A few moments later they’d exchanged numbers and Sophie was making her way over to Vee and her family. Brody watched them embrace, before he trudged up the steps into the pub. It was then that he remembered Sophie still hadn’t said whether or not she’d be coming to the party. And, his conscience whispered, perhaps he shouldn’t want her to.
CHAPTER SEVEN
‘Thanks for the lift,’ Sophie said as Brody dropped her off outside the house. The full moon was shining through a break in the clouds, revealing snow on the high fells and the silvery lake down below in the valley.
‘You’re welcome. Oh, and if you need a lift back to your car tomorrow, I’m going down there around seven-thirty, if that’s not too early?’
‘I’ll need to get the car towed first thing, so that would be a help.’
‘OK.’ He seemed about to ask her something else. ‘See you in the morning then.’
She’d had such a great evening. Brody was not only handsome, but was a nice guy – just the type she didn’t think was out there, after the heartbreak she’d gone through. Tonight had proved that not only could she get through a festive event, but she could enjoy herself. ‘Oh and, Brody, I will try to pop in for the party. For a short time. If that’s OK?’
‘It’s more than OK. It would be good to see you there.’
He grinned before driving off with a final wave. It was much colder up on the fellside than in town and Sophie hurried towards the house. After the bright lights, festivitiesand crowds at the parade – and the company – the isolation struck her for the first time.
When she opened the door, two pairs of yellow eyes glowed in a shaft of moonlight that spilled into the hall. A flick of a switch and she blinked in the bright hall pendant light, while the cats wound themselves around her legs.
She bent to stroke them and Jingle miaowed in protest at Sophie for daring to be out of the house for so long, while Belle slipped away from her caress, turning tail as her way of showing disapproval for their mum spending a rare evening out.
‘You two! I couldn’t help being late back tonight. I’ll get your dinner now,’ she said, feeling guilty that she’d been unable to feed them their evening kibble while she’d been enjoying her hot dog at the parade. The memory of Vee’s excited kids and Brody’s company rekindled a warm glow that combated the chilly embrace of the house. She’d enjoyed the evening way more than she’d expected. Was it possible that a teeny part of her still had room in her heart for some seasonal jollity?
The kitchen was warm from the Aga as she poured kibble into the cat bowls and then turned her attention to the answerphone, which was beeping from her office. There were two messages.
The first was from Lyra, whom Sophie rang back and they arranged to meet up when Sophie went back to Stratford in between Christmas and New Year.
‘How’s the “Escape for Christmas” break going?’ Lyra asked. ‘Hold on! I need to shut the office door. Two of theguests are a bit pissed and are murdering carols in the reception area. I can’t be arsed to sort them out yet.’
Sophie laughed. She’d already had to deal with the odd ‘merry’ guest. ‘It’s all pretty good. In fact I’m now fully booked.’
‘Awesome! I’m made up for you. I think it’s a brilliant idea, and I might steal it next year if you don’t mind.’
‘Of course I don’t mind. You’ve helped me so much.’
Lyra chuckled. ‘All I’ve done is offer unsolicited advice. Now tell me more about your plans.’
After twenty minutes they ended the conversation, with Sophie feeling buoyant after a nice evening out, followed by a good chat with her old friend. She couldn’t wait to catch up in person after Christmas.
She turned her attention to the next message, which was from her mother, saying that she couldn’t reach Sophie on her mobile and asking her to call when she had a chance. Her mum must have phoned when Sophie’s battery was flat at the laundry.
Sophie curled up on her sitting-room sofa and called her mum on WhatsApp and waited for her to appear.
‘Oh, Sophie! Hold on, I’ll fetch Dad. He’s in the garage again,’ her mother said impatiently. ‘Hold on.’
Sophie sighed. It was always the same; she had to wait for them both to squash up on the sofa, so they could all see and hear each other. Yet seeing them gave her a warm glow, all the same. They’d been a major support to her during the split and afterwards, and she knew they missedand worried about her, even if she was thirty-four and a business owner.
‘Hello, love.’ Her father squeezed into the shot, next to her mum.
‘We couldn’t get you earlier.’ Her mother sounded worried for a moment.
‘Sorry, my car broke down while I was at the laundrette and my phone battery was flat, but my neighbour picked me up. Then we were stuck in Bannerdale during the lantern parade, which closes the roads, and I’ve only just got home.’
‘Boo to the truck, but hurrah for your neighbour,’ her mum said.
‘Were you actually at this lantern parade?’ her father asked.
‘Yes. It’s a tradition in the village. The children walk through the streets carrying home-made willow lanterns. Vee’s family were there too.’
