Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (23 page)

She took it out to the kitchen so that she could read it in the light. As she saw Aiden’s name again, she tried to convince herself that there could still be an innocent explanation.

She undid the flap and took out the letter inside, two pages of lined A4 filled with Laurie’s teenage handwriting. It was as familiar to Rachel as her own: she’d received dozens of notes passed to her and ‘mysterious’ Valentine’s cards in the same neat, round hand, often in the same purple ink. Her eyes rushed over the words – and the hope she had been clinging to, that she might have jumped to the wrong conclusions, slipped away completely.

‘Hi Aiden,’
Rachel read.

I’m in Geography and you’re sitting right in front of me. Mr Evans has just told you off for messing around with Brandon, and writing on the desks. Now you’ve turned around and caught my eye, given me a smile. I love your smile. It brightens up my day. I can see how much you want to be alone with me, and well, I want that too – you’re nearly close enough to touch right now, but in this classroom we can’t do anything – it’s driving me crazy
.

Rachel wanted desperately to be able to stop – her heart was thudding in her chest. But she couldn’t put the letter down. She had to read it all.

But it’s nearly the weekend, and I’ll see you at Sally’s house party. We can sneak away, find somewhere quiet. I can’t wait to be with you
…

Then, finally, Rachel reached the end, Laurie’s signature and a row of hearts and kisses underneath.

Dazed, Rachel put the note away, and the envelope to one side on the counter, then sat down at the kitchen table. Through the fog that had settled in her mind, she tried to make sense of what she’d read, struggling to understand what had happened, and when. Had Laurie and Aiden been together before he’d been Rachel’s boyfriend – or, her mind raced and she bit her lip – had Aiden been with them at the same time?

Rachel battled to stay in control of her emotions. She and Aiden had a marriage, two much-loved children together – and whatever had happened with Laurie took place over twenty years ago, she reasoned. It was Rachel and Aiden’s marriage, not the teenage longing in the letter, that was real now. But however Rachel looked at it, the two people she’d thought she could trust most had lied to her, and it felt like the ultimate betrayal. Memories flashed back – the parties Laurie had gone to, which
her
parents hadn’t let her go to – the Geography class Laurie and Aiden had both been in. She remembered how, shortly before their GCSEs, Aiden and Laurie had come back from a school field trip in Wales, both full of stories about it – had they been together then?

The letter twisted everything Rachel had thought she knew. Aiden had mentioned, more than once, how good Laurie was looking, hadn’t he? How glamorous she was? And they’d had that evening alone together in Skipley … he’d hardly told her anything about it.

Eventually, with her head still spinning, Rachel forced herself to go back to bed. She hid the note back in the bookshelf where she’d found it and looked at her husband in bed, his chest rising gently as he slept. With Bea still in a coma, how could she confront him with what she’d read? She’d have to try and forget about it, for now at least. But, she thought, as she climbed into bed beside him – feeling a new distance from the man she loved – the thought of Aiden with someone else, not just anyone else – Laurie – was almost too much to bear.

No reply – again? I’m getting tired of this, Milly … We need to talk face to face. Don’t mess me around. If you do, you know I can let people know what you’re really like – I could do that pretty easily. C

CHAPTER
23

Friday 15th December

Laurie looked through her suitcase for something suitable to wear to Diana’s drinks. Patrick was going to be there – and she’d spent so much time slopping around in mud on their walk the other day. She was going to have to up the glamour level to compensate.

Most of her city clothes looked wrong in Skipley. But she remembered she had brought one thing with her, for emergency party use. It was a burgundy dress with sparkles on the deep V neckline. She slipped on sheer stockings and then tried on some matching shoes with towering heels – skyscraper high. Including them in her luggage had been serious wishful thinking – but she could get away with them tonight.

She couldn’t wait to see Patrick again. They’d talked a couple of times on the phone since their walk together on Wednesday. Her head and heart were at odds – her heart told her to let go, trust him, but her head told her to take things slowly, this time, get to know Patrick more before taking things further. While a few times she’d pretended otherwise, the truth was that she really, really wasn’t that great at one-night stands. That empty feeling of not being called the next day, intimacy disappearing in an instant – she knew it, and she didn’t want it again.

