Underneath the Christmas Tree

Given the furtive looks we exchanged over breakfast the next morning, I knew Ned and I were both feeling guilty about how our wonderful evening spent decorating the tree had ended. I had lain awake long into the night admonishing myself for leaning in and reciprocating and the tired expression Ned wore was all the evidence I needed to know that he had too.

Between us we managed to make vague small talk, but the silences between the stilted words dragged on and when my phone went off, I pounced on it, grateful for the distraction.

‘Wow, that’s great,’ I smiled, as I read the most recent text which had landed.

There was another too, which had arrived a little earlier and I hadn’t noticed before, but I would read that later.

‘Good news?’ asked Ned, looking up from his porridge.

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Fantastic, actually. It’s a message from Wren. She’s going home this morning and has asked if I can drop a couple of things from the hut round to her cottage.’

‘That sounds very positive.’

‘It does,’ I agreed. ‘Obviously, Theo doesn’t want to leave her alone.’

‘Of course.’

‘And she has a commission she was working on and which she can finish at home. I think she needs the distraction, but can you spare me? It’s going to be busy today, isn’t it?’

‘Easily,’ Ned eagerly confirmed.

I daresay he wanted to keep me away from Maya as well as the trees, but he needn’t have worried. Given how guilty I was feeling, I was hardly going to throw myself across her path. In fact, I was grateful for the opportunity to stay off-site.

‘What I mean is,’ he amended, turning slightly pink, ‘is that I think it’s more important that you help Wren, than hang about here all day.’

‘I agree,’ I said, sliding off the stool and trying not to feel slighted by his turn of phrase. ‘I’ll go and get ready. Could you write down Wren and Theo’s address for me?’

‘Of course,’ he said, reaching for the shopping list pad and pen.

Wren and Theo lived in one of the tiny former fisherman’s cottages which were built along a narrow one-way lane alongside the pub and on the walk down to the beach. As the weather was so bright, I parked my car, which had been more than a little reluctant to start, in the village with a view to walking to the house. From what I could remember, there was no parking nearby anyway.

I planned to pick up a couple of things from the shop on the way, but first I read the other message which was waiting on my phone and was from my former colleague, Caitlin. As I scanned what she’d typed, I let out a long breath which could have been the result of annoyance, but was in truth, relief.

So caught up in the madness of Christmas at school, Caitlin had forgotten all about her promise to find out the details of the job she had previously mentioned and the post had now been filled. Rather than disappointment I was pleased that I wouldn’t feel obliged to apply, although I would now have to give further thought to what I was going to do if Ned couldn’t raise the money to buy me out. I had thought the post, should I secure it, might prove useful while looking for an alternative solution, but that wasn’t going to be an option now.

I messaged Caitlin as I walked to the shop. I told her not to worry and pointed out that had I been that interested in the role, I would have reminded her or searched for it myself. She sent a reply almost instantly.

Phew! That’s all right then. I thought you were going to be fed up. Let me know when you’re back – assuming you’re still at the seaside – and we’ll go for a drink. After this term, I’m going to need it!

The shop bell jangled as I put away my phone and opened the door. My arrival was met with a warm smile which seemed to be readily available everywhere in Wynmouth. I couldn’t help thinking it was far more appealing than the anonymity and blank expressions associated with where I previously lived. After selecting some chocolates and flowers for Wren and a few other essentials, I carried on to the cottage.

‘Hey,’ said Theo, a smile also lighting up his face, when he answered the door. ‘Come in, come in.’

He explained they hadn’t been back long, but Wren was already tucked up in an armchair next to the fire and, even though she still looked a little pale, she was smiling too.

‘Hey you,’ I said, bending to kiss her cheek, which was warmed by the fire blazing in the hearth, ‘I’m so pleased to see you.’

‘I’m pleased to see you too,’ she said. ‘Thank you so much for coming. I hope they can manage without you at Wynter’s this morning,’ she added, with a frown. ‘I know it’s going to be busy today.’

‘When I tell you about my mix-up,’ I told her with a grimace, ‘you’ll realise why Ned was actually pleased to see the back of me.’

It felt good to have an amusing anecdote to share and which would hopefully take her mind off things. Although I still would have been happier not to have made the gaffe in the first place.

