Underneath the Christmas Tree

In spite of the fact that the inaugural event carried on far longer than any of us expected it to, almost everyone was back early the next morning. The huts would be opening again at the weekend and then, other than Mondays, staying open every day right up until Christmas and, as a result, the beach hut team needed to take stock of what they had sold and try to calculate how much more they would need in order to meet future demand.

David had sensibly suggested that we all meet in the barn before getting down to work so we could compare notes and address any problems the previous evening might have flagged up. I was surprised to find I felt very much like a member of the team and a willing one at that, and in anticipation of the meeting, I was awake extra early.

I took the opportunity to enjoy a few peaceful minutes looking over the plantation boundary and into the edges of the reserve as the sun came up. It was a fresh start, but invigorating too and I felt wide awake and much refreshed by the time I joined the others.

‘Everything ran like clockwork,’ said Wren, echoing what some of the others had been saying as I walked in. ‘Theo and I both made plenty of sales and the set-up in the hut worked really well.’

Theo would be joining us after he’d finished his few Friday gardening jobs and I already knew that he and Wren were planning to split their time between selling in the huts, producing more stock and in Theo’s case, keeping his other business running. They were certainly going to be busy.

Sue and Lilith were happy too. There had been plenty of room in their huts as they had one each. They were both planning to work onsite whenever possible, setting up tiny work stations so the customers could watch them create, but sadly the same couldn’t be said for Abbie.

‘I ended up having to stay behind the desk,’ she said, sounding a little glum, ‘because I was worried I’d squash someone with this wretched thing.’ The thump she gave her wheelchair was far from affectionate. ‘I might be able to work in there, because felting doesn’t take up much space, but I can’t really move around.’

‘We just need a re-jig,’ Noah said consolingly. ‘We’ll shift things about a bit this morning and reorganise the space. After all, that’s what last night was for, wasn’t it, Ned? To iron out any wrinkles.’

‘Exactly,’ Ned said, quickly backing Noah up. ‘And if you’re not happy with the set up by the end of today, then maybe we could ask Hope and Sophie to move into your hut and you and Noah could have their space in the barn instead. There’d be more room for you to manoeuvre in there, Abbie.’

I wasn’t sure that would work because the queue for food would clog up the doorways of everyone else’s huts but before I could point that out, Sue kindly stepped in.

‘Or you could take my hut, Abbie and I’ll move in with Noah,’ she kindly suggested. ‘Liza and I could do a super speedy repaint and sign adjustment, couldn’t we?’

‘Absolutely,’ I agreed. ‘That would be no problem at all and I’m sure Lilith would offer to switch to the barn if she were here, too.’

‘I really want us to stick together, Abs,’ said Noah, ‘but whatever works best for you will be fine, my lovely.’

Abbie looked much happier after that and when Nick and his wife, Edith, offered to take on the responsibility of keeping Santa’s sack stocked up with small, ethically produced gifts, Ned did too.

‘It will free you up a bit more,’ Edith said, patting his arm. ‘We’ll keep everything ordered and topped up and give you the receipts for what we’ve put in at the end of each week. I’m guessing the budget is the same as last year? Nick said David had already told him what that was.’

‘That would be a weight off my mind,’ Ned said gratefully. ‘Thank you and yes, we’ll stick to the same budget.’

With the few issues satisfactorily addressed, Ned made everyone tea and I carried the tray round the huts, taking the opportunity to chat as I went.

‘So, how are you really settling in?’ asked Sue when it was just the two of us. ‘It’s not too difficult being back here, is it?’

I knew she was asking because she had always felt guilty that I hadn’t settled in. Had she not told Dad the plantation was up for sale, we probably wouldn’t have left my former and much-loved childhood home. Had that been the case though, I now had the sense to see, Wynmouth might not have had the benefit of the nature reserve or the plantation.

‘No,’ I therefore generously said, ‘it’s not too difficult. I thought it would be, especially as everything in the lodge is still as Dad kept it, but actually it’s okay.’

Sue looked relieved.

