Winter Magic in Port Berry (Port Berry #3)

Chapter 13

Will

While Ginny was out of the bedroom, doing who knew what, Will decided to make good use of the freestanding bath along the side wall. Its brass base and taps helped warm the look, as the lack of heating in the hotel left a chill in the air.

He picked up a pink ball resting on the top pink towel and read the wrapping. ‘Ooh, bath bomb.’ He plopped it into the running water, smiling as it dissolved on impact, creating red and pink swirls. ‘Fancy.’ He laughed, stripped, then sank below the magical-looking liquid.

The warm bath relaxed his cold bones immediately, making him groan with delight. What a strange day he was having, but none of it mattered while the sweet scent of strawberries and roses wafted up his nose.

Lovely.

The door opened, and he heard Ginny quietly gasp before stomping to the end of the bed to glare at him.

‘What you got there?’ he asked, peering over at the mass of pink fluff she’d tossed on the quilt.

‘It’s cold, so I went to find Mrs Henshaw to ask if she wouldn’t mind turning up the heating.’ Ginny tipped her head to the bed. ‘She gave me these instead.’ She raised her index finger. ‘My mistake. She sold me these.’

Will chuckled. ‘Ooh, got to love a bit of supply and demand. Is that a blanket?’

‘No. They’re dressing gowns. The only heating they have in this old house is the fireplace in the living room.’

‘Oh, well, we don’t have to wear them.’

Ginny breathed out a quiet laugh. ‘We’re expected to wear them. For dinner. Yep, dinner. I was specifically told to come down for some food in an hour, and as there are no other guests, we can wear our pyjamas.’ She motioned towards the dressing gowns. ‘Apparently, we’ll feel snuggly when we watch the film afterwards.’

‘What film?’

‘The romance one Mrs Henshaw has planned. Yep, we’re having a slumber party it would appear.’

Will pulled in his bottom lip as he laughed. ‘I hope they have pizza.’

‘Nope, chicken. It’s roasting as we speak.’ She took a step closer and frowned. ‘Why is your water pink? Is that glitter?’

‘Bath bomb. Strawberry and rose.’

‘Ooh, it smells nice.’

Will waved a hand. ‘Come on in.’

‘I’m not getting in there with you.’ Ginny lifted her chin as she turned her back on him. ‘I’ll have one when you’re done.’

‘There was only one bath bomb. Made for sharing, see.’

She turned, scowling down at him. ‘As long as there’s hot water for me. I need to defrost. I’m starting to lose feeling in my toes.’

‘Not sure about the water. Best not to take the chance, I say. Come on, get in.’

Ginny folded her arms in a huff. ‘I will not.’ She went over to the window to stare outside.

Will rolled his eyes at the ceiling, then stood and grabbed his towel. ‘Okay, your turn.’

Ginny turned, perusing the pink water.

‘Come on, Ginny, get in before it gets cold.’ He raised his eyebrows at her suddenly gawping at his bare chest. ‘Can I help you with something?’

Ginny blinked hard, then turned to the bath. ‘I was just seeing if you had turned pink.’

He glanced down at his body. ‘No, but I’ll turn blue in a minute if I don’t hurry and dry off and get dressed.’

‘Don’t mind me.’

Will grinned. ‘No peeking then.’ He set about sorting himself, sitting on the edge of the bed, spending more time ridding his skin from pink fluff from the towel than anything else.

‘Stay facing that way. I’m getting undressed.’

Will concentrated on the moisturizer on the bedside cabinet. It smelled like sweet lilies and helped make his skin feel fresh and cared for.

‘I’m in now,’ said Ginny.

Will didn’t reply. He slipped his PJs on, then stood to shake out the dressing gowns to see which one was bigger.

‘They’re one size,’ said Ginny.

‘Not sure it’ll fit me. I’m still surprised you bought me one.’

‘It’s cold, we both need them, and unlike some people, I’m not selfish.’

‘How much do I owe you? Oh no, wait. I wouldn’t want to oppress you. Thanks for the gift.’

‘You can be sarcastic all you like. I’m just going to enjoy my nice hot bath.’

‘May I remind you that it was my nice hot bath a moment ago. Thank me anytime.’ He paused as he looked directly at her immersed in glittery pink liquid, make-up free, with eyes closed. A slight twitch hit the corner of his mouth, then he quickly turned back to the dressing gowns as she peeped his way.

‘Try it on. It might fit.’

Will shrugged into the garment, surprised at how warm it actually was. ‘A bit snug, but does the trick.’

Ginny giggled. ‘You look like a marshmallow.’

‘Everyone loves marshmallows.’

‘Not vegetarians.’

Will grinned. ‘You can buy vegan ones. Seen them in the shops. See, I’m still a lovable marshmallow to everyone.’