‘Oh, I don’t believe he was for a second,’ Theo mischievously grinned, taking the bunch of flowers and bag containing the chocolates, milk and biscuits which I had picked up in the shop. ‘From what I’ve heard…’

‘Never mind what you’ve heard,’ Wren cut in. ‘Thank you for the flowers, Liza,’ she said to me, her tone utterly changed. ‘They’re beautiful.’

‘And the milk and biscuits are much appreciated too,’ said Theo, who was still grinning from ear to ear. ‘I’ll go and put the kettle on before I put my foot in it, shall I?’

‘Good idea,’ said Wren, rolling her eyes.

I was intrigued, but he disappeared before I had the opportunity to prise an explanation out of him. While he was clattering about in the kitchen, I gave Wren the things she’d asked me to collect from the hut and she explained what had happened at the hospital and how she’d now got to take it easy for a few days.

When Theo came back in with the tea tray and a pretty enamel jug containing the flowers, I told them all about the Stott/Scott fiasco.

‘Crikey,’ said Theo, whistling under his breath as he poured the tea. ‘Perhaps Ned was glad to see the back of you, after all. I bet he was like a bear with a sore head. He must have been fizzing.’

‘He was,’ I agreed. ‘I’ve never seen him look so angry. I honestly thought he was going to banish me from Wynter’s Trees forever.’

‘Wynter’s reputation means the world to him,’ Wren put in, ‘but I don’t think he’d go that far. He’s enjoying having you around too much to do that.’

‘Is he?’ I frowned, my gaze flicking from her to Theo. Now they both looked mischievous. ‘What’s going on?’

Neither said another word, but they exchanged a meaningful look. It was the sort of exchange that couples who know each other very well share, the kind that demonstrates how well they can read each other’s minds.

‘Nothing,’ they chorused, then clammed up again.

My heart skittered at the thought that Ned had talked about me to his friends, but then the guilt descended. Theo and Wren’s scant admissions implied that he’d confided something positive, but given he was now dating Maya, he really shouldn’t have been saying anything like that about me at all, should he? But then, perhaps I was reading too much into it.

Given that he would have talked to them prior to the Stott/Scott fiasco, at a time when it looked like I might have proved useful around the place in the run up to Christmas, then I supposed he would have been more inclined to say nice things. I bet if he talked to them now, post tree trouble and after kiss number three, it would have been a completely different story!

‘Liza?’

‘Sorry,’ I said, tuning back in to Theo’s voice. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said, are you in a rush to get back?’ he repeated, offering me a mug of tea.

‘No,’ I said, taking it. ‘Not at all. In fact, I’m free for the rest of the day.’

‘In that case,’ he said, ‘would you mind sitting with Wren while I make a quick trip to the studio?’

‘Of course I wouldn’t mind,’ I said, smiling at Wren.

‘I’ll be fine on my own,’ she said to Theo, in spite of my offer. ‘I don’t want to hold Liza up.’

‘You’re not,’ I quickly said. ‘I’ve absolutely nothing planned.’

‘And I’ll feel better if you’re with a friend,’ Theo said, bending to kiss her cheek. ‘Just for this morning.’

‘To tell you the truth,’ I told her, ‘I could do with a chat about something other than Christmas trees.’

Theo gave me a grateful smile. He might come across as laidback and light of heart, but I’d seen the look of fear on his face the day Wren went into hospital. He’d been every bit as scared as she was and I was more than willing to do whatever I could to make sure that expression didn’t appear, on either of their faces, again.

‘Oh, go on, then,’ Wren said to him. ‘I know you’re itching to empty the kiln.’

‘I won’t be long,’ Theo grinned, as he reached for his coat which hung on a hook next to the door.

The door opened straight on to the tiny front garden and I could see that even though the place was Lilliputian it was very organised. There were clever storage solutions everywhere and absolutely no clutter. I wondered if they would have to move to somewhere bigger when the baby arrived, but in view of the recent scare, didn’t ask.

‘Take as long as you need,’ I called after Theo. ‘Where even is your studio?’ I asked Wren once he’d gone.

Her face lit up as she told me all about it. It was part of a former stable block at Home Farm, which belonged to Joe’s family. She and Theo shared the largest space there and Hope ran her business from another converted stable next door. With Theo being Hope’s cousin, it sounded very much like a family affair and Wren clearly loved it.

‘It sounds perfect,’ I told her.

‘It is,’ she said, and then her expression clouded.