‘And how are you getting on with Ned?’ she asked.

‘Really well,’ I told her. ‘But then, who wouldn’t? He’s as mad on Christmas as Dad was.’

‘He’s mad on trees too,’ Sue chuckled.

‘That’s true.’

I thought of the tattoo running down the length of his spine and hoped my pupils hadn’t dilated in response.

‘He loved working on his aunt’s forest farm in New Zealand.’ Sue carried on, unaware of my dreamy expression.

‘I bet it was an amazing place.’

‘It certainly looked it from the photos he showed me.’

‘So, why did he come back?’

‘To be with David of course,’ she said, as if I should know. ‘He’s fiercely loyal to his family and the increased workload here was getting a bit much for one man.’

I felt my face flush. Family loyalty was something I had never felt.

‘Which makes him the perfect person to take over, doesn’t it?’ I unguardedly said.

‘Where are you off to then?’ Sue frowned.

‘Oh,’ I swallowed, realising I’d almost spilled the beans. ‘After Christmas, I’m going travelling for a while,’

Sue pressed a hand to her ample chest.

‘That’s all right then,’ she laughed, looking relieved. ‘You had me worried for a minute. I thought you were going to say you were leaving again for good.’

‘You’d better take this tea,’ I told her, nodding at the tray. ‘Otherwise, it’ll be cold.’

‘Thanks, love,’ she said, picking up one of the mugs.

‘I’ll leave you to get on,’ I added, quickly rushing off.

My breath streamed ahead of me as I regathered my wits. That had been a close call. The sooner Ned gave me the nod to tell everyone the truth, the better.

‘How’s it all looking out there?’ David asked when I ventured back over to the office, later in the day.

Both he and Ned were working at their desks. David had been engrossed in paperwork and Ned was frowning at his laptop screen. I was certain there hadn’t been anywhere near that amount of admin when Dad ran the business.

‘Good,’ I said. ‘Noah and Abbie have completely rearranged the space in their hut and they’re going to see how they get on over the weekend.’

‘Well, as long as they’re both sure,’ Ned muttered. ‘Because there won’t be time to make big changes after then.’

‘Of course, there will,’ I responded, surprised by his gruff response. ‘If everyone pitches in, it’ll take no time at all, but I’m sure it won’t come to that. A few of us have just been in there, playing the role of customers and Abbie could move about much more freely. Besides, I doubt there’ll be the same concentrated influx of people as we had last night, will there, David?’

‘I wouldn’t have thought so,’ he thoughtfully agreed. ‘It’ll be more a steady flow of footfall now.’

‘We hope,’ Ned said gloomily.

Considering the success of the night before, he sounded remarkably morose.

‘Right then,’ I said, backing out for fear of saying the wrong thing and further darkening his mood, ‘I’ll leave you to it.’

Ned didn’t say anything further and David gave me a sympathetic smile. I wasn’t quite out of earshot before he spoke to his son.

‘I don’t know what’s up with you, my boy,’ he said, ‘but you need to snap out of it. You’re not usually so stressed. I know the huts are a big change and so is the plantation being open for longer, but it’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’

I heard Ned push his chair away from the desk and sigh.

‘Yes,’ he quietly said, ‘you know it is and last night proved that having the huts here is going to work well.’

‘So, what’s the problem?’

Ned was quiet for a moment.

‘I’m scared I’m not going to be able to raise the money to buy Liza out,’ he eventually said, ‘and if I don’t, who the hell is she going to end up selling to?’

‘So, you do want to take it all on, then?’

‘Of course, I do.’ Ned told him. ‘How could I not? That said, I’d still prefer it if she didn’t sell at all.’

‘Well,’ said David. ‘You never know, she might change her mind.’

‘No, she won’t, Dad,’ Ned firmly said. ‘She’s got her heart set on this big holiday and mystery business and if I can’t get the funds fast enough, we could end up with a total stranger in charge. They’ll have the bigger share, remember, and therefore the final say.’

