Chapter 37
‘And then what happened?’ asked Meg, and she bit into an egg sandwich, chewing avidly as her eyes widened.
Lili had got back from Las Vegas yesterday, and today was the last Saturday before Christmas. Tommo was holding the fort with other volunteers whilst Lili and Meg grabbed a much-needed break in the staffroom.
‘We finished our waffles, talked a bit, agreed we’d… give our relationship a go. Then we checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport.’
Meg’s face fell. ‘That’s it? After your romantic declaration of love with that berry coulis, the two of you stayed in the food hall and chatted?’
Lili’s face pinked up.
Meg put down her cup of tea. ‘Lili Taylor! You absolute liar!’
Lili grinned. ‘Okay. I might have invited him back to my room. Let’s just say we were a few minutes late checking out.’
‘So you’re dating?’
‘Do we have to label it?’
‘Label what?’ Tommo stuck his head around the door.
‘Because I don’t think we can cope with much more pricing up and tagging today.
We still need to get those elf-themed egg cups on display.
’ He screwed up his face. ‘Ah, yes, the reason I came in. Callum’s here and would like a minute with you, Lili, if possible.
He and I have had a good natter about the football but he looks like he’s leaving in a minute. ’
‘I forgot to mention – Callum came in twice whilst you were away,’ Meg added as Tommo disappeared. She got up and put their plates in the sink. ‘I’m really pleased for you and Dylan.’
‘How about your news? Any luck on the rental front?’ Lili chuckled.
‘God, it’s only been four days, but going that far it’s felt like a month.
Did I tell you about the burlesque show?
That was one bad Santa. Wearing a thong, in the cold snow on stage, didn’t reduce the size of his prospects, if you know what I mean. ’
Meg burst out laughing and spluttered tea down her jumper. ‘Jeez, Lili, you sound like my gran. Prospects? If you simply mean he had a large?—’
‘Boa,’ cut in Lili, eyes twinkling. ‘They wore tinsel boas. It really was a great performance – hot for all the right reasons.’ She shivered. ‘Speaking of which, we couldn’t believe the drop in temperature when we got back to Heathrow. That frost this morning! And now it’s sleeting.’
‘I hope it doesn’t snow for your trip up north. It’s due to get even colder.’
‘Fingers crossed. Anyway, back to you and renting… Seen any new places?’
‘No. It’s a quiet time of year on the selling and letting front apparently.
Everyone’s busy with Christmas. But…’ Her voice skippity-jumped.
‘This last couple of weeks, something’s changed with Gran.
She’s always been supportive but wants to help me out financially.
I’ve said no, but she’s been persistent.
She wants to help me with a deposit for a new place, and to even go shopping with me, when the time comes, to buy any furnishings or kitchen equipment I need.
She’s also done research into the vintage clothes business, and has offered to have a brainstorming session with me.
’ Her voice became thick. ‘No one’s ever done that.
Her research threw up that it’s best to focus on a specific area, to stand out.
That hadn’t crossed my mind. Might be one reason I’ve not moved forwards much.
One of her swimming friends used to run her own business.
Gran spoke to her and she’s offered to look at my business plan.
I… I feel so much better about moving out, with her so interested in my future. ’
Lili felt toasty inside, as if back by the pool in Las Vegas. It was so good to hear that Elaine letting go of that doll had made such a difference.
Tommo stuck his head around the door again and adjusted his glasses. ‘Callum’s really leaving now.’
‘God, sorry, coming straight away,’ said Lili.
She gave Meg a quick hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you.
I’m no expert but, if you like, I’ll cast an eye over that plan before your gran’s friend takes a look.
’ She made her way into the shop, full of children now that schools had broken up.
Callum was turning up his coat collar and heading for the door.
Sleet pelted against the window as she hurried over and touched his arm.
‘Callum? Hi. How are you? You’ve been looking for me?’
They moved over to the side of the door, by the Christmas tree that Tommo had decorated a few weeks ago. They stood awkwardly for a few seconds. Festive music played in the background. ‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande came on, and Lili couldn’t help smiling. Callum shot her a quizzical look.
‘This song,’ she said. ‘It reminded me of something funny I saw in Vegas.’
‘I heard you’d gone there. Sounds amazing. But I might wait until Jack’s over eighteen before I take him, if I can ever afford it.’
‘Advisable,’ she said and shot him a humorous look.
‘About the VCR player,’ she said. ‘A friend of mine is bringing it over to the shop tonight. It’ll be here waiting for you Monday, all sorted.’
‘Lili! I owe you one. That’s ace.’
‘I know you’ve been dropping in. Apologies for not texting, but I didn’t know until I was back from Vegas that the machine had been given the all-clear.’ She jerked her head towards the bag. ‘Father Christmas been shopping again?’
‘Kind of. Marge next door is looking after Jack.’ Callum hesitated.
‘But that’s not the reason I’ve been in.
You see, I got talking to Marge a few days ago.
