Twenty-eight
Rachel was glad to find the house empty when she returned. It gave her time to wrap Verity’s gifts and hide them, along with the red felt stocking which matched those belonging to Gemma, Indie and Emily. Then she started to prepare the salmon which she’d poach for tonight’s dinner.
Molly heard Alexander and Verity’s return before Rachel and she scampered to the door to greet them. Popping her head out of the kitchen, Rachel was pleased to see Verity looking more animated than she had earlier. ‘Did you catch up with your sister?’ she asked Alexander, seeing Verity cautiously pat the little dog.
‘We did… and the rest. Verity was quite overwhelmed at first, but Gemma and Indie took her under their wing and insisted she join them on the trampoline. She loved it, didn’t you, Verity?’
Verity looked up at him, her wide eyes large pools of pale blue – exactly like hers, Rachel realised with a shock.
‘The trampoline with Gemma and Indie,’ Alexander prompted.
‘It was fun,’ she said in her cute English accent that sounded so foreign to Rachel.
Rachel felt a warm glow. Apart from the comment about being hungry, these were the first words she’d heard Verity utter. ‘Gemma and Indie are a lot of fun, aren’t they?’ she said with a smile. ‘But they never stop. They can be a bit overpowering at times.’
‘They said you’re their grandma too,’ Verity said solemnly, staring at Rachel as if daring her to deny it.
She looked so bereft, Rachel wanted to pick her up and hug her but wasn’t sure how she’d react. She appeared to be a very self-sufficient little girl. Rachel supposed she’d had to be, with a sick mother. ‘I am,’ she replied, ‘and I’m thrilled to have another granddaughter. Did they tell you they’re coming here to dinner tonight?’
Verity nodded. It seemed she’d used up all her words.
‘How about some lunch? I was about to make myself a sandwich. Maybe cheese and pickles for us, Alexander, and I’m betting you’d like Nutella on yours, Verity. It’s a favourite with the twins.’
‘Yes, please.’ Verity’s eyes lit up.
Rachel gave a sigh of relief. This might be a breakthrough. Who’d have thought a Nutella sandwich would be the answer?
‘Why don’t you and your dad go and wash your hands while I fix lunch? We can eat outside, and Molly can have the run of the yard.’
‘This is delicious, thank you,’ Verity said, as she sat at the outside table with a generously filled Nutella sandwich and a glass of milk.
‘You’re very welcome,’ Rachel said, her heart going out to the girl as she took another bite of sandwich. At least she was eating well.
‘May I play with Molly, please?’ Verity asked, when she had finished her sandwich and dabbed her milk moustache with a napkin. She was so well-mannered and polite, it almost broke Rachel’s heart. She was too young to have gone through what she had.
‘Of course you can, sweetheart,’ she replied. ‘I’m going to be in the kitchen. Let me know if there’s anything you want.’ She glanced at Alexander and nodded. This was a good step forward. It would take time, but she could predict that, by the time Christmas was over, Verity would be behaving more like others of her age, though perhaps not quite as wild as the twins.
*
As Rachel had expected, dinner was a riotous affair – a prelude to what was to come next day. The house seemed to be overflowing with people once everyone arrived, the twins, excited about Christmas, darting around and getting in everyone’s way, while Verity watched on wide-eyed. To Rachel’s delight, the little girl gravitated to her side when the two terrors became too noisy.
After dinner, it was time to leave for the carol singing and it seemed they’d never make it as first Gemma, then Indie, disappeared and had to be searched for, then Molly wanted to come with them. Finally, everyone was ready, and Rachel was able to lock the door behind them. They piled into three cars and set off for the marina.
The crowds were already gathering when Rachel, Alexander and Verity got out of Rachel’s car. They joined the other family members and made their way to Pelican Plaza where the event was to be held. Pelican Plaza was a semicircle of stone steps close to the marina where every day at two o’clock, volunteers fed the pelicans. It was popular with tourists and locals alike and made a good focal point for the annual carol singing, close to where the town Christmas tree had been erected.
As they approached the area, Rachel felt a little hand in hers and, looking down, saw it was Verity. A bubble of happiness welled up, and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She was still smiling when they managed to find a spot not far from the front with a good view of the podium and the Christmas tree, decorated with baubles, tinsel and coloured lights.
When the local mayor appeared on the podium to open the proceedings, Rachel felt a presence behind her and turning, saw it was Luke, accompanied by a young couple. The mayor began to speak, so she was unable to say anything, but the smile of welcome on Luke’s face sent a warm glow through her. They didn’t need to speak; it was enough that he was there.
The mayor finished his greetings, then his place was taken by the musical group and choir from the local high school who proceeded to perform a collection of new and traditional carols, with the audience joining in. Rachel glanced down from time to time to see from Verity’s expression that the little girl was enjoying herself, her enjoyment more subdued than that of the twins who were jumping up and down as they joined in with the carols they knew.
