A Brambleberry Manor Christmas - Rosie Green Page 0,22

door. And I hear her shout, ‘And I’m going to Amy’s party whatever you say, so just try stopping me!’

I’m about to race after her when a stab of guilt halts me in my tracks. Of course I knew the dreaded anniversary was approaching, but I suppose I’ve been so focused on the business – hell-bent on keeping the wolf from the door – that the actual day had somehow escaped me.

I sink wearily into a chair.

Harvey died exactly a year ago next week.

Tavie didn’t forget…

*****

Flo phones me at ten, all apologies.

‘I forgot to tell you yesterday but I’ve got a doctor’s appointment at midday today. I’m so sorry. But I’ll be over at the manor by one, if that’s okay?’

‘Yes, of course. What’s wrong?’

She sounds a bit croaky and I’m expecting her to say she thinks she might have a cold. So I’m quite surprised when she says she has a mole she needs checked out.

‘Oh, are you really worried about it?’ I ask.

‘What?’

‘The mole?’

‘Oh. Um…not really. Well, a bit. I just thought…you know…best get the doctor to look at it…’

‘Of course. Well, see you later.’

I end the call, feeling a little bemused. She sounded quite rough. Maybe she hasn’t slept well, thinking about the mole. But with a million things to do before this evening’s dinner, I haven’t got time to dwell on it.

I head over to the manor at twelve, and when I go into the kitchen I find Fergus sitting at the big wooden table, a mug beside him. He lays down the newspaper he’s reading when I enter.

‘Hi, there. Having a quiet moment?’ I smile at him.

‘Everyone else has gone to a Christmas fayre.’ He grins sheepishly. ‘Not really my scene.’

‘I know what you mean.’ I take off my coat and hang it up in the cupboard with my handbag. ‘Sometimes you just need some time alone. Nothing worse than thinking you have to appear all festive and jolly just to please everyone else.’

‘Exactly.’

He runs a hand through his short blond hair and takes a gulp of his drink, but he doesn’t return to reading his paper, and I can tell he’s feeling a bit awkward, as if he ought to chat.

‘Listen, don’t let me disturb you. You carry on reading your paper,’ I say, tying on my apron. ‘Actually, I think I’ll have a cuppa myself before I get started. Would you like another one?’

He pushes his chair back. It makes a screeching sound on the old flagstones. ‘I’ll make it.’

‘Oh, thanks, Fergus. Coffee. Just milk, please. So…what will you be doing on the big day itself?’

‘Going home to see my mum and my sister.’ He takes off his glasses and rubs the lenses on the edge of his jumper, and I’m struck by how amazing his eyes are. They’re a glossy dark brown with a fine line of gold encircling the pupil.

‘Lovely.’

He nods a little awkwardly.

‘My parents live in France,’ I tell him. ‘They came over here last Christmas and I was supposed to be flying out there this year with my step-daughter, but…well, she wanted to stay here with her friends.’

‘How old is she?’ he asks, and I can see in his eyes that he’s wondering why I’d give up seeing my parents at Christmas because of a child’s whim.

‘Tavie’s fifteen. But she…lost her dad last year, so I thought it might be best if she was here this Christmas, surrounded by her friends.’ I shrug. ‘I’ll probably fly over to France myself early next year.’

There’s a slightly awkward silence, and I wonder if I’ve said too much. I really didn’t want to embarrass Fergus but it seems as if I might have. He’s studying his flexed fingers as if he’s trying to work out what to say…

‘Anyway, sorry. I don’t know what’s got into me,’ I say apologetically. ‘I don’t usually talk about this stuff.’

He looks up. ‘So…if Tavie lost her dad, does that mean that you…?’

‘Lost my partner?’ I swallow hard. ‘Yes. It was all very sudden.’

My heart rate is speeding up, as it always does when I recall the events of that day. Arriving at the scene…Harvey’s car parked in front of the ambulance…the man honking his horn at me…the stretcher…and then…

‘Are you okay? Do you want to sit down?’

I look at the chair that an alarmed-looking Fergus has pulled out for me, and I subside into it gratefully. He sits back down, opposite me.

‘Thanks. I’m fine, really.’ I attempt a laugh, but I can tell he isn’t fooled.

‘When