‘What is it?’ I asked. ‘Are you not feeling well?’

‘No,’ she said, ‘I’m all right, thank goodness, although between you and me, I am worried about the beach hut.’

‘It’s fine,’ I reassuringly said. ‘I locked it after I’d been inside this morning. Everything’s safe.’

‘I know that,’ she said, looking tearful, ‘but it shouldn’t be locked up, should it?’

She had a point.

‘No,’ I said, biting my lip, ‘I suppose not.’

‘Theo and I have been preparing for these few weeks for months. We’ve put in endless hours to make sure we would have enough stock to make the most of the expected customer numbers and now, just as the absolute peak time for sales has hit, this has happened and we’re missing out.’

I didn’t know what to say.

‘That makes me sound awful, doesn’t it?’ she choked, turning red. ‘I don’t mean it too. And of course, I’d rather be here and healthy, than at the huts and not pregnant.’

‘Wren, stop,’ I softly said. ‘You don’t sound awful at all. I can completely understand why you’re so upset. This time, in the run up to Christmas, must provide a big boost to your annual income.’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It does. We make more now than at any other time of the year and without it…’ she shook her head. ‘Well, to be frank, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep going full-time and with a baby on the way, I’d rather not have to look for something part-time to help make ends meet.’

‘I can see that wouldn’t be ideal,’ I said, chewing my lip.

‘And Theo is insisting he’s not going to leave me until I’m completely better, not that there really is anything physically wrong with me now, but it’s a blow, this loss of income at such a potentially lucrative time.’ She let out a shuddering breath. ‘He wouldn’t have gone to the studio this morning if you weren’t here, you know,’ she said sadly. ‘I really don’t know how we’re going to manage.’

All the time she’d been talking I’d been channelling Winnie the Pooh and trying to think, think, think. The last thing she needed was more stress. She was supposed to be relaxing, and certainly not worrying about the demands of her and Theo’s finances.

‘I do,’ I said, as a lightbulb moment landed. ‘I know how you can manage.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes,’ I triumphantly said, ‘I do. I’m going to open and run the hut for you.’

She looked at me and blinked. ‘But…’

‘It’s still got plenty of stock,’ I carried on, ‘and I’m sure Theo can leave you long enough to drop off more if he thinks I’ll need it, and then I can sell it for you. Abbie or Sue can run me through the payment system as I know you all use the same one, and you can tell me anything about the products I need to know. I’ll open first thing tomorrow and then you won’t have to miss out on a single sale.’

I felt well chuffed to have struck upon an idea that would really help.

‘But what about Wynter’s?’ Wren asked. ‘I know you said Ned was angry about what happened, but now it’s all sorted, surely he’ll be expecting you to help shift the trees.’

‘No, he won’t,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘The delivery service ends tomorrow and then there’ll be him, David and Maya in the yard, which is the usual team. They won’t need me at all. And of course, Liam’s on the payroll now too.’

If Wren and Theo agreed, this idea would not only save their festive sales, but also keep me out of Maya’s way. I’d been trying to come up with a way to avoid her that wouldn’t look too obvious and this was the perfect solution.

‘Well,’ said Wren, once she’d mulled it over, ‘as long as you’re sure. That really would be amazing and a huge weight off my mind.’

‘One hundred per cent sure,’ I told her. ‘Maya helped me out of a tight spot with those trees yesterday,’ I added, feeling my face colour, ‘and now I can help you. It’s the perfect pay it forward gesture.’

I tried not to dwell on thoughts of how I’d then stomped all over Maya’s very generous act of kindness by kissing Ned, but then I remembered, he’d kissed me too. I hadn’t leapt across the sofa and thrown myself at him, we’d very definitely met in the middle, drawn together by some unseen but irresistible force. Not that that excused what had happened, but it was a two-way street.

‘All right,’ beamed Wren. ‘Theo should be at the studio in a few minutes. I’ll give him a ring and see what he says. He might be able to remember how much stock is still in the hut and if he thinks we need more, he can bring it away with him this morning.’

‘That’s a great idea,’ I agreed.

Theo was as keen on the plan as we both were and came back with a couple of boxes which I promised to set out in readiness to open up the next day.

‘If you could do tomorrow, Thursday and Friday,’ he said as we loaded the cartons into my car, ‘then I should be back on Saturday.’

