Escape for Christmas

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘Thanks for the lift,’ Sophie said as Brody dropped her off outside the house. The full moon was shining through a break in the clouds, revealing snow on the high fells and the silvery lake down below in the valley.

‘You’re welcome. Oh, and if you need a lift back to your car tomorrow, I’m going down there around seven-thirty, if that’s not too early?’

‘I’ll need to get the car towed first thing, so that would be a help.’

‘OK.’ He seemed about to ask her something else. ‘See you in the morning then.’

She’d had such a great evening. Brody was not only handsome, but was a nice guy – just the type she didn’t think was out there, after the heartbreak she’d gone through. Tonight had proved that not only could she get through a festive event, but she could enjoy herself. ‘Oh and, Brody, I will try to pop in for the party. For a short time. If that’s OK?’

‘It’s more than OK. It would be good to see you there.’

He grinned before driving off with a final wave. It was much colder up on the fellside than in town and Sophie hurried towards the house. After the bright lights, festivities and crowds at the parade – and the company – the isolation struck her for the first time.

When she opened the door, two pairs of yellow eyes glowed in a shaft of moonlight that spilled into the hall. A flick of a switch and she blinked in the bright hall pendant light, while the cats wound themselves around her legs.

She bent to stroke them and Jingle miaowed in protest at Sophie for daring to be out of the house for so long, while Belle slipped away from her caress, turning tail as her way of showing disapproval for their mum spending a rare evening out.

‘You two! I couldn’t help being late back tonight. I’ll get your dinner now,’ she said, feeling guilty that she’d been unable to feed them their evening kibble while she’d been enjoying her hot dog at the parade. The memory of Vee’s excited kids and Brody’s company rekindled a warm glow that combated the chilly embrace of the house. She’d enjoyed the evening way more than she’d expected. Was it possible that a teeny part of her still had room in her heart for some seasonal jollity?

The kitchen was warm from the Aga as she poured kibble into the cat bowls and then turned her attention to the answerphone, which was beeping from her office. There were two messages.

The first was from Lyra, whom Sophie rang back and they arranged to meet up when Sophie went back to Stratford in between Christmas and New Year.

‘How’s the “Escape for Christmas” break going?’ Lyra asked. ‘Hold on! I need to shut the office door. Two of the guests are a bit pissed and are murdering carols in the reception area. I can’t be arsed to sort them out yet.’

Sophie laughed. She’d already had to deal with the odd ‘merry’ guest. ‘It’s all pretty good. In fact I’m now fully booked.’

‘Awesome! I’m made up for you. I think it’s a brilliant idea, and I might steal it next year if you don’t mind.’

‘Of course I don’t mind. You’ve helped me so much.’

Lyra chuckled. ‘All I’ve done is offer unsolicited advice. Now tell me more about your plans.’

After twenty minutes they ended the conversation, with Sophie feeling buoyant after a nice evening out, followed by a good chat with her old friend. She couldn’t wait to catch up in person after Christmas.

She turned her attention to the next message, which was from her mother, saying that she couldn’t reach Sophie on her mobile and asking her to call when she had a chance. Her mum must have phoned when Sophie’s battery was flat at the laundry.

Sophie curled up on her sitting-room sofa and called her mum on WhatsApp and waited for her to appear.

‘Oh, Sophie! Hold on, I’ll fetch Dad. He’s in the garage again,’ her mother said impatiently. ‘Hold on.’

Sophie sighed. It was always the same; she had to wait for them both to squash up on the sofa, so they could all see and hear each other. Yet seeing them gave her a warm glow, all the same. They’d been a major support to her during the split and afterwards, and she knew they missed and worried about her, even if she was thirty-four and a business owner.

‘Hello, love.’ Her father squeezed into the shot, next to her mum.

‘We couldn’t get you earlier.’ Her mother sounded worried for a moment.

‘Sorry, my car broke down while I was at the laundrette and my phone battery was flat, but my neighbour picked me up. Then we were stuck in Bannerdale during the lantern parade, which closes the roads, and I’ve only just got home.’

‘Boo to the truck, but hurrah for your neighbour,’ her mum said.

‘Were you actually at this lantern parade?’ her father asked.

‘Yes. It’s a tradition in the village. The children walk through the streets carrying home-made willow lanterns. Vee’s family were there too.’

