Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay

‘I know what you mean, Brenda, but isn’t that exactly why Cat should wear the dress she wants?’ Brenda’s jaw tightened as if she was biting back her next sentence. Her evil eyes bored into Nell, but Nell stayed firm. ‘I think Cat wants to be comfortable as well as look nice and this dress ticks all the boxes for Cat. Plus, she looks so elegant and drop-dead gorgeous, but still herself.’

Brenda ignored Nell again. ‘As I was saying, Catherine, you’ll only get this opportunity once. This is the one and only chance you’ll get to look so beautiful.’

Nell’s jaw nearly fell open and she could see the effect this thoughtless comment had on Cat. Her head suddenly dropped to study the hem of the skirt that she touched gently with her fingertips, caressing the fabric. Nell was just opening her mouth to defend Cat when Brenda continued. ‘And as your father and I are paying for the dress, I’d just really like you to try it on one more time and give it a second chance. Please?’

There was a slight wheedling tone to Brenda’s voice that grated, and Nell was just about to risk Brenda’s absolute displeasure by speaking up again, when to her horror, Cat slumped and, with a quiet sigh, agreed. ‘Okay, Mum.’

‘I’ll help her get changed,’ said Nell, dashing into the changing room and pulling the curtain closed behind her. ‘Are you okay?’ she whispered. Cat’s face had lost its glow. ‘If you want that dress you should have it. Do you want me to tell your mum for you?’

‘I’m not sure,’ Cat replied. ‘Maybe Mum’s right. This is my big day and I could wear a dress like that to a party. Well, not that colour or that fancy—’

‘So not actually that dress then.’

‘No. But you know what I mean.’

‘But your face. Cat, when you put that dress on, you really loved it. I could see it in your eyes. It was like it was made for you. Are you sure you want to try that other one on? Wouldn’t it be easier to just tell your mum now that it’s not what you want? She might get the hump, but she’s got time to get over it.’

‘I’m going to think about it for a bit. I don’t have to buy a dress today. I know I haven’t got much time, but I can sleep on it and ring them tomorrow.’ Cat’s voice became stronger as if she was convincing herself.

‘Okay. If you’re sure.’ Not wanting to push her, or ruin a day that should be fun, Nell didn’t argue – she was seeing Cat again tomorrow, along with Kieran and her other best friend, Tom, for a drink at the hotel. Instead, she held out Cat’s glass for her and she downed the contents. ‘Do you want another one?’

‘Yes, please,’ said Cat. ‘I think I’m going to need it.’

Nell backed out of the changing room, a heavy feeling settling on her shoulders. The change she’d just seen in her friend was astounding. She’d always been one to stand up for herself and say it straight. Hopefully, it was just a case of Cat wanting to find the right words to explain to her mum what she wanted. But as Nell knew all too well, when money was involved, life suddenly got a lot more complicated.

Chapter 2

Nell delivered a tray of drinks to the table. A lager each for Kieran and Tom, a gin and tonic for Cat and a tea for her as she was on duty. The prosecco they’d consumed yesterday had hit her mid-afternoon and she’d had to have a nap before Zoe, who covered reception for her, had left. She didn’t drink very much normally, and the bubbles had left her mind and body dulled this morning. With no guests to bother her, Nell had pottered around, ensuring the place was ready for any walk-ins and had then focused on the wedding brochure she was creating.

The day had passed slowly but now Nell and her friends were snuggled into the comfortable velvet armchairs in the lounge, the heat from the open fire burning fiercely in the large fireplace warmed the room. She pulled a thick, woollen blanket over her knees as the wind whipped around the building. Even though she was wearing her favourite enormous Seventies-style flared jeans and a big jumper, she was still a bit chilly.

Holly Lodge had been Nell’s home since she was eight years old when her parents had opened the hotel. When they’d decided to move down to Devon and open a second hotel two years ago, Nell had jumped at the chance to take over and now lived in the basement flat of Holly Lodge, next to the kitchens. Above her were four more floors; the ground floor, where they were now, was home to the dining room, and then each of the floors above had three bedrooms. Running the lodge was more than just a job to Nell: it was a way of life. Working every hour of every day was a passion, one that none of her previous boyfriends had understood. Though that passion had been tested over the last few months when everything had felt like an uphill struggle, she’d stayed focused and positive hoping the slump would pass.

A converted Victorian townhouse, Holly Lodge had the most perfect setting on the seafront. It was called Holly Lodge rather than Pebble House or something more seasidey because of the tall holly hedges that surrounded it. It could have been imposing, but the large iron gate was always pinned back, held by bright flower pots, and the sweet stone path that led to a ramp up to the front door was also lined with flowers – all of which combined to feel homely and welcoming.

