Escape for Christmas

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Sophie finished the breakfast service with a huge sigh of relief. With Ricky unable to help and then Harold creating mayhem – not to mention Brody – the morning had been a very hectic affair.

Now she stationed herself in reception, ready to see her guests off. Her first attempt at an alternative Christmas had gone anything but to plan, resulting in her guests having no heating, light or hot water, being snowed in, enduring an unexpected power cut and having to stay at a stranger’s house while having a traditional Christmas thrust upon them. Not to mention one of them finding out that the person she seemed to hate was staying in the next room. Sophie could only hope they didn’t leave bad reviews or ask for refunds.

Suzanne was first to leave, coming down the stairs with a suitcase that she dumped on the tiles.

‘Hello!’ Sophie said brightly. ‘Ready to check out?’

‘Yes, actually.’ Suzanne’s mouth turned down.

‘I’m so sorry your stay didn’t go as planned,’ she said, readying herself for a string of complaints.

‘It was …’ Suzanne began. ‘It was life-changing .’

‘Oh? Um. Really? ’ Sophie couldn’t hide her surprise.

‘Yes. Not at first, of course. I was absolutely horrified when I initially realised Amber was here. It felt like some terrible coincidence – a punishment, on top of losing my dad.’

‘Our dad,’ said Amber from halfway down the stairs.

‘Don’t worry,’ Suzanne went on, probably noticing Sophie’s wary expression. ‘We’re not going to come to blows. And Amber is right. He was our dad. He fathered both of us, and it’s not our fault that he lied. I guess our mothers were so angry with each other because they couldn’t take it out on the one person who deserved it.’

Amber nodded. ‘We’ve realised that blaming each other is pointless. Being forced to spend some time together in close proximity felt like a living nightmare at first but, in a weird way, it was probably the best thing that could have happened.’

‘Was it?’ Sophie said, hardly daring to hope their stay had worked out after all.

The two women exchanged a glance and Amber spoke.

‘Yes, because we had to talk to each other. We both love our families, but we’ve also realised they are the source of our problems – not each other.’ She glanced at Suzanne, as if to give her a cue.

‘Our mothers are, perhaps understandably, at war with each other, and our other siblings are taking sides. Both our mums are feeling so hurt and betrayed, and rightly so, but we’ve realised that even though our families are at odds, we don’t have to be.’

‘It was a question of loyalty, you see,’ Amber explained. ‘Over Christmas we’ve understood that we actually have a lot in common and we both hate the conflict between us all.’

‘There’s definitely more that unites us than divides us. I just wish our families would see that too,’ Suzanne said wistfully.

‘Same. So we’re going to go home and speak to our mothers and siblings,’ Amber explained. ‘And tell them that, no matter what Dad did, the two of us won’t be scarred by it or left bitter. We’ve already arranged to meet up as soon as we can. And we’d like to stay here,’ she went on. ‘If you’ll have us, after making a scene on Christmas Eve.’

‘It was unforgivable.’ Suzanne gave a wry smile. ‘I bet you didn’t need any entertainment, with us two around.’

‘I was more concerned about your holiday being ruined,’ Sophie replied, remembering Nico’s popcorn comment.

Amber wrinkled her nose. ‘I hope we didn’t ruin it for the others.’

‘Not at all, and I’d love to have you back, though I don’t reopen until February. I’m having a break.’

‘I don’t blame you,’ Amber said. ‘Now I think I should settle my bar bill. Once we’ve checked out, we’re going for a coffee and a talk before we both head home.’

‘Of course,’ Sophie said, handing them the bills she’d already prepared.

Both of them paid and were ready to leave, when Amber hugged her and Suzanne offered a warm smile.

‘You must be exhausted. You must hear everyone’s life story!’ Suzanne said.

Not everyone’s, Sophie thought, but she was privy to some secrets that people would never dream of sharing with their nearest and dearest. In many ways she’d realised it was a privilege, and she loved that her little guest house could provide a safe refuge from the world, whether it allowed people to form new bonds or simply recuperate after a busy time.

‘I could definitely get a job in the Secret Service,’ Sophie joked, walking to the front door with them. ‘Have a safe journey, and good luck. I’ll see you in the spring. I’m thinking of hosting an “Escape from Valentine’s” break, so perhaps I’ll see you for a weekend then.’

As the Smiths drove off, Vee’s VW trundled onto the drive. Sophie walked out and greeted her with a big hug the moment she got out of the car.

‘Boy, am I glad to see you!’ Sophie told her.

‘Same. I’m delighted to get out of the house,’ Vee said with a chuckle. ‘Honestly, I should head up the UN, for all the diplomacy I’ve had to carry out over the holidays. Between my family and Kev’s, I’ve been close to throwing everyone out at times. His sister and brother almost came to blows over a game of bloody Monopoly! Then my niece was sick after eating almost a whole packet of Matchmakers, and we lost the TV remote for a full half-hour. I’ve catered for so many special diets, I ought to have a Michelin star!’

Sophie laughed. ‘That sounds almost as stressful as my Christmas.’

‘Oh, Soph. I heard about it from Kev. Bloody hell, you have had quite the time of it.’

‘You have no idea … All the plans went out of the window. I got propositioned, helped deliver a baby, had to keep two warring sisters apart and ended up having to wear a party hat and pull crackers after all.’

‘Wow!’ Vee murmured. ‘That beats Monopoly-gate.’

The bell dinged in reception. ‘I’ll tell you about it later. It’s time for check-out.’

‘I’ll make a start on the vacant rooms, shall I?’