‘It sounds lovely,’ her mother said. ‘And very Christmassy …’

‘It is,’ Sophie said, as her parents exchanged glances of amazement that she’d attended such a festive celebration.

‘I’m glad you had a good time, and I’m sorry about the truck,’ her father said. ‘What’s wrong with it?’

‘I hit a huge pothole and the wheel buckled. My neighbour’s giving me a lift back into town tomorrow, and the garage will sort it out once they’re able to tow it.’

‘I hope they do it before Christmas,’ her mum said.

‘So do I, because I’m expecting a full house of guests.’ Sophie crossed her fingers, because she’d be in trouble if her pickup was off the road for more than a day. She’d have to hire a replacement, which would cost a bomb, if there was a vehicle available in the holiday season. ‘The local garage is good. They’ll fix it as a priority, I’m sure.’ She sounded way more confident than she felt. ‘So how are you?’ she asked. ‘Everything OK?’

Again her parents looked at each other in a way that made Sophie worry there was something going on.

‘Yes. Everything is fine. We’re all fine, as are your brother and the kids.’

‘But …’ Sophie murmured, sensing there was something they weren’t telling her.

‘We’ve agonised over this. I don’t want to spoil your Christmas – or your festivities – especially when it sounds like you’ve had such a lovely evening.’

Her heart raced. ‘What is it, Mum?’

‘I’m not sure I should say now – I don’t want to spoil things and upset you. It’s so nice seeing you more like your old self again,’ her mum said.

‘I’ll be fine, but you have to tell me now. I’ll be more worried if you don’t,’ Sophie persuaded her.

Her mum took a deep breath. ‘It’s Ben and Naomi. They’re expecting a baby.’

Sophie’s jaw hit the floor and her stomach churned. ‘Expecting whose baby?’ she said, slightly hysterically. ‘Is Santa delivering it? Or the postman?’

‘Ben’s baby. Well, hers. I assume it’s his. Oh, Sophie. We were worried you’d react like this. I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have told you until after Christmas.’

Sophie felt icy cold and a bit sick, but most of all she was angry with herself for feeling anything at all, as far as Ben was concerned.

‘No. You did the right thing,’ she replied, her stomach churning.

Her mother held her father’s hand. ‘I’m sorry I’ve upset you. Dad told me to wait until after Christmas, but I was worried you’d see what Ben’s up to online and that he’d post about the baby, or that one of your old mates would tell you.’

‘I try not to see Ben online,’ Sophie said, still trying to process the news that the man who’d claimed it was far too soon to start a family with her had started one with her former friend, not long after Sophie had gone. ‘I un-friended and blocked Ben, but you’re right, I might have heard from one of my friends at home.’ She forced down her emotions, determined not to show her parents she was upset. ‘When did you find out?’ She was curious to know.

‘One of my art-group pals is friendly with Ben’s mother and she’d heard it from her. Apparently they’ve only just started telling people, but I knew it wouldn’t be long until you found out somehow. Naomi’s four months gone.’

‘ Four? ’ Sophie exclaimed.

‘Yes.’

They’d wasted no time then, Sophie thought. Eight months after she and Ben split up, Naomi must have been pregnant. Was it planned? Or a ‘happy accident’? Sophie felt the sting of tears in her eyes and a wave of anger bearing down on her.

‘I’m so sorry. It must be a shock,’ her father said kindly.

‘Yes … I mean, no. Nothing that snake does shocks me any longer. Actually snakes are OK,’ she said, thinking back to poor old Sir Hiss curled up in his cage at the vet’s. ‘Ben’s … a slimy, lying cockroach!’

‘Your dad used some even stronger words about him, when he first heard.’

He nodded silently to show his solidarity.

‘I can imagine,’ Sophie murmured, though she couldn’t, because her gentle, quiet father rarely swore or lost his temper. She smiled at him. ‘I love you both and I’m grateful you told me first. It’s strange to hear, but we’re all moving on. Ben and Naomi clearly are, and so am I, so I don’t want you to worry that this is going to set me back.’

‘I’m so proud of you,’ her mother said. ‘And perhaps it is for the best that you’re out of the way and making a new life. I’m sorry for making you feel guilty earlier.’

‘You just concentrate on making this Christmas escape a success for your guests and we’ll speak soon, then see you in the New Year,’ her dad reminded Sophie, lifting her spirits. ‘Bye, love …’

‘Bye.’ With a wave, they ended the call.

