at the mains. I'll do that as we leave.'

  Rafe looked both surprised and impressed.

  'Builder's daughter,' she added.

  'Well. Thank you. But don't worry about that. I'll deal with it. Can you take Ethel and Queenie and the dogs in your car? They'll struggle to get in and out of the Range Rovers.'

  'Yes. What about Cecil and Ronnie? Do
they have a car? If not, I can fit them in at a push.'

  'Thanks. That'll leave more room in Penny and Roger's car. Gavin and Archie are on their way too, so that will help.'

  'No idea who they are, but is there anyone else you need us to take?'

  'No. I think that's it. Just follow the road until you see a fork ahead. The gates to Wynter House are on your left. They're open of course so just drive in and continue on until you see the house. Park anywhere. We'll worry about that later. And Neva.'

  'Yes.'

  'Drive safely. Even the roads are like rivers today and just before the gates where two roads lead into one, there's a large pool of water. Go slow there or you'll aquaplane again.'

  'Again?' She'd forgotten her lie. 'Oh yes. Right. I'll be careful. And I'll tell the others.'

  People rushed to and fro, several of whom Neva had not seen before. They must be the ones Rafe mentioned. By the time she went to get her car, the water was creeping along the cobbles, getting nearer all the time, but even though the river was a torrent, the overspill was like a gentle brook trickling over the cobbles.

  'Have you got everything, Neva?' This time it was Adam asking as she got out of her car to pick up Ethel, Queenie and the dogs.

  'Yes. I just need to get Cecil and Ronnie after I've got Ethel and Queenie in my car.'

  'You go and get the men. I'll deal with the ladies. They may be a bit unsteady on their feet.'

  He was right. They were. As Neva banged on the door of Ruby Cottage, she watched Adam help the ladies to her car and get them settled in the back, together with the corgis, Boris and Duchess.

  'We're not coming,' Cecil said, opening the door the merest fraction.

  'What? The village is flooding. We don't know how high the water may get.'

  Ronnie peered around Cecil. 'It's a worry, I'll admit. But it doesn't look too bad. We've been moving everything upstairs. We'll be fine.'

  'Not without heat, hot water, or electricity you won't. You can't light a fire in a pool of water. And the water will fuse the electrics if it reaches the sockets. Come with us. We're going to go to Wynter House until we know the situation.'