Chapter Twenty-Five
Tamara pulled her collar up around her ears and shoved her free hand in her coat pocket.
Even she had to admit it would’ve been smart to wear gloves.
Up until now they’d enjoyed Cornwall’s normal mild and damp winter weather, with the occasional early-morning frost, but last night the temperature had plummeted.
This morning, they’d woken to a scene that only needed a sprinkling of glitter to resemble a Christmas card.
A light covering of snow changed the shape of everything and gave even the most pedestrian buildings a hint of the gingerbread cottage.
You could almost smell Christmas in the air.
She’d left Gage in a grouchy mood. They’d been promoting Secret Santa Saturday all over social media, seizing the fact it was mid-December and people were starting to panic about their Christmas shopping.
He was even interviewed on the local radio station for their daily segment on festive happenings.
Their promise was to help people choose the perfect gifts for everyone on their lists.
But this weather could send all their efforts down the drain if the roads weren’t safe to drive on.
It was a long-standing joke that Cornwall’s idea of preparedness began and ended with a single snow plough that was shifted around the county as needed. It was a shame after such a good week.
Gage had been different after his visit to Victoria’s grandmother.
More relaxed and at ease with himself. His long conversation with Louise had clearly put more of his demons to rest, especially his lingering insecurity about never being good enough in the eyes of Victoria’s family.
The old lady had apparently told him with a wry smile that her son and daughter-in-law were snobs and would learn their lesson one day.
Gage had also been overjoyed to hear about her reconciliation with Pixie and hadn’t minded at all when she’d helped out at the pub a few times.
But Tamara’s best gift to her friend was introducing Pixie to Wilf Buckingham.
The man’s experience in the hotel business made him ideal as a part-time barman and waiter to help the pub through the busy Christmas season.
Rocky was doing all the puddings now and was happy with the extra pay boost. Tamara was officially off the hook.
The holly wreath pricked her bare fingers, so she picked up her pace, eager to get to the cemetery and her parents’ graves. She and her sister had made it a Christmas tradition to do this every year, and her good mood slipped down a few notches thinking about Tracy and how much she missed her.
She pushed open the creaking gate and was hurrying along the snowy path when the sound of someone talking made her grind to a halt.
The last thing she wanted to do was to disturb anyone’s private moment.
The path forked at the base of an ancient oak tree, but before Tamara could head over to the right the voice drifted close enough for her to recognise Melissa’s strong American accent.
‘Oh, Robin, I’m in such a mess. It’s partly your fault because if you hadn’t been so selfish and we’d had a baby together, this wouldn’t be an issue.
I almost convinced myself that if I pretended not to care any longer about getting pregnant, Nathan and I would go back to how we were, but it’s not working.
It’s tearing us apart, and I can’t bear it much longer.
’ An anguished sob ripped out of Melissa. ‘I don’t know what to do.’
On impulse, Tamara stepped out into her friend’s line of sight. Melissa turned the same colour as the snow at their feet.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but I couldn’t help it.’
‘You could’ve walked on by and left me in peace.’ Melissa’s voice shook, but Tamara couldn’t be certain whether it was in anger or with the cold.
‘I suppose I could, but you’re my friend. I know Josie and I messed up at book club, but—’
‘You meant well.’ The corners of Melissa’s mouth lifted. ‘Bless your hearts.’
Was it wrong that they both burst out laughing?
Tamara didn’t think so. ‘We really did.’ She touched her friend’s arm.
‘Don’t push us out when you need us the most. I’m learning my lesson too when it comes to that, so maybe we can do this together.
As for Nathan, you’ve always been great at communicating with each other, so stop lying to him.
Tell the poor man exactly how you feel, and listen when he does the same.
Bawl your eyes out. Get angry. Rail at the injustice of it all.
I completely understand you wanting to see your family, but don’t leave Nathan here alone. Not at Christmas.’
‘I keep trying to get the courage to ask him to come with me.’ Her shoulders drooped. ‘I’m afraid buying the ticket was a touch of defiance on my part.’
‘You hoped he’d beg you not to go.’ The realisation hit like a bolt of lightning. ‘Nathan’s not a man to play games. You know that. All he saw was you, miserable and desperate to get away from both here and him.’