She muttered something, but he didn’t quite hear.

‘I’ll just go and see if I can help the old couple with anything.’ He slid into his slippers and headed for the door.

‘Oh, don’t mind me, alone in the bath.’

‘And what exactly might happen to you if I leave?’

‘We’re in a strange hotel, who knows where. You’ve seen the films. I could get murdered.’

Will chuckled. ‘Mr Henshaw, in the brass tub, with a walking stick. At least the blood will blend in with the water.’

‘Not funny.’

Shaking his head, he left the bedroom.

Some old music was playing quietly in the kitchen as Will approached, and Mr and Mrs Henshaw were inside, slow dancing.

He stopped in the doorway to watch with a smile. What a wonderful sight, seeing two people hopelessly in love. He couldn’t help but think of the woman he’d just left in the bath.

Not wanting to disturb them, Will turned, bumping straight into a donkey. ‘Argh!’ His short, sharp yelp had Mrs Henshaw by his side in a second.

‘Oh, that’s our Lily. She’s not too keen on the snow.’

Will smiled warily at the creature staring his way, then reached out to tentatively pat Lily’s head. ‘Hello.’

Mrs Henshaw nudged his arm. ‘Ooh, I see you like your robe. Sell a lot of those here.’

He had no comment about that. ‘Erm, I came to see if you need any help with dinner.’

She smiled and waved him into the kitchen. ‘You’re a good lad. Come and chop some carrots with Mr Henshaw.’

Will glanced over his shoulder as he entered, watching the donkey slowly follow.

Mr Henshaw handed him a chopping knife. ‘Dinner won’t be long.’

The smell of the roasting chicken was making Will’s stomach rumble. He made a start on his task, already knowing he would enjoy his grub, but then a fluffy chicken jumped up on the countertop, startling him.

‘You get down, Hettie,’ said Mr Henshaw, flapping the bird away.

Will glanced down to see another one clucking around his feet.

Mrs Henshaw chuckled. ‘You might see a few of them around. Had to get them in, see. The snowstorm was scaring them.’

Will looked over at the oven, wondering if he was about to eat a family pet. Suddenly his appetite was gone.

‘No, that’s not one of ours,’ said Mrs Henshaw, pointing at the food cooking. ‘We wouldn’t eat our own.’

Will jumped as Hettie pecked his slipper. ‘Do you have many animals?’

‘Chickens, donkey, and there’s a cat around here somewhere,’ replied Mrs Henshaw. ‘Sometimes the squirrels come inside.’

Lily nudged Will’s back as he continued to peel carrots, so he turned to offer her some shavings, mindful of the big stained teeth approaching his outstretched hand.

‘All our animals are rescues,’ said Mrs Henshaw. ‘Isn’t that right, dear?’

Mr Henshaw plopped some broccoli into a pan of water. ‘What? Oh, yes, yes.’

She turned back to Will. ‘He doesn’t always hear too well.’

Will nodded, wiping his hand on a tea towel, and Mrs Henshaw directed him over to a Welsh dresser.

‘You lay the table for me, Will.’

Gathering some vintage-looking plates, he headed for the dining room, with Lily not far behind. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to steal the silverware,’ he told the donkey, who seemed to hold a suspicious glint in her eye.

She nudged his back as he leaned over the large dark table.

Will frowned. ‘Do you mind?’

Mrs Henshaw brought in some glasses for the table, shooing Lily out the way.

‘So, how long have you been married?’ asked Will.

‘Fifty-five years.’

‘Wow! That’s some marriage.’

Mrs Henshaw smiled a smile that seemed to be just for her, and it warmed Will’s heart to see how in love she still was with her husband.

A scream ripped through the air, gaining attention.

‘It’s okay,’ shouted Ginny, leaning over the banister. ‘I’m okay.’

Will grinned up at her. ‘Did you meet a chicken by any chance?’

Ginny looked none too pleased as she rolled her oversized sleeves up on her pink robe. She marched down the stairs, looking set to trip over the dressing gown swamping her petite frame. ‘Just for the record, I am not afraid of chickens. I just didn’t expect to see one when I opened my door. It made me jump, that’s all.’

‘Come and sit up at the table, Ginny,’ said Mrs Henshaw. ‘We’re just waiting on the veg to boil. Not long now. I’ll pour you both a drink.’

Will bit his lip as Ginny came to an abrupt halt in the dining room doorway.

She looked back at him while pointing the other way. She whispered, ‘There’s a donkey in here.’

‘Name’s Lily.’ He followed her in and sat in one of the farmhouse chairs.

Ginny shuffled to his side, gathering her robe up to her lap. ‘Why are there animals in here?’

