Page 119

Izzy followed Jason out of the room, noticing on her way out that Mabel was quietly checking her email again.

“Poor Mabel.” She tugged on her coat and pushed her feet into the snow-boots Mabel had found her. She wondered if they’d belonged to Chrissie. “I so badly want her to hear something. The suspense is killing me, so goodness knows what it’s doing to her. Do you think she is regretting reaching out?”

“No. You heard what she said—that she’d rather know she did everything she could to try and mend things. She thinks it’s worth the risk.” Jason looped a scarf around her neck. “You look cute.”

“You’re kidding. I’m wearing two sets of thermals, a fleece, a down jacket and two hats. I look like an Arctic explorer.”

“A sexy Arctic explorer.” He kissed her briefly and then opened the door.

She wanted to grab him and ask him why he’d done that. Why hadn’t he accepted her rejection? Why was he behaving as if nothing had changed?

He glanced back at her. “Are you coming?”

“Yes.” She stepped into the freezing air and caught her breath. Together they trudged along the path they’d cleared to the shed.

Neither of them had made any further mention of what would happen the next day. He hadn’t tried to persuade her to join him. Hadn’t mentioned the future at all.

Maybe he has changed his mind.

He pulled off the tarpaulin and checked their handiwork. “Looking good, don’t you think?”

“I do.” She studied the sled they’d spent the afternoon making the day before. He’d assembled it using the wood in Walter’s store, and she’d painted it dark blue and added snowflakes. “Do you think we’re crazy? It’s not as if they can take it back to London with them.”

“We’re living in the moment. The wood was here, you’re a brilliant artist and this will give them fun today. And today should always be the focus because no one knows what tomorrow will look like so there’s not a lot of point in thinking about it.”

She wondered if that was a reference to their situation. She thought about tomorrow a lot. In fact, she spent much of her life making decisions designed to protect her future self. Don’t get hurt. Don’t let yourself be vulnerable.

Even now, she was locked in a tussle between enjoying the present and protecting the future. It was like going through life with the brakes on.

“Let’s drag it outside.” Jason grabbed the rope and hauled the sled out of the shed and onto the snow. Izzy’s paintwork gleamed in the sunshine. “Your artwork is exceptional. Jess would love this.”

“We could build her one.” She was talking as if Jess was part of her life. “I mean, we could set up a business or something. I’m sure there would be demand for personalised sleds. Oh, here comes Brooke!” Perfect timing. Just before she dug a very big hole for herself. “I hope Brooke’s mother didn’t upset her and ruin her day.”

“This is what you two were up to yesterday?” Matt stood back and admired their handiwork. “It’s fantastic.”

Elsie ran her hand over the brightly painted sled. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“I love it, too.” Poppy launched herself onto the sled. Her tutu was peeping out from under her coat.

“I can’t get her to take it off.” Brooke tucked the stiff tulle under her bottom. “This is perfect. Thank you both.”

Mabel joined them, wrapped up in a warm coat. “I wish Walter could have seen that. Great job, both of you.”

“Thank you for letting us help ourselves to the contents of his workshop.” Izzy gave Mabel a big hug. She wanted to ask if she’d heard from Chrissie, but wasn’t sure Mabel would want to talk about it, so instead they watched as Matt and Jason pulled the sled towards a small slope closer to the forest.

“Before I head back in to do battle with the turkey, I’m going to take a closer look at this snowman.” Mabel trudged across the snow to inspect the snowman they’d built yesterday.

“The sled is brilliant,” Brooke said. “The girls love it. Thank you again.” She slid her arm into Izzy’s and they stood for a moment, arm in arm, watching the children.

“Look at their faces.” Izzy grinned as shrieks of delight cut through the frozen air. “How did it go with your mother? Was it difficult?”

“It was easier than I anticipated. They’d clearly given what I said a lot of thought. They were making such an effort, it choked me up.” Brooke’s voice was husky. “And they were so nice to Matt and apologised for putting him under pressure. He almost died of shock, but I think it’s great. And he mentioned his interest in covered bridges, and my dad is going to figure out a couple of trips while we’re staying so Matt’s even looking forward to it. It’s going to make our visit much easier. I had this lump of dread inside me, and now it has gone. I wish I’d had that conversation sooner. I probably wouldn’t have done it at all if it hadn’t been for Mabel telling me her own story.”

They glanced towards Mabel, who was straightening the scarf Poppy had tied around the snowman.

Izzy lowered her voice. “I don’t suppose she has had a reply from Chrissie?”

“I don’t think so. But at least she reached out. That must have been hard and scary, but she did it anyway.”