‘Thanks!’ Sophie said, walking back to the desk.

The Hartley-Brewers waited at the desk with matching cabin bags by their sides.

‘Have you had a good time?’ Sophie said, keeping things light. ‘I apologise again for the disruption.’

‘Oh, please don’t apologise. We’ve loved every minute of it!’ Una declared. ‘Which is surprising because, as the day grew closer, we started to have cold feet, you see.’

‘Oh?’ Sophie hadn’t heard any guest admit to dreading their stay before.

Hugo had a sheepish air. ‘It did seem a little bit – mad to escape for Christmas. It’s really not the sort of thing we do. We had to fib to our friends and families and tell them it was a normal Christmas break.’

‘But now we’re going to tell them the truth,’ Una said. ‘Because they won’t believe that we were trapped in a snowstorm, helped to deliver a baby and spent the day at a stranger’s farmhouse. Not to mention leading a salsa evening. We loved that.’

Sophie laughed. ‘Everyone loved it. Thank you so much again for stepping in, and I hope you’ll enjoy more dancing back home.’

‘It was fantastic. And there’s something else. After meeting Harold – and Brody – we’re going to look into getting another dog. It’s heartbreaking to lose a friend, and we’ve both been so terrified of going through the pain again.’

Una’s eyes glistened. ‘But Brody reminded us that if you can help an animal in need, then you should, so when we can offer a loving home to a rescue dog, it seems wrong not to do so.’

Sophie felt a little teary herself. ‘I’m so pleased for you. Rehoming a rescue dog is a brilliant idea.’

‘Harold melted our hearts,’ Una said and exchanged a shy glance with Hugo. ‘And I think we’ve both felt rejuvenated in other ways since we got here.’

‘A power cut can be a good thing,’ Hugo said, slipping his arm around Una.

‘Hugo! That’s far too much information!’

Sophie agreed. ‘Erm, cash or card?’ she asked politely, resting her hand on the payment terminal.

After they’d paid, the couple picked up their bags.

‘I’m very happy to hear all that. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed yourselves.’

‘Oh, there’s just one more thing,’ Una said. ‘Hugo and I have been racking our brains since we arrived. You remind me so much of someone.’

‘Oh?’ Sophie said.

‘Yes, you’re the spitting image of the woman who used to run the Christmas shop in Stratford.’

Preparing to fess up, Sophie smiled. ‘Oh, really? Am I?’

‘Oh yes,’ Hugo said. ‘Though you smile a lot more than she did.’

Do I? The words almost slipped out, but Hugo carried on.

‘I never liked that skinny young chap who used to run it with her. He always seemed shifty to me.’

‘Hugo. Come on! I want to get home before it’s dark.’

‘Have a safe journey,’ Sophie said, warming to the couple even more. She’d thought they were rather an unadventurous pair, typical of couples who’d been together for ever and had resorted to matching anoraks because it was easier and safer. Now she thought they were the lucky ones, with their shared passion for dancing and for each other. They were comfortable together and loved each other, and that was more than millions of people were ever able to say.

She saw them off, aware they’d reminded her that she’d also made the right decision to change her life. Until Una had dragged Hugo away, she’d been fully ready to admit: ‘Yes, that was me. I was that serious-faced woman with the shifty partner, except that I never realised how serious I’d become, or how devious he was. I’m so glad that I smile a lot more now, and that I took the plunge and bought Sunnyside.’

She had barely five minutes to herself before Agatha dawdled downstairs, carrying her case. Wearily she put down her bag next to the reception desk. ‘I don’t want to leave, but I’ve a hospital appointment tomorrow – nothing serious, so don’t worry. I just don’t fancy the thought of going back to an empty house.’

Sophie’s heart went out to her guest. ‘I’ve loved having you here.’

‘Bet you say that to all the guests!’

‘Oh, I really don’t,’ Sophie replied with a laugh. ‘I absolutely don’t.’

Agatha smiled. ‘I want to thank you, too. I haven’t had so much fun since Ron passed away. I worried I was turning into an old curmudgeon and I’ve rather retreated into my shell lately. It was only the prospect of spending Christmas with my dreary cousins that brought me here.’

‘Thank goodness you were here to help with the baby,’ Sophie said.

‘Hmm, I only wish I’d kept off the party spirit, so I could have been even more useful at the business end.’ She squared her shoulders. ‘However, the experience has taught me I can still be useful. I’ve shied away from volunteering since Ron passed away. It felt ever so slightly desperate, and I couldn’t find the energy until now … But in the New Year I might see if I can help out with a medical charity like St John Ambulance or the Red Cross.’

‘They’d be so lucky to have you,’ Sophie said encouragingly.

‘I’m not sure about that, but I’ll definitely look into it in the New Year.’ Agatha patted Sophie on the shoulder. ‘And you can be sure I’ll be back, before next Christmas, and I’ll tell all my friends what adventures I’ve had!’

Sophie laughed, not sure that she wanted too much detail about the adventures on the travel review sites.

There was only Nico left to check out now. Sophie was slightly dreading it, after yesterday’s scene in the kitchen.

He trotted downstairs, a leather overnight bag in one hand and a scarf looped stylishly around his neck, looking effortlessly chic with his cover-model looks.

Sophie felt her body tense and he must have sensed her embarrassment.

‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to repeat my – offer – of yesterday,’ he said. ‘It was crass of me and I’m ashamed I even tried it, which is an emotion I rarely feel.’

‘It’s history now,’ Sophie said, the tension easing.

‘However, before I leave, I feel I owe you some honesty. I need to tell you why I’m really here.’