‘Don’t ask me. I always grab the cheapest Prosecco.’
Izzy sighed. ‘I don’t know where to start.’
‘I thought Ross said he’d help.’
‘He’s busy writing. I didn’t like to ask.’ And she wasn’t going to. She had her pride.
‘Why don’t you ask your mate Jason? Didn’t you say he works in a posh restaurant? Won’t he know someone who knows something about wine?’ Jeanette suggested.
‘Brilliant idea.’ He’d been so helpful already, she was sure he wouldn’t mind. What was one more request? Although it would mean coming back again but both trolleys were already full and she’d had enough for one day. They also still had to stop at the farm shop on the way back.
‘Come on.’ She glanced at her list, satisfied that everything was ticked off. ‘We’ll leave the wine for today.’
As they stood in the queue to pay, she rattled off a quick message.
Me again. Sorry, this one is for you, Jason, and any of you that know anything about wine. Can you recommend wines to go with this menu?
She attached the ambitious menu plan that she’d put together for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Thirty-five minutes later they pulled into the car park of the farm shop in high spirits, having sung their way through an entire medley of festive songs.
‘Do you know what?’ asked Izzy as they got out of the car and crossed the gravel surface to the old barn. ‘I’m starting to feel like it’s—’
‘Chriiiiiistmas,’ yelled Jeanette in another gravelly Noddy Holder impersonation.
Izzy laughed. ‘Exactly.’ She linked arms with Jeanette. ‘We’re going to have a great time. Even if the Carter-Joneses are hideous, behind the scenes we’ll still manage to have fun.’
‘It’ll be likeDownton Abbey. We’ll be the servants below stairs having a good time. It’ll be nice to have lots of people around.’ Her mouth drooped a little. ‘We always had everyone at home for Christmas.’
‘Do you miss your mum?’
‘A little.’ She lifted her shoulders in a small, sad shrug. ‘You know there’s so many times in a day when I think, I must tell Mum that. We were’ – Izzy heard the break in her voice – ‘always quite close.’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’ Izzy put her arms around the younger woman as she began to cry.
‘You didn’t. I miss her and I feel bad because I know she’ll miss me but I love Jim and she wouldn’t see it. Said he wasn’t good enough and he had no prospects. He wants to make furniture and he had an apprenticeship. He’s good but the company went bust and he lost his job.’
Izzy could see Jeanette’s mum’s point of view. On paper he had no qualifications beyond his Highers, although he’d proved to be a fantastic asset to the castle and he seemed to be able to turn his hand to anything. And they were both so young.’
‘I’m sure she wants the best for you.’ Izzy said diplomatically, giving Jeanette another hug. ‘Why don’t you give her a call? She’ll have had time to think and perhaps emotions will be a bit calmer. You might be able to have a good talk. I’m sure she’s worried about you.’
‘I think I might,’ replied Jeanette with a sniff. ‘Thanks, Izzy. It must be nice living with your mum but her letting you get on with things. And she’s not like a proper mum, is she? That must be great. She doesn’t judge you, she takes you as you are. And she’s done a lovely job on our sitting room even though she’s got loads of other stuff to do. It looks like a proper home up there in the attic. It’s so cosy.’
‘Mmm,’ Izzy muttered with a vague smile. Yes, she had put a lot of thought into making Jeanette and Jim’s attic quarters warm and cosy, even getting a chimney sweep in so that they could use the fire, but Jim had done all the heavy lifting and Jeanette the cleaning. All Xanthe had really done was boss them about.
‘Good morning, ladies,’ said John as they pushed through the glass doors of the barn. ‘Can I interest you in some mistletoe?’
He held up a large sprig with a cheeky grin as Izzy snatched up one of the fancy wicker baskets at the front of the store.
‘I don’t need mistletoe,’ said Jeanette with a grin. ‘But you, Izzy, definitely should. I reckon a Christmas kiss from Ross is well overdue. Honestly, you’re both single, I don’t know why he hasn’t made a move on you. I’m sure he fancies you. I’ve seen him looking at you. A lot.’
Izzy glared at her, aware of John’s guilty, wary expression. Served him right. Another man that had messed her about. And talking of which, what of Philip? He’d seemed so sincere and desperate to see her again when she’d seen him in Edinburgh but she’d not heard from him.
‘I’m sure he doesn’t. We’re just friends.’
‘But he’s very good looking. You could have a fling.’
Izzy spat out a laugh. ‘Who says I want a fling?’