When the event finally came to an end with a rendition of We wish you a Merry Christmas, and the crowd began to disperse, the twins and Verity were wilting and ready to go home. Jess had brought Emily along in her pram and she was already asleep. Steph and Chloe had snuck away earlier, claiming to be tired.
‘See you tomorrow, Mum,’ Jess said, giving Rachel a hug. Gemma and Indie raised their arms for a hug too, but they were clearly very tired. Verity had climbed into Alexander’s arms during the singing and was sucking her thumb. Rachel couldn’t help thinking how cute they looked together.
‘Hey!’ Luke tapped Rachel on the shoulder. ‘Good to see you. That was a stellar performance, a lot bigger than I remember.’
‘It’s seems to get bigger each year. Hello,’ Rachel said to the young couple who were with him.
‘This is Josh and Abby,’ Luke said. ‘Rachel is a friend of mine and my closest neighbour.’ They all shook hands, then Rachel introduced Alexander and Verity, seeing Luke’s eyes widen at the sight of the little girl. She’d have to explain to him later.
By the time they reached home, Verity was asleep. Alexander carried her into the house and straight to bed, while Rachel poured two glasses of port and cut the Christmas cake. It had always been a tradition with her and Kirk to have a glass of port with a slice of Christmas cake after the carol singing and while they were filling the children’s stockings. Rachel had continued the tradition with the grandchildren, and now there were four stockings to fill and hang up.
She had the stockings out and was unpacking the small toys and lollies to fill them with, when Alexander reappeared.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said, taking the glass of port and helping himself to Christmas cake. ‘Verity didn’t waken when I undressed her to put on her nightie. The port always reminds me of Dad.’
‘Me, too,’ Rachel said, taking a sip of hers. ‘He always loved this time of year.’ She gazed into space for a few moments, then gave herself a shake. ‘I’m glad Verity seems to be more comfortable with us. It must be very strange for her.’
‘She and Anthea were very close. Anthea tried to prepare her for what was going to happen but I’m not sure she fully understood, not until it happened. It was when she started sucking her thumb to go to sleep.’
‘The poor mite.’
‘Yeah. It’s not been easy for me, either. I never expected to have a child… not for ages yet, but…’ He shrugged.
‘It’s a good thing you’re doing, Alexander. Not all men would rise to the challenge like you have. Verity’s a lovely child. Her mother has clearly taken good care of her, taught her good manners. And spending time with the twins will soon bring her out of herself a bit more. She’ll miss them when you both go back to London.’ Rachel thought Alexander gave her a strange look but decided to ignore it. She wondered how long he planned to stay but decided not to ask. She’d wait till Christmas was over. She just hoped he didn’t intend to dash off as quickly as he’d done on his last visit. She wanted more time to get to know Verity.
The stockings filled and hanging beside the tree, Alexander poured them another glass of port which they took out to the courtyard. Molly was asleep too, snoring away in her bed by the kitchen door.
It was a lovely summer evening, the moon reflected in the ocean the stars twinkling overhead. ‘I miss this,’ Alexander said, leaning back in his chair and gazing up at the sky. ‘The air’s so much cleaner here, softer somehow.’
‘Mmm.’ Rachel didn’t want to spoil the moment by speaking. She loved having Alexander here – and now Verity too – and though tempted to comment, to suggest he might come back home to live, knew it was better to remain silent.
It was Alexander who broke the silence. ‘Who’s that guy you introduced me to? You said he was your neighbour. I thought Bob Reed was your neighbour. What’s happened to him?’
‘Bob still is. He’s off on some course or other, and Luke’s looking after the practice for him. We met when Molly got a tick, and I’ve been helping him settle in.’ Rachel mentally crossed her fingers hoping Alexander wouldn’t ask anything more and hadn’t noticed the spark between her and Luke of which she’d been very much aware.
He didn’t, and Rachel gave a sigh of relief which Alexander took to be tiredness. ‘You must want to get to bed, Mum,’ he said. He had always been the most caring of her children, even when he was little. The girls used to tease him about it, because although he played pranks on them, he was always caring and sweet to his mother.
‘Yes,’ she yawned, ‘it’s been a busy day and another one tomorrow. You have got a gift for Verity, haven’t you?’ she asked, a sudden fear taking hold.
‘Of course, and Anthea left a few things she’d put aside for her too. She knew she wouldn’t last till Christmas and wanted it to be special for Verity.’
Rachel felt her eyes moisten. ‘We’ll have to make sure that it is, then,’ she said. ‘Goodnight, my darling.’ She hugged Alexander, marvelling yet again that she’d given birth to this tall, handsome creature, and wishing he didn’t live so far away, and she saw him more often. Then she went off to bed to dream of another tall, handsome man who lived only a stone’s throw away.