Page 23 of Escape for Christmas
By lunchtime she was back home, to find Vee having made a start on the dining room and guest lounge. The bedrooms were ready to welcome guests, with a small gift of Spanishturrónnougat placed on each pillow, along with a programme of events.
Not for the first time, Sophie had butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of hosting such a comprehensive – and unusual – break. Expectations were bound to be high and she only hoped she could live up to them. Instead of a traditional tree, she’d ordered a large inflatable palm for the dining room. It was bigger than she’d expected and, even using an electric pump, it was hard work to inflate it and set it up.
‘For God’s sake don’t let the cats get their claws on that!’ Vee cried when the palm was in place.
‘I dread to think of the bang if they do.’ Sophie shuddered. ‘Must brief everyone to shut the dining-room door at all times. It does look very … celebratory, though, don’t you think?’
‘I love it,’ Vee replied enthusiastically. ‘Makes me want to put my shades on and start singing “Livin’ la Vida Loca”.’
Encouraged, Sophie unboxed the rest of the ‘tropical-pool party kit’: several inflatable parrots, beach balls and flamingos, which she blew up and arranged around the guest lounge. She could hear Vee humming the Ricky Martin pop classic in the dining room and smiled, hoping it would bring a different kind of joy to her guests.
‘I might be “anti-Christmas”, but I’m not anti-fun!’ she joked, standing back to admire their efforts. Vee handed her a mug of coffee and a cranberry brownie.
‘It’s a festive brownie, but pretend it isn’t,’ Vee told her, with a wicked gleam. ‘I made some for the kids’ last-day-at-school party, but kept a few for myself.’
Sophie took a bite. ‘This is really good; maybe I shouldget you baking for the guests too.’ She frowned at the parrots and flamingos perched over the bar. ‘Are there flamingos in Spain? I definitely don’t think they have parrots. I can’t decide whether it looks bonkers or cool.’
‘Both,’ said Vee with glee. ‘It’s hilarious. With the grief I’ve had to deal with about presents, nativity costumes and who’s cooking what and when, and with whom, on the big day, I might escape here myself.’
‘I’d love that,’ Sophie replied. ‘But that’s not a hint. I want you to have a lovely regular Christmas with your family.’
‘What is a “regular” Christmas?’ Vee asked. ‘No one has a perfect day, do they? ‘There’s always tension and stress at some point – families falling out or missing loved ones they’ve lost. I bet thousands of people would love to escape and spend their holiday drinking cocktails with a giant palm tree and an inflatable parrot.’
‘Don’t forget the flamenco troupe,’ Sophie said.
‘Are they an actual genuine flamenco troupe?’ Vee asked. ‘Are they staying in the village?’
‘They all live fairly locally. They’re a new troupe formed by the Anglo-Spanish club in Kendal. There are only six of them, and apparently they all either have Spanish heritage or are married to Spanish partners. They seemed very keen, and happy to get the guests up and dancing. I didn’t think they’d want to come out, but of course there’s very little demand for a fledgling flamenco group on Christmas Eve, especially around here.’
‘I can’t think why!’ Vee chuckled, tucking into the remains of her brownie.
Although they were new and keen, the dancers had obviously still needed a fee, which Sophie had had to factor into her prices. Her weekend would cost as much as staying in a boutique hotel for a traditional Christmas, so it had to work.
She had almost finished her brownie too. ‘We need to clear the furniture back, ready for the show. I’m thinking of putting people in two rows to create more room, with the dancers at the front. Luckily flamenco doesn’t take up much room and they only have a guitarist, not a full band.’
‘Good idea, but you’ll have to rearrange the tables for Christmas Day breakfast.’
‘I’ll manage somehow. Maybe someone will offer to lend a hand.’
‘You could always ask one of the neighbours to help?’ Sophie noticed the twinkle in Vee’s eye when she said this.
‘If you mean Brody, I expect he’ll be far too busy on Christmas Eve. The practice is open until four, and then I think he’s doing family stuff.’
‘With his mother?’
Sophie shrugged. ‘I don’t know. He hasn’t gone into detail. He just implied he’d be very busy over Christmas. I’m not expecting to see him tomorrow after the party.’
‘So youaregoing to his party tonight?’ She whistled. ‘You’re highly honoured. Only the great and good are invited to the McKennas’ Christmas-drinks do.’
‘Really? Well, I’m neither, so I don’t know why I’ve made the list.’ Sophie laughed. ‘I’ll pop in for half an hour, out ofpoliteness. It could be good for the business to do a bit of networking too.’
‘Oh, of course,’ Vee replied, putting on her serious face. ‘Nothing whatsoever to do with a certain dishy vet.’
Sophie snatched up her plate and mug. ‘Nothing whatsoever! Now I think I’d better start moving the furniture around in here for the flamenco night.’
Vee gave a mock salute. ‘Hint taken. What next?’
‘Just sweeping up the hot-tub area. And please thank Kev for doing all the safety checks on the outdoor lighting and hot tub.’ In his day job, when he wasn’t volunteering for the mountain-rescue team, Vee’s husband was an electrician, which had proved very useful when Sophie needed any work doing. Kev always found time to fit her in, at reasonable prices too. Once again, Sophie said a silent prayer for her good fortune in finding Vee and Kev. They were real diamonds.
