Page 29 of Escape for Christmas
‘Come on, I think we should check on the real VIP guests.’
Momentarily puzzled, Sophie followed him towards the stable block, where all became clear when Brody switched on the lights. They heard snorting and found Gabriel and the sheep peering over the top of a low door in his stall.
‘Hi, Gabe!’ Brody stroked the donkey’s face and he made snuffling noises. ‘Are you pissed off to be in here while everyone’s partying? Or are you glad to be out of it?’
‘Glad to be out of it,’ Sophie answered for him.
‘Come and say hello,’ Brody said to her. ‘If you want to. Gabe’s a gentleman. The sheep might be a bit harder to win over.
Sophie had never said hello to a donkey before and was slightly wary, but she wasn’t going to miss out on the chance.
‘I’m still too warm. Running around and being nice to people is hard work,’ he said, pulling off his thick overshirt.
Sophie took a sip of her champagne, noticing that the T-shirt Brody was wearing underneath showed off his toned arms and biceps. Clearly there were some advantages to manhandling livestock for a living.
Together they fed apples and carrots to the donkey. ‘Early Christmas treats.’
‘I’m sure Gabriel deserves it.’
Brody stroked Gabe’s muzzle. ‘I did keep trying to get to you and see if you were OK. I saw you pinned down by Brian from the Traders’ Association, and then Uncle Trevor was making a beeline for you.’
‘I was OK. I just needed some fresh air.’
‘Phew! That’s a relief, as I thought for a moment you’d bailed out early.’
For a second Sophie was ready with a fib, and yet there was an intensity to the way Brody looked at her that made her think he could see into her soul. Even if that was fanciful, she was sure he was far too good a judge of people not to know when someone was lying. Perhaps it was time to be honest.
‘OK, I can’t deny it, Imighthave been thinking about going home, when Harold intercepted me.’
‘It would have been alright if you had bailed out.’
‘Oh?’ she said, disappointed.
‘It would have been fine, if that’s what you really needed to do, but I’d have missed you. A lot, actually.’ He whistled. ‘Well done, Harold.’ He patted the dog, who trotted over. ‘Extra helping of turkey for you on Christmas Day. Only a small one, mind, as we can’t have you turning into a patient, can we?’
Sophie laughed and took another sip of her fizz, sensing the flame of optimism flicker into life again. ‘Thanks again for asking me. I’m glad I came. Tonight, and to the Lakes.’
‘You’ve done really well, if you don’t mind me saying so. Upping sticks to a new area and starting a brand-new business among a load of dour northerners. That’s an achievement.’
‘You haven’t been dour. Everyone – almost everyone – has been incredibly welcoming.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
‘And Imighthave seemed confident, but underneath I was a lot more nervous about embarking on a new venture than I may have looked. I thought running a guest house would help me make new friends.’
‘Joking apart, though, you’re a long way from home here.’
‘Well … maybe that’s because I wanted to be a long way from the past.’
‘Oh?’ Brody sat on a bale of hay, as if signalling that he was ready to listen.
It felt rude not to repay his attention and, besides, Sophie was in a mood for sharing. They were finally becoming something a little more than neighbours: friends and perhaps, one day, even closer than that?
She sat down next to him. ‘I chose Sunnyside for all kinds of reasons. I won’t say I was running away, because it wasmydecision to buy the guest house, although I was keen to make a completely new start after Ben and I split up.’ She surprised herself by how good it felt to finally open up a little.
‘Ben?’
‘My ex. We, er –hedecided to have an affair with my now ex-best friend, Naomi.’
