Chapter 41
After leaving a yellow hazel tree leaf on her bed for Lili to find later, Dylan left the cottage on Monday morning at the same time as Lili headed to work, both of them navigating roads covered in black ice.
He had packing to do before going to Italy and last-minute shopping, joking about buying a new full-length raincoat.
The weather on the Amalfi coast was getting worse after heavy rainfall last week.
Feel-good Christmas music had been the order of the day and by the time she got home, Lili couldn’t get Bing Crosby out of her head.
Callum had picked up the VCR player and Jack was full of how they were going to a nativity play later on.
Glenda had dropped in to sort through more jigsaws.
They weren’t for Christmas, so there was no urgency.
But she didn’t need to know that and Lili simply said it would be a huge help to have them ready for the January sale period.
‘Are you seeing Dylan again before he heads to Naples tomorrow?’ asked Tommo.
He wore a Santa hat and a scarf of tinsel around his neck, like the dancers in Vegas.
It was Tuesday now and his last shift volunteering before the visit to his sister’s for Christmas, in Norfolk, that he’d told everyone about.
Lili passed him the biscuits. Despite counting every penny, Glenda had dropped off a tin of cranberry and orange shortbread, a thank you for the staff’s good service and friendliness over the last year.
The tin was ornate, bright green with holly around the edges and a beautiful robin in the middle.
‘He’s coming over tonight. I’d go to his, but he said I’ve got enough driving ahead of me, up to Manchester.’
‘A real gent. I like that. Not that you gals need special treatment,’ he added hastily as Meg came in.
Meg gave him a bemused look and took a biscuit.
‘After the festive hoo-ha, my mate who’s into classic cars will look at Colonel Mustard,’ said Tommo. ‘He’s very excited. Any idea what you’re going to replace it with?’
‘Something quiet. Smooth-running. A car I can stretch my legs in.’
‘And how’s everything with you, Missy?’ he asked Meg.
She sat down. ‘Still not dating Kristen Stewart and the rental market is as dead as a dodo at this time of year. But my business plan is taking shape nicely – your suggestions really helped, Lili.’ She clasped her hands together.
‘And Gran’s massively got into researching the vintage clothes market.
We’ve spent hours brainstorming together, listing stuff I need to set up, even if it’s only online at first – working out costs.
I feel like I’ve got more direction now, a real goal.
As a result, I’ve decided…’ She mimicked doing a drum roll.
‘I’m going to focus on 1940s World War Two fashion for women.
That era has always fascinated me – the tea dresses, wool suits, white gloves, turbans, the angle hats, wraparound coats, the reefer and box ones too.
Polka dots and stripes galore! Those are the styles I often wear myself and…
Sorry, going on a bit.’ She took a glug of the tea Tommo had passed her.
‘The clothes were so elegant and simple back then. Hollywood had a real influence. I love the contrast of that glamour against the backdrop of the ordinary person having to manage during the war.’
‘You should target advertising at those festivals that relive the 40s,’ said Tommo. ‘If you like I could ask my mate who’s buying Colonel Mustard. He goes to all sorts of classic car events and some of them aren’t just about the motors.’
‘Cool, thanks, that sounds brill. I’m giving Gran’s loft a good tidy out over Christmas.
She said her mum had some wonderful pieces from when she was younger, and they could still be up there.
But enough about me.’ She beamed. ‘You’ll never guess who just came into the shop.
I’m sure it was the lead actor from that detective TV show episode filmed down at the harbour during the summer, and… ’
Lili was staring at the tin.
‘Lili, he’s even offered me a part in the next season – if I sleep with him.’
‘Oh, great…’
‘Lili Taylor! You aren’t listening!’
Ears red, Lili looked up. ‘Sorry. What were you saying?’
Meg pointed to the tin. ‘Why is the picture on that biscuit tin more interesting than my prospective fame?’
‘What? Oh, nothing… it’s just… the robin…’
Tommo picked up their empty mugs and took them to the sink. He turned around. ‘Cheeky little chaps, aren’t they? Not that I’ve seen one this autumn, it’s mostly sparrows and pigeons in my garden. But robins are definitely more tame.’
‘Yes. I… I trained one over the summer. Got it feeding out of my hand. It’s visited me every day for months now.’
‘Wowww! You’ve never told us that before! It’s so cute. You should have filmed it. You’d be a TikTok sensation!’
‘Because nothing’s real unless it’s online, right, Meg?’ said Tommo.
Meg affectionately flipped him the finger.
Standards really had slipped. Lili would have to have a word with her staff in the New Year about inappropriate behaviour. She couldn’t help smiling.
‘I called it – her, to be specific – Bobbin. And it sounds silly but… I swear the bird understood everything I said. She really listened, you know? Especially if I was feeling down. She used to make me laugh as well.’
‘Used to? So she doesn’t visit any more?’ asked Meg.
‘No. Not since I got back from Las Vegas. It’s only been a few days but the bird never missed a single morning. Not even if I’d been away for a break, like my trip to London. Bobbin the robin’s always been waiting when I get home. I’m trying not to think about it, but the tin reminded me.’
‘You’ve not seen her since you got together with Dylan?’ said Tommo.
Lili frowned. ‘I haven’t neglected her. I’ve still been going outside with food in my hand.’
‘No, gal, I mean… you’ve not seen this bird since you’ve decided to sell Colonel Mustard and move forwards with your life either?’ He pointed to the tin. ‘Lots of people believe robins are the symbol of, or a messenger from, a loved one who’s passed.’
They did?
‘I don’t profess to understand everything in this universe,’ he continued.
‘But perhaps this is a sign from Em that… it’s time – time to accept what happened last year; time to make your peace with it.
Maybe this Bobbin disappearing means Em believes you’re strong enough now, to live your life without her, without her memory being such a big focus.
Or I could just be a silly fool,’ he added gruffly, and he shot Meg a warning look not to agree.
Lili studied the tin again. Bobbin would cock her head whilst Lili offloaded, and sometimes do a silly dance on her little legs, wings flapping. Em always did love Cheddar cheese. And peanuts. Raisins too.
Blinking away tears, Lili went to the sink and ran the tap. She and Em had always dreamt of flying when they were little girls. How lovely to think Em might have finally got her wish.