Chapter Twenty-Four
Could we meet? You are on annual leave, I understand, and it is Sunday, so I impose, but I am happy to visit your house. Regards, Grete.
Ezz stared dubiously at the text message. They were at Thea’s place, watchingHow to Train Your Dragon, and she was taking the weekend to recover from the unexpected visit from her birth family. Thea and Dev were cuddled up on the sofa and Ezz and Valentina each had a rocking chair. Barnaby lounged on a cushion on the floor, with Daisy sleeping over his legs, her pearly fur shedding all over his clothes. Ezz wanted to replyWhy?But although she might no longer be the Stepford employee that Mats had decried, she didn’t speak to her boss like that.
‘Bum,’ she muttered.
Barnaby looked round and laughed, before returning his gaze to the dragons on the TV screen.
In answer to her sisters’ enquiring glances. Ezzie explained. ‘Grete’s asked to see me … today.’ She uncurledher legs from beneath her. ‘As my car’s at my house, I’ll walk from here. Shall I take Daisy with me?’ It wouldn’t hurt to look totally off duty.
In a flash, Daisy transformed from snoring gently to wide awake, apparently able to hear ‘Daisy’ and ‘walk’ together even in her sleep. Floppy ears perked, she placed her front feet together like a dancer and gazed up hopefully.
‘Daisy says yes please.’ Thea yawned.
Daisy gave a little dance. ‘Arf!’
‘OK. I’ll just text Grete and tell her I’ll meet her at the hall.’ Soon, Ezz was wrapped up in her ski jacket and knitted hat, Daisy running happily on her stretchy lead that attached to her tartan collar. It took about twenty minutes for Ezz to stride down Glen Road and left up the steep footpath through the copse. It would be dark in an hour, but she had her torch on her phone if Grete kept her that long.
Grete must have been watching for her, because she opened the white door as soon as Ezz and Daisy made it into the lobby. ‘Thea’s little dog,’ Grete said, stooping to fuss Daisy. Daisy laid back her ears and snuffled coquettishly.
‘I hope you don’t mind me bringing her,’ Ezz said. ‘It saved Thea having to walk her and I wasn’t very near my house, or car.’
‘Of course not. I have inconvenienced you.’ Grete opened the door wider, and when Ezz and Daisy had stepped through, led them up the corridor to the home office. ‘I apologise for breaking into your time, but soon must we make departure plans, and first I have something I wish to arrange.’
‘Oh,’ Ezz said hollowly, unable to refrain from glancing down the corridor towards the kitchen and the lounge.
Grete must have noticed. ‘The rest of the family has gone out.’
‘Lovely,’ Ezz said mechanically, glad she wouldn’t trip over Inger, and telling herself that it was for the best that she wouldn’t see Mats, Astrid and Alvin. In the home office, she took a seat across the desk from Grete, Daisy at her feet.
‘So.’ Grete adjusted her glasses and twinkled through them. ‘I am making a party, with Gwen’s help. She tells me about Hogmanay and seeing in the bells with friends and family. I am a little confused about the “first footing” as she calls it, but she tells me Jonas can play this role, as he is dark. He is not tall, and neither a stranger, but we manage with what we have.’ Her eyes creased almost to slits with the size of her smile. ‘Wikipedia says the tradition may date back to the Viking invasion, when to have a blond stranger at your door was bad luck. But we are already Vikings, and we are already here, so I do not see a problem. At home, we would have fireworks, but I have not thought to buy any.’
Ezz found herself smiling. ‘Still sounds great. It’s only two days away, though, so do you need my help?’ Bang went her time off, if so.
‘Only to deliver some invitations.’ Grete gave a satisfied nod. She opened the desk drawer and withdrew a stack of envelopes. ‘This invitation is for you. And these – please will you give to Thea, and your sister Valentina? Mats tells me she is in Rothach.’ She passed over three blue envelopes.
Surprised, Ezz read the fronts.Ezzie. Thea and Deveron. Valentina and family. They were all invited to the Larssons’ Hogmanay?
Grete began to flip through more envelopes. ‘I have also invitations for Georgia and Peony, Dilly from the café,Sheena, Gwen and Caitriona, and Hadley who is every summer raising our plants in the greenhouse.’
‘How generous.’ Ezz was touched at Grete inviting employees to celebrate with her family. Then her heart began a downward spiral as she remembered that Inger would no doubt be there too. Ezz didnotrelish Inger finding ways to remind Ezzie that she was only staff.
Grete shrugged off Ezz’s appreciation. ‘Already, many will have their New Year arrangements. Possibly, Georgia and Peony have gone away. But we see who comes.’
‘Well. Thanks again,’ Ezz said.
Grete took up another envelope and tapped it on her fingers, regarding Ezz keenly. Then, slowly, she laid it on the desk so Ezz could read the addressees.Kay, Rick and family.
‘Oh.’ Ezz didn’t know what to think or say. She’d agreed to meet her birth family again before they left on Friday January 3rd, but she’d havered over when and where. A pub might be too public, but her little cottage would be too crowded, especially if Thea and Valentina came, along with Julia’s partner Hamal and daughter Edina, and Iona’s partner Vido. She was still wondering what to do.
‘It is your choice whether to give it.’ Grete’s eyes shone with compassion. ‘We make them your guests, so you decide.’
‘That’s so kind,’ Ezz murmured, tears pricking her eyes that Grete was once again providing an arena for Ezz to meet her birth family, neutral ground but not public property. She felt a warm affection for her employer, who she’d come to understand on a different level this winter. Ezz knew which hotel the Colvilles were staying at in Broadford. She could leave the invitation at reception, with an explanatory note. Though she was sure theywould accept, it gave them the chance to discuss it amongst themselves.
Was that cowardly? Maybe. Or maybe she was, as always, just being pragmatic.
When the New Year’s Eve party came around, Mats was tantalised by seeing Ezz always the centre of a group. Her hair shone almost enough to reflect the flame-coloured top that clung to her front and dipped at the back. He had to talk to himself sternly not to walk behind her and stroke the skin between her shoulder blades.
