Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (19 page)
Rachel sat down with Zak at the kitchen table and put out some of the objects she’d found during the course of their stay: the plaintain, breadfruit and plectrum. Aiden and Milly had claimed to know nothing about them, so the list of suspects was down to one. ‘I’m puzzled, Zak. Help me out. Do you have any idea where these things have come from?’ she asked gently.
His green eyes wide in his freckled face, he was the picture of innocence – but he was wriggling in his seat. ‘I haven’t stolen anything.’
Rachel waited for him to go on.
‘They were given to me,’ Zak insisted.
‘By who?’
‘Lily gave me the fruit,’ Zak said, picking it up, and running a chubby finger over its rough surface. ‘It’s a breadfruit – a fruit, but it fills you up like bread,’ he smiled. ‘And she also gave me the plant-thing.’
‘Plaintain,’ Rachel said. ‘And Lily is …?’ She tried to place the name, she knew she’d heard it only recently.
‘… The nice lady downstairs,’ Zak filled in the gap. Of course, Rachel remembered now.
‘It’s my fault,’ Milly shouted from the front room. Rachel got up from her seat and went into the living room where Steve Carrell in an elf suit was frozen on the plasma screen. Milly turned around to face her mum. ‘Don’t blame Zak. I let him wander around a bit when you were at the hospital, run up and down the stairs and stuff. I didn’t realise he’d start making all of these friends. Freak.’ She rolled her eyes playfully.
‘Oh, right,’ Rachel said. Milly really shouldn’t have let Zak run wild. But she and Milly had been getting on well so far that day, so Rachel chose not to ruin things. As Milly set the DVD to play again, Rachel turned back to Zak. ‘You haven’t been bothering anyone, have you?’
‘No,’ Zak protested. ‘They invited me. It was only Lily, and Jay – and he’s your friend too. So,’ he asked, ‘Can I not be in trouble please?’
‘You’re all right,’ Rachel said, ruffling his mousy hair.
‘Why don’t you come and meet Lily yourself?’ Zak asked, picking up a 3D jigsaw from the counter that Aiden had brought down for him. ‘We can show her this. She loves jigsaws, and she’s really good at them.’
‘OK,’ Rachel said. ‘Five minutes. If you’re sure she’s happy to have visitors?’
‘Yes,’ Zak said. ‘She invited me the other day, and she’s going to go crazy about this jigsaw. Wait till I tell her it’s a 3D one.’
Rachel ducked her head into the living room. ‘Milly, do you want to come downstairs with us and meet one of the neighbours?’
‘No thanks,’ she said, her eyes glued to the TV. ‘This film is nearly at the end. It’s getting to the bit where they all have to sing to make Santa’s sleigh take off.’
Rachel recalled watching the film together the previous year, the whole family watching on the sofa and armchairs at the cottage. Far from home, with Bea in hospital, the happy memory was almost painful to revisit.
Zak and Rachel walked down the stairs together, and Zak chattered on merrily. ‘She said the other day that she likes me visiting. She’s old, you see, and her grandchildren live on an island. She showed me on her globe – it’s miles away.’ His steps sped up.
‘Do you know where?’ Rachel asked.
‘Where the pirates are,’ Zak said. ‘The Caribbean. She’s always smiling. Well, usually. The other day I surprised her, and she looked a bit sad. She said something about her wallpaper.’
They reached the ground floor and Zak pointed over to the blue door on the left-hand side of the entrance hall. He walked over, reached up and knocked on it. A moment later the door was answered by an older woman wearing a sunshine-yellow dress set off by pretty gold drop earrings with green stones. Rachel’s gaze drifted to the woman’s apron – red, with floury handprints on it, only slightly disrupting the elegance of the overall look. The woman smiled at Rachel, then bent down slightly to put a hand on Zak’s shoulder. ‘Back already? Now here’s a surprise,’ she said, in a warm West Indian accent. She stood back up again. ‘And you must be Zak’s mother,’ she said, holding out a hand. ‘This young gentleman has been telling me all about you. I’m Lily.’
‘Hi.’ Rachel held out her hand. ‘Yes, Rachel. Pleased to meet you.’
‘Well, come in, won’t you?’