She brushed her sleek bob and fringe until her hair lay perfectly flat. Almost ready – but there was something missing. She scanned Rachel’s dressing table for some jewellery, and in a little wooden box found some long, silver drop earrings. Rachel wouldn’t mind, she thought, as she hooked them through the holes in her ears. They’d always borrowed each other’s stuff at school – it had been like having two wardrobes.

She applied liquid eyeliner in thick swooshes, and then layered mascara on to her already thick lashes. She took a step back and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Not bad. She smiled.

Down in the kitchen Laurie found the plate of gingerbread Santas she’d made the night before. That week, with a few empty evenings in front of her now that she was staying longer in Skipley, she’d set herself the challenge of making one thing a day from Bea’s book. With the fire on, and Christmas tunes playing, baking was the perfect way to spend the time, she realised. It was strange – over the years she’d convinced herself she needed constant stimulation, parties, work, travel – that was what made her happy. But it wasn’t true after all. Home alone, with peace and quiet, and time to do things she enjoyed, she felt calm and content.

The kitchen was quickly filling up with stars and chocolate wreaths, and she’d even managed a Yule log – covering herself and every surface in chocolate in the process. Chocolate always made her break out in spots the next day, but as she’d licked the bowl she couldn’t have cared less – that was what concealer was for, she told herself. She placed a few of the gingerbread Santas carefully in cellophane and wrapped them with red ribbon, ready to take to Diana’s, together with a bottle of Baileys.

First party of the season, Laurie thought to herself, here I come.

Candles in glass jars lined the pathway up to Diana’s front door, and the Christmas wreath hanging on it was now woven through with delicate red lights.

As Laurie clattered up the path in her heels, Diana swung the front door open. ‘Hello!’ Diana called out, holding out a glass of champagne to greet her guest. Laurie took it gratefully and kissed Diana hello.

As Laurie stepped into the house, it was the warm, distinctly Christmassy, cinnamon and pine smell that hit her first. As she cast her eye around the house she let out a gasp of admiration. The staircase was garlanded with holly and ribboned with red lights just like the wreath on the door. Twirls of gold voile framed the fireplace and decorative branches woven with more lights were placed in pots around the living room and hallway. Diana’s home looked absolutely stunning.

Trays laden with pigs in blankets, mini Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish, blinis with smoked salmon and cream cheese lined the table in the living room. She spotted Joyce over in the corner and headed towards her. Joyce was wearing the top Laurie had customised for her, albeit with a tinsel headband that lowered the classy tone a bit. Laurie smiled and pointed at the top. ‘Suits you,’ she said. ‘I love the bow you sewed on,’ Joyce said, looking down and holding the fabric bow out. ‘It makes me feel all sort of princessy.’

‘Impressive spread,’ Laurie said, looking around at the plates of food. Joyce laughed. ‘Our Diana’s never been one to do things by halves,’ she said. ‘And she’s invited half the village along tonight.’ Laurie looked around the room and saw that it was nearly full: she recognised a couple of faces and spotted Ben from the café loading his plate with mini sausage rolls. She glanced around the room to see if Patrick had arrived yet.

‘Nice tradition,’ Laurie said. ‘Having a party like this.’

‘Oh, nothing of the sort,’ Joyce said, and as she spoke Diana swept up by their side and topped up their glasses with more champagne. Joyce turned to her. ‘You see, Diana’s never had a party like this before, have you, dear?’

‘First time.’ She smiled. ‘It’s rather fun, though, isn’t it? Never got to do anything like this when
he
was around.’ She stuck her tongue out, making a face, then started to laugh. ‘So I thought I’d take the opportunity now.’

‘Well here’s to new starts, and more parties,’ Laurie said. ‘Now that’s something worth drinking to,’ Diana agreed, and they clinked their champagne flutes together.

Laurie looked over at Diana’s nephews as they sped through the house, racing toy cars over every surface. In the corner of the living room Diana had set up a little table with materials for making cards and paper chains. Some of the older children were Pritt-sticking happily over there.