‘Pretty dumb, huh? Or as you say in these here parts, I’m a daft maid.
’ Melissa’s mangled Cornish accent was the worst Tamara had ever heard.
Worse even than the actors on telly who often tried and failed so miserably to emulate it.
Melissa wiped her eyes and sniffed. ‘I’d better go home and grovel to my poor husband. ’
Tamara touched Robin’s dark granite headstone. ‘See, you did help her after all.’
‘You don’t think it’s weird me chatting to him? I don’t do it as often these days, but sometimes it still helps.’
‘It’s not weird at all. I’ll be talking to my mum and dad in a minute. Tell them about Gage and our plans.’
‘Do I hear wedding bells?’
‘Absolutely not!’
The outburst made her friend smile. ‘So you made one mistake when you were a teenager, but we’ve all done that. How long are you going to keep beating yourself up over it?’
‘I’m just cautious.’
Melissa’s expression softened. ‘Caution isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless it holds you back. You know that if I’d let my doubts win out, Nathan and I wouldn’t be married now.’
‘I’m not as brave as you.’
‘Sure you are. Gage is great for you and you’ve done wonders for him. Everyone sees it. And now you’re all set to open your dream café.’
‘But would I have taken the plunge if Pixie hadn’t forced my hand?’
‘Stop being so hard on yourself. Sure, you got a little nudge, and Gage did his bit too, but in the end it came down to you.’ Melissa squeezed her arm.
‘You could’ve found a job somewhere else.
Shied away from getting involved with Gage.
But you didn’t. Try to start seeing yourself as the bright, capable, strong-willed woman we all do, then nothing can hold you back. ’
A film of tears blurred Tamara’s eyes. For a moment she couldn’t speak. Swallowing didn’t help and neither did clearing her throat. ‘I almost forgot,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve still got your Christmas cake.’
Melissa looked shamefaced. ‘I’m sorry I ignored your invitation, but I couldn’t face y’all.’
‘I’ll drop it off at yours tomorrow.’
‘Thanks. I bet it’s awesome. Now off you go and do your thing.’ Melissa shooed her away. ‘I need to go home and mend fences. I’ve really put him through it recently. I’d hug you, but the holly wreath looks lethal.’
‘There’s an answer to that.’ Tamara set it down on the snowy grass and flung her arms around her friend. ‘Always a way, right?’
‘Always,’ whispered Melissa.
* * *
Gage couldn’t believe it. The constant stream of people coming to the shop for Secret Santa Saturday blew his mind.
When the weather forecast had threatened to wreck everything, Emily had had the bright idea of putting up a big sign outside and spreading the word on social media that they would be offering free hot chocolate and mince pies to all their customers today.
It’d already lured in a lot of villagers who hadn’t ventured inside before.
He’d been dubious from a legal standpoint, but Tamara had assured him that because they’d submitted their registration as a food business, it wouldn’t be a problem.
The premises would be inspected before the café opened properly, but that didn’t stop them from serving now.
He still hadn’t seen how they could pull it off logistically in such a short time, but his negative attitude had made the two women burst out laughing, and he’d been told to watch and learn.
The first stop had been Vernon’s shop, where they’d stripped it of all the ingredients to make hot chocolate, plus every jar of mincemeat and packet of ready-made pastry he’d had in stock.
Gage spotted Tamara hurrying out from the kitchen where Becky and Laura were tucked away hard at work.
The silver jingle bells on her bright-red Christmas jumper bounced merrily away as she set down another platter of warm mince pies on the temporary café counter they’d created.
In reality it was the old kitchen door balanced on a couple of Barry’s woodwork trestles and covered with a green velvet curtain Evelyn had dug out of her attic.
The shop bell jangled and a group of four or five men bundled in together. They brought a blast of cold air with them and shed a flurry of snowflakes when they stopped to take off their heavy coats.
‘Major Bennet?’ A tall, burly man tugged off a wool hat to reveal a shiny bald head, and stuck out his hand.
‘Captain Ronnie Marshal, Royal Marines Retired. This rabble still calls me Red Ron, although the red hair’s long gone.