Inside, she’d made the place her own since taking over. The walls were painted in heritage colours of sage-green and subtle shades of blue with a few lavenders here and there, but to add a more modern, luxurious feel, the Chesterfield sofas and wingback chairs in the lounge were mustard-coloured velvet or a bright teal covered in blankets and scatter cushions to make the guests more comfortable. Against the period features of grand fireplaces and decorative plaster mouldings this boldness worked, giving a luxurious and sumptuous feel. Where the large arced iron gate interrupted the hedge, Nell could see out to the beach where a high tide railed against the wind. It thrashed the sea, producing high white waves, and the gale shook the bright red berries nestled in the boxy hedge of prickly holly.

‘So how was dress shopping yesterday?’ asked Kieran as they sat by the wide sash window at the front of the house. The rain hadn’t stopped since yesterday and the drops drummed on the pane, racing each other down.

‘You can’t ask that,’ said Tom, taking a sip of his drink. ‘The dress is secret, isn’t it?’

Cat glanced at Nell before snuggling further into Kieran’s side. Kieran grinned down at her and squeezed her tight. His tall, sturdy frame filled most of the sofa; he and tiny, petite Cat, made an odd but endearing couple. She reached her head up and he gave her a gentle kiss. They were so adorable together, a real case of true love. Like when Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones kissed at the end of Bridget Jones’s Diary. God, Nell loved that film. She might have to watch it tonight. With the hotel empty and no need to get up for breakfast in the morning, it didn’t matter if she was slightly late to bed. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Tom watching her, but he looked away when she caught him. Maybe he was hoping for a hint from her about the dress.

‘I think I know which dress I’m going to go for,’ Cat said.

‘Which one?’ asked Nell, hoping it was the vintage tea dress and not the princess gown Cat had described as like being in a back brace. ‘It’s not the one with a wimple, is it?’

‘A wimple?’ cried Kieran, looking alarmed.

‘Shush!’ Cat motioned for Nell to be quiet then jabbed a finger playfully into Kieran’s ribs. ‘I can’t tell you now in front of him.’

Nell scratched her head and some of her hair caught in the large chunky ring she was wearing. ‘Ow!’ She unwrapped the hair and Tom leaned over to help. When she was free and he’d sat back down, she said, ‘Okay, but you have to tell me before you leave tonight.’

‘Whatever she wears she’s going to look absolutely stunning,’ Kieran said, earning himself another kiss.

Tom shook his head. ‘Nice recovery. But can you two love birds cut it out? You can snog at home. How’s the wedding fair coming along, Nell?’

As Nell turned and looked at him in the soft orange light from the fire, she couldn’t believe he hadn’t found The One yet like Kieran and Cat had. Tom was so warm and friendly and had grown into a really handsome man. His dark blond hair had been not exactly long, but definitely floppy, since they’d met at uni and though a lot of men would look weird with it now, it still suited Tom. Nell hoped it wouldn’t be long till he found someone. She didn’t like the thought of him being lonely or sad. He was too lovely for that. Nell knew that when she found The One it would be a moment she’d never forget. Love at first sight. Or at least a stirring in her heart like a thousand violins all playing to a crescendo; a choir of angels singing in her soul. She suddenly imagined a gorgeous man unexpectedly walking into her hotel needing a room and there it would be – the music, the feeling – the beginning of something special.

‘Nell?’ Tom asked again.

‘What? Oh, yes the wedding fair—’

‘She was in a daydream again,’ said Cat, teasingly. ‘What was it this time? An airport chase scene or fireside lovemaking?’

‘Actually, I was thinking about my to-do list,’ Nell lied, fiercely pulling herself back and focusing her mind on the enormous list that filled an entire sheet of A4 paper currently sitting on her bedside table. It wasn’t that Nell wasn’t interested in what Tom or other people had to say, it was simply that she couldn’t stop her mind from dragging her off to somewhere else. She’d always been this way, imagining things, picturing them in her mind. Her mum had told her you made things happen by visualising them in your head first. She and her dad had done exactly that with their dreams to open Holly Lodge and it had worked for them. And it didn’t do anyone any harm, did it?

‘What’s left to do?’ asked Tom.

‘I’ve got all the slots filled now, thanks to another caterer the assistant at The Love Heart Boutique told me about, and with just over a month to go, I think that’s pretty good. For the brochure, it’s just dressing the place and taking some photos, which I plan to do tomorrow.’

‘That’s brilliant.’

Tom had always been incredibly supportive of her ambition to run a boutique bed and breakfast and his support had only grown when times had become tougher with the opening of the Langdon Mansion Hotel. Both Cat and Tom had tried to get her to go and visit to scope out her competition, but Nell had refused. At first, she’d believed the opening of the hotel could only mean good things for her and Swallowtail Bay. For a big hotel chain to develop here it meant people wanted to visit and stay in the bay. They were becoming a tourist hotspot. Surely some of those people would want to stay somewhere smaller, maybe a bit chicer and more personal. Nell had truly believed they wouldn’t be in competition, but that they’d support each other, recommending the other when their own place was full. As the year had passed and her bookings had dropped off, she’d told herself, while watching adverts for the posh hotel appear on TV, that if she believed in herself it would all be okay, the slump would pass. She’d thought that the chic, boutique feel and top-quality service she offered at Holly Lodge would be more than enough. Unfortunately, as her place remained resolutely empty, she’d been proved wrong. But on a positive note, it had given her the push to start the wedding business.