Will raised his palm towards the window. ‘Scared of the snowstorm.’

Ginny’s mouth opened to speak, but then she squealed instead and pulled her feet up. ‘I’ve been pecked.’

‘That’s Hettie. Got a thing for feet, I guess. Where are your slippers?’

‘I didn’t bring any, and I didn’t have any clean socks.’

He watched her scanning the carpet for any approaching beaks. ‘You can’t sit with your feet up through dinner.’

She flashed her toes through a gap in the robe. ‘I can if it saves my feet.’

Will sighed. ‘Here. Put my slippers on.’ He expected a short argument so was surprised when she quickly agreed and swiped them straight off his feet.

Dinner was soon served, and it was funny to see Ginny avoid the cooked chicken on her plate while Hettie was watching her.

‘Tell me how you two met,’ said Mrs Henshaw.

Will figured he’d cut a long story short. ‘Ginny grew up in the house next door to my grandmother’s.’

‘It’s nice to grow up together,’ said Mr Henshaw, cutting into a roast potato.

Will gave Ginny a warm smile, pleased she smiled back. At least she looked more relaxed around him since their argument. He really needed to sort that.

The chatter turned to the weather, the Henshaws wedding day, and how Mr Henshaw had made a lot of the furniture in the room.

Ginny was happily joining in with the conversation, showing off her small-talk skills.

All in all, it turned out to be a nice dinner with a friendly couple, and just for a moment, Will felt he was in a relationship with the woman at his side. It was easy to get carried away, touching her hand on occasion on the table and swapping happy glances.

Oh, if only his life could be that simple. He needed to get his head back in the game, remain focused on his goals, and get stuck in to his plans as soon as they were back in Port Berry.

‘Let’s take our drinks through to the parlour,’ said Mrs Henshaw, helping her husband to a stand.

Will picked up his glass of white wine, then waited for Ginny to untangle herself. He held back a laugh while she wasn’t looking, smiling widely to himself.

The living room was cosy and a little quaint, with two loveseats facing a large television above a brown-brick fireplace. The small flames flickered and crackled, warming the lavender-scented air.

Mrs Henshaw gestured at the pink seat. ‘You two sit there, and I’ll put the film on.’

Will eyed the plump sofa, thinking it fit for two smaller people than him. He glanced at Ginny, then back at the loveseat, figuring they might fit, seeing how she was small.

As though having the same thought, Ginny said, ‘You sit first.’

He did, sinking low into its squishy material, then waited until Ginny sank into his side. He had to admit, it was comfy.

She flicked the slippers off, tucking her feet up into her robe on the seat, then sipped her wine, seeming happy with their snuggly situation.

‘Hope you like old movies,’ said Mr Henshaw. ‘It’s all we watch.’

Will wasn’t much of a TV man, but he wasn’t fussed. Ginny was snuggled to his side, his stomach was full, his body relaxed, and not even Lily coming in to stand behind him could spoil his good mood.

Mrs Henshaw started the romance story, and everyone settled down for the night, including Hettie and some of her friends.

The next thing Will knew, Mrs Henshaw was tapping his shoulder.

‘Wake up, Will. It’s time for bed.’

He blinked hard, stretching his eyelids while gathering his bearings.

‘I’ve already put my other half to bed,’ she whispered. ‘Looks like you need to do the same.’

Will turned his head to see Ginny fast asleep on him. She looked so serene, he didn’t want to disturb her.

‘I’ve locked up for the night,’ added Mrs Henshaw. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

He waited until she left, then turned back to Ginny. Carefully, he slipped off the sofa while keeping her head in place, then scooped her up like a bride and headed for the stairs.

Ginny stirred but remained glued to his chest, causing all sorts of emotions to build in him.

After struggling with the door, Ginny’s robe, and the bedding, he gently tucked her in bed, then silently sighed at the chaise longue, knowing he was in for an uncomfortable night.

There was a red blanket folded on the seat, so he grabbed that and used only one cushion for his bunk.

It was no good. No matter which direction he turned, he couldn’t make himself fit. The blanket was getting tangled with his dressing gown, the cushion had fallen somewhere he couldn’t see, and then he somehow rolled sideways and hit the floor.

‘Ow!’ he mumbled, groaning to a stand.

‘Get in the bed, Will,’ said a croaky voice.

He squinted his weary eyes down at her face, hidden in the darkness of the room. She looked to be still asleep, so maybe he imagined hearing her voice. He was just about to sit down when Ginny spoke again.

‘Get in bed.’

Not needing any more confirmation, Will trotted around to the other side of the bed, whipped off his robe, and scrambled under the covers, glad of the warmth Ginny had already placed there.

He stared at the back of her head, smiled to himself, closed his eyes, then fell fast asleep.