Chapter 9 Hayley #2
She vibrated with energy, and Hayley wondered whether she went to bed exhausted every night or whether she was blessed with superhuman stamina.
“Let’s go indoors—” Jenny ushered them all inside and Hayley stepped cautiously over the threshold of Jamie’s family home.
If the outside of the house looked welcoming and festive, the inside was even more so.
A large Christmas tree dominated the hallway, and candles glowed and flickered on every surface alongside garlands of greenery.
Through an open door she could see a log fire blazing, and Percy immediately padded into the room and helped himself to the warmest spot.
Hayley had never been anywhere like this. She wanted to curl up by the fire with Percy and never leave.
Jamie dumped their bags in the hall next to his sister’s and glanced around him. “Wow. Did you leave any decorations for anyone else?”
Rosie grinned. “I know! Isn’t it brilliant? Mum has gone totally overboard. Probably because of Hayley, in which case thank you, Hayley, you’re welcome any time.”
Hayley had no idea how to respond to that, and fortunately she didn’t have to because at that moment Jamie’s father stepped forward to introduce himself, and so did Declan, Rosie’s husband.
She noticed immediately that Declan was far more reserved than his wife. Or maybe he was just tired. She knew they’d driven up from London in pretty bad weather.
He stood in silence, his dark eyes watchful, and Hayley knew instantly that he was a listener, not a talker.
Rosie, on the other hand, was very much a talker.
“This bag can stay down here.” Rosie pushed an overstuffed bag into a corner with her foot and her mother tutted.
“You’re not to leave things lying around, Rosie. We have a house full of people and they don’t want to be tripping over your belongings.”
“But they’re presents. They’re going to go under the tree!”
“Then put them under the tree.” Jenny shook her head and turned to Hayley. “I hope you’ll make yourself at home. If there’s anything at all you need, you’re to let me know.”
“How come Hayley is allowed to make herself at home and I have to be unnaturally tidy?” Grumbling away, Rosie dragged the bag into the living room and then emerged again. “That’s unfair. It isn’t Christmas if you’re not tripping over presents.”
She was pretty, Hayley thought. Really pretty, with hair the colour of polished oak that tumbled over her shoulders in bouncy waves, and eyes the same green as Jamie’s.
Jenny didn’t seem to be interested in her daughter’s appearance at that moment.
“If your grandmother trips and breaks a hip you’ll be cooking the turkey.”
Hayley stood quietly by the Christmas tree, her head buzzing. She wanted to join in and be part of the banter, but those types of exchanges could only happen between people who knew each other well. They were normal family dynamics, something she knew nothing about.
“I can cook a turkey,” Rosie said. “Whether anyone would want to eat it is another matter. I always panic it won’t be cooked and I’ll poison everyone.”
“You’d ruin it on purpose,” Jamie said, “just to make us all eat your boring vegetarian option.”
“I wouldn’t share my mushroom Wellington with you if you were starving and begging me. If you want to eat a sweet, kind little turkey who never did you or anyone any harm, then go ahead.”
“I’ve seen the turkey. Trust me, it’s not little.”
“Ignore them,” Jenny advised Hayley, “I’ve never understood why my otherwise adult children, all of whom have responsible jobs, revert to childhood when they’re home.”
Jamie grinned at Declan. “She hasn’t turned you vegetarian yet?”
“Declan eats fish,” Rosie said, “but he also loves vegetarian food. Adores it.”
“Either he’s lying to you or you’ve been brainwashed.” Jamie gave Declan a sympathetic slap on the shoulder. “How do you stand living with her?”
Rosie glanced at Declan, and Hayley thought she saw a flash of anxiety in that look.
Before Declan could answer, Rosie turned away and gathered up a couple more bags.
Her shoulders were stiff and Hayley knew then that she hadn’t imagined anything.
She sensed that the brightness Rosie exuded was false.
That it was taking a supreme effort that had just proved too tiring.
Perhaps because she so often adopted a false face herself, she was able to detect it in other people.
She felt a wave of sympathy. She didn’t even know Rosie, so why did she have a sudden urge to follow her, pull her to one side and check she was all right?
She remembered Rosie quietly telling Jamie that she wanted to talk to him. Maybe it was related.
Or maybe nothing was wrong, and she was misreading everything. She didn’t know these people, so that was entirely possible.
“You must all be tired and ready for some food,” Jenny said, “so why don’t you get settled in your rooms and then we’ll all enjoy a drink before dinner.”
