Chapter 12
12
The lounge was already busy when Sadie entered just after six-thirty. A fire crackled in the hearth and the lamps were turned low, creating a warm, intimate air. The brightest spot in the room was the bar, where white fairy lights twinkled and danced in ever-changing patterns in amongst the thick garland of fir branches that had been pinned along the top. Someone had been rearranging the furniture so the tables formed a long row down the middle of the room with the sofas and chairs surrounding them to make one big, sociable area. There were still a few quieter spots for couples who preferred their own company, but most people had joined the central group.
‘Here, Sadie!’ Tara waved from where she and Jon were sitting with half a dozen other people, including Dylan and his children.
Dylan came to meet her. ‘I was hoping we’d have the chance to chat but seems like everyone had the same idea about having a drink.’
Sadie smiled. ‘We’ll have to work on that timing issue, won’t we?’
‘Definitely.’ The way he said it made something warm bloom inside her. Before she could process her reaction, he gestured for her to go ahead of him and they went to join the others. ‘Have you had a good day? What can I get you to drink? We’ve got a couple of bottles of wine on the go, but I’ll grab you something else if you’d prefer it?’
‘Oh, white wine will be perfect as long as it’s something vaguely dry, thank you. And I’ve had a lovely, lazy day, although I made a mistake of treating myself to a bath this afternoon and it was a struggle to get out!’
He laughed as he gestured towards the space next to where he’d been sitting, only taking his seat beside her once she’d settled. ‘Theo ended up using my shower because Avery spent so long in the tub in the main bathroom. I had to threaten to go in and pull out the plug in the end.’
‘There was loads of time,’ Avery huffed from the other end of the sofa, not even looking up from her phone.
Dylan grinned, not looking the least bit put out at his daughter’s grumpy response. ‘I did it for your own good. You nearly had more wrinkles than me.’ He turned to Sadie. ‘White wine, you said?’
‘Yes, please.’ She accepted the glass he filled with a smile of thanks. ‘How was your day?’
‘Good. Lots of catching up.’ There was a slight tightening around his eyes, but his smile seemed genuine.
She recalled that he had mentioned he was seeing his brothers and how long it had been since he was last home and decided not to pry further. ‘Well, you missed out on all the arts and crafts fun.’ She raised her glass towards where Tara and Jon were sitting opposite. ‘Tara and I are now officially the crochet queens, aren’t we?’
‘We are indeed,’ Tara replied, returning her toast. ‘And Jon was telling me earlier how impressed he was with Theo’s dexterity.’
The mention of his name caused Theo to raise his head, though he looked a little unfocused as he pulled out an earbud. ‘Did somebody want something?’
Tara sent him an indulgent smile. ‘We were just praising your artistic skills earlier. Go back to whatever you’re watching. I didn’t mean to disturb you.’
The boy smiled. ‘It was fun today. I might come and hang out again for a couple of hours tomorrow.’
‘You can help us with the partridge, if you like?’ Jon offered. ‘Your fingers are a lot more nimble than my old stubs.’ He held up a hand to show a collection of nicks and scars accumulated over many years.
Theo nodded. ‘That would be sick, thanks.’ He popped his earbud back in and returned his attention to his screen.
‘I guess that was a yes,’ Jon said, with a slightly baffled expression, making them all laugh.
‘I’ve given up trying to keep up with the current vernacular,’ Dylan said. ‘It’s incomprehensible.’
‘That’s kind of the point, Dad,’ Avery deadpanned.
‘Our grandchildren need to come with a translation guide,’ Tara chipped in.
Sadie grinned. ‘Mine haven’t got to that stage yet, but, goodness, they are growing up fast!’
They spent the next few minutes chatting about ages, names and dispositions of their children and grandchildren and once again Sadie was struck by how long it had been since she’d spent time getting to know new people. She would have to make a concerted effort when she got back home to socialise a bit more, though she wasn’t sure quite where to start with that.
A tall man with striking white hair walked into the bar and looked around. Sadie had noticed him the previous evening, but they hadn’t crossed paths for her to speak to him yet. She watched him glance at their group but he looked away before she could catch his eye and headed to the bar. ‘Do you know him?’ Dylan asked.
‘What? No, I haven’t met him yet, but I saw him last night and I got the feeling he was on his own as well. Do you think we should ask him to join us?’
