Page 81 of Escape for Christmas
‘Maybe she’ll be glad to have some time to herself,’ Brody replied. ‘She’s used to looking after herself.’
Tegan frowned. ‘You sound as if you know her well.’
‘Notthatwell.’ He gave a yawn, trying to change the subject, hating how Tegan was making assumptions about Sophie, but knowing it was raising her suspicions to keep defending her. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m knackered. I need a shower, then I have to get some decent sleep in case I’m called out overnight. The snow’s melting now, so I’d have no excuse for not attending.’
Tegan rolled her eyes. ‘Not that you need an excuse – I know you love your job. You couldn’t stop helping people if you tried.’
That was his problem, she’d told him the other day. He was too kind and, by implication, a soft touch.
‘Brody? Are you sure you’re OK?’
He saw she’d put her hand on his arm and had a tenderness in her expression he hadn’t expected. It was a waste of time to dwell on bitterness and anger. The past was the past and they needed to pull together to get through the next few weeks.
‘I’m fine, apart from being tired,’ he managed. ‘Thanks for what you did today. It can’t have been easy entertaining a bunch of strangers and missing out on your parents’ special day.’
Tegan paused on the threshold of the doorway. ‘It’s weird, but now I’m back, sleeping under the same roof as you, it’s almost as if nothing has changed between us.’
Brody replied with the very briefest of smiles. On thecontrary, he felt as if his whole life had been turned upside down in just a couple of days. And after they’d got through tomorrow’s celebrations with her parents, he was going to find out exactly how much longer it would be until they could come clean.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sophie was busy preparing the Boxing Day breakfasts – though not much prep was required, as the meal consisted of fruit loaf, cake and juice – when the power came back on.
With a little ‘Hurrah’, she immediately put the kettle on to make some tea and coffee. While her guests had been very tolerant about their makeshift breakfast, she knew how much they’d be missing a hot drink. She was desperate for caffeine herself.
She went into the dining room to find Amber and Suzanne sharing a table and chatting quietly, which was definitely one of the silver linings of the past few days. Hiding her surprise, she silently crossed her fingers that peace might have broken out. She served the drinks and apologised again for the lack of a hot breakfast, promising that she’d go out for fresh supplies for supper and the following morning’s breakfast as soon as the supermarket opened in Windermere.
The mood was cheerful, with everyone making plans for the day, now that the snow had thawed enough for people to get out and about in their cars. Straight after breakfast Una, Hugo and Agatha headed to a local National Trust property. Nico had gone out alone, while Suzanne and Amber had left for a walk – together.
Sophie returned to the kitchen to run the dishwasher, tidy up and write a list of supplies needed to replace all the lost food. She had more than enough to do, and yet her thoughts turned far too often to Brody.
She’d felt sorry for him at times on Christmas Day. It was clear he’d found the day as awkward as she had and when they’d opened the door on the attic full of family possessions, she’d thought he seemed weighed down by the memories. On the other hand, Sophie had felt even more sorry for Tegan, who was clearly besotted with Brody and worried sick about her father.
That’s where they’d be today, she thought, stacking the final few plates in the dishwasher. They’d be at Brody’s future in-laws soon, to enjoy the traditional family Christmas that he and Tegan had missed out on.
‘Need a hand?’
Sophie had just pushed the button on the dishwasher when she found Nico hovering at the door of the kitchen, a large camera and lens cradled in his hands.
‘Thanks, but everything’s sorted now. I’ve finished here and I’m going off to the village to get some fresh food.’
‘It’s a shame the power cut ruined your plans for yesterday,’ he said.
‘I’ll have to consider getting a generator, like at Felltop.’ She almost said, ‘like Brody’.
‘Might be a good idea.’
‘How was your walk?’ she asked.
‘Good. I got some decent shots of the fells. Though I could hardly fail, given what’s around me.’
Sophie was glad to see Nico look happy, rather than giving his usual arch smile. He certainly made a decorative addition to the kitchen.
‘It’s stunning, isn’t it?’ she said. ‘When I first moved here, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I’ve even learned to love it in the rain.’
‘Even so, it was a big step. I read on your website that you only bought the place in the spring.’
‘Yes …’ She paused, unsure why he wanted to bring this up.