Taff’s description of you was pretty spot on, although with that shaggy hair you might be mistaken for a regular Jack Tar.
Don’t they have barbers in this part of the world? ’
Gage smiled at the dig at the Royal Navy, who were traditionally mocked by the Royal Marines for being sloppy and unfit. Plenty of insults went the other way too, so no one took serious offence. ‘You know Taff?’
The man guffawed. ‘We know the old bugger all right. We all live in Bristol. Drink in the same pub. Play darts together — no one beats the Bootneck Brigade.’ He stuck out his chest. ‘Taff’s outside parking the Jeep. He thought we needed a rabbit run to get Chrimbo gifts, so here we are.’
He dipped his head and swiped a hand over his eyes. The idea that Taff had dragged a bunch of men, who didn’t know him from Adam, on a three-hour drive to Cornwall in crap weather was mind-blowing.
‘It’s great to see you all. Help yourself to hot chocolate and mince pies.’ He gestured to where Tamara and Emily were busy serving. ‘If you need help finding books or whatever, just ask and I’ll be happy to help.’
‘Come on, lads.’
‘How’s it going, mate?’ Taff trotted in, rubbing his hands together. ‘It’s bloody icers out there. Not a bad turnout, eh?’
‘More than I expected. Thanks for bringing the cavalry.’ He nodded towards the group gathered around the free snacks.
‘Anytime. Don’t you miss it?’
He knew what his friend was getting at and thought carefully before answering.
Like many other retirees, Taff had sought out fellow veterans when he left the Corps, whereas Gage had done completely the opposite.
Apart from the Welshman, he’d purposely chosen to have no contact with anyone from his old life.
‘Certain bits, I suppose. Even yomping across Dartmoor with heavy packs in shit weather had its moments. There were a bunch of good times and I don’t regret any of them.
’ He cracked a smile. ‘Not many, anyway.’ It was a struggle to explain the far better but very different place he found himself in now.
‘At sixteen, we were gung-ho for whatever they threw at us,’ Gage said with a shrug.
‘The marines dragged me out of the mess I’d got myself in and it gave me purpose.
I’ve found a different purpose now. It’s quieter and much less stressful.
There’s nothing life or death about selling books, which is a huge plus from where I’m standing.
’ His gaze strayed towards Tamara and his mouth settled in a satisfied curve.
‘Maybe I need to find me a good woman and settle down,’ Taff muttered.
In the old days, his best mate had avoided actual relationships like the bubonic plague.
‘It suits me, that’s all I’ll say.’
‘I can tell.’ Taff’s colour turned ruddy. ‘By the way, did your old woman come banging on the door? I screwed up and let it slip before—’
‘It’s okay.’ He grabbed his friend’s arm. ‘In fact, I want to thank you.’
‘What the bloody hell for? She wasn’t after getting her claws into you again, was she?’
‘No!’ Gage told a brief version of what had happened with Victoria and ended by reiterating that Taff had done him a big favour. He noticed Tamara gesturing towards the people waiting at the till. ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get back to work.’
‘No rest for the wicked. If the offer’s open, I’ll pop down another day and we can have a few pints for old times.’
‘Anytime, Taff, you know that.’
‘Off you go, Prof, and sell your precious books.’ Taff chuckled. ‘If you can bear to part with them.’
Out of nowhere he hugged his old friend, both unsure which of them was the most startled. Breaking it off to go and serve saved them both from further embarrassment.
At first, Gage had been stiff and awkward with customers, unsure how to act or speak, but gradually he’d learned to allow his love of books free rein.
Gage made a point of delving into what customers were looking for in a way the online retailers could never emulate.
They might be cheaper, but his shop’s personal service couldn’t be rivalled.
The next challenge was how to build up his customer base once the initial novelty of having a local bookshop wore off, but he relished having something to get his teeth into.
‘Come on, Prof. We’ve got books to sell.’ Tamara appeared by his side.
With all the emphasis on Christmas today, it reminded him that the big day loomed in a little more than a fortnight and he still hadn’t bought her a present. What could possibly top everything she’d already given him? Now that really was a challenge.