‘Liza might not be as attached to this place as you are, Ned,’ David was quick to say, ‘but I know her well enough to know she won’t sell to just anyone.’

‘I really hope you’re right about that, Dad.’

‘I know I am, and at the end of the day, if you have to buy her shares instead of mine…’

‘No way,’ Ned cut in. ‘You deserve your retirement, Dad. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardise that.’

I knew I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I couldn’t tear myself away. Sue had been right about Ned’s sense of family loyalty.

‘And I’m worried about flying solo,’ he then huskily said. ‘What if I take on this massive financial risk and then can’t run this place on my own? Wynter’s Trees would be ruined and I’d never forgive myself.’

He was clearly as concerned about doing right by my dad’s legacy as he was about protecting his dad’s retirement.

‘That won’t be an issue.’ David insisted. ‘You’re more than capable Ned, but if you want me to, when I’ve finished trotting around the globe, I can still help out a bit. And you never know, you might decide to look for a partner yourself in the future.’

For some inexplicable reason, I felt myself bristle at the thought of someone else coming in.

‘That’s true,’ said Ned, sounding a little less anxious.

‘But rest assured,’ David firmly added, ‘you won’t have any problem managing this place. And I just know there’s still a chance that Liza might change her mind.’

Ned didn’t say anything further and I slipped away. I now had more of an understanding about how he was really feeling about it all and knew that David was still hoping I’d change my mind. The best thing I could do now was find a way to boost Ned’s confidence in himself so he wouldn’t put so much faith in his dad’s words. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Ned was the right man to take over Wynter’s Trees, I just needed to make him believe it.

‘You should come,’ said Theo, who had arrived at the plantation late in the day grubby, but also happy about how well the previous evening had gone. ‘It’s going to be a good night.’

‘I’m sure you could do with a break,’ added Wren, giving me a nudge. ‘And I know Ned could, because he never stops working.’

The pair were trying to cajole me into going to the pub to listen to one of the locals tell tall tales over a drink or two and they wanted me to take Ned along, too.

‘But it’s the first full day of opening up here tomorrow,’ I pointed out, ‘and I’m sure Ned would prefer an early night.’

Theo shrugged, but Wren wasn’t giving in so easily.

‘A pint or two would help him relax,’ she astutely pointed out. ‘He’s been wound-up all week and I can’t remember the last time I saw him in the pub.’

‘But what about Bandit?’ I frowned. ‘I’m not sure how long he can be left home alone.’

‘He can come too,’ said Wren. ‘They’ve got a dogs welcome policy which I know for a fact extends to include beautiful Bandit.’

‘Well, in that case,’ I caved, ‘I’ll ask, but I’m not making any promises.’

To my surprise, Ned agreed to the impromptu excursion and later that evening he, Bandit and I, with me driving so Ned could have a drink, arrived at the packed pub. We were a little later than planned because my old jalopy had taken a bit of encouragement to turn over. She didn’t much like standing idle and I had to promise I’d pay her a bit more attention before her engine reluctantly spluttered into life.

‘Crikey,’ I said, as we crossed the threshold and our ears were assaulted by a barrage of noise I hadn’t been expecting, ‘it’s packed.’

‘It’s tall tales night,’ shivered Ned, more the result of my car’s intermittent heater than the outside temperature. ‘It’s always popular.’

‘There’s Wren,’ I said, picking her out as she stood up and waved in our direction. ‘She and Theo have got a table. Why don’t you take Bandit and go and thaw out and I’ll get us a drink?’

‘All right,’ he agreed, pulling his furry friend a little closer to his side.

Bandit wasn’t fazed by the noise at all, but he was nose to nose with an enthusiastic Jack Russell terrier. Thankfully both tails were wagging in greeting.

‘I take it they’ve met before?’ I asked Ned, nodding at the dogs, before he moved off.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘The terrier is Skipper. He belongs to George who will be regaling us with all manner of myths and legends tonight.’

I was relieved to hear the dogs were happily acquainted. There was barely room to move, so a canine scrap would have caused mayhem.