‘I’ll go and speak to him, shall I? That way he can have the option, as he might prefer to be on his own.’ Dylan stood and retrieved the empty bottle of white wine from the cooler. ‘Anyone else need a refill?’ His smile widened. ‘Ah, ladies, just in time. Red, white or something else?’
Sadie turned in her seat to see Charlie, Anna and Jane had just arrived. ‘We were going to have negronis,’ Anna said, ‘but I’ll get them.’
‘My treat tonight,’ Dylan said with another smile as he walked past them.
‘Come and sit,’ Sadie said, gesturing to one of the free sofas nearby. She leaned towards Jane, as she took the seat nearest to her. ‘Dylan’s on a mission to scope out the chap at the bar so getting in drinks is a good excuse. We think he might be on his own and we want to give him the chance to join us, but without him feeling pressured to join a big group of strangers.’
Jane shot a discreet glance towards the bar. ‘That’s a nice idea. We went out for a walk earlier and I think we passed him. If it was him then he was definitely by himself.’
They had their answer a few moments later when Dylan returned with the white-haired man. Both were smiling as Dylan directed the man to set a cocktail jug down on the table in front of Charlie, Anna and Jane. ‘Everyone, this is Marcus. I’ve promised him that we’re mostly harmless so he’s agreed to join us.’
‘Best behaviour, then!’ Tara said with an impish grin. ‘Lovely to meet you, Marcus. I’m Tara and this is my husband, Jon.’
Jon bobbed up from his seat and offered his hand to Marcus to shake. ‘Good to meet you. Here, you can sit with us if Tara budges up a bit.’
After some shuffling around and a barrage of greetings, Marcus settled on the sofa opposite Sadie. ‘I am hopeless with names, I’m afraid, but I shall do my best.’
‘It’s always harder when faced with a big group at once,’ Sadie said, giving him a sympathetic smile. ‘How long are you staying for?’
‘I’m here for the full two weeks,’ Marcus said. ‘My wife died a couple of years ago and Christmas last year was so awful that I simply couldn’t face being alone again.’
Sadie’s heart went out to him. ‘I’m so very sorry for your loss. This is the first Christmas I’ll be by myself, though not for the same reasons. As nerve-wracking as it is meeting new people, I’m glad I decided to come here. I hope you’ll find this year a little easier.’
Marcus smiled. ‘So far so good.’
‘There’s a few of us on our own,’ Dylan said to him. ‘So there’ll always be someone around for a bit of company when you want it.’
‘Hey! What about us?’ Avery piped up from beside him.
Leaning over, Dylan put an arm around her and kissed her cheek. ‘You are the apple of my eye and one of the two best things in my life, but you don’t want your old man hanging around you all the time, do you?’
Avery wrinkled her nose. ‘Definitely not. I’m glad you’ve found some friends your own age to play with.’ Sadie wasn’t the only one who burst out laughing. Avery was smart as a whip and Sadie loved her spirit.
‘Well, that’s me told,’ Dylan said with a rueful grin as he turned back to them. ‘Looks like I’m free to join you guys whenever I like.’
‘Maybe we can have a bit of a planning session each evening,’ Sadie suggested. ‘A check in on what plans we have for the following day and link up as things suit us.’ When he nodded in agreement, she turned her attention back to Marcus. ‘Do you have any particular interests?’
He shook his head. ‘I think I’ll just go with the flow. This is your first Christmas alone too, you said?’
Sadie cringed a little inside. She hadn’t meant to blab about her situation to everyone, but she’d felt so sad for Marcus when he’d mentioned losing his wife she’d wanted him to know he wasn’t the only one in the same boat. Oh well, not much she could do about it other than be straight with him. ‘My ex is off sunning himself in Spain with my much younger replacement.’ It was easier to be honest about her situation than she’d expected and her loss felt so much smaller in comparison to his. ‘My children decided to treat me to a break here in lieu of presents and I have to say I think I’ve lucked out.’
Marcus nodded. ‘I agree. I wasn’t sure about the organised activity programme at first but then I decided it was the sort of thing I need to spur me into joining in. I’ve become something of a loner, I’m afraid, as my wife and I tended to do everything together. I knew I needed to do something to shake me out of the habit before I got too insular.’
‘Well, I’m very glad you decided to come and I for one will be grateful of the company. I was only thinking to myself earlier how long it’s been since I had to make the effort to make new friends. I’m going to have to sort myself out when I get back home, although I’m not really sure where to start.’
Marcus nodded. ‘I know what you mean. Perhaps we should do a bit of research while we’re here and it might be motivation enough for us both to make an effort in the new year.’
