Chapter 8
Christmas Eve
Queenstown, NZ
Will
It's Christmas Eve and I'm exactly where I didn't want to be. In the busy town centre shopping precinct. I'm getting stopped every two minutes, have shaken countless hands and posed for a million photos.
I take a look at the lake outside. I could still rush back to the lodge and just buy Kat an online gift voucher. I could get some cash out, stuff an envelope full of it. I put these thoughts out of my mind and stand firm.
I'd come looking for a designer store, any designer. Get her a wallet, or a handbag or whatever it is I buy all the other girls. She's not like the other girls, I need to remember that. Instead I step into a gift shop.
“Hey man, what are you doing up and about?” Nikos’ friendly face and voice is like a breath of fresh air.
I grab him in a bear hug. “So good to see a friendly face! I'm Christmas shopping. Very last minute.”
“Let me guess. Kat.”
“Yep. What are you up to?”
Nikos is not meeting my gaze. He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Not much, last minute shopping as well. Forgot to get the old folks something. What are you planning to get Kat?”
His curiosity makes me uneasy, but I shake it off. “Oh, I don't know yet. Looking around, who knows.” I shift my weight from one leg to another. “Good to see you, we should catch up before I head off again.”
We shake hands and he nods. “If cousin Kat lets you off the leash sometime, yes.”
I laugh. Is this what I seem like these days, under the thumb? I leave the gift store and go to a book and stationery shop. There I find the perfect gift. The old lady at the till also recognizes me and wants a photo for her grandkids. I smile for the selfie, and she scans the gift I'm planning to give Kat. Please let her not say anything. She winks and puts it in a paper bag. I sigh with relief, pay using my card, and head off.
I fish out my phone and check my messages. Nothing from Kat. It's Christmas Eve so I imagine she's doing stuff with her family. A stray thought jumps in my head. I could be her family. That way we could spend Christmas together. I shake my head, and stride on towards my car.
Back at the lodge, I drop the bags under the Christmas tree. The lights sparkle and the gifts seem to spread out as far as the lake. I wish Kat were here. Kat! I dive for the bag containing her gift and call for my mom.
“What’s the matter?” Mum hurries down, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Nothing major. Do you have any spare wrapping paper?”
“One moment.” She purses her lips and heads off round the back. She returns with some Superhero wrapping paper, sellotape, scissors and a pen.
I burst out laughing. “Really mum. Is this the only wrapping paper that's left?”
“We used the rest up. Take it or leave it.” She folds her arms.
I try to imagine what Kat's reaction is going to be when she sees this. I shake my head. She'll find it funny.
My mum is craning her neck to see what I'm wrapping, but I'm feeling protective. “Do you mind?”
“This is for Kat, isn't it?”
Her question catches me off guard. “Of course, mum. Who else?”
“Who else, indeed?” she mutters.
I wave. “You guys and her parents will make up, I'm sure of it. You've got on this far. This is just a… a blip.” I struggle to find my words.
“Your dad is really upset with Kat's dad. He's severed all business ties. No more Featherstone flour. He would like you not to see Kat if you can help it.”
I stop part way through cutting the wrapping paper and raise my eyebrows in defiance.
“I thought so.” She sighs. “Well, good luck,” she says walking away.
I shake my head. Why do these parents make things so complicated? In my mind it's simple. I love Kat. She's at least attracted to me. I can work with that. We can be together. Make it work. The rest of the world can go fuck itself. I'm proud of myself for how zen I am about this.
I place the final sellotape piece on the gift and write Kat's name on the paper. Now I'm ready.
Kat
I've had to sit through a flour factory tour, a twenty slide PowerPoint presentation about where we’re going and an assembly line hands-on drill. I feel like telling my dad “No, we’re not going anywhere. This is all you. I have my own hopes and dreams.”
Instead I bunch my hands in my pocket on Christmas eve and check my phone a million times for a message from Will.
The phone stays silent, apart from the continuous waves on Social Media about that photo of him and I.
I'm hoping that if I can mollify my dad, he'll come round to the de Jongs and the idea of me and Will together.
So far it's not working. A factory worker sniggered at me already.
I can't breathe. “Can I get anyone a coffee or a hot drink?”
My dad nods. “Good that you're making yourself useful.”
Ouch. What a backhanded compliment. “What would you like?”
I make a note. Ten cups of tea, all milk, no sugar. Two black coffees. I wave and head to the hole in the wall cafe next to the mill.
“Hey there, could I please order ten cups of tea, all milk and no sugar. And two black coffees please as well. Thank you.”
I hand them the cash that my dad gave me and stand there waiting, clearing my head. Two hours before going home. I wonder what Will is doing. I pick up my phone and start typing a message.
Kat: How's it going?”
Before I get a chance to press send, I sense a presence near me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Nikos, slinking in the shadows like a creeper. He’s caught me staring. I sigh and face him with a fake smile.
“Nikos, funny meeting you here.”
“You're never around the mill, so I could say the same thing.” Yep, definitely a barb in his words.
I shrug. “I'm here now. It's Christmas Eve, what are you up to?”
“I just saw Will in town earlier. He was having lunch with a blonde girl. Looked a lot like you but it wasn't you.”
My eyes widen but I try to keep my composure. “Oh?”
“He's lining them up, that Will. He told me he's got a few on the sideline in Italy and Monaco too. Anyway, I won't keep you. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper.
“Miss? Miss? Your order is ready.” The barista points at the three trays of drinks. I nod, pick the trays up and make the trek back to the factory, walking like a robot, like I'm void of emotion.
My dad mustn't hear about this. I walk past a small mirror and readjust my smile as if I were putting on new clothes.
“The hot drinks are here.”
My dad smiles for the first time in days and helps me hand out the teas and coffees.
“I think we did well today, pet. Don't you?”
I swallow and nod. I really need to talk to Will. Surely this isn't true.
“Can we leave a bit earlier, Dad? It's Christmas Eve. I'm sure the workers would like to be with their families.”
“Ok. Tools down in fifteen minutes at three PM.” The ten workers whoop happily.
I arrange some files to make the time pass and say goodbye to the workers as dad and I walk to my car.
“I have a bit of a headache, Dad. Let's go straight home.” He nods and I speed home, my heart pounding and about to shatter into pieces. So that's why Will hasn’t messaged me. He's busy with others.
The road home feels like a blur. I take my handbag upstairs and take my phone out.
My unsent message is still sitting in my drafts. I sigh and delete it. Then I begin sobbing.
Just at that moment, a message comes through from Will.
Will: How was your day, liefie? Were you busy?
I look at the message for a while.
Kat: I went to the factory with my dad.
Will: And how was it? Interesting? Or dull?
Kat: Fine. Where were you?
I consider deleting but send anyway. I'm too wound up.
Will: ?? Around. When can I see you tomorrow? I have something for you.
I sigh. I spent hours making that leather bracelet lucky charm for him. I should give it to him. If I see him for ten minutes perhaps. Then I won't see him again. It's too painful.
Kat: Tomorrow before lunch? Can squeeze half an hour. I'm a bit busy.
I lie through my teeth. It's Christmas day. I'm not busy at all.
The three dots show he's typing for a long time.
Will: Ok. How about 11am at the Sunshine Bay house?
I don't want to be alone with him, particularly at that house.
Kat: Or maybe in town? Grab a coffee?
Will: Nah, been a bit difficult today in town.
So he has been in town, like Nikos said. The scoundrel! I could go to Sunshine Bay for five minutes. Literally give him the bracelet and take off. Nobody could stop me. Nobody.
Kat: Fine, I'll drop by. For a very short time.
Will: See you tomorrow, liefde.