‘Zak wanted to show you his new puzzle,’ Rachel said, apologetically, ‘I hope that’s OK.’
‘Isn’t that lovely, dear?’ She looked at Zak’s new toy as he held it up for her. ‘Of course it’s all right.’
Rachel stepped tentatively into the flat, which was colourful and cared-for, with a bright green sofa and mustard-yellow throws and cushions. A decorative punch bowl sat on a flowery tablecloth in the kitchen, and gold-framed photos of friends and family lined the walls. As she turned, she saw that some of the prettiest wallpaper was peeling away, and sections of the flooring and walls were damaged. The mess looked out of place in such a well-kept flat. Perhaps that was what Zak had been talking about on their way downstairs.
‘The puzzle’s 3D, Lily,’ Zak said. ‘It’s of Santa’s grotto, with reindeers. It says ages eight and up, and I’m only just six. Mum and Milly are older, but they’re no good at jigsaws.’
Lily raised an eyebrow at Rachel. ‘Is that so?’
‘I’m afraid that’s absolutely true,’ she said, holding her hands up and smiling to show she wasn’t offended. ‘Really, you’re welcome to it.’
‘It would be an honour,’ Lily said. ‘And your timing couldn’t be better. I’ve just finished my baking for the day. I’ve been making my famous Caribbean Christmas cake.’ She took in a deep breath through her nostrils. ‘Just get a lungful of that smell – mmm, mmm.’
In the living room, Lily put her reading glasses on and bent down over the coffee table so that she could help Zak to find the straight pieces.
Rachel watched Zak and Lily smiling as they worked together, just as Zak usually did with Bea, playing games on Christmas Day. Rachel felt a tug at her heart – it was just like a scene from the cottage, with Lily in Bea’s place. She thought of Bea lying motionless in the hospital, and as it struck her that they might never have another family Christmas with her a lump came to her throat. Could the memories she already had of Bea be the only ones she’d ever have? Without any warning, Rachel’s tears started to fall.
Lily caught sight of her crying. ‘Are you OK, dear?’ Lily mouthed silently, over Zak’s head.
Rachel bit her lip and wiped away the tears, giving a little nod and trying to force a smile. She felt ridiculous – here she was in a stranger’s flat, sobbing.
‘Zak,’ Lily said, gently. His eyes darted up from the jigsaw. ‘Now I have your fine young self here, could I ask a favour? You know that computer thing you offered to help me with? Do you think we could look at it now?’
Zak nodded and sprang to his feet. ‘Sure.’
‘Your mum and I’ll keep going with the jigsaw,’ Lily added, ‘the computer’s just in the kitchen, on the counter.’
Zak dashed up from his seat and into the kitchen, then turned briefly to Rachel. She put on as normal an expression as she could manage. ‘I’m setting up her Skype,’ he said proudly, before dashing out of the room.
‘My son got me a laptop for my birthday,’ Lily explained, leaning forward. ‘Said we could talk on it – I would be able to see the little ones, my grandkids, over in Trinidad.’ Lily shrugged and smiled. ‘Thing is, I haven’t worked out how to do anything more than email on it.’
‘Oh,’ Rachel said, brushing away her tears, a swell of pride almost pushing away the sadness. ‘Zak’s great with computers, he’ll sort you out.’
‘He said it’s easy.’ Lily smiled. ‘Ha! Well, I’ll be the judge of that. So, dear,’ she continued, her voice just above a whisper. ‘Tell your Auntie Lily. What’s the matter? Are you OK?’
‘Oh, yes, fine,’ Rachel said, sitting up straighter in her seat.
‘I mean, are you really OK? Because your friend Laurie asked me to keep an eye out for you – and you don’t look that OK to me.’
‘Sorry,’ Rachel said, accepting the monogrammed white handkerchief Lily passed her. ‘I don’t know why I’m telling you all this when we’ve only just met.’ Rachel shook her head, but Lily just smiled and nodded for her to go on.
‘It’s just hard,’ Rachel said. ‘The waiting, not knowing whether or not Bea is going to wake up. The kids seeing their grandmother like that.’
‘Hard times are the real test of a family, aren’t they?’ Lily said.
Rachel nodded, and thought of the strain on her relationship with Aiden as they both struggled to keep normal life going.
