Escape for Christmas

Chapter Thirty-Two

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

‘So how was Ye Olde Stratford-upon-Avon?’ Vee asked, after the waiter had delivered two Poinsettia cocktails to their table on 30 December.

They’d arranged to meet at Raffaelo’s Café Bar, after Sophie had returned from a flying visit to her parents. She’d been knackered after the holiday and had enjoyed two nights of being cooked for by her parents, and pub meals with Lyra and a couple of old friends who hadn’t gone over to the Dark Side with Ben and Naomi.

‘Still “Olde”,’ Sophie joked. ‘Boringly flat compared to here, and very busy with tourists.’

‘You didn’t have any awkward run-ins then?’ Vee said.

‘No, thank goodness. I didn’t really go to any of our old haunts. To be honest, I think even if I had seen Ben and Naomi, it wouldn’t have spoilt my trip back; and it’s good to be feeling like that’s ancient history at this point.’

‘Well, after the last few weeks, you’ve had other things to worry about,’ Vee sympathised, sipping her cocktail.

‘You could say that. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster.’

‘I know, but you can make a fresh start again from tomorrow. A new year awaits!’

‘I can’t wait,’ Sophie said. ‘One of my old mates has invited me to go to Gran Canaria at the end of January and I’ve said yes.’

‘Lucky you,’ Vee declared. ‘Some winter sun is exactly what you need. What I need too – can I stow away in your suitcase?’

Sophie laughed, and the reminder that she had friends – old and new – lifted her mood. She’d made her new life here and, whatever happened, this was her home now.

Vee sipped her cocktail. ‘Talking of the New Year,’ she said, ‘what are you doing tomorrow night?’

‘Tomorrow? Er, staying in with the cats,’ Sophie replied.

‘Sounds wild. How about you come to the Steamer Ball instead?’

Sophie had seen the event advertised and had heard people in the village talking about it. ‘Is that the one raising money for the mountain-rescue team? I thought it was sold out, though. I won’t be able to get a ticket at the last minute.’

‘Yes. It’s the biggest night of the year in Bannerdale.’ Vee smirked, ‘It is sold out, but I’ve got a spare ticket because Kev’s mate can’t make it, and he asked me to find someone who might like to go. It’s a shame to waste it. Plus, it’s free …’

‘Oh, but if I did come – and it’s a big “if” – I’d have to pay for the ticket,’ Sophie insisted.

‘Kev’s mate has already paid, and he doesn’t want any money because it’s in aid of the mountain-rescue team. Now come on, how many times will you get to spend New Year’s Eve at a posh do on a lake steamer?’

‘Isn’t it an annual event?’ Sophie asked.

‘Yup, but after the year you’ve had, you’ve got to take chances when they come along,’ Vee urged her.

Sophie caved in. ‘OK, you’ve persuaded me! But I’m still going to donate the cost of the ticket. I’m so grateful the team came up here in the snow to help Anna Nowak.’

‘Hurrah!’ Vee clapped her hands in delight. ‘It’ll be a blast. My mum is babysitting and it’s been ages since Kev and I had a proper night out. It will be even better with you coming along too.’

‘Thanks for asking me.’ Sophie smiled. ‘Mind you, I don’t know what I’m going to wear.’

‘Tell me about it. Kev is not impressed by having to wear black tie. I got him a suit from the online Oxfam. I’m sick of tatty jeans and a tabard, so I’m really looking forward to glamming up!’

Sophie had to smile. ‘You deserve it.’

‘So do you,’ Vee said and raised her glass. ‘To us! And to Sunnyside!’

‘To us, and to Sunnyside!’ Sophie clinked glasses with Vee. She ought to be so proud of what she’d achieved – and she was proud, and looking forward to the ball. She pulled her phone from her bag. ‘I’d better book a taxi before it’s too late. Don’t fancy driving back in the small hours.’

‘You’ll be lucky to get one at this short notice. We’ve already got a cab booked. I could ask them to come up to Sunnyside before collecting us.’

‘Thanks. You really are a star,’ Sophie replied, chinking Vee’s glass again. The ball would be the perfect chance to let her hair down and forget about all her problems. Although, she suddenly realised, Brody and Tegan might be there too … That prospect felt like a thorn in the delicate flesh of her happiness. No, she mustn’t let it spoil the evening or dampen the mood. If the event was as popular as Vee was saying, hopefully she’d be able to avoid Brody all night.

Vee moved on to asking Sophie more about her flying visit home. It had only been for two nights – and she’d taken the cats with her in their travelling crates. They hadn’t been terribly happy to be uprooted, but there was no way she was leaving them. In the end they’d spent the time being cosseted by her parents and having far too many Dreamies.

Sophie went home and examined the contents of her wardrobe. So much of what she’d brought with her was still undisturbed on the rails, in the same place as when she’d first unpacked it. There wasn’t much call for kitten heels and sundresses up here. When the weather was good, she’d been busy working, and her nights out invariably involved the pub or Raffaelo’s, both of them casual affairs where she wore her trusty jeans and a nice top.

She pulled a couple of dresses out of the wardrobe: a short red shift-dress and a slinky black number that she’d last worn to the premiere of a play at the RSC. That had been on a balmy June evening, and while the dress still fitted and looked nice, it would be very chilly on the boat. Her cardigans and padded jacket hardly did the dress any favours, but Vee’s comment about Kev’s suit had given her an idea.