‘Thank goodness for that,’ I said, bumping into Ned’s side as someone squeezed by. ‘Sorry,’ I flushed, trying to move away but finding I couldn’t. ‘I think I’d better try and get to the bar. What do you fancy?’

Ned looked at me for a moment and his lips quirked. I felt my breath catch in my chest, as I wondered what he was going to say, but needn’t have worried.

‘Lager, please,’ he smiled. ‘Just a half though,’ he hastily added. ‘I want a clear head for tomorrow.’

‘I hardly think one pint will knock you off your feet,’ I pointed out, but he’d already moved too far away to hear.

In spite of what he’d said, I ordered him a pint for fear of not being able to get to the bar again and had just finished paying when I heard an unwelcome voice behind me.

‘Elf,’ said Chelsea, making my stomach twist. ‘No hat and pointy shoes tonight? If you’re running errands for Santa, you should have bells on, surely?’

There didn’t seem to be quite the old sting in her words but she laughed loud enough to catch the attention of everyone close by. I was relieved that no one reacted to her joke, even though I knew they’d heard what she’d said.

‘Forgive me for stating the obvious, Chelsea,’ I said, buoyed up by her lack of support, ‘but we’re not at school anymore. Why don’t you move on?’ I suggested. ‘Like everyone else has.’

There was a ripple of amusement for my retort and she looked thoroughly taken aback. Inside, I felt every bit as shocked by my response as she looked.

‘I was only kidding,’ she muttered. ‘It was just a joke.’

‘An old one,’ I snapped, before picking up the tray of drinks, ‘and not a good one,’ I added as I weaved my way over to the table.

In spite of my shaking hands, I’d barely spilt a drop. I felt rather chuffed by my little victory but couldn’t share what I’d done because that would lead to me having to explain the humiliation I’d suffered in school, and I had no desire to revisit either past hurts or the stupid nickname that came with them.

‘I said a half,’ Ned frowned, when I handed him the pint, but his brow cleared when I explained why I’d upped his order.

‘I don’t think we’ll be getting served again,’ I said, looking back towards the bar. ‘So, I thought I’d make the most of the landlord’s attention while I had it.’

‘Don’t worry about that,’ Theo laughed, but nonetheless he gratefully accepted the pint I’d got for him along with another for Wren. ‘I’ve got Hope on speed dial. She’ll keep us topped up.’

I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but when he whipped out his phone and his cousin appeared with four more drinks just as everyone was settling down to listen to the evening’s entertainment, I guessed not.

George, it turned out, had a wonderful way with words and by the time Sam, the landlord, and his partner, Tess, were getting ready to call time, he had held us all in his thrall for well over two hours. There had been laughter, tears and genuine fear induced by the collection of stories he had told and even though I got the impression that a fair number of the locals had heard them before, he had such a talent, he still managed to keep them gripped.

I had been so enraptured that I hadn’t noticed much of what was happening around me, but Wren’s gentle nudge brought me back to earth with a bump.

‘That was amazing,’ I told her as everyone clapped and George took a bow. ‘Although, I’m rather pleased I didn’t know about the ghosts of the lost lovers when I was growing up.’

‘Tragic that one,’ nodded Theo, who looked a little tipsy.

‘Totally,’ I agreed.

Ned nudged my other side, handed me Bandit’s lead and stood up.

‘Are you going to be all right getting him home?’ asked Wren, as we watched my companion try to negotiate the path back to the bar.

We both giggled as he failed to manage two steps in a straight line.

‘Oh crikey,’ I gasped, looking from him to the stacked up empty pint glasses on the table. ‘How many of these are Ned’s?’

‘All of them,’ said Wren. ‘And he’s not usually a more than a couple of pints man.’

There weren’t that many empties, but if he wasn’t used to more than two pints, then what was there was more than enough to make him feel every bit as tipsy as he looked.

‘Well,’ I said, biting my lip as I wondered how he’d fare with the stairs back at the lodge, ‘you did say you thought it would do him good to relax, didn’t you?’

