Chapter 21
When Kazz gave the tea shop a final once-over, she had a tear in her eye. It looked absolutely gorgeous, even if she did say so herself, and she hoped her guests would be equally as impressed.
Stevie had loaned Kazz the use of the kitchen and the tea shop itself for the thank-you meal she had invited everyone to, because the flat was far too small to cater for eleven people. The table only fitted four chairs around it and there wasn’t enough space in the flat’s little kitchen to prepare such a large meal. Even with the use of the tea shop’s facilities, Kazz had felt a bit stretched, but that was due to being so busy in the bookshop (she must look into acquiring more stock as a matter of urgency in January).
She had prepared as much as she could ahead of this evening, but with the tea shop also running at full capacity, it hadn’t been easy. Aware that everyone would be tucking into a traditional Christmas lunch this time next week, and with mince pies and turkey at every turn, she opted for a less festive but equally mouth-watering menu: feta and spinach tartlets to start, beef tenderloin for main, followed by a pumpkin and pecan cheesecake pie.
As soon as the beef was in the oven, she turned her attention to the tables and the place settings. It had only taken her a few minutes to push four tables together and rearrange the chairs, and then she had put pristine white cloths on each one and laid them with gleaming cutlery and sparkling glasses. Stevie had already decorated the place and it looked lovely and festive, so all Kazz needed to do was to drape white fairy lights down the length of the pushed-together tables and light the candles in the gold lanterns.
She just had enough time, before Saul and the first of her guests arrived, to nip up to the flat to change. Although why she bothered, when she would be wearing her chef’s whites over the top, she didn’t know.
A knock at the door had her hurrying to answer it, and she was pleased to see Saul. He scooped her into an embrace, kissing her deeply.
‘Ooh, what was that for?’ she asked when he released her.
‘No reason,’ he said. ‘Something smells nice.’
She grinned. ‘I’m assuming you’re referring to the food and not me?’
‘You smell nice too,’ he said. ‘Mm, garlic, onions…’
Kazz swiped him on the arm. ‘If you’re not careful you’ll be paying the chip shop a visit.’
‘They do a lush curry sauce,’ he began, subsiding when she raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ll shut up, shall I?’
‘I think you better had.’
‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘That’s more like it. Thanks for the offer but everything is under control. Look, here’s Stevie and Nick.’
Her friend and her fiancé hurried inside. ‘Damn, it’s cold!’ Stevie exclaimed, with a shiver. She gazed around her tea shop. ‘The tables look lovely, very festive. What can I do to help?’
‘Nothing, thanks. Saul, would you like to be barman and open the wine?’ Kazz had placed several bottles of Malbec and Riesling on the table, and there were more in the kitchen. It was a shame some of her guests were driving and couldn’t indulge. If she had a car, she would have offered to take everyone home.
That was something else to add to her to-do list for after Christmas. She would need her own transport for viewing and collecting new stock, and that was just for starters. Tanglewood was so rural that even a trip to the nearest supermarket was a major undertaking without a car. Despite being able to pick up most of the groceries she needed in the village, she could do with a major stock-up.
There was a muted pop as Saul eased the cork out of a bottle of red, and she left him to pour while she went to check on the oven.
When she emerged from the kitchen, it was to discover that everyone else had arrived, including Betty, who had already taken a seat at the table. She had tucked her napkin into the neck of her jumper and had a knife in one hand and a fork in the other.
‘Someone’s hungry,’ Leanne murmured as she came in for a hug with Kazz.
‘Bless her,’ Stevie said, passing Leanne a glass of wine. ‘She was so pleased to be invited, she’s been looking forward to it all week.’
Kazz had feared that Betty might feel like a spare wheel, considering everyone else was part of a couple, but she needn’t have worried. The old lady looked very much at home, and she was slurping wine like it was going out of fashion.
Kazz couldn’t not have invited her. She was the very reason Kazz was in Tanglewood. Without Betty putting the idea in her head, Kazz would never have thought of opening a bookshop. She had a lot to thank the old lady for.
Tia had wheeled herself into position, with Will by her side. Sitting next to her was Rex, then Leanne, with Betty at the end. On the opposite side were Saul, Nick, Stevie, Edie and James, with Kazz at the other end. She had also invited Lord and Lady Tonbridge, because it was a friend of Lord Tonbridge’s who owned the building her shop was in. Edgar had also been such a great help, organising one of his employees to put the shelves up, and he’d given her advice on the prices she had been charging for her books. But he had sent his apologies, and Kazz was secretly relieved. She thought Lord Tonbridge was a lovely chap, but he would have cramped everyone’s style. Tia was also pleased her in-laws wouldn’t be here this evening, claiming she saw enough of Julia at home.
