Chapter 32
Schnapps – a distilled fruit brandy or herbal infusion. Perfect in a hip flask and to stave off chilly weather.
‘ D o you think there’ll be many there?’ Livvy asked Mark as they walked briskly down the hill to the church service. She burrowed her face into the upturned collar of her coat.
‘It’ll be packed.’
‘No Natalie tonight?’ It was proving too cold to have a conversation. Her teeth were chattering too much.
‘Wrapping presents.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘Always leaves it until the last minute, does Nats.’
‘When are you driving up to York?’
‘Tomorrow. Traffic’s usually fairly quiet on Christmas Eve and we’ll leave first thing.’
‘We’ll miss you at the party. Perhaps we’ll have a rerun on New Year’s Eve?’
‘I’ll be there.’ He gave her a warm look.
Livvy felt herself blush crimson but was covered in confusion.
She’d noticed the furtive conversations he and Simona had been having.
Heads together, whispering urgently. Worse, it stopped when she approached.
She’d tried to shrug it off. Mark was a free agent.
She couldn’t blame him for falling for Simona’s charms and, much as she liked the woman, she flirted with any man going.
But it hurt to think he may have lied to her on the day they’d collected Angel, about the true nature of his relationship with Simona.
She suppressed a sigh. The vibe between her and Mark had been strictly friendly, nothing romantic, and friendship was what she wanted.
Wasn’t it? But, risking a sideways glance at him now, as he strode along beside her, she knew she was falling for him.
The realisation of her true feelings for the man made her babble with unaccustomed nerves.
‘Glad the service landed on the day The George is closed so I could make it. I’d thought about opening up today but it didn’t seem fair.
I know Karl wants to come tonight and Stewie said he always goes with his family.
Even Brittany’s getting dragged along by her mum. ’
Mark scanned the dense black sky above them, his nose pink with the cold. ‘It’s amazing how the service draws people in each year. The church will be full even if they’re forecasting The Beast from the East Mark II. It’s freezing tonight.’
‘Thought you were the tough northerner?’ Livvy teased, smiling at his beanie which he’d pulled down as far as it would go.
‘So did I but even I’m freezing tonight.’ Mark thrust his hands into the pockets of his long black coat.
‘Too cold for snow, Austin said. He came to the board games afternoon with Pete. He also said it hardly ever snows at the seaside.’ She lifted her face out of her collar.
Condensation from her breath was making her chin damp and even colder.
The pavement was already shimmering with frost. Some of the windows in the Victorian cottages which faced onto the street had their curtains open and had been decorated.
A magnificent white tree glistened in one, a lit-up Father Christmas face dominated another, complete with Santa Stop Here sign and another had an enchanting nativity scene lit with coloured fairy lights.
With the chilly, sparkling weather it couldn’t feel more Christmassy.
Or romantic. Livvy suppressed another sigh.
I need to get a grip. He sees me as a friend. Remember that, Liv!
‘No snow at the seaside you say? Oh yes, except for 2018 when we were snowed in. I’ve rarely seen snow like it and I’m a Yorkshireman don’t forget.
We had eight inches up on the top of the hill going out of Lullbury.
People were skiing down the main road and the beach was covered.
Before it began you could see it coming in from out at sea. Very weird.’
‘Sounds fun though. I’ve had my fair share of snowy winters in the Cotswolds but nothing that bad. Oops.’ Livvy clutched onto Mark’s elbow as she skidded on some ice. ‘Knew these boots were a mistake. I’ve been in flats for so long, I’ve forgotten how to walk in heels.’
He tucked her arm through his. ‘Better? No guarantee of me not slipping but at least it’ll be the two of us going down and you can break my fall.’
Livvy giggled.
‘Thing is,’ he continued, ‘because we so rarely get snow on the coast, we’re not prepared for it. There are no grit bins. It caught the gritter lorries out and drivers were stranded for hours on the high bit of the A35.’
‘Less fun. What time of year was this?’
‘March.’
‘Oh well, we hardly ever get proper snow in December, except on Christmas cards so I think we’ll survive the service and the walk back.’
They reached the bottom of the hill and turned right along the narrow lane which led to the old town and St Winifred’s. In the distance the sea roared and the streetlights glowed softly orange in the cold damp air.
‘How did your board games afternoon go?’
Mark had released her arm now they were on the flat.
Livvy battled the urge to grab it back. She longed to grab him back and, in the intimacy of the dark evening, kiss the life out of him, but resisted.
