I give Rory a nod for the hat recognition. Although, as yet, I’m not feeling the full advantage of the matching heads.
Rory lets out a low laugh and points to a hand painted sign. ‘If you’re not barefoot you’re overdressed.You might like to take note of that, Luc.’ Given Rory and I are currently wrapped in full outdoor wear, referencing the sharp creases in Luc’s suit trousers falls slightly flat. In a pot, kettle and black way.
Luc ignores the joke and gives me a puzzled stare. ‘Why do you need a helper to take a few snaps of the happy couple?’
If he needs to ask, he doesn’t have a clue. But I’m not going to say that.
Rory gives Luc an enthusiastic punch on the arm. ‘Anyway, it’s great to meet you, Luc. I’ve heard shedloads about you already. But I’m afraid we’ll have to chat another time. I’m leaving and I’m very late already.’
‘We are?’ I’m turning to Rory, open-mouthed.
‘Don’t be silly, Berry. You two have a lot of catching up to do. I’m sure you’ll be able to share a taxi back to town, so I’ll leave you to it.’
As I stare up into Luc’s face, my chest clenches. Not that I’m usually tongue-tied with friends, but right now, I can’t think of anything at all to say to him. ‘Actually, it’s been a long day.’ I turn to Rory. ‘If you’re still going to St Aidan, can I grab a lift?’
Rory drags in a breath as he hesitates. ‘Only if you’re sure that’s what you want.’
It’s as if someone other than the me who’s been aching for this moment for a whole year, is operating my legs and mouth. ‘Thanks, I’ll come now.’ Even as I hear the words, I can’t believe I just said them. It’s only when I see my own astonishment reflected in Luc’s eyes that it clicks. Apart from the day I ran off, I’ve never actually done anything to surprise him before. If he’s been playing this out in his head too, I reckon he’s only got as far as the version where I fling myself into his arms and beg him to take me back.
‘Er … okay. We’ll do this some other time, then. I’ll be in touch very soon, Holly.’
There’s something hugely empowering about seeing Luc gobsmacked, even if it is a total accident. Next thing I know, I’m following the back of Rory’s battered windcheater towards the hewn-plank exit door. A second later we’re being blown down the courtyard and my last ever wedding is over. And so is my long-awaited reunion with Luc.
Chapter 35
Saturday 23rd December
In Poppy’s kitchen at Daisy Hill Farm: Making tracks
With Jess back in the shop, after a morning editing pictures and checking my inbox and phone every two minutes, in case Luc finds some signal and decides to get in touch, I decide to hitch a ride out of town with Immie. She’s on her way back to the farm after a lunchtime Precisely Peaceful session at the Leisure Centre. Although, judging by the way she’s cursing every driver on the bypass, I’m not sure how effective the session’s been. She’s also really agitated because Poppy’s running around when she should be winding down. As for me, as soon as I’m chatting to Gracie and Teddie in Poppy’s kitchen, it takes my mind off kicking myself for ducking out with Luc last night. Although Immie, Jess and Poppy are all convinced it was a good move, it was a lot less intentional than they think. But as they say, if he’s worth it, I’ll be hearing from him. However, once I’m back on my laptop next to Poppy’s Aga, and I’ve eaten my own weight in Christmas pudding muffins, it’s much easier to focus. And at least if I’m here, I can make sure Poppy doesn’t go dashing out to supervise barn clearing or cottage guests.
Despite being under house arrest, Poppy’s up to her elbows in icing sugar, creating an alpine- scene Christmas cake, ready for when everyone descends for Christmas Day on Monday. And along the way I sort out Nate and Becky’s mini-album, for what will forever more be known as the Hurricane Wedding. Even though yesterday’s ferocious westerly has dropped, it’s now turned into an icy blast straight out of the Arctic.
‘Looks like we’re in for a whiteout,’ Rory says, as he calls in later to pick up Gracie and Teddie after dinner. He’s just missed out on the most delicious Hunter’s Chicken, cooked by Rafe, and turned down a carry-out. ‘If you’ve got a spare half hour later, before Rafe takes you back to town, Holly, there’s something for you back at the cottage.’ He’s trying to sound bright, but a vital part of his happy bunny bounce is missing.
Not only is Rafe a superman in the kitchen, he’s also offered to run me home, so that’s great. But Rory arriving late for dinner and then turning down food, is unheard of. As for calling me just Holly – when did he ever do that? When I tiptoe into Home Brew Cottage after clearing up dinner, it’s unusually quiet. Rory’s already sitting on the sofa, laptop open, and as he puts it on the table he nods at the space next to him.
‘Am I in time for singing with Gracie?’ I’ve rushed so I’d make it. As I gasp to get my breath back, I’m wondering where his loud boy soundtrack is.
He looks up and blinks absently. ‘She’s already asleep. Sit down if you can find somewhere.’
I was aching to know what he’d got for me as I came up the courtyard, but his blank stare pushes that out of my mind. Given the easy chairs are covered in clothes piles, I perch on the sofa’s edge beside him. ‘Is everything okay?’ From my personal point of view, it’s anything but. I really hadn’t expected his lost expression to play this much havoc with my urge to not only to rub his head, but to clutch him to me and hug him hard. If these are the vibes Marilyn picks up from him, I can see why she’s so hands-on.
He lets out a long sigh. ‘Actually, it couldn’t be any less okay. I’ve just spoken to the hospital. Erin’s been fighting off an infection, but it’s suddenly spiralled out of control. You know, I’m starting to think they might lose her.’
All the time I’ve been worrying about Luc getting in contact, his sister has been deteriorating. ‘Lose her, as in …?’
He gives a half-nod and his voice is barely there. ‘What am I going to do if she doesn’t pull through this, Berry?’
I’m shuddering and staring at the snowmen spinning on the Christmas tree in the warm draught from the fire. ‘It’s really that bad?’
He closes his eyes for a second. ‘They’re slamming the antibiotics into her, but she’s not responding, so they’ve just upped the dose. It’ll be a few hours before they know if it’s working. I’m doing such a bad job of looking after the kids. If they lose her, what the hell am I going to do then?’
It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him sound completely helpless. And as I stare at his haunted expression, what I’m picking up is pure fear. ‘Whatever happens, we’re all here for you.’
His face creases into an agonised grimace. ‘I’m absolutely bricking it here. I’ve never been so frightened about anything, ever.’
This is the big, huge, lovely guy, who’s carried me and hauled me, and looked out for me through the last three weeks. Seeing him crumbling is making my heart ache. ‘You’re the most fearless guy I know, Rory. If the worst happens, you’ll come through it, and make it work, in the same amazing way you have with the rest of your life.’ Thinking about his accident, I can’t help reaching out and grasping his arm.
