A Merry Little Christmas

Chapter 37

Merry

When Cole turned down the long tree-lined driveway to the Enchanted Spa, Merry drew in an excited breath. It was snowing harder now, but ahead of them she could see the most beautiful country house, which, dusted with snow, looked absolutely magical.

‘This is going to be wonderful,’ she said, smiling at Cole. Even more wonderful had she had company, but it was understandable, Emily was bound to have other things to do so close to Christmas Day.

‘I hope so, darling,’ Cole replied, slowing down to manoeuvre the truck into a parking space right by the door.

A car passed by behind them as Merry opened the passenger door. She did a double take and then laughed. ‘Gosh, I’m seeing things, I could have sworn that was Emily driving into the car park.’

She craned her neck for another look, but the car had turned the corner.

‘Whoah, stay right there,’ Cole yelled, running around to her side. His boots skidded in the snow, and he almost slid into her. ‘Don’t go anywhere by yourself, it’s dangerous.’

‘All right, keep your hair on,’ she said with a giggle. ‘Although I’d like to point out you just nearly knocked us both over.’

He grabbed her handbag from the footwell, slung it over his shoulder and then held her hand tight. ‘I panicked. I’m under a lot of pressure today.’

She gave him a sceptical look. ‘Care to elaborate on that?’

‘Just you,’ he spluttered. ‘Dealing with my heavily pregnant wife in these conditions.’

‘Fine,’ she retorted, letting him lead her towards the revolving door. ‘But less of the “heavily” please, I’m beginning to get a complex.’

‘And I’m beginning to think I prefer you when you haven’t had a good night’s sleep; I can’t keep up with you today.’

‘Wowzers,’ Merry breathed, turning a full circle as they stepped through the doors. The foyer of the spa oozed glamour and luxury, from the twinkling crystal chandeliers to the sparklingly clean marble floor. ‘This is very fancy.’

‘Glad you approve. Reception desk straight ahead,’ said Cole, steering her forward.

There were already several other women checking in; Merry took a seat while Cole waited in the queue for her.

The Christmas decorations were the most extravagant Merry remembered ever seeing. Enormous festive floral arrangements adorned each end of the reception desk. Sprigs of spruce, trailing ivy, winter berries and velvety red roses spilled from vases and everywhere she looked, she saw red and silver bows woven through evergreen swags, wreaths and garlands, all plump with holly, mistletoe and eucalyptus. From hidden speakers came the gentle sound of Christmas music played on a harp. The whole effect was just as magical as the exterior.

The revolving doors started to turn again as someone else arrived and Merry suddenly found herself on her feet, her heart thumping with shock at the sight of her best friend. She glanced over at Cole and then back at Nell. This couldn’t be a coincidence.

For a moment, she stood speechless, watching as Nell spun around exactly as she had, admiring her surroundings. It was so good to see her; if her limbs didn’t feel quite so leaden, she’d have wanted to run to her and hug her tight. To hell with their argument, she just wanted her friend back.

Finally, Nell turned in her direction and noticed her.

‘Merry!’ she gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. ‘What the hell? What is going on?’

Merry took a step back, that wasn’t quite the warm greeting she’d been expecting. ‘I was about to ask you the same question.’

‘Emily brought me,’ Nell said, folding her arms. ‘Have I been set up?’

Merry frowned; so it had been her sister she’d seen in the car park. She looked over at Cole, who appeared to be filling in a form and avoiding her eye.

‘If you have, so have I,’ Merry retorted, not knowing whether to be insulted or not.

Nell pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. ‘Sorry, sorry. It’s just today has not gone as planned.’ Her voice broke. ‘And I feel terrible.’

Merry’s eyes welled up with tears. ‘I feel terrible too. But at least you look amazing.’ Nell looked very put together, hair falling in perfect soft waves, eyes framed with long lashes, cheeks pink and mouth glossy with nude lipstick.

Nell rubbed the back of her neck. ‘Thanks. I thought I was meeting Olek, and I wanted to look my best, but hey ho. And so do you. I suppose you don’t want a size-related compliment, but you look pretty amazing too. You look …’ Nell’s voice wavered. ‘Ready to pop actually.’

‘Let’s hope I don’t pop today.’ Merry’s hand went automatically to her stomach. She was so looking forward to her massage, mostly so she could legitimately lie down and escape from the world for an hour. Her earlier burst of energy was disappearing, and her back was really starting to ache. ‘Because that would be extremely inconvenient.’

‘I guess so,’ said Nell, looking down at her feet.

The two of them smiled awkwardly and Nell cleared her throat.

This was awful, thought Merry. Normally, their chatter flowed as fast as a river into the sea after heavy rainfall, with both of them speaking so rapidly that one topic tumbled into another. But today, conversation was as dry as the desert. ‘This is so weird, you and me struggling to know what to say.’