What a day! Talk about a rollercoaster. First the car, then a lovely evening with Brody, and now this fresh twist. Sophie put down the phone and hugged her knees, feeling a tight knot of pain inside her, exactly as she had for weeks after she’d first found Ben and Naomi shagging in the shop. The temptation to shout, ‘I hate you, Ben!’ was strong, but what would be the point? It would only scare the cats, and it meant that Ben and Naomi had won.

She tried to refocus on the positive. Ben had already shown why he didn’t deserve her, so her dad was right – she had to keep going and continue to put all her energies into the business. The truck could be fixed. In a few days she’d have a full house of guests for her first festive season – and she’d achieved that in her own unique way, despite the naysayers. She’d started and made a success of a new business and now lived in a stunning location.

Gradually her breathing eased and the knot of hurt waned to a bearable ache. This was where she belonged now. Ben and Naomi were part of her history, even if that history was proving harder to shake off than she’d hoped.

Brody picked her up at seven-thirty sharp and they drove off into the dark Lakeland morning to the laundry. Sophie had left a message for the local garage the previous evening before going to bed and followed it up with a phone call on the way to the village. The mechanic assured her he would be out in his tow-truck as soon as possible.

‘Here we go,’ Brody said, parking next to the pickup as the first glow of daylight appeared over the western fells. ‘Let me know if you have any problems or the garage doesn’t turn up. I know the mechanic. His kids have seven guinea pigs between them, so he needs to keep me and my friends sweet.’

‘Seven?’ Sophie said and then, ‘Thanks for the offer, but you’ve already been a huge help and you must have a busy day at the surgery, so don’t want to keep you from it.’

‘Yeah, I guess so, but I mean it. If you needed a lift home or anything, I’m always here to help.’

She smiled, grateful for the kindness he’d shown her. ‘I will. I promise.’

‘OK. Well, if not, I’ll see you at mine tomorrow for the party?’ He was clearly keen to know that Sophie hadn’t had second thoughts and was still coming.

‘Yes, I’ll be there. What time does it start?’

‘People will probably rock up from around seven, but drop in any time. It usually goes on until eleven-ish. That’s when I’ll start collecting up the glasses and offering to fetch the stragglers’ coats. You can turn up any time you want to.’

Sophie laughed. ‘OK, well, I’ll probably pop in near the start, I promise.’ She hesitated before asking, ‘Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to help? Bring a bottle or some crisps?’

He laughed. ‘Thanks for the offer. Mum has caterers doing the food, and it’s my job to collect the booze tomorrow afternoon. That and “making sure the loos look respectable”.’

‘I know that job well.’ Sophie giggled. ‘Vee and Ricky are coming in to help with breakfast and cleaning on Christmas Eve morning, but after that I’m on my own until the guests leave on the twenty-seventh of December – dealing with anything and everything that might go wrong. I think I’ll be very happy to see the back of them by then and have a few days off!’

‘I’m on emergency cover most of the time,’ Brody said. ‘We take it in turns each year.’

‘What are you doing for Christmas Day?’ she asked. ‘Will you be spending it here at Felltop Farm or at your mother’s?’

‘I haven’t been informed yet, but rest assured someone will have plans for me.’ Brody’s tone surprised her by its bitterness.

‘You could always take Harold out for a walk, if it gets too much,’ she suggested lightly.

‘I could . Or I might be called out, which may be the only escape I get,’ he muttered, before a brief smile flickered across his face and he said briskly, ‘Well, I really must be getting on – busy day and all that. My first appointment is at eight-thirty, and Cora will be having kittens. Not that it’s anatomically possible, of course, but …’

Sophie grinned. ‘I’d like to see it.’

‘I wouldn’t! Bye!’ He drove off, with a wave, leaving Sophie perplexed.

After he’d gone, she waited for the tow-truck to arrive, still puzzling over Brody’s cryptic remarks about being told what to do over the festive season, and most of all puzzling about her own reactions to him.

She loved the way he ran his hands through his tousled hair, the colour of espresso coffee, and she liked the cleft in his chin and the whole self-deprecating charm. He adored animals, and his patients adored him. Brody seemed a thoroughly nice guy, and yet so had Ben. He’d shed his nice-guy disguise as fast as the decs off a Christmas tree on Twelfth Night. Could she ever risk being hurt like that again, no matter how much of a ‘good guy’ Brody seemed?