Kitty's Countryside Dream (28 page)

Biting down on my bottom lip, I paused for a moment trying to take everything in.

‘I'm glad you did, Lizzie. The hardest part has been trying to piece everything together. I'm heart broken that I'll never ever meet Violet, but I know she'll always be in my heart.'

Lizzie stood up; the tears were rolling down her cheeks. She walked towards me with her arms open wide. ‘I know I'm not Violet, but I hope I can be the next best thing,' she said and smiled.

I fell in to her arms. We hugged tight.

F
ive months later
…

T
he world appeared
silent and still except for the snow falling lightly all around as we drove up towards the farmhouse. All the fields around were veiled in a layer of white candyfloss snow and the frost had polished the trees and bushes with its glittering silver sheen. There was something about this time of year I loved; there was something about Christmas.

Tom pulled up and parked the car. I watched the lights twinkling away on the two Christmas trees that adorned either side of the steps up to the front door.

I noticed the smoke was spiralling out of the chimney pot and disappearing amongst the greyness of the sky. I was glad to soon be stepping inside, into the warmth. I climbed out of the car and watched the flakes fall. Tom switched off the engine and joined me. He pulled me in close, wrapping his arm around my body while we looked up at the sky. My heart swelled with happiness. I held tight to the necklace around my neck – Agnes's necklace. Tom had kindly taken it to the local jewellers and the chain had been fixed. As the snow fell all around us I thought about the last year of my life and how it had changed so dramatically in such a short space of time. I smiled and even though I would never ever be able to tell Violet that I knew about her, I hoped she somehow knew that she would have a special place in my heart forever.

‘Kitty, Tom, what are you doing standing out here? Come on in out of the cold – the log fire is roaring,' Jeannie squealed excitedly, waving at us from the steps of the front door.

Turning around, I smiled and waved. ‘Coming!'

‘I'll just get the presents from the boot of the car and I'll follow you in,' Tom said and smiled, wiping the snowflakes from the tip of my red nose and kissing it lightly. For a second he held my gaze. ‘I love you, Kitty Lewis,' he whispered softly in my ear.

‘I love you too, Tom Drew.'

I skipped forwards towards the door and Jeannie wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug.

‘Wait there, Kitty,' I heard Tom shout. Looking around, he was bounding towards me. He grabbed my face with his cold hands and planted his lips on mine and kissed me.

‘What was that for?' I asked, laughing.

‘Ha ha, look above your head.' He laughed, bounding back towards the boot of the car. Looking up, I giggled – a huge bunch of mistletoe was hanging down from the old oak beams above.

Jeannie was standing there smiling. ‘Merry Christmas, Kitty!'

‘Merry Christmas to you too, lovely. You're looking fantastic! Now where is that little chubbiness of delight? Aunty Kitty wants a cuddle!'

Stamping my snowy boots on the mat, I unbuttoned my coat and threw it over the banister. I could hear Christmas carols playing throughout the house already, adding to the festive feel.

The excited chatter from the living room was echoing up the hall as I followed Jeannie into the living room.

‘Kitty and Tom have arrived,' Jeannie announced.

All heads turned towards me.

‘Merry Christmas everyone!' I smiled as I walked into the room. ‘Now where's Harry? I need a cuddle from my favourite nephew.' I kissed Danny on the cheek. ‘You don't mind if I pinch your son for some Christmas kisses, do you?'

‘Not in the slightest!' Danny grinned, handing me over the little bundle of joy. ‘It'll give me a chance to refill my glass! Would you like a drink, Kitty?'

‘Yes, please. I would love a mulled wine if it's not too much trouble.'

‘Here you go, Kitty, I've already poured you a glass,' Lucinda said, placing it down on the table next to me.

‘Thank you. So, Lucinda, were you on the naughty or nice list this year?' I grinned.

‘Naughty,' Robin said, giving her shoulder a friendly punch, then topped up her glass.

‘The nice list of course,' she replied playfully. ‘Look,' she said, thrusting her hand forwards to reveal a very expensive-looking bracelet.

I nodded. ‘Wow, that's absolutely beautiful.'

‘Where's Tom?' Robin asked.

‘He's enjoying playing Father Christmas. He's bringing in the presents from the car. I think we may have gone over the top a bit and spoilt this little one,' I said, wrapping my fingers around Harry's little hands, ‘but he's worth it.'

‘Ho, ho, ho.'

Everyone laughed as Tom walked through the door wearing a Father Christmas hat and a white beard, carrying an old hessian sack filled to the brim with presents. He placed them down next to the Christmas tree that stood the height of the ceiling, its branches covered in silver and purple tinsel that glittered brightly. The aroma of the real pine swept through the room.

‘Take off that silly hat and beard quickly before you frighten the baby,' I said, laughing.

‘Spoilsport. Harry doesn't mind, do you, Harry?' Tom peered over at the baby.

Harry's eyes widened and he let out a cry.

‘Sorry, sorry,' Tom said, rapidly whipping off the costume.

‘Would you like a drink, Tom?' Robin asked.

‘A glass of red would be lovely,' he replied, standing in front of the open fire, which fizzed and spat as he thawed from the wintry chill outside.

‘How come I'm always late to the party,' said Ted, popping his head around the door.

‘Because you're always cooking!' Jeannie and Robin replied in unison.

‘You're probably right,' he said, laughing.

Ted bent down and kissed me on the cheek while ruffling the hair of his newly born grandson. ‘Merry Christmas, Kitty.'

Patting Tom on the back, he then shook his hand firmly. ‘Merry Christmas to you too, Tom.'

‘Thank you, and the same to you.'