By 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, Bannerdale was bustling with visitors who’d arrived for the ‘Twixmas’ and New Year celebrations. Even though Sophie could probably have filled Sunnyside, she was more than happy with her decision to close and take a long break herself. Reopening in February would give her time to do a few of the odd jobs around the guest house that she’d put off, and it also meant that she was free to celebrate tonight, not having to worry about serving breakfast to guests in the morning.

It was nice to immerse herself in the pre-party atmosphere, like everyone else, taking in the aroma of cinnamon lattes and gingerbread wafting out of the coffee shops and bakery. She browsed the charity shops, hoping to find something suitable to go with her dress. As she’d hoped, there were a lot of post-Christmas donations of festive season outfits from people having clear-outs. After some rooting around, she found a faux-fur bolero that would be perfect. That was as long as the cats didn’t find it and nest in it, before she needed to wear it tonight.

Sophie bought an amaretto latte and a cinnamon bun to enjoy in the park. Sitting on a bench, she ate her late breakfast with a view of mountains still dusted with snow. It felt as if she was on holiday and could finally breathe a sigh of relief as her first year at Sunnyside was drawing to a close.

Putting the awkwardness with Brody aside and focusing on the positives, she realised quite how far she’d come: staying afloat in her business, surviving a festive season that many had said would be a flop, handling a power cut, a snowstorm and a baby being born on the premises – and her beloved cats were recovering well after their ordeal.

No matter what lay ahead, she would celebrate tonight, with the new friends she had made. Vee’s taxi was coming to pick her up first, after a job in Townend village, and then down to Bannerdale to collect Vee and Kev, before dropping them all off at the jetty to catch the steamer. There was going to be a buffet and live band, followed by a disco on board, before the taxi was booked to bring her home to Sunnyside again.

She was on her way back to the car park when a display in the window of the gift shop caught her eye. Carl’s ‘emporium’, Magpie, was the most tempting shop in Bannerdale, crammed with presents and goodies, from beautiful cards and stationery to artwork and jewellery. All were locally made by different craftspeople, and Carl had great taste. Sophie’s eye had been drawn by a silver wirework necklace set with semi-precious stones that were like chips of blue ice. Its price tag was, as expected, quite a bit more than she’d ever contemplate paying.

On the other hand, it had been a tough year and she was going to a fancy ball – having a proper night out for the first time in a long while. She could treat herself to the necklace, which she’d surely wear again … And it was exactly the type of item that Bloody Ben would have said was ‘a rip-off’ and its price would have been ‘hiked up by the retailer’.

Sophie went inside, to find several customers browsing in the shop’s nooks and crannies, and one buying a child’s toy at the counter.

After they’d gone, Carl greeted her with a warm smile. ‘Sophie! How lovely to see you. What can I do for you?’

Sophie knew she was taking a risk in engaging with Brody’s best friend, but she now wanted the necklace badly . ‘I saw a silver necklace in the window and I’d love to take a look at it, please.’

‘Ah, you mean the one with the pale-blue stones? They’re made in the Lakes by an artist in Hawkshead. They’re so beautiful – I don’t blame you.’ Carl had such a lovely way with his customers.

‘That’s the one.’

‘Come with me to the window and I’ll get it out.’

After Sophie had pointed out the necklace, Carl handed it over to her. ‘Is it for a special occasion?’ he asked.

‘Yes. I’m going to a ball tonight.’

‘Not the mountain-rescue thing on the lake steamer?’

‘Er, yes …’ Sophie’s skin tingled.

‘I’m going too! I think this will look fabulous. What are you wearing?’

‘A long black dress and a cream faux-fur bolero. I wanted something sparkly to brighten it all up.’

‘This will definitely do that. Did you know there are earrings to match? And a bracelet? Would you like to see those too? No obligation, of course.’

She nodded and Carl whipped the matching pieces out of a cabinet by the till. All Sophie could think about was that if Carl was going, then Brody might be too. She was wary about asking, though, because then Carl would tell his best friend, and it would surely get back to Brody.

She lingered over the bracelet and earrings as Carl chattered about the ball and the buffet, and the steamers. Don’t ask about Brody, Sophie reminded herself, even as every fibre of her wanted to know whether he’d be there.

‘Vee and Kev have invited me,’ she said, in an attempt to provoke a response. ‘They had a spare ticket. We’re sharing a taxi.’

‘I’m walking down to the jetty. A bonus of living in the village,’ he said. ‘My flat’s over the shop, you see.’

‘Oh, that’s convenient,’ Sophie replied, waiting for him to mention who else would be there.

‘It is.’ Carl paused. ‘So have you decided on the bracelet and earrings?’ He lowered his voice. ‘I can do you a twenty per cent discount if you want them all. As you’re a friend.’

Sophie hesitated for a moment. It was a beautiful set and would go perfectly with her outfit, plus all of her money had gone into the move and business, so she deserved to treat herself for a change. She smiled. ‘OK, I shouldn’t, but why not? I haven’t splurged for a long time.’

‘Wise decision!’ Carl replied. ‘I can’t wait to see you wearing them.’

While he was busy wrapping her purchases and taking the payment, Sophie’s mind worked overtime. Dare she ask him outright? She sensed other people queuing up behind her.

Carl handed her the gift bag. ‘See you later then and, for your information, Brody is going tonight. So are Tegan and the oldies.’

Her stomach churned. ‘Are they?’ she said, feigning polite interest.

‘And I shall be very, very cross if knowing that fact puts you off.’ He grinned. ‘After all, you’ve got a beautiful dress to wear and some gorgeous new jewellery to go with it; you absolutely have to show up.’