‘I’m really excited about it,’ Nell said, hoping they were still talking about the wedding fair. ‘It’s going to be just the thing to get me back on track. I don’t expect I’ll get any bookings on the day, but if I get some enquiries and can show people what we have to offer, I’m sure something good will come of it next wedding season.’

‘We’ll be here,’ said Cat, sitting up to sip her drink, but threading her hand into Kieran’s so they were still connected. ‘We’ll be telling everyone how fab you are.’

Nell hugged her tea close to her, enjoying the warmth of it beneath her fingertips. ‘I’m sure that if I do weddings and combine them with the dinner idea Tom and I have been working on, next year is going to be better.’

‘What dinner idea?’ asked Cat.

‘We’ve been talking about opening up the dining room of an evening as a restaurant. I’m just trying to work out what food I’d offer and how much to charge.’ She looked over to the large dining room adjacent to the lounge.

The rooms were separated by bi-fold doors that she could push back so everything became open plan. The dining room was big enough to seat around fifty people on the different dark wood tables, but there were still lots of sums to do before she could say for certain it was a workable solution. She felt it was, but as a businesswoman she had to do the maths too. As much as she loved a daydream, she couldn’t do that when it came to running the hotel. What she really needed right now were more room bookings. Swallowtail Bay always slowed down in the winter season and normally, what she made in the summer would carry her through this quieter time, but with bookings being down all year, she needed to come up with something else to bring people in.

‘We really should go and see what the Langdon Mansion offer though,’ said Tom, brushing a hand through his hair. He often did it without thinking. There were a few gentle lines appearing on his forehead and around his mouth where he smiled so much. ‘I’ve been saying for ages you need to go and actually have a look around. We can get one of their wedding brochures too.’

‘I’ve already got one of those. Brenda got me one as soon as I mentioned the idea. She thought it would give me some standards to work towards.’

‘That’s my mum,’ Cat said with a sad shake of her head. ‘Ever supportive.’

Though Cat was joking, Nell sensed something more from her tone of voice and a weight behind her words. She mustn’t forget to ask her about the wedding dress before the night was out.

‘You should definitely go,’ said Kieran. ‘It’ll be good for you to see the space and what they offer. Pictures are fine, but there’s no substitute for being there.’

‘We could all go,’ said Nell.

‘Nah, you and Tom go. We’ve got wedding plans to discuss most nights.’

‘That’s true,’ Cat agreed. ‘We’re going to get busier and busier as things count down. I cannot wait to become Mrs Kieran Gleeson – or you can take my surname.’

‘I don’t mind that.’ Kieran’s chest puffed out. ‘I think Kieran Wilson sounds quite nice.’

Kieran and Cat shared another sweet kiss and Nell turned to Tom. He raised his eyebrows in a ‘they’re-at-it-again’ expression.

‘But,’ said Cat, ‘it is about time you went to the Langdon Mansion, Nell. You can’t keep pretending it’s all going to be all right in the end if you just cross your fingers and believe. You’ve taken some tentative steps, but you really need to get moving. You’re like one of my newly pregnant ladies who’re nervous of doing anything because of their babies.’

Cat was a midwife and an amazing one at that. Nothing seemed to faze her, and she knew just what to say to chivvy you along without sounding cross. At least she did most of the time. Tonight, she sounded a little stern with Nell. Was that what she’d been doing so far? If so, Cat was right, and it was definitely time to plough ahead with the dinner idea and check out her competition. ‘Okay, then.’

‘Great,’ said Tom. ‘I’ll book us a table.’

The evening went on nicely with chatter and laughter and a few reminiscences of old times, and Nell enjoyed it, but she still hadn’t had a chance to speak to Cat about the dress. At ten o’clock, when they were about to leave, it seemed desperate measures were called for and she grabbed Cat’s arm, pulling her away from Kieran and Tom who were still chatting, having only made it to the front door. ‘So, which dress is it? I’ve had to wait all evening to find out because you’ve been glued to Kieran’s face.’

‘Jealous much?’ Cat teased.

‘Completely but that’s not the point. I need to know what dress you’ve chosen.’

Cat looked away, and dread pressed down on Nell. ‘I thought I’d go for the ruffled one.’

‘The princess gown that feels like a back brace?’ Gripped by surprise and worry that Cat was letting her mum guide her too strongly over the wedding, Nell said, ‘Are you sure that’s what you want?’

‘I thought about it and I think Mum’s right that this is the most important day of my life and I should wear something that looks amazing. She said the tea dress looked like something I could wear to a party. And they are paying for it.’

‘But that’s no reason to—’

‘It’s fine, Nell. Honestly. I’ve made up my mind, okay? I don’t need you pushing me about it.’

‘Okay,’ Nell replied, shrinking back. She didn’t want to row with Cat over this or anything else for that matter. She wanted