‘But, if you all stick together, Rachel, you’ll come out the other side stronger. I guarantee it. And Zak – he’s a smart one, isn’t he?’
Rachel smiled. ‘Yes he is. And you’re right,’ she said, taking a deep breath. ‘And Bea would hate to know that we were worrying about her like this.’
‘Found it,’ Zak shouted, bursting back into the room with Lily’s laptop in his hands.
He perched on the edge of Lily’s armchair and turned the laptop to face her. ‘So you’ve got a webcam up here,’ he pointed, ‘and over there they’ll have one on their computer too. Mum can you set you up an account, and all we need to do is find a time when your family are online and we can call.’
Lily smiled, and raised her eyebrows in happy surprise at Rachel. ‘How exciting,’ she said. She checked her watch, but her face fell. ‘Oh, but they’ll be at the beach now.’
‘That’s OK,’ Zak said, ‘You just need to text them so they can say when they’re free.’
‘We might have to save that for another day, I’m afraid, Zak.’ Rachel said, getting to her feet. ‘You and Milly need some tea. Your sister’ll be wondering what’s happened to us both.’
‘Come back another day, in that case,’ Lily said to Zak. ‘And we can finish off the jigsaw too.’
‘And I’ll be seeing you again too, I hope,’ Lily said to Rachel, smiling, and then leaning forward to envelop her in a warm, comforting hug.
From:
[email protected]
Hi C,
Thanks for the new playlist you made me, I like it.
Nothing’s up. I’m sorry if I made you feel bad. I guess it’s easier to email than speak on the phone, that’s all. I feel like my parents are always listening out, and in this flat they’d be able to hear everything.
I’ve had a good day today. I went with Nikki to Camden – have you ever been there? We had the best day hanging out by the lock, and buying jewellery and things. I picked up a couple of presents for friends and then we walked down to where Amy Winehouse used to live. There are still some flowers and things in front of the house, and there were other people who’d come to see it. Everyone was chatting and it was cool.
We met up with some of Nikki’s friends from school – I know some of them already from when I went to Art Club with her the other day. Two of the guys, Alex and Ryan, had brought some beers with them and we walked down to the canal, just drinking and talking for ages.
How are things over in Skipley?
Mx
From:
[email protected]
Milly,
So, maybe I’m reading this wrong – but first you don’t want me to call, and now you’re out with this girl and a load of guys, drinking, and you’re telling me about what a great time you had?
Something seems a little wrong with this picture, Milly? I know we’re not going out or anything, but you know I like you. Call me a fool, but I didn’t really expect you to be down there flirting with other guys and lining up alternatives. When we met you seemed like a nice enough girl, but it sounds like London has changed you.
C
From:
[email protected]
Hi Laurie,
OK, I hope you don’t mind me emailing again. So, this guy I’ve been talking to has been getting really stressy. He thinks I’m down here flirting with other people – but I’m not. Of course I’m not. I’ve made a couple of friends here, and that’s it. To be honest mostly I’m just thinking about Granny and hoping she gets better. Like all of us are. What should I say to him?
From:
[email protected]
Hi Mills,
First of all, I’m so sorry to hear about your Granny Bea. I’m glad you wrote, I’m thinking of you all and send you an extra-special hug. It must be such a hard time for you guys. From what I hear your grandma is a real fighter, though. So that’s weird, that this guy is getting jealous – but I suppose maybe he’s at home, bored, and can’t help thinking you’re having far more fun without him? Perhaps if you could reassure him that you’re looking forward to seeing him again when you’re back?
Lxx
CHAPTER
19
Monday 11th December
‘Are you kidding?’ Laurie said, sipping her mulled wine and laughing. ‘Are they going to give you a fat suit to wear underneath the Santa outfit?’
‘Yes,’ Patrick said, sheepishly. ‘Although in a way I’m glad they think I need it.’ He peered down at his toned stomach. ‘God, the things I do for this job,’ he laughed, ‘out on Christmas Eve, in the middle of the village, shaking a bucket.’
It was Saturday evening, and Patrick and Laurie were sitting in the Lion and the Unicorn, a small pub that was a ten-minute walk from the cottage, across what were now some very snowy fields.
