Mix-Up under the Mistletoe (Glenbriar #11)

Chapter Thirty

Tilly

Wednesday, December 25 th

Christmas Day

S houldn’t there be music? Trumpets or something announcing Christmas Day? Well, Tilly didn’t really need them. She had Rafe beside her, and that was all that mattered. The best Christmas ever had arrived. All those mornings getting up alone in her flat in London, pretending it was just any other day and getting through it with walks or catching up on work could be forgotten. Even the worst childhood memories could get lost and make way for something new.

‘Merry Christmas.’ Rafe placed a kiss on her forehead.

She snuggled in closer, loving the skin on skin contact and the heat it brought. He tugged the soft cover over them.

‘Merry Christmas,’ she said.

‘I meant to ask you last night if you’d managed to contact Ellie, but other things kind of took over.’

‘I emailed the prison with a message. That’s all I feel up to doing just now. I’m not ready for visits yet, but I wanted her to know I’m still here and maybe in the future we can have some kind of relationship again.’

‘That’s good enough for now.’ Rafe stroked her hair. ‘But don’t cut her any slack. You did that for years. Let her be the one to show you she’s changed and is ready to make an effort. I feel sad for the position she’s in, and I hope she’s getting the help she needs, but you’ve done the right thing in choosing your own path.’

‘Yeah. She’s still my sister, and I don’t want to cut ties completely, but I can’t go back to living my life always worrying about what she’s doing, or how her actions might hurt me.’ And she was strong enough to do that now. She’d wasted too many years doing what she thought was best for them both, while not looking out for herself. She was doing that now and ready to make a new start.

Be kind to yourself.

The sound of people moving around and wishing each other merry Christmas was the signal for Tilly and Rafe to get up. He nipped back to his own room so they could shower and get fresh clothes before going downstairs.

Alexander had already torn his way into several flashing toys and cuddly animals by the time Tilly and Rafe arrived in the living room.

‘Merry Christmas,’ they both said together, then laughed.

‘Aw,’ Genevieve said. ‘You’re so in tune with each other already.’

They sat down on the sofa and watched the carnage as Alexander ripped open another parcel.

‘Merry Christmas, Grandma.’ Rafe leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

‘I’m counting on it being one later,’ she said. ‘I hear your father has some first-rate champagne put away for today.’

‘As long as no one’s drunk it this year.’ Cressida lifted her eyebrow as she glanced between Genevieve and Finlay.

They pulled innocent expressions, then smirked. ‘If we hadn’t nicked that champagne and got plastered, we might never have got engaged,’ Finlay said. ‘And you’d all have been deprived of my company.’

Genevieve scrunched up a ball of paper and lobbed it at his head. They grinned at each other and burst out laughing.

‘We usually open family presents after lunch,’ Hilary said. ‘But why not open something from your stocking, Tilly?’

‘Ok. That sounds like fun.’ She crossed the room and lifted her stocking from the mantelpiece. Something inside smelled good, and she inhaled it. ‘Is it a candle?’

Rafe laughed, switching his focus to Genevieve. ‘Uh-oh, another one who likes to guess everything before she opens it.’

‘Why are you looking at me?’ Genevieve put her hand on her heart.

‘I wonder.’

Tilly sat back down and took out the first gift. With slightly trembling fingers, she opened it. A bar of handmade soap wrapped in floral paper. She held it up to her nose. ‘This is divine.’

Rafe smiled as she took out the next one. Each gift turned out to be something gorgeous from a local shop. Artisan chocolates, sweet preserves, candles – she cast Rafe a look; she’d called it. The last one was in a small oblong box. She prised off the lid to find a gorgeous little silver and rose gold bracelet, very delicate, and so pretty. A tiny star linked with a heart dangled from it.

‘Let me.’ Rafe gently took it from her and fastened it around her wrist. ‘It reminded me of you. Beautiful in an understated way.’

She cocked her head and smiled at him. Was anyone as lovely? ‘Thank you. It kind of reminds me of us. The heart is how we feel; the star is where it was always written.’

He nodded, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. ‘That’s so true. That didn’t cross my mind when I chose it, but you’re so right.’