‘Really weird,’ Nell agreed, shoving her hands into the pouch pocket of her hoodie. It was her best Sweaty Betty one that Merry had bought for her last birthday. Nell loved it and had said it was almost too good to exercise in and she wanted to save it for best.

‘Nell.’ Merry swallowed a lump in her throat. The last couple of weeks had been hellish without her best friend. ‘I’ve missed you.’

Nell nodded. ‘I’ve missed you too and I’m so sorry about your dad.’ She blinked tears from her eyes. Merry wanted to reach out and hug her, but Nell lowered her head, severing eye contact.

‘Yes, me too,’ Merry mumbled.

‘At least we’re agreeing on things today.’ Nell gave a half-hearted laugh.

‘Like we always used to.’ Merry tried to match Nell’s attempt at humour, but it felt false.

‘I’m sorry,’ they both blurted out at once.

They looked at each other and laughed in surprise.

Merry’s heart lifted; it felt good to be with Nell. Perhaps they were going to be OK, she thought. As long as they could laugh again together, all might be well.

‘This feels like the bit in Christmas movies when it starts to snow and the girl and the guy make up and he sweeps her off her feet,’ Merry said.

‘Don’t expect me to sweep you off your feet,’ replied Nell, ‘I’ll put my back out.’

‘Rude.’ Merry laughed.

‘Give us a hug then,’ said Nell, stepping forward and holding her arms out.

Merry stifled a sob. ‘I’ve missed your hugs.’

‘It’s no easy task these days,’ Nell groaned, trying to get close enough to get her arms around her.

‘Again, rude!’ said Merry with a snort, turning sideways to help her out.

‘Oh, darling.’ Nell pressed her cheek against Merry’s. ‘I feel so ashamed that I didn’t know your dad had passed away for so long.’

‘I sent you several messages.’ Merry frowned; remembering how the WhatsApp messages had definitely been delivered. The notifications had said that they hadn’t been read, but Merry had assumed that was wrong.

‘I was so angry, I didn’t open them. I …’ Nell’s chest heaved as if she was trying to hold back her tears. ‘I’m a terrible friend, I know.’

Merry couldn’t help but feel hurt. She didn’t think she’d be able to ignore messages from Nell, regardless of how things had been left between them. Merry could have been ill, or could have given birth. How could Nell have not wanted to read them?

She opened her mouth to say this to her but thought better of it; their relationship was fragile enough right now. ‘Let’s talk about it later,’ she said instead. ‘We’ll have plenty of time.’

Just then, Cole joined them, a sheaf of paperwork in his hands. He kissed Nell’s cheek. ‘Glad you could make it.’

‘So you are behind this?’ Merry’s eyes widened. ‘Why didn’t you say?’

Cole put his arm around both of their shoulders. ‘Emily and I concocted it between us. You two need to talk and where better than a spa?’

‘It’s a kind offer,’ Nell gave him a thin smile, ‘but I need to get hold of Olek and find out where he is. I’m not in the right frame of mind for this place today. Sorry.’

‘Please stay, Nell,’ Merry begged. ‘It’s been so long, and the baby will be here soon. I might not get another chance.’

Nell’s face closed down completely and Merry realised her mistake.

‘You stay and enjoy.’ Nell wriggled out from under Cole’s arm, taking her phone out of her bag. ‘I’ll call a cab.’

‘You know what I want most for Christmas?’ said Cole, catching hold of Nell’s hand. ‘I want the Merry and Nell show back in my life. I miss you. You two go together like … cheese and pickle, or Marmite and toast, apple pie and cream.’

‘Someone didn’t have enough breakfast,’ Merry quipped. Nell conceded a tiny smile.

‘Don’t change the subject,’ said Cole, steering them both towards the reception desk. ‘The point is that it’s unthinkable to separate classic double acts. And I don’t think either of you really want to stay apart for ever. So why don’t you both collect your gowns and your complimentary flip-flops and spend today together. Nell? What do you say?’

‘OK,’ she replied with a weary sigh. ‘I’ll stay.’

‘Well done, darling,’ Merry whispered in his ear.

‘You’re welcome,’ he replied, giving her a swift kiss. ‘Now have fun and try not to get into any trouble.’

‘I’ll try,’ she murmured, watching Nell out of the corner of her eye, who was typing furiously on her phone and brushing tears away with the back of her hand.

Poor Nell. Merry knew she had to find out what was going on between her and Olek and help put it right before Christmas Day and she only had a few hours to do it in.

You’ll have to wait, kiddo , she thought, caressing her bump as the baby flexed against her stomach muscles. For now, Nell was the priority; she didn’t have time to give birth.