Now that everyone was seated, Kazz proceeded to serve the first course. Let the merriment begin.
‘That was delicious,’ Stevie said later in the kitchen. She was helping Kazz clear up, loading the dishwater while Kazz rinsed off the pots and pans. ‘You haven’t lost your touch.’
‘I should hope not. It’s only been a few weeks since I stopped working in Freddie’s kitchen.’ Kazz was buzzing, the high of people enjoying the food she had cooked surging through her veins.
She smiled at Saul as he came into the kitchen with the tablecloths.
‘Do you miss it?’ Stevie asked.
‘Nights like this make me remember why I wanted to become a chef in the first place – to create an experience, not just a meal, and to see people having fun partly because of the food I’ve made them. I’m not sure I’ll ever completely stop being a chef, to be honest. Oh, let me help.’
Saul had dropped the tablecloths and Kazz bent to pick them up, opening the washing machine door and shoving them in. ‘Where do you keep your detergent, Stevie?’
‘In that cupboard, there. Are you OK, Saul? You look a bit pale.’
Kazz shot him a glance. Saul did look peaky. ‘You’re not coming down with anything, are you?’
‘I’m fine. Tired, that’s all.’ His smile seemed strained. ‘I’ve offered to walk Betty home, if that’s OK?’
‘Of course it is,’ Kazz said. ‘See you in a bit?’ She waited until he was out of earshot, then said, ‘He can be very sweet.’
‘So, I see. You’ve got it bad, haven’t you? I think he has, too.’
‘I hope so.’
‘I never thought I’d see Saul settle down.’
‘You’re jumping the gun. It’s early days yet.’
‘But you like him a lot.’ It wasn’t a question.
‘Yes.’ Kazz’s reply was short.
She hadn’t fully explored in her own mind what her and Saul’s relationship was, or how she felt about him. She knew she was falling in love and, if she was honest, the depth of her feelings scared her. The last thing she needed right now was Stevie asking her questions she didn’t have answers to.
‘I’d better go say goodbye to Betty,’ she added, anxious to escape and worried that Stevie would continue her line of questioning.
‘I’ve had a lovely, lovely time!’ Betty cried expansively.
The old lady was a little worse for wear. Her face was flushed, and she was slurring her words. ‘You cook like an angel, my dear.’ She gripped Kazz’s forearm and leant towards her. ‘You can cook me dinner anytime.’
Stevie, who had followed Kazz into the cafe area, said, ‘That’s praise, coming from Betty.’
Betty turned her attention to Stevie and said in a conciliatory tone, ‘She doesn’t bake as well as you.’
Kazz laughed. ‘Too right, I don’t. Or you, Betty. You’ve got a magic touch when it comes to pastry.’
‘Aw.’ Betty’s eyes glistened, and Kazz hoped the old lady wasn’t about to burst into tears.
For all her bristly exterior and tough-as-old-boots persona, Kazz knew Betty had a heart of gold.
‘Before I go,’ Betty said, ‘there’s something that’s been playing on my mind – what are you doing for Christmas?’
‘As in…?’
‘Christmas dinner. You won’t be spending it on your own, will you?’
‘Um…’
‘She’s coming to us,’ Stevie announced. ‘So is Betty.’
That was the first Kazz had heard of it. She had been wondering what she would do, but she had no intention of inviting herself anywhere.
‘Didn’t I say?’ Stevie’s brow furrowed.
‘Er, guys, I was hoping she’d come to the farm for Christmas lunch,’ Saul said, and all heads turned to look at him.
Kazz was torn.
‘Ooh, Iris does a wonderful Christmas dinner,’ Betty declared. ‘Not that you don’t,’ she said to Stevie. ‘Your Yorkshire puddings are better than hers, but I think she’s got the edge when it comes to the gravy.’
Stevie burst out laughing. ‘I love you, Betty.’ She was shaking her head as she reached for the old lady to give her a hug.
Betty’s eyes were suspiciously bright as she hugged her back. ‘And I love you, dear girl. You’re the granddaughter I never had. Right, young man.’ She cleared her throat and marched up to Saul. A swift poke in his side with a bony finger made him wince. ‘Take me home before I make a fool of myself.’ She glanced back at Kazz. ‘Go to Iris’s for dinner; you’ll have more fun at the Greens.’
