Tess lit three pillar candles on the windowsill in the kitchen, her only nod to the festive season. While it seemed customary now for people to put their lights and decorations up on the first of December, or even earlier in some circumstances, she had always waited until the weekend before the holidays to decorate the house. Christmas had always been a huge deal at Hollyhocks, but this year, the celebrations would be very different from all those previous years. Her first Christmas without Charles. Less pressure, less stress and infinitely more relaxing. At the moment, confirmed attendees for Christmas Day included Hannah, Rob, Marjorie and Dilly, but knowing the usual constant comings and goings at the cottage, and the huge amounts of food Tess would inevitably prepare, she was certain that she would be able to accommodate any extra guests, if required to.
Billy was going home to Ireland but would be returning to stay at Hollyhocks for the new year celebrations, when Michael’s relatives would have just departed after their post-Christmas visit to The Garden Retreat. Tess was keeping everything crossed that it would be third time lucky and this stay would pass without any canine or weather-related issues.
Hannah would be joining Charles and Melody on Boxing Day for lunch in a grand country hotel. His recovery was going well, although he had taken the decision to cut down on his hours at work, with a view to selling his share in the partnership in the new year. Tess couldn’t imagine what he would do with all his free time, but then she had managed to turn her life around, she was certain Charles could do the same. Apparently, he had returned the Porsche to the garage, realising that it had been a frivolous expense that he could ill afford, when he wouldn’t get much use from it, so perhaps he was moving on from his old ways after all.
Dilly was beyond excited about spending Christmas at Hollyhocks and was insisting on bringing food, crackers, chocolate and wine, none of which would be required, but Tess didn’t have the heart to tell her otherwise.
Now, Tess opened some packets of crisps, nuts and peanuts and poured them into bowls, placing them around the surfaces in the cottage.
‘You need to be on your best behaviour today, Barney, do you hear me? No pinching any food and no trying to escape.’
The dog replied with a head tilt, an imploring look from those big brown eyes and a tail wag, which did nothing to reassure Tess that he would keep to his side of the agreement.
‘Oh look,’ she said, hearing the sound of a car on the drive. ‘Hannah’s back.’
She went out the front with Barney to help Marjorie out of the car. Billy took one side and Tess the other, and they carefully manoeuvred her into the orangery, where she heaved a satisfied sigh as she plopped down into the most comfy chair, and with a gin and tonic placed on the table at the side, she had a big smile on her face.
‘It’s lovely to be here as always, darling.’
‘Well, it’s lovely to have you here. I was a little worried that you may cancel on us at the last moment, citing other plans.’ Tess had a reproving but kind look on her face.
‘Now I explained about that, and I won’t do it again, I promise. Or if need to, I will give you plenty of notice next time. You know me, being here with my family is my happy place.’
‘When do you get to hear about the competition, Mum?’
‘Not until March, I think, but I’m already compiling notes for my next novel. I’ve got the bug now, so I can’t wait to get stuck in again.’
The doorbell rang and Tess left Marjorie chatting to Billy while she went to welcome her guests. Soon the kitchen was filled with people bearing gifts. Tess had prepared a tray of bellinis, which were going down a treat with her guests, but there were also wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks for those who wanted them.
It was gratifying to see such a great turnout: Suzy, Gina, Dilly, Danny, her colleagues from the library, some friends from her Pilates class, Michael, and Rob, who had brought along his children, Josh and Issy. Tess was meeting them for the first time and she might have been nervous but for the fact that they seemed totally relaxed and friendly towards her, and after saying hello, they were quickly distracted by Barney, who was doing a very good job at winning them over to the charms of Hollyhocks Cottage. She couldn’t get over how much Josh looked like his dad, with a similar tall and lean build, and the same startling blue eyes.
‘Wait there,’ said Rob, holding a finger to the air, as if suddenly remembering something, before dashing out of the kitchen door again. Tess looked around amusedly, greeting a few new arrivals, until Rob was back again, moments later, clutching a large parcel wrapped haphazardly in brown paper. ‘This is for you,’ he announced, handing it over.
‘What is it?’ she asked, taking it in her arms, weighing it up for size and thinking how heavy it was.
‘A present.’
‘But it’s not Christmas yet,’ she said curiously.
‘No, it’s a pre-Christmas present,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘Just open it.’
Her fingers scrabbled at the wrapping as she pulled off the reams of paper into the hands of Rob, who was watching her every reaction, until she uncovered the gift inside.
‘Wow!’ She gasped, totally taken aback. ‘That is amazing! Perfect, in fact.’ Her gaze ran over the item that she held in her hands, drinking in every detail. ‘Did you… did you make this?’
Rob nodded.
‘Oh my goodness! I love it. You are so clever!’
It was a wooden sign engraved with the words,Please close the gatewith a cute cut-out of a beagle that looked uncannily like Barney at each end.
‘I’ll put it up tomorrow,’ he said as Tess wrapped him in a hug, thanking him profusely for such a special and thoughtful gift.
Just then, one of Tess’s recently made friends, Nico turned up at the door. Even though he was an old colleague of Charles, he definitely made the invitation list because he had made the effort to reach out to her, to check how she was doing when he’d heard about the break-up. He was a lovely guy who she had briefly dated, before deciding that they would work much better as friends. She had introduced him to her own friends earlier in the year, at the village fete, so she led him through into the living room where he was now catching up with Gina and Suzy.
Over in one corner, Tess could see Dilly and Danny deep in conversation, which wasn’t unusual because those two always gravitated towards each other when they were in the same room together.
She only wished she could listen in on their conversation because they always seemed to be having the best time, laughing and giggling, although perhaps today, Danny looked more hesitant than usual.
