Chapter 3
HOLLY
I forced myself to focus on this phone call and not get lost in memories of ten years ago.
‘Willow, from school?’ I repeated in a stunned daze.
It had been ten years since I’d heard from anyone in Birchbrook, save for my mum.
‘What can I do for you?’ I asked, hoping I didn’t sound high-pitched.
Georgia was leaning forward now, trying to make out what was going on.
‘You might possibly be able to save my life!’ she cried.
‘I remembered you run your own events company in the city, it was in the Birchbrook newspaper last year, and I need help in creating a winter wonderland at my farm. I need it to open on the first of December!’ She sounded mildly panicked and as high-pitched as me.
‘That’s a very quick turnaround…’
‘I know, I know, but I’ve told the town it’s happening.
I had planned to do it all myself and then everything went wrong!
My boyfriend has invited his family for Christmas just as my dad has won a cruise holiday with his partner, and at my pumpkin patch this year, I promised the town something spectacular for the festive season.
And we have people staying in our Airbnb cottages who think there will be a winter wonderland on site.
But I can’t run the farm by myself plus entertain guests and pull a festive event together.
Especially as I’ve been struggling with morning sickness…
’ She spoke at such a rapid speed, I was having a hard time keeping up.
‘Basically, I need you to come to the farm and help me put on a winter wonderland for the town,’ Willow finished breathlessly.
‘Can’t you just say you’re unable to do it this year?’ I asked when she finally paused and took a deep breath. ‘People would understand, surely?’
Georgia shook her head at me violently as I made that suggestion. She mouthed something but I couldn’t make it out. I lifted my hands at her and she lifted hers back. We stared at each other across the table at a stalemate.
‘Well, I got so excited, I put tickets for sale on our website and it’s gone a bit crazy,’ Willow said then, drawing my attention back to the phone call. ‘We’re almost sold out.’
‘You’ve sold out an event you haven’t started work on?’ I knew I shouldn’t judge a potential client but really that was very premature.
‘Yeah, my boyfriend Dylan told me not to but I was so confident I could pull it off. And I’ve been interviewing people to help me run the farm but no one is right.
It’s a family farm and no one is passionate enough.
But anyway, time is ticking… I thought my dad would be here and I didn’t think we’d have Dylan’s family to stay, who we’ve only just started to try to build bridges with, and Daisy, my cousin, is too busy with her flower business, although she will help with any floral displays we might want, of course, and my best friend Sabrina has her hands full—’
‘Hang on,’ I interrupted as she threw names at me that I couldn’t keep track of. ‘I can’t come to Birchbrook,’ I said firmly.
‘Oh. You’re booked up with Christmas events? Shit, I was worried you would be; you must be so successful. I knew it was a long shot…’
‘Well. Not exactly booked up…’ I reluctantly admitted.
Georgia kicked me under the table. I jumped and looked at her in shock.
She was writing something on her notebook. Then she held it up for me to read.
Don’t turn down work FFS!!!
I put my head in my hands. ‘I haven’t been back at Birchbrook in ten years,’ I told Willow, also reminding my best friend who seemed to be forgetting that fact in her stern note.
‘Well, what’s more magical than Birchbrook at Christmas?
Perfect time to come back. Plus you can show everyone how amazing your events are!
’ Willow said enthusiastically. ‘And I will promote the hell out of your company. You can have space on our website, social media, a sign up, whatever you need… and I’ll pay double what you’d usually charge.
’ She let out a shriek then, making me hold the phone away from my ear.
‘Shh, Dylan, we can afford it,’ she hissed.
‘What about the cottage guests? You promised them a winter wonderland!’ She came back onto the phone. ‘Sorry, Holly, you still there?’
‘Yes,’ I said weakly. I shook my head. ‘You’d really pay double?’
Georgia gave two thumbs up at me, practically jumping out of her chair with glee.
I couldn’t get excited, though. Yes, I needed the money desperately. And the publicity for my business. This would mean I could keep it going. But returning to Birchbrook felt like too much of a downside to agree.
‘Yes, and give you half right away if it gets you to Birchbrook fast. This could be huge for both of us! I need you, Holly. Please say you’ll at least come and have a look at the farm and talk about what we could do then decide if it’s a yes or a no.
What do you think? Could you come tomorrow? Please!’
I sensed Willow was so determined, I might not be able to say no. I really didn’t have a choice if I wanted to save my business anyway, but my heart raced at the thought of going back to my hometown again.
‘Ugh,’ I said aloud. ‘Okay, I’ll come to the farm and we’ll go from there.’
‘Yay!’ Georgia said, clapping her hands. I gave her a withering look so she stopped.
‘You have no idea what a lifesaver you are!’ Willow cried. ‘See you at the farm whenever you can get here.’ She hung up before I could say anything else.
I put my phone back on the table, my head swimming. ‘What just happened? Did I just agree to go back to Birchbrook and talk about putting on a winter wonderland at the farm there?’
‘All I heard was she’s going to pay you double.’
‘And publicise my business. She sounded desperate – she’s already sold tickets even though she hasn’t started work on it, and needs it to open on the first of December. This is madness.’
‘You’ll be brilliant at it!’
I bit my lip. ‘But it means I have to go home.’ I thought about my mum there, the people that used to know me, the scandal my dad created and left us to wade through, and how once I escaped, I hadn’t been able to face going back again.
Then my thoughts fell on one particular person I had left behind there. ‘What the hell have I just agreed to?’
Georgia reached over to squeeze my hand. ‘I know this will be hard but you don’t have a choice if you want to save your business, right? And it’s not like you’re going back for good…’
‘I can’t believe this is my only choice!’
‘It will be okay, Holly,’ she tried to reassure me. ‘Just think about what this will do for Wynter Wishes.’
I knew my best friend was right but I also knew that Birchbrook was the last place I wanted to spend Christmas in.