“Let’s do this. The sooner we unpack, the sooner we can eat.” Rosie clomped her way up the stairs and Declan followed with the rest of their bags.
“You and Hayley are in your room, Jamie.” Jenny didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, and Hayley decided that if Rosie’s own mother didn’t think anything was wrong then there probably wasn’t anything wrong.
She picked up bags and Jamie’s father appeared by her shoulder.
“Let me take those for you. You don’t seem to have brought as much stuff as my daughter.”
“I travel light.” She could have told them that she didn’t own much stuff. That she pretty much took what she had everywhere she went. But that was definitely too much information, so she simply smiled her thanks and followed Jamie’s father up the stairs.
He eyed the garland, twisted around the stair rail. “I hope no one needs to grab that thing or they’ll probably get a rash or stab themselves on holly. Jenny has gone a bit over the top I’m afraid.”
“I can hear you, Martin!” Jenny’s voice floated up the stairs.
“And it’s called decorating for Christmas.
Something the whole family used to help with before they left home and you filled your days being retired.
Now I’m a one-woman festive machine. Jamie?
When you’ve taken up your luggage, will you help me bring in more logs from the shed?
It’s freezing and we’re going to need them if this snow doesn’t stop.
I don’t want anyone wading through snowdrifts to top up the fire. ”
Hayley followed Jamie and his father along a wide landing and then through a door right at the end of the house.
“This is my room.” Jamie dropped their bags in one corner. “And we have our own Christmas tree! Nice touch. Thanks Mum.”
His mother appeared in the doorway. “I saw it when I went to buy some extra decorations and I thought it would be perfect in this room. I’ve put out fresh towels. The window rattles a bit in the wind but I’ve put extra layers on the bed so hopefully you won’t be cold.”
“I won’t be cold,” Hayley said. “I’m never cold.”
Jamie frowned. “You’re often cold.”
“No, I’m not. And anyway this room is warm,” Hayley said quickly, mortified. “It’s very snug.”
Jenny gave Hayley another hug. “Well, if you are cold, you’ll find extra blankets in the cupboard just outside your room.
It’s so good to have you here. Now I must go and check on dinner and we’ll see you downstairs for a celebratory, welcome-home drink whenever you’re ready.
” She left the room and closed the door behind her, giving them privacy.
Hayley walked to the window and sat down on the cushioned seat that spanned the width of the glass.
She stroked her hand over the dark green fabric and glanced around her.
It was a beautiful room, made even more so by the sparkle of lights from the Christmas tree.
The walls were painted the colour of pale moss, which gave the room a warm elegance.
One entire wall was covered in bookshelves, and another in black-and-white photographs.
The large bed in the middle of the room was piled with cushions and several warm throws, and lamps placed either side sent soft light across the room.
“This was your room when you were growing up?”
“Yes. It looks over the garden, not that you can see anything now when it’s dark.” Jamie opened a suitcase and started putting clothes away. “Why did you say you’re never cold?”
“I don’t want to be a nuisance. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but if something isn’t right you have to say so.” He glanced at her. “To me, at least. Don’t be polite.”
“I’m fine, Jamie.” She stood up and went to take a closer look at the photographs. She saw images of vast, windswept beaches and ruined castles. The photographs showed the landscape’s wild beauty, but also hinted at its stark, unforgiving nature. “They’re stunning. Who took them?”
“Me. I went through a photography phase. Dad indulged me and let me turn the cellar into a darkroom.”
“You have talent.”
“Thanks, I’m nowhere near as creative as Rosie, though.” He abandoned what he was doing and stepped closer. “Are you okay? Was it all too overwhelming?”
“Meeting everyone? Not so far. Your family are charming. Friendly.” She looked around the room again. “And I can’t believe your mother bought us our own Christmas tree.”
“She did that for you. Because I told her you loved Christmas.”
She remembered the hug. The warm smile. The genuine welcome. Something stirred inside her. “She’s kind.”
“Yes.” He studied her face. “Do you want to freshen up or anything or shall we go straight downstairs? I know this is a lot, so I’ll take my lead from you and if it all feels like too much you’re to tell me.”
It was a lot, but she was determined to join in. To be part of things. She didn’t want his family to think she was anti-social or skulking in her room.
She reached out and touched his face. “I’ll change, as I’ve been walking on wild beaches today. But I’ll be quick.”