‘Are you the fashion designer?’ Laurie jumped in surprise and turned to see an older man in a tweed suit who’d joined them. ‘That’s me,’ she said.

‘I keep hearing about you,’ he said, with a grin. ‘My wife Sandra’s not stopped talking about this fashion show you’re having tomorrow night. She’s on about how she’s a model these days, and I should be the one making the tea. You’ve caused quite a stir.’

‘Delicious,’ Patrick said, taking a bite of a hot mince pie before Diana or Laurie could stop him. His hand went straight to his mouth. ‘God,
hot,’
he said, laughing. ‘I think I burned my tongue. But anyway, still worth it.’

Patrick had arrived just after eight. He followed Laurie into the living room and as they stopped to talk to some of the women volunteers Patrick draped his arm around Laurie’s waist. Laurie hadn’t invited it, but it felt sort of nice. When the ladies made their excuses and headed over to the buffet table, Patrick pulled her closer and gave her a squeeze. ‘You look,’ he whispered in her ear huskily, ‘absolutely irresistible tonight.’

Laurie wondered how much longer she’d be able to wait. The cottage – and her big, comfortable, warm, empty double bed, were only metres away. She took a sip of mulled wine and imagined for a moment what it would be like – to have his hands on her, to see that body she’d been admiring under clothes. The tension between them seemed to grow each time they spoke, and Laurie was only human – when he spoke to her like he had just now it was as if she … dissolved.

She excused herself to go to the bathroom. Central heating always played havoc with her hair – so she’d brought some serum with her to smooth it down. As she made her way to the stairs, Ben came over to her.

She smiled hello, then moved to go upstairs to the bathroom. ‘Laurie, isn’t it?’ he said, with a smile. They’d only spoken that one time, when she’d first arrived, but he’d been a friendly face back then, when she’d really needed to see one. ‘Ben, hi,’ she said, stopping on the bottom stair.

‘You look nice.’

‘Thank you,’ she replied, politely.

‘Are you …’ he started. ‘Is Patrick your boyfriend?’ Ben asked. Laurie hesitated. She didn’t know herself what the answer was, but she was fairly sure she didn’t want to be broadcasting it via the neighbourhood gossip.

‘None of your beeswax,’ she said, playfully dodging the question.

‘It’s just … well, nothing. I don’t really know him.’ Ben shrugged.

‘Right,’ Laurie said, furrowing her brow as she tried to read his expression. ‘So, forget about me. Who are you going to be cornering under the mistletoe, Ben? Any ladies on the horizon?’

‘No,’ he said, looking down shyly.

‘Aha!’ Laurie said. ‘Now the shoe’s on the other foot. Who is she?’ she whispered, leaning closer. ‘Go on, you can tell me.’

‘All right,’ Ben said. ‘But promise you won’t blab?’

‘I promise,’ she said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

‘Her name’s Milly.’

CHAPTER
24

Saturday 16th December

Laurie, hammer in hand, was ready to start the auction. Her eyes scanned over the crowd. She’d suspected there was a gap to fill in the Skipley social scene – but she’d never expected this. The community centre was packed to the rafters. She spotted Patrick in the crowd, looking more gorgeous than ever in a navy V-neck sweater. He winked at her. She didn’t know how she’d managed to resist the temptation of sleeping with him after Diana’s party. But now, she reasoned, she’d waited long enough. Tonight, yes. Tonight felt right.

The women had worked hard to get everything ready on time – whether it was decorating the set with red drapes, tinsel and fairy lights, getting drinks for the small bar, or doing last-minute sewing – they had stopped at nothing to make the event special. Even when hems still needed sewing that morning, just hours before the show was due to start, they had all kept the faith – and now the community centre was all set up for the auction.

Joyce was the first one up on the makeshift catwalk – modelling a long-sleeved cocktail dress with slashes of silver, and striding into the crowd like she was born to do it. Some of the women had been nervous beforehand, but not Joyce – she’d made it clear that at sixty-eight, after a lifetime as a wallflower, she was ready for her fifteen minutes of fame.