Page 57 of Escape for Christmas
‘Oh, I see. And that’s why you decided to come here at Christmas?’
‘I can’t speak for Suzanne,’ Amber said, ‘though I’m guessing she wanted to make some kind of pilgrimage, like me. I’m on my own, since my divorce. My mother is spending Christmas with my brother and his family, but I couldn’t face the recriminations and arguments.’ She heaved a sigh. ‘Ihaven’t been feeling very festive since I found out that my perfect dad led a double life, so I decided to book in here to see if I could find some closure and forgiveness. I looked up your website and it resonated with me.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss. I can see why you both wanted to get away and were drawn to a place that had special meaning for you.’
‘I also hoped to gain some insight into why Dad led a double life all this time. Now I’m not sure.’
‘I do understand. Honestly,’ Sophie replied, having wondered why Ben and Naomi had also been OK with lying to their nearest and dearest.
Amber looked back at her half-sister’s closed door. ‘I apologise for the trouble we’ve caused. It’s not your problem to sort out. It’s ours, though I doubt if we’re going to make any progress through a locked door. I’m coming back downstairs now. I don’t feel like being alone in my room, even if Suzanne does.’
‘Good idea. You can always make a fresh start tomorrow.’
Amber gave a brief smile. ‘I shall probably go out for a very long walk.’
Sophie nodded, thinking that no one would be moving very far the next morning, judging by the drifts of snow piling up around the guest house. She’d checked the forecast, which had said that a thaw wasn’t likely until late afternoon on Christmas Day. She’d still no idea how the Nowaks would reach their family.
With Suzanne’s door still firmly shut and the tensiondiffused for now, Sophie went back downstairs to find her other guests tucking into their second helping of pavlova and sharing holiday stories.
Agatha had woken and was regaling everyone with a tale about being stranded in a remote jungle area of Papua New Guinea, where ‘the spiders were the size of dinner plates’.
Sophie shuddered.
Nico offered a bowl of dessert to Sophie. ‘Here you go. We all thought you needed it.’
‘Thank you,’ Sophie replied, realising that she suddenly felt completely knackered. The only spare seat was on the sofa next to Nico, so she perched beside him. It was now after ten and too late to deploy the quiz. Sophie allowed herself to relax and enjoy the pavlova, wondering how late her guests would stay up. Normally most would probably want to see Christmas Day arrive, but on this occasion she rather hoped they’d decide to have an early night.
Refreshed by her power nap, Agatha pointed her spoon in the direction of Sophie and Nico. ‘So,’ she said, encompassing them both in one gaze, ‘how about you two youngsters? Nico, what is a handsome young chap like you doing at a party-poopers’ Christmas break? And, Sophie, what on earth is a lovely young woman like you doing hosting such a mad affair?’
It couldn’t last long, could it? Sophie thought, filling with dread. Sooner or later she’d have been put on the spot. Did she owe it to her guests to explain? Or was it her privatebusiness? Her guests had been open and generous in sharing their stories and yet, as hostess, it was her duty to keep her personal problems to herself.
Nico saved her. ‘My answer is simple. I was meant to go home to Italy for Christmas, but a few weeks ago I found out my passport had expired.’
‘Couldn’t you get a new one in time?’ Agatha asked.
‘Yes, I thought there were passport offices where you can go and get ones on shorter notice,’ Una piped up.
‘You’re joking. Not these days.’ Nico shook his head. ‘I did try and was told I’d no chance whatsoever, so I gave it up as a bad job.’
‘Why didn’t you stay at home?’ Agatha said. ‘Or go to a friend’s? I’m sure they were lining up to look after you.’
Sophie thought this was going way beyond polite curiosity. She was about to try to change the subject when Nico said cheerily, ‘Because I’d promised a colleague that his sister and her family could have my place. They’re visiting from Australia, and it was too late to find a hotel or an Airbnb. Not that they could ever afford one. I decided it was easier to move out and find something for one person, not wanting to let them down after they were travelling all the way here.’
Sophie said nothing, yet she was still unconvinced.
‘So you found this gem?’ Hugo said, dropping his spoon in his now-empty bowl.
‘I love the Lakes, and Sunnyside’s “Escape for Christmas” came up when I was searching for short breaks in the UK.To be honest, it sounded a blast. I wouldn’t have to spend the day at a friend’s or with some distant, boring relative – which I’m sure you, Agatha, can completely understand.’
Agatha nodded.
‘I decided I could come up here. Join in with the party if I wanted to or go off walking …’ He grinned. ‘Or skiing. I wish I’d brought my skis.’
Una laughed. Sophie could have guessed that he skied. Of course he did, and probably very well.
‘You know what,’ Nico continued smoothly, ‘I think Sophie could do with a break from hosting duties. I think it’s time she relaxed. Why don’t have you a glass of wine?’ he said. ‘It won’t do any harm, and it is a special evening.’
‘I shouldn’t …’ Sophie shook her head.