The crisp winter air did nothing to sober Ned up and having sung a medley of Christmas classics, all out of tune, on the way home, I had a job to get the key code out of him when I pulled up at the gate. Eventually I parked the car, thanking her for getting us home, locked the gate, released Bandit and helped Ned out of his seat and on to the veranda.

‘You’ll have to let me go if you want me to open the door,’ I told him. ‘I can’t keep you upright and let us in, Ned.’

He was leaning heavily against me and it was all I could do to stay on my feet and not crumble under his weight. Not that I would have minded finding myself under him, but it was a cold night and besides, I wasn’t supposed to be entertaining illicit thoughts like those.

‘I know,’ he said, looking down at me and starting to laugh. ‘But I think I might fall over if I let you go.’

Had he not been half-cut and if it was the end of a first date, that would have been a very romantic line, but as it was…

‘How can you be this drunk on six pints?’ I demanded, starting to giggle myself.

‘I had six?’ he said, his eyes wide. ‘I’m not a drinker, Liza. That’s, what…’ He let go of me to add up on his fingers and I had to reach for him as he pitched backwards. ‘That’s three times more than I ever have.’

‘Well,’ I said, holding him steady by grasping the front of his shirt, ‘at least you still have the wits to work that out.’

I could already tell he was going to feel rough in the morning, but I wasn’t going to shoulder any of the blame. It was Theo’s fault because he had told Hope to keep them coming. And Ned’s of course, for drinking them.

‘Right,’ I said, ‘let’s get you inside and you can drink some water. It might not be a bad idea to take some painkillers up to bed with you too,’ I added. ‘For when you wake up.’

‘That’s an excellent idea,’ he said, slurring slightly and smiling down at me. ‘You’re very organised.’ He held my gaze for a second and I tried to ignore how the bewitching sight of his speckled eyes made my tummy flutter, even though they were slightly unfocused. ‘Can I tell you a secret?’

‘If you must,’ I swallowed, before hastily looking away.

‘You know before, when we were in the pub?’

‘Yes…’

‘And you asked me what I fancied?’

‘Um,’ I commented, feeling my temperature soar in spite of the cold.

‘I wanted to say you, Liza,’ he whispered as if he was confiding the biggest secret.

‘Did you?’ I gasped, thinking back to the moment.

I knew it was the beer talking, but he had looked at me a bit oddly when I’d asked the question and he hadn’t had so much as a drop then. I wondered if he really meant it and, more importantly, if he had worked out that I fancied him too.

‘I did,’ he seriously said, making more of an effort to stand on his own two feet. ‘Because I’ve fancied you from the very first moment that I set eyes on you, Liza Wynter. Even though I was freezing my nuts off because you’d set the alarm off and I had to come out in just a towel to turn it off. Do you remember?’

How could I not?

‘Vaguely,’ I smiled, ‘and, I’m sorry about that…’

The rest of what I was going to say was cut off as he stepped forward and wrapped me tightly in his arms. Before I could resist, not that I wanted to, he softly brushed his lips against mine. He pulled away for less than a second and then kissed me again, deeply this time and with all the technique I had imagined he had at his disposal. By the time we broke apart, my temperature had climbed high enough to make a thermometer pop and my body was yearning to take the moment further.

‘Sorry,’ he said, closing his eyes, which were all pupil, but just as quickly opening them again. ‘I shouldn’t have done that.’

‘Kissed me or closed your eyes?’

‘Both,’ he said, letting me go, running his hands through his hair and almost falling over as a result.

Just for the briefest moment, I felt hurt that he regretted it, but then common sense kicked in and I acknowledged that in view of everything we had going on, and in spite of the fact that I fancied the pants off him and now knew he felt the same way about me (assuming it wasn’t all beer talk), a more intimate relationship was a complication we didn’t need.

‘Well, that’s disappointing,’ I smiled, making light of it while brushing the moment off at the same time, ‘because I thought it was a decent way to end the day.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Ned drunkenly grinned, ‘I always think a bacon sandwich is a fitting end to a trip to the pub.’