‘This is wonderful.’ Hilary clapped her hands together. She was as busy today as always. Even a mid morning trip to the church for the Christmas day service didn’t seem to interrupt her flow of cooking and setting up the dining room.

Rafe and Tilly took a short walk and when they came back, Tilly said, ‘We should help your mum get ready for lunch.’

‘Good idea,’ Rafe said. ‘Though she might kick us out. Sometimes she says people just get in her way.’

Rafe twirled Tilly in the hallway to Frank Sinatra’s ‘White Christmas’ as they made their way to the kitchen. Tilly couldn’t stop smiling. This was a dream come true.

‘We’re here to give you a hand,’ Rafe told Hilary. Geoff was already lifting plates from a cupboard.

‘What should I do?’ Tilly asked.

‘You really don’t have to. I’ve got everything ready. I just need to lift it all into the dining room. Genevieve and Finlay are setting up crackers and some table games.’

‘We can lift stuff through,’ Rafe said.

‘Ah, thank you.’ Hilary pulled on a pair of oven gloves and opened the Aga door. A delicious smell wafted through the air. ‘The turkey is almost done. Maybe you could take the bottles through. And I’ll get a milk jug for Alexander so he doesn’t feel left out.’

Tilly lifted some soft drinks bottles and took them into the dining room. Genevieve and Finlay were laughing as they placed something on the table.

‘These games are going to be hilarious,’ Genevieve said.

Tilly returned to the kitchen, beaming. Even this bit was fun, everyone working together. Rafe was putting glasses on a tray, and Geoff poured some milk into a large glass pitcher. Hilary had on her oven gloves and was unloading more food from the Aga, placing trays on the work surface with a gentle clang. ‘Tilly, would you be good enough to pop these pigs in blankets onto that serving dish there?’

‘Of course.’ Tilly took hold of the tray of pigs in blankets, only realising how hot it was as it scorched her fingertips. She let go with a shriek and the tray spun from her hand, clipping the glass milk jug and sending it to the floor with a clatter. Glass shards and milk flew everywhere.

‘Oh my god.’ Tilly clutched her face. ‘I’m so sorry, so sorry. I’ll clean it up. I’ll buy a new one.’

Please, please, don’t send me away. I didn’t mean it. Memories flooded back of the mess her sister had made of foster carers’ houses and how Tilly had tried to clean it up or offer to make amends, but it never worked. No one ever wanted her to stay.

Please, don’t send me away. Not on Christmas Day. Not from this wonderful family.

‘Oh dear.’ Hilary placed her hand on Tilly’s arm. ‘Are you alright?’

‘Yes, I’m fine. I didn’t realise the tray was hot and when I touched it… Oh, god, I’m so sorry.’

‘Tilly,’ Rafe said, and his voice was soft but strong enough to break through the turmoil. ‘There’s no need to be sorry. It was an accident.’

‘Don’t worry about the silly jug.’ Hilary gently patted her. ‘As long as you’re ok.’ She put her arm around Tilly. ‘You’re what’s important, not all this.’ She waved her hand at the messy floor.

‘I’ve made such a mess.’

‘Don’t stress,’ Rafe said. ‘I’ll clean this up. You sit down.’

‘Yes, come with me.’ Hilary led her to a high stool at the kitchen island.

‘Shouldn’t I help clear it up?’

‘No. You’ve had a bit of a shock. Just sit for a moment and don’t worry.’

Rafe was already brushing up the smashed shards of glass and had towels laid over the milk. ‘Don’t cry over spilt milk,’ he said.

‘Absolutely,’ Hilary agreed.

‘It just…’ Tilly took a deep breath. ‘Brought back bad memories.’

Rafe glanced up as he pressed a towel onto the damp floor. ‘We’re not going to send you away for something like this. We’re never going to send you away. You’re here as long as you want to be.’

‘Oh heavens,’ Hilary said. ‘Of course we wouldn’t send you away.’

Tilly laughed through her tears, and Hilary hugged her. ‘I know you wouldn’t. It just all came back.’

Hilary patted her back. ‘I understand. You’ve had some terrible things happen in your life, but you’re safe here.’

‘Thank you.’