Stevie’s mouth dropped open. ‘Are you saying I’m no fun?’ she demanded.
‘Every time I’ve been to yours for Sunday lunch, you fall asleep.’ Betty chortled. ‘I don’t see Christmas dinner being any different, do you? See you on Monday.’
Kazz watched Betty and Saul leave, and she hugged herself. It looked like she was spending Christmas Day with Saul.
The Christmas she had been dreading was now something she was quite looking forward to. Could life get any better?
‘I’ve had such a lovely time,’ Betty sang, as she staggered down the road, hanging on to Saul’s arm.
‘It was nice,’ Saul agreed. The meal had been outstanding, the company wonderful and the ambience festive. What he hadn’t enjoyed quite as much was hearing the happiness in Kazz’s voice when she’d mentioned how much fun she’d had cooking. Her wanting to return to being a chef wasn’t the issue. What worried Saul was the likelihood of her returning to London because she wouldn’t be able to find a suitable job as a chef locally.
‘She thinks the world of you, does Kazz,’ Betty announced. ‘I’m glad she’ll be spending Christmas with you. It can be a lonely time of year, and she’s got no family around her.’
‘She can borrow mine,’ Saul joked. ‘I’ve got enough to spare.’
‘Have you told her about Joelle?’ Abruptly, Betty appeared considerably less inebriated than she had when she’d been in the tea shop.
Saul stumbled. The last thing he expected to hear tonight was Joelle’s name, and definitely not from Betty’s lips.
‘Joelle?’ he repeated.
‘I saw her.’
‘So?’ He knew he was being belligerent, but this was none of Betty’s business. And what did she know anyway? That he and Joelle had once been an item? That could be said of him and quite a few other women.
‘It won’t be the same this time,’ Betty said. ‘Kazz isn’t Joelle.’
‘I know that.’
Betty cackled. ‘You’re dying to tell me to mind my own business, aren’t you?’
‘No comment.’
She cackled again. ‘I won’t take offence. I never do. Bigger fish than you have told me to keep my nose out.’
Saul rallied. ‘I’m sure that’s not the case.’
The snort Betty uttered wasn’t at all ladylike. ‘We’ll leave it there, shall we?’
‘That’s a good idea.’
‘I’m full of ’em, my lovely. Now, here’s my key. Open my front door for me, there’s a good boy.’
Saul did as he was told and saw Betty safely inside, waiting until he heard her lock the door and slide the safety chain on, before walking away.
He didn’t immediately head back to the tea shop, though. After the bizarre conversation with Betty, he needed a minute or so to himself.
Betty’s cottage was one of a row of similar houses, a stone’s throw from the river. It was a picturesque location, but also a precarious one, as the river had been known to flood. He distinctly remembered helping the residents evacuate their houses the last time the river had broken its banks. He and Nick had had a hell’s job trying to persuade Betty to leave. The stubborn old biddy had been determined to remain – until Stevie had persuaded her to go and stay with her in the flat above the tea shop until the flood waters had receded.
He’d helped with the clean-up operation afterwards, too.
Saul had a lot of time for Betty, but he wished she had kept her nose out this evening. Seeing Joelle last weekend had shaken him, and it had taken him a few days to regain his equilibrium.
He had been shocked more than anything, but once he had recovered from the surprise, he had been relieved and very thankful to discover he hadn’t been as upset as he thought he would be. So many times over the years, Saul had played out the scenario in his mind of how he would act, what he would say, how he would feel if ever he saw her again.
Considering he’d had so much practice (in his head, at least), when he had finally come face to face with the woman who had broken his heart, he had been a wooden, bumbling mess. She had dominated the meeting straight from the off and had even bulldozed him into agreeing to have lunch with her.
He didn’t have to ask himself how he could have allowed that to happen, because she had always been able to get him to do exactly what she wanted.
He probably wouldn’t go.
What was the point? It wasn’t as though he would get anything out of it, apart from a resurgence of memories he had spent years trying to repress and a lingering ‘what if things had been different’ sadness. He didn’t feel the urge to catch up. What he did feel was the urge to let sleeping dogs lie. What was the point in raking it up again?
Saul made a decision. He would message Joelle and tell her he didn’t want to meet up after all. It was time to let go of the past and concentrate on the future.