‘Dinner will only be a couple of minutes, so chat amongst yourselves until I'm ready.'

‘Do you want any help, Ted?' I offered.

‘I wouldn't dream of it. Don't worry, it's all under control.'

‘Ted, I forgot to give you this; it arrived a few days ago,' I said, retrieving a card from my handbag.

‘What is it?'

‘It's from Lizzie – a Christmas card.'

Ted took the card from me and opened it, then smiled. ‘It's a shame she couldn't extend her visit when she was here.'

‘I know, I agree; it would have been wonderful if we could all have spent Christmas together, but we speak on the phone every week and hopefully, fingers crossed, Tom and I are going to go and visit in the summer. It'll be great to see where Violet lived and hear more about her.'

Ted touched my arm affectionately. ‘We'll toast her at the dinner table.'

Even though tears welled in my eyes they were happy ones.

Ted disappeared back into the kitchen and I joined Tom in the living room; he was now making Harry smile with his funny face-pulling.

A few moments later Ted announced dinner was served. The table looked magnificent. It was decorated with individual place settings, Christmas crackers and a small present for each of us was wrapped and rested on top of our serviettes. I had never seen such an abundance of food.

‘Ted, this looks amazing,' I said.

He smiled. ‘I wanted it to be special.'

We settled at the table and Jeannie balanced Harry in her arms. I watched her as she cuddled her baby and smiled at him the whole time. She suited her new role and I'd never seen her so happy.

‘Is it possible I could say a few words before we start?'

‘Oh go on then, if you must,' Jeannie joked.

We all turned towards Ted, who was standing up and holding a glass of red.

‘I would just like to say I never ever thought I'd see the day that we'd all be gathered under one roof celebrating Christmas together. First of all I would like to make a toast to absent friends,' he said and raised his glass. The whole table echoed his cheers and raised their glasses too. Tom squeezed my knee. ‘And secondly I would like to welcome my grandchild, Harry, into the family and Danny, both of whom are spending their first Christmas with us. Jeannie and Danny, you have both made me very proud. Robin and Lucinda, you are both going from strength to strength. Lucinda, your business has doubled in size and is extremely successful – not to mention you make the most perfect cakes!' He laughed, patting his stomach. ‘I hope someone has bought me a larger belt for Christmas!'

Everyone laughed.

‘Robin, I haven't bought you a Christmas present this year because I'd like to give you a little bit of family history and I hope you'll accept my kind offer of taking over the farm from me?'

Robin gasped. His jaw fell open. ‘Are you kidding, Dad?'

‘No, not at all, son. I think the time is right, if you would accept?'

‘Yes, yes of course.'

Robin's beaming face said it all as he stood up and wrapped his arms around his father in a bear hug then promptly sat back down at the table.

‘Well done you,' Lucinda whispered in his ear.

‘And I know it's been an emotional year for all of us, especially for Kitty and Tom.' He smiled at us both. ‘And I'm delighted we've been reunited after all this time. And I believe Tom has a little surprise for you, Kitty. Over to you, Tom.' He raised his eyebrows at Tom and sat back down in his chair.

I looked at Tom, startled. ‘What are you up to?' I gave a nervous laugh.

Tom gazed at me then paused.

‘OK, here goes. I think we've both come such a long way in the last twelve months and, Kitty Lewis, I never believed in love at first sight until I met you. I'll never forget the day we met – the day you ran Dotty over when you first arrived at the Lodge. The moment I hauled you off the ground and looked into your eyes was also the moment I knew I wanted you in my life forever.'

‘What are you saying?' I gave Tom a quizzical look.

Tom stood up from the table and I turned to face him. He bent down on one knee in front of me.

‘What's he doing?' Danny whispered to Jeannie.

‘Shhh!' Jeannie shot him a stern look.

‘I am saying, Kitty Lewis, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

The whole table fell completely silent.

I clamped my hand to my mouth. ‘Are you serious?' I gasped.

‘You better believe it.' Tom waited patiently for an answer.

‘Yes, yes, YES!'

I slipped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight, tears of happiness brimming in my eyes.

‘Now stand up and kiss me.'

He brushed his lips against mine and I melted into his arms.

Everyone let out a cheer and applauded.

This was it – I knew everything in the past had happened for a reason. Tom was mine and I was his and I wouldn't have it any other way. I knew there would never be anywhere else I'd rather be than with my new fiancé and my new family.

D
ear all
,

Firstly, if you are reading this letter, thank you so much for choosing to read
Kitty's Countryside Dream
. I have without a doubt enjoyed every second of writing this book.

Over twelve months ago when I first started writing, I never in a million years thought I would already be releasing my third book. This time I wanted to write a book that was filled with friendship, humour and genuinely loveable characters, and Kitty Lewis and Tom Drew have become my new best friends. Every character in this book was full of such warmth and belonging that I have a little confession to make … I have totally fallen in love with them all and I hope you did too.

Secondly, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has been involved in the project – my publisher Bookouture, my family, friends, book bloggers and readers. I adore you all. Writing fiction can be a lonely job but your texts, tweets and emails along the way make me smile on a daily basis. Hearing what readers think is an absolute joy and makes all the hours spent tapping away on my laptop with only my mad cocker spaniel Woody for company truly worthwhile.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed
Kitty's Countryside Dream
.
If you did, I would be forever grateful if you'd write a review.
Your recommendations can always help other readers to discover my books.

To keep right up to date with the latest news on my releases just sign up using the link below:

I would love it if you could all keep in touch.

Warm wishes,

Christie x

• @ChristieJBarlow
  
• ChristieJBarlow