She was fond of Simona and she’d never been the sort to go after another woman’s man.
She couldn’t help thinking they made an odd couple, though.
Hadn’t Mark himself said Simona would be too much for him as a girlfriend?
Still, they’d been friends for a long time and friendship often ran into love.
Mark had hinted he could be lonely, and Simona missed Trevor.
A relationship could grow from such roots.
The thoughts chased relentlessly around her brain.
‘I said, how did the board games afternoon go?’
Livvy forced herself to focus. ‘Sorry. Concentrating on where I was walking.’
‘You can have my arm again. Keep me warm.’ There was a definite twinkle in his eyes.
‘No, I’m good thanks.’ Was it her imagination, or did he look disappointed?
Was he flirting with Simona and her? Not on, Mark.
I didn’t have you down as a player. ‘The board games afternoon was great,’ she began matter-of-factly.
‘We had about fifteen there. A lot brought their own games which helped as I’ve only managed to accrue a few, Fabio’s mince pies went down a treat, they drank us out of tea and we even sold a few gin and tonics and a pint or two.
Brenda somebody and Avril – that’s Jago’s mum – even brought books and settled by the wood burner and read.
I made the mistake of making up some mulled wine and Aggie got tipsy and began singing. ’
Mark snorted. ‘Good old Aggie. What did she sing? “White Christmas”?’
‘Nothing so sedate. She brought an old-fashioned record player in and some vinyl. It was great, I’m keeping it to get out another time.
Going to get customers to bring their own records along.
We could have seventies nights, eighties nights.
’ She laughed. ‘Although I can’t see Fabio willing to make cheese and pineapple hedgehogs and Black Forest gateau.
Aggie treated us to “Christmas Wrapping” – which, according to her, was a big hit for The Waitresses back in the eighties – and “Run Rudolph Run”.
’ At Mark’s bemused expression, Livvy explained, ‘Old Chuck Berry track. I was streaming a Michael Bublé Christmas collection thinking it would be restful and she completely drowned it out. What was worse, she got everyone else joining in! It was a riot and I had trouble booting them all out for evening opening.’
‘Will you do another?’
Livvy nodded. ‘Absolutely. I’ll be more organised next time though. I need to figure out a way of getting people in who don’t know anyone. That’s who it’s aimed at really. I really need to resurrect the darts board too. I never got around to putting that back up after the refurb.’
‘Good idea.’
‘I’d like to develop the pub’s community feel more.’
‘Okay.’
‘But I’m not sure it’s a good fit with a foodie place.’
‘Don’t see why not.’
‘Sorry. Going on about work again. Oh look,’ Livvy added, ‘we’re here.
’ Mark’s responses had become stilted. She was sure it had been the mention of Fabio which had changed the atmosphere between them.
Lapsing into silence, they turned off the road and began to ascend the steep slope which led to the church.
‘Quite a queue to get in,’ she said. ‘I like the knitted Christmas post boxes. The Ninja Knitters have obviously been at it again. They’ve covered the bollards.
Look, one’s even got knitted letters sticking out of it.
’ She peered closer. ‘And is that really knitted tinsel?’
‘Livvy, I wanted to–’
‘Livvy! Mark!’ Daisy ran up to them, giving Livvy a kiss.
‘Can I hang with you guys? Rick’s working at the restaurant and Mum and Colin are on a date so I’m Billy-No-Mates.
’ She thrust her arm through Livvy’s. ‘Good to see you having a night off. You won’t regret it.
Verity’s Christmas service is always wonderful.
And, of course, you get to admire my magnificent flower arrangements.
I supplied them. Oh, and the tree, of course.
Verity loves to dress St Winifred’s at Christmas.
I’m particularly proud of the colour theme this year, white and gold with the biggest star you’ve ever seen on top of the tree. ’
‘Hi, Daisy,’ Livvy greeted her. ‘We must get together in the new year and discuss a regular flower order for The George.’
‘Absolutely. Let’s do it over a January glass of wine. We’ll have more time then. Like you, now is my busy time.’
‘Thank you for the Christmas wreaths you sent over and my tree is fabulous. I meant to say on the night of the quiz, but it was manic.’
‘No worries. It was a good night. Made a change for me to dress up. I’m usually in jeans.’
‘I feel like that about tonight. Feels most odd to wear a dress.’
‘Not to mention a bit draughty.’ Daisy giggled. ‘It’s freezing tonight. Austin says–’
‘It’ll snow!’ they chorused, shuffling forwards in the queue.