The tap gushed water and Tilly caught sight of Rafe drying his hands. Then she felt his hand touch her back. ‘Mum’s right. You’re safe here, but we can’t guarantee there won’t be triggers.’

‘Just remember, whatever happens, we won’t throw you out.’ Hilary took her hand and held it. ‘You’re one of us now. Heaven help you.’ She winked. ‘Not sure you know what you’ve let yourself in for.’

‘Whatever it is, I’ll take it.’

Rafe wrapped his arms around her from behind, and she relaxed into him. ‘I love you,’ he murmured.

She rested her head on him and smiled. Genevieve and Finlay peered around the door.

‘Games are all set.’ Genevieve frowned as she saw Tilly. ‘Is everything ok?’

‘Perfectly fine.’ Hilary went back to the food on the worktop. ‘If we get this food through, we can eat. Let’s get Christmas dinner underway.’

Once the food was ready to be served, everyone went into the dining room, and Geoff brought the turkey through.

Rafe took a seat beside Tilly. ‘You ok?’ He smiled at her.

She nodded. ‘Sorry about losing it in there. You must think I’m mad.’

‘No. I don’t. I just think you’re Tilly and that’s all I want you to be.’

She couldn’t hold back her smile.

‘I messaged Marnie yesterday to wish her a merry Christmas, and I told her all about you and what happened this week.’

‘What did she think?’

‘That I’ve completely lost my mind or been taken over by aliens.’

Tilly pulled a face. ‘So, she thinks this is a bad idea?’

‘Na, she thinks it’s epic. She just can’t believe it's all happened since last week and that I’m now dating a 1-Quick spy and am bringing her back with me to work in the office.’

‘Is that how you put it?’

‘Something like that. She can’t wait to meet you and find out how you captured me.’ He winked. ‘But I told her we’ll see her in the office in the new year and not before, because we’ve not just fallen for each other but we’re suddenly mad on Christmas too and we’re going to make the most of the rest of the season together.’

‘Sounds perfect.’

‘Like you.’

‘Stop it.’ She gave him a little poke.

‘I mean it.’

‘You realise.’ Cressida sat down next to them, speaking as though she’d listened to every word, which she probably had. ‘Tilly’s stuff is in London. Are you expecting her just to move up here and live with you?’ She raised her eyebrow at Rafe. ‘Or have you not thought about that?’

‘I’ve thought about it, but we haven’t actually discussed it yet. Thanks, sis, for bumping it up the queue.’

‘It’s fine,’ Tilly said. ‘Because all that is just stuff. I’ve never felt more at home anywhere than I do here with all of you.’

‘Aw, that’s so sweet.’ Cressida gave her a little hug on the way to her seat.

‘It really is,’ Genevieve agreed, wiping away a tear and smiling. Finlay put his arm around her.

‘You’re so welcome here,’ Hilary said.

‘Absolutely,’ Geoff agreed.

‘Yeahhhhhh!’ Alexander shouted as Tina lifted him into his highchair.

‘Seems like he agrees,’ she said. ‘And he’s only a toddler, so he knows what he’s talking about.’

‘And I’m a lot older than that.’ Grandma tucked her napkin under her chin. ‘And I couldn’t agree more.’

Tilly fixed Rafe in her gaze. ‘I’ll always be home whenever I’m with you.’

He leaned in and put his arms around her. ‘Then that’ll be for a very long time, because I’m not letting you go anytime soon.’

She’d found her way inside her very own dollhouse. The one with people who cared for her and the man she loved. No more looking in the windows. She was inside now and as she nestled into Rafe, her eyes travelled around the room at the smiling faces, then to the window and the snowy landscape. She couldn’t imagine being any happier.

‘Let’s make memories, starting with our first Christmas together,’ she said in Rafe’s ear, rubbing her cheek on his woolly Christmas jumper.

He pulled back and smiled, then lifted his glass of wine. ‘I’ll drink to that. And to many, many more Christmases together.’

Tilly raised her glass and clinked it on his as the others did the same, chorusing, ‘hear, hear’.

‘Merry Christmas, my love,’ she said. ‘And to all of you… My family.’

The End