Deck the Shelves (Village of Berkingsley #2)

Happy Xmas - War is Over

Chapter 9

(with Work Clients and my Sister)

I sat at my desk early the next afternoon, feeling cautiously optimistic. The view had nothing to do with it. The office of a new(ish) fashion marketer was about the size of a closet and not the fancy walk-in type. If that wasn’t cringe-worthy enough, I also shared the room with my super-talented partner, Evelyn, who was currently on a late lunch break. Her degree was also in fashion and marketing, so we did our best to make the room as chic as possible, adding a few framed paintings and fake plants since we had no windows for living ones. My desk supplies, from the stapler to the file holder, all matched in a beautiful teal hue, and the yellow sunshine rug I put at my feet helped remind me of the presumably bright skies outside, although I knew that was an unlikely truth on a winter day in London.

After a lengthy video call, I had finally convinced Charlotte Diea that her model would look just as stunning in a flowing skirt as she would in the pantsuit she had originally set her mind on. I reminded her that someone standing on a boat, staring into a sunset, probably would not be dressed like she was going to the office, and the imagery I described seemed to satisfy her.

A solid three-knuckled-knock vibrated on my office door before Sheila poked her head in. Sheila was the head of our creative department and had an exceptionally kind and understanding personality for such a high-pressure position. She also had the work speed of a baby cheetah, darting here and there, gone in a flash before you had an opportunity to ask her questions. But she made sure shite got done and had been patient with me as I learned all the new ins and outs of my position in the last year.

“Hello, Alice. Thanks for stopping in today to clear up some issues. Did the Diea problem get solved?”

“Yes, we are full speed ahead with that campaign. Everything should be ready for next week. I’ve also drawn up social media plans for next month’s Stella McCartney’s ad campaign.”

“That’s my girl. Working magic, I see. Before you leave today, please check in with Evelyn to ensure all is set for tomorrow’s photo shoot for the new Firsch Co. line.”

“Will do. And Sheila?” I said, stopping her before she continued on her frenzied way. She turned back, “Yes?”

“Thank you for making me take these last couple of weeks off. You were right. I needed them, and when I return next week, I know my focus will be 100 percent on the job.”

She pinched her lips together, pausing to think before replying. “I’m glad, Alice. It may have been many years ago, but I was your age once. I remember how earth-shattering your first real heartbreak feels. But this was a one-and-done exception. Don’t presume I will be as patient next time. And, of course, you’ll be giving up next year’s holiday hours until you accumulate the time back.”

“Of course, Sheila. I understand. That’s only fair.”

The crinkle in her eyebrows dissolved into a quick, warm smile. “I’m happy to see you today, and the work you’ve done from home has been impressive. Keep it up.”

I nodded my head. “Thank you, Sheila.”

She was gone in an instant, and I was left to fret over whether that was a positive interaction or if I’d soon be tasked with brewing the office coffee. Positive. I told myself. Definitely positive. I was a hard worker, and I knew I could earn back all of Sheila’s trust and respect from the effort I put forth. I pushed any lingering negative thoughts to the back of my mind. I quickly glanced at my mobile to see if my parents had gotten back to me about the fundraising plan. Even though Dad said he’d talk it over with Ma, I hadn’t received a reply yet from either of them. The Christmas Festival was in two days, and it was pretty much full speed ahead from here. I was really hoping they were hopping on board the train so we could avoid a train wreck. But there were no messages or voicemails from them. I gathered up my files and laptop and secured them in my work bag. Evelyn should be back any minute, and then I planned on heading to my London flat to check on things.

As I sorted through the mail from the last week on my little dining table, all that greeted me were mostly bills and a few fashion magazines. I audibly cheered at the sight of a Christmas card and eagerly tore it open when my mobile buzzed. I swiped right.

“Hi, big sis! What’s been going on this week?”

Silence the likes of a church sanctuary greeted me back.

“Um, hellooooo? Did you butt-dial me?”

I heard the click of her nails rolling across a table in the background. I knew what that meant. I walked over to the sink in my kitchen and filled a glass with water.

“Are you giving me the silent treatment? You are the one who called me, you know.” I poured the water into the house plants on my windowsill, trying to maintain my good mood by breathing in the fresh oxygen the little guys emitted.

Still, silence.

“Oh, crikey. If you aren’t going to tell me what’s been going on, then I’m hanging up now. I don’t have the energy for this.”

Her voice blasted from my mobile speaker, spitting with anger. “What’s been going on this week ? How about, what’s been going on the last few months ? You tell me, little sis . Because you obviously have forgotten to do so.”