‘Let’s play it by ear,’ I told him. ‘There’s no rush, is there? I can do easily do the weekend if you need me to.’

‘But what about the party?’ he said. ‘Surely Ned will want you to help with setting up for that?’

‘What party?’ I frowned.

‘Oh,’ said Theo. ‘I assumed you knew. Ned and David are having a thank you party in the barn on Saturday night for everyone who has helped at Wynter’s Trees this year. Ned told me it’s on track to be a bumper year and he wants to celebrate the success. All the beach hut crew have been invited. It’s going to be quite a night.’

‘Oh,’ I said, arranging the boxes, to hide my embarrassment. ‘I had no idea.’

‘Ned must have forgotten to mention it,’ Theo said consolingly. ‘He’s been so busy.’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘that’s probably it. Either that,’ I joked, ‘or I’m not invited.’

Theo looked embarrassed then too.

‘Right,’ I said, slamming the boot shut and trapping my discomfiture inside along with the boxes, ‘I think I’ll take a quick walk along the beach. I’ll keep you posted about how I’m getting on.’

‘Thanks, Liza,’ said Theo, giving me a warm hug. ‘Wren and I really appreciate what you’re doing for us.’

‘It’s my pleasure,’ I told him, even more grateful that I now had a good reason to stay out of the office and away from Ned as well as his other half.

It was blustery on the beach and, aside from the occasional dog walker, deserted. I pulled my hat down and my collar up and set off along the sand. The wind rushed this way and that and as it pushed and pulled me to and fro, my emotions got dragged along with it. As well as walking through the plantation, Dad had often come to the beach when he needed to think things through and clear his head, but my thoughts felt even more muddled when I left than they had when I arrived.

‘What’s all this then?’ Ned asked, when he found me still in Wren and Theo’s hut after everyone else had closed up and gone home. ‘Is Wren really all right?’

‘She’s fine,’ I told him as I carried on, carefully setting out the stock, so I didn’t have to look at him, ‘but she’s not ready to come back yet and Theo would rather be with her for a few days, so I’ve said I’ll open the hut in that time on their behalf.’

‘Oh right,’ he said. ‘I see.’

‘Otherwise, they’ll lose a huge chunk of their annual income,’ I explained. ‘From what Wren said they make a fair bit in the run to Christmas. That is all right, isn’t it? They didn’t ask me to do it, I put myself forward. I mean, you don’t want me, do you?’

‘Absolutely not,’ he hastily said. ‘I don’t want you.’

I wasn’t sure if they were intended to or not, but his words really stung.

‘That’s all right then,’ I swallowed.

I knew we had to keep things between us straightforward from then on, but he didn’t have to be quite so blunt about it.

‘I just hope they know what they’re letting themselves in for,’ he then teasingly said, which made me feel a little better, as his mouth quirked into a smile.

‘Ha, ha,’ I said, rolling my eyes. ‘Even I can tell the difference between pottery and silver jewellery.’

‘That’s all right then,’ he laughed. ‘Right, I’m going back to the lodge. Don’t be too late, will you? You’re going to be run off your feet tomorrow.’

‘Has it been busy today?’

‘Ever so,’ he nodded. ‘Thankfully, I’ve only got one delivery run to make tomorrow and then I can help out here after that. We’re going to be all in by Christmas Eve.’

‘You’d better save some energy for Saturday night,’ I said, then wished I hadn’t brought it up.

‘Saturday night?’

‘There’s going to be a party, isn’t there?’

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Crikey, I’d forgotten all about that. It’s this weekend, isn’t it?’

He sounded genuinely surprised that the date had crept up on him which in turn made me feel slightly better that he hadn’t mentioned it.

‘Apparently,’ I said, brushing my hands down my jeans. ‘Let me know if you need a hand with anything, won’t you?’

‘Thanks for the offer,’ he said, ‘but I’m sure it’s all in hand. I put Maya in charge and you know how efficient she is. I’m sure she’s got it all organised.’

‘In that case,’ I unguardedly said, ‘it’ll be mistletoe central here, come Saturday night.’

I had no idea why I thought it was a good idea to mention mistletoe. Mentioning mistletoe led to thoughts of kissing and that was the last place I wanted either of our minds to end up.

‘I hope not,’ said Ned, backing out of the hut. ‘I’ve already had my fill of Christmas kisses this year.’