Maddy’s Christmas Wedding (Little Duck Pond Cafe #37)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Blundering for the door, I wrenched it open and hurried through the grand hallway. When I opened the main door, an icy blast of air made me gasp, but I walked out into the night anyway, ignoring Ellie’s shouts for me to come back. It felt good to be away from all the stares and the judgement – and that woman – and to feel the soft pattering of the gently falling snow on my face.

I picked my way over to the family of reindeer and smiled sadly at the larger one. It was covered in a dusting of snow and the babies beside it, noses down, looked so cute.

‘Oh, Rudolph.’ I stroked the animal’s nose. ‘Can I call you Rudolph? Or are you a female reindeer?’ I heaved a sigh. ‘Well, whatever. I just hope you’re having a better night than I am. I’ve just gone and made an absolute tit of myself in there, drinking too much and yelling at a woman I hardly even know . . . and spoiling Marjery and Will’s lovely party . . .’

The scene out here was magical – so cheery and festive – but I felt miserable inside. My life was in chaos and I had no Jack here to tell me that everything was going to be all right. I was also a complete coward. The letter from the GP had been burning a hole in my bag all evening and I still didn’t have the courage to open it.

I shivered and rubbed my arms, which were covered in goosebumps. It might be magical but it was also freezing out here. I’d need to call a taxi. But to my dismay, I realised I didn’t have my bag. Had I dropped it in my desperation to leave?

I couldn’t go back in and face everybody . . .

‘Maddy!’

I looked up and Fen was coming out, carrying my wrap and holding up my bag. And there was someone else following behind her.

My heart sank. It was Marjery.

She was the one person I really couldn’t face. I’d disrupted her gorgeous party and made a complete fool of myself in there, shouting at Marguerite. What on earth must she think of me?

‘Hey, come back inside.’ Fen draped the wrap around my shoulders. ‘Ellie’s going to take you home. But I said I’d come out and get you and bring you back in to warm up first.’

‘Thanks, Fen. I’m so sorry, Marjery. I didn’t mean to make a scene like that.’ I took my bag gratefully and pulled out my phone. ‘I’ll phone a taxi and leave you in peace and you can pretend I was never here.’

‘Oh, no, you don’t,’ said Marjery firmly, and I glanced at her in alarm. Was she going to do a citizen’s arrest or something? Charge me with ruining the party?

‘Marguerite deserved everything she got,’ said Fen.

‘Exactly,’ agreed Marjery. ‘That woman is appalling. I’ve always thought so but she showed her true colours tonight, that’s for sure. It should be her vanishing into the night, not you. So come on, Maddy. Come back inside and get warmed up.’

‘Oh, but I’m not sure I can face going back in there.’

Marjery linked my arm. ‘You don’t have to go back to the party. There’s a very nice fire in the snug so you can sit in there and get cosy. Come on, let’s go. Before we all freeze to death out here.’

They guided me inside and took me to the snug, a small room next-door to the kitchen, where sure enough, a real fire burned in the grate. Marjery plumped the cushions on the comfy-looking sofa and I sank down gratefully as Fen stoked the blaze.

‘Something to dry your wet hair,’ said Marjery, placing a soft pink towel on the arm of the sofa.

‘I’ll get you a hot chocolate,’ said Fen.

‘There’s really no need . . .’ I called after her but she’d already vanished.

‘It’s fine.’ Marjery patted my arm. ‘Fen told me you’ve been having a bad time. She didn’t tell me any of the details but we all need a little looking after from time to time, don’t we?’

‘Well, thank you.’ I smiled up at her, tears springing to my eyes at her kindness..

She gave a brisk nod. ‘Now, you just relax and get warm, and I’ll go and see how the hot chocolate’s getting on.’

I sank back on the sofa, too tired to think, but feeling much better. I hadn’t spoiled the party, after all. And Marjery didn’t like Marguerite, either, which was such a relief.

The door opened and Fen appeared. She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ‘Someone’s just arrived late to the party and needs a warm up. Can I bring them in?’

‘Oh. Yes, of course.’ I sat up straight, not particularly wanting to share my lovely cosy space with a stranger. I’d have to make conversation and I really wasn’t up to it.

‘Hello, Maddy,’ said a familiar deep voice.