‘An accountability pact? That sounds like a very good idea, because, honestly, the thought of January looming is so depressing!’
‘A pact it is.’ Marcus raised his glass and Sadie leaned over to tap hers against it.
‘I joined a thing called the University of the Third Age, or U3A,’ Jon said, leaning in to join the conversation. ‘I’ve gone part-time at work as a step towards retirement but, once I’d sorted out all the odd jobs, Tara got fed up of me moping around the house.’
‘He was always under my feet,’ Tara said with a laugh and a shake of her head. ‘I was making up DIY projects just to give him something to do!’
Jon shrugged, though he was smiling as he did it. ‘She’s a great one for clubs and makes friends everywhere we go, but it’s never been as easy for me. I had a couple of false starts at U3A and it took me a few attempts to find something that suited me, but I go to a tinkerers club once a month. We do everything from repairing old clocks to reviving our old woodworking skills from school. I meet up with a couple of the chaps from the group and we go walking once a week now too.’
‘Walking to the nearest pub, usually,’ Tara said, leaning in to give Jon a hug. ‘Seriously though, it’s been great to see Jon rediscovering hobbies he used to love.’
‘That sounds like my sort of thing. Perhaps I can pick your brain some time before I go home and find out a bit more about it?’ Marcus asked.
‘Absolutely.’ Jon’s smile included Sadie. ‘There’s lots of women’s groups and mixed activities, too. I can show you both how to navigate the website and find out what’s in your area.’
‘That would be lovely. The only thing I could think of was the WI and my mother is a very vocal member of the local group. I get bossed around by her enough at home so I’m not keen on incorporating that into my social life.’
Jon grinned. ‘We’ll find you something that’s mother-free, don’t worry.’
They wandered into dinner about half an hour later where Sadie’s good intentions to watch what she ate were immediately cast to the wind at the sight of a huge bubbling tray of lasagne sitting on the heated display. She added a couple of slices of garlic bread for good measure – something else she could indulge in now she didn’t have to put up with Pete moaning about the smell. Being single had its advantages after all. She did resist dessert when the time came, but only because she didn’t have room for even a tiny sliver of the tempting-looking opera cake. She was happy to sit and chat while others tucked in, though as the minutes ticked by she felt ever more full. Perhaps the garlic bread had been a step too far. By the time they left the dining room, all she wanted to do was go upstairs, take her trousers off and lie on the bed.
‘Nightcap, anyone?’ Jon asked as they paused in the hallway.
Dylan shook his head. ‘The children want to speak to their mom, so I think we’re going to call it a day.’
Sadie pressed a regretful hand to her full stomach. ‘The only thing I’m going to drink is a big glug from a bottle of Gaviscon.’
Tara laughed. ‘I know the feeling!’ She turned to her husband. ‘I’m going to go up and read, but you stay down here for a while if you want to, darling.’
‘I’ll join you for a coffee, Jon,’ Marcus said. ‘And maybe a small brandy.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ The pair headed towards the bar while the rest of them started for the stairs.
‘What time are we crocheting tomorrow, Sadie?’ Tara asked.
‘I’m happy to start after breakfast because you and Jon have afternoon plans, I think you said?’
‘Yes, that’s right, we’ve got family visiting and we’re going to explore the estate and take the children to see the lights as soon as it gets dark. The dinner isn’t until seven-thirty so we’ll be back well in time for that.’
‘Can I try some crochet tomorrow?’ Avery asked, her voice somewhat hesitant in comparison to the sparky energy Sadie was used to from her.
‘Of course you can. Have you done it before?’
The young girl shook her head. ‘I’ve seen it on TikTok but I don’t have anyone to show me. My mom isn’t into crafting and my grandmother only does cross stitch.’
‘Well, I’ll be happy to teach you the basics. Come and find me when you’re ready in the morning and we’ll make a start.’ Sadie glanced over at Dylan. ‘If that’s all right with you?’
He nodded. ‘Theo wants to do some stuff with Jon tomorrow morning, isn’t that right?’
‘Yeah, we’re going to work with Carrie-Ann on making the partridge.’
‘Great, well, I’ll come along and find something to keep myself occupied as well.’ Dylan gave Sadie a cheeky grin. ‘I might even try my hand at crochet if you think this old dog can be taught a new trick or two.’
She laughed. ‘We’ll have to see how it goes. I’m good but I’m not a miracle worker.’