She saw you leave the other week. What she said, about your Sunday afternoon events, sounded odd at first, but the more we talked…
I know it’s late notice, and you’re probably busy, but I’ve been wanting to ask…
are you holding one of your ceremonies tomorrow? ’
No. She had a million things to do. Wrapping up presents for Manchester, baking the chocolate log she promised to take – Mum’s favourite.
‘As a matter of fact, yes. Two o’clock, it starts.’
‘Really? Is there any way I could come?’
‘It’s to do with the bin bags in your lounge?’
He nodded.
‘Of course.’
‘Really? That would be great!’
‘Normally I like a chat in person first, but without much time… can we have a phone call later tonight so that I can talk you through everything? I haven’t time now. In fact, I’d better get a shift on.’
He left just as Glenda came in, her coat wet from melting sleet.
She hurried straight over to the book section.
Lili wanted to chat but had to take over the till.
Over half an hour later, and Glenda was still in the shop.
This was unusual. She’d stopped looking around now.
In fact, she was just standing, looking shattered. Lili went over.
‘Anything I can help you with?’ she asked gently.
‘Oh no, don’t mind me! Just got lost in my thoughts for a moment. I’ll be on my way!’
Lili frowned as Glenda’s smile dropped and she navigated the clothes rails and passed shelves of ornaments, stopping by the front door to pull down the unstylish but thick bobble hat Lili had never seen her wear before.
Oh Glenda. Of course. She was here to keep warm with the drop in temperature. The library was closed on a Saturday afternoon and she’d been trying to save her heating for Christmas Day. Lili hurried over.
‘Glenda, will you do me a favour?’ Lili’s mind raced. Yes. That would do it. ‘Fancy making a deal?’
‘Gosh. Sin City really got to you, didn’t it?’ said Glenda. ‘Was it everything I imagine it to be?’
‘More than, and…’ She shot Glenda an apologetic look.
‘I’m rushed off my feet at the moment, but I’ll tell you about it another time.
I’m hoping you could help. We’ve been given a bundle of Christmas jigsaws at the last minute.
They always sell quickly in the run up to the big day.
I’d like to put them out on Monday. If you haven’t got anything on this afternoon, is there any way you’d consider checking each one for me?
All you need to do is count the number of pieces, to make sure none are missing.
You could do it in the staffroom, over a coffee.
And Tommo brought in a Christmas cake he’s baked. ’
Glenda’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you sure this needs doing?’
Lili held eye contact. ‘Absolutely. It would take some pressure off me. I’d be very grateful. But no problem if you’re busy.’
Glenda paused and then stood a little taller and beamed. ‘Okay, dear. Happy to do my bit. I can see you’re all busy. You fetch those jigsaws and I’ll fill the kettle.’
* * *
‘You really are just an old softie, aren’t you?’ said Tommo as he put on his leather coat and put his bike helmet under his arm. She thought about his Christmas secret. Poor Tommo. She wished he would be more open about his festive plans.
It was almost six. He and Meg had stayed longer to help Lili tidy up from one of the busiest days of the year, reorganising items on the shelves and pricing up the jigsaws Glenda had checked, to make the start of the day on Monday easier.
‘ Me old, says the man who raved about a Liberace vinyl that came in today? I’d never even heard of him!’
‘Don’t swerve the compliment,’ he said airily as Meg appeared with her anorak on.
‘I won’t. But back atcha. I saw you slip Glenda an extra slice of cake to take home.’
Tommo muttered goodbye gruffly and was about to leave Lili and Meg grinning when a face appeared outside, gorgeous, stubbly, and giving off fishing-boat-master vibes.
Tommo unlocked the door before Lili could speak.
‘Get yourself in here, man, it’s freezing today.’
Scarf thrown around his neck, black hair curling from the sleet, Dylan came in carrying a big parcel in his arms. Must have been the VCR player. Lili indicated to him to put it on the counter by the till.
Tommo slipped an arm around Meg’s shoulders as Dylan came back over. ‘Come on, gal. Let’s give Lili and her boyfriend some space.’
‘He’s not my boyfriend,’ Lili protested.
Tommo’s arm dropped back to his side and he rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t tell me – there’s a whole load of rules about dating these days?’
‘Of course,’ said Meg. ‘First you go out. Then you go out on an exclusive basis. Next?—’
‘Pah!’ Tommo shook his head. ‘You like each other, right? Have you been out for a meal together?’
‘Yes,’ said Lili and gave Tommo a pointed look to stop talking.
‘Several times?’
‘More than once,’ said Dylan, eyes crinkling.
‘Kissed?’
‘Tommo!’ said Lili, and she turned to Dylan. ‘I do apologise.’
‘Might have,’ said Dylan.
‘You’re as bad as Tommo!’ said Lili. She folded her arms as Meg bent over laughing.
‘You’ve been out on dates, you’ve kissed and you’re obviously going to continue seeing each other,’ Tommo said. ‘In my book that makes you boyfriend and girlfriend.’
Dylan looked at Lili. ‘Fine with me.’
Under the gaze of three pairs of eyes, Lili forced an exasperated sigh and, doing her very best and failing to look anything but happy, threw her hands in the air.