‘Doesn’t St Winifred’s look beautiful all lit up?
’ Daisy added. ‘I love how the stained-glass windows glow. We need some welcoming light at this time of year, as Honor often says.’ She cocked an ear.
‘And is Lexie bashing out “Joy to the World” on the organ?’ She chuckled.
‘It will have made her Christmas. She’s the music teacher at the primary school,’ she explained.
‘Usually only gets to tinkle the ivories on the school’s ancient upright. ’
They found seats in a pew halfway back. There was room for two on the end so Daisy and Livvy squeezed in next to Brittany, Avril Pengethley and her little girl. By the time Livvy had said hello to them all she missed where Mark had gone to sit.
The church gradually filled. Livvy recognised many of those coming in.
Austin and Aggie walked purposefully to the front, she saw Honor in charge of a group of school children, Bee said a quick hello as she went by and Lucie and her enormous Wiscombe clan chattered noisily three pews ahead.
Verity climbed to stand behind the massive eagle-shaped lectern which dwarfed her, and a hush descended.
With the decorated tree glowing next to the altar and a full congregation it felt magically Christmassy.
The service was lovely, even to Livvy who was no church goer.
The carols were traditional: ‘I Saw Three Ships’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, which, given the weather outside, was mournfully appropriate.
Verity’s sermon was a simple but heartfelt message about hope bringing light to the world at its darkest time, and forgiveness.
‘For when we forgive others,’ she said, ‘we forgive ourselves. And I am currently forgiving myself for eating three mince pies this afternoon.’
Everyone laughed but the message hit Livvy hard.
The solid nub of resentment she’d held towards Gavin began to ease away.
It was time to forgive him, to move on. Better to find out his heart wasn’t in the business right at the beginning.
Running the pub hadn’t been easy on her own but she’d made a go of it.
Allowing herself a little pride in her achievements, she tuned back into the service.
Honor led the children to the front, where they grouped around a knitted life-sized nativity scene, complete with a donkey and camel.
Singing along to their rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’, Livvy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
And then it was over.
‘That was so lovely,’ she said to Daisy. ‘I’m glad I came in the end. It’s fantastic to see the town turn out like this.’
‘Always a highlight. Always think it feels as if Christmas has really begun.’ Daisy shivered. ‘Wish they’d get the heating sorted out though. It’s never warm in here but tonight it’s positively arctic.’
‘I know. I haven’t even taken my coat off. And I can’t feel my nose. My posh frock has gone completely unappreciated. Mark and I are walking back up to The George. Would you like to come? Pub’s closed tonight so we can have a quiet drink in front of the wood burner.’
‘I’d love that. Sure I wouldn’t be a gooseberry though?’
They stood up and joined those drifting out.
‘Don’t worry about that. Mark and I are just friends. Ah, Mark, there you are,’ Livvy said as he joined them on the path outside. ‘Daisy’s going to come up to the pub. Would you like to join us for a night cap? I can guarantee heat.’
‘Heat sounds good.’ He looked frozen and miserable and had the collar of his black coat turned up. ‘Can’t stay too long though. Early start in the morning, that’s if I can get Nats out of bed.’
Once the crowds had dispersed, they picked up the pace and began the climb back up the hill to The George. It left them little breath to talk.
‘We’ll go in via the kitchen door,’ Livvy explained, as she led them under the carriage arch and into the car park. Feeling something delicate settle on her nose she looked up. ‘Guys, I think it’s snowing!’
It was. From a heavy black sky flurries drifted down.
‘Amazing,’ Daisy yelled in glee. She grabbed Mark’s arm and began to dosey-doe with him. ‘Come on, Mark, dance with me. It’s the only way I’m going to warm up. We might be in for a white Christmas, after all.’
The security lights flooded on. Daisy and Mark were too engrossed in dancing to notice at first but, when Livvy’s eyes adjusted to the glare, she saw.
‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘Look.’
Daisy and Mark stopped abruptly at her distressed voice.
‘Fuck,’ Mark said.
Livvy ran to the far end of the car park.
Mark and Daisy followed. In the harsh white light the damage was clear.
Once again Livvy’s work van had been daubed with paint.
This time it looked as if an entire pot had been thrown over the windscreen.
But it was worse this time. The vandal hadn’t been content with daubing paint. All four tyres were slashed too.
‘Oh, Mark,’ Livvy whispered, horrified. ‘They’ve done the same to your car!’