I groaned into the phone. She knew. “You found out. Ma told you?”

“Told me that you and Rian broke up months ago? That you’ve been moping around and even were forced on a leave of absence at work because of it? That you haven’t shared the news with anyone and have been dealing with all the post-break-up shite by yourself? Yes, she told me. And yeah, I’m infuriated you didn’t tell me.”

“It wasn’t a leave of absence, and Emilia knew, and… wait… you’re mad?” I wasn’t planning on dragging this up, but my emotions bubbled up like a volcano on the verge of erupting. “Okay, Miss Hotshot. Why did you keep the news about the bookstore a secret? I had a right to know it was closing soon. That’s our home. It might’ve hurt a little less if I had heard it from you instead of the gossip from ladies in the village.”

Scarlett sighed on the other end of the call. Both our emotions were running at a sprint, and even though we were miles away, the tension in the room could cut like a knife. Scarlett and I had a complicated relationship. I loved her and have always looked up to her. But she went through some hard times and closed herself off from me for a few years. We had lived and worked together at Blackley Manor for years, but our relationship wasn’t as close as it had been when we were younger. We shared things, but sometimes it was just too damn hard, and we often took the easier route and avoided the emotional conversations until they boiled over…like today.

“Alice, I’m so deeply sorry for that. I’m ashamed, actually. But Ma and Dad made me promise. They didn’t want you to know before the holidays. They requested one last Christmas where we could pretend things were normal. I knew it was the wrong choice, but they wouldn’t listen to me. I swear.”

I half laughed, half huffed. “Yeah, that sounds a lot like Dad’s stubbornness and Ma’s sentimentality at play.”

“Yup, he’s like me, and there is so much in you from Ma. I’m sorry. I really am. That’s why I agreed last week to come home and help with the Christmas market. I’m proud of you, sis. Here I thought I was the event-planning hospitality gal in the family, but it looks like I have an equal partner now.”

My voice grew vulnerable. “I’m glad you’re coming home, Scarlett. I need you here. I’m scared it won’t work out and that it won’t be enough. Dad and Ma haven’t even agreed to let us help yet.”

“I just spoke with them, and it sounds like they finally gave us their blessing.”

My hand flew to my mouth, and I grew giddy with relief. “That makes me so happy. I’ve put so much work into making this event a success. I was afraid they were going to put a stop to it before we even had a chance to try.”

“We’ll make it work. We’ll do our damn best, at least. And that’s all we can do at this point.”

“You’re right. We’ll give it the ole’ Evans Girl attempt, and hopefully, that will be enough,” I said.

“Now, tell me all about the breakup. I’m here to listen and help in any way I can.”

I plopped myself down on my sofa, surrounding myself with my emotional-support pillows. I hadn’t spoken in detail to anyone besides Emilia, and that was weeks ago. But it felt therapeutic to talk it over with Scarlett. I noticed that when I described the moment Rian dropped the breakup bomb on me, it didn’t hurt as much anymore. It was after we had watched our favorite reality show together, snuggled on the couch, eating our usual Tuesday night Thai takeaway. He knew how to ruin some of my favorite things, that shitehead. But I couldn’t hate him any longer. Even though he broke my heart, it belonged to him for a long time. He didn’t do it in the best way, but he was always awkward when it came to hard things, and honestly, when you’ve been in a relationship for that long, there was never going to be an easy way to break up.

“Alice, it sounds like maybe you’re starting to be okay. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the heartbreaking pieces of my past, it’s that even if things aren’t meant to be forever, it doesn’t mean that they weren’t supposed to happen at all. Your relationship with Rian will forever be a part of who you are, and it was what you needed at the time. But now you’re in a new chapter of your life, and you’ll find your way. I know you will. You always have.”

“Thanks, sis. I’m glad you called. I’m sorry for not telling you.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry, too. In the future, let’s both try to let each other in sooner.”

“Well, I do have some news to share. I might have somewhat of a date tonight…”

Me: So, surprise! I finished work early and decided to grab the best hot ham and cheese sandwich to share with you. Also picked up an order of cheese fries, but I might have already devoured them before the taxi showed up. #Sorrynotsorry.

Me: What’s your address? Are you done with work yet?

Freddie (Bookstore Duke): Great! Yes, I’m just about finished. It’s Fulham Road, Fulham, SW6 1HS. Ring when you get here so I can come get you.

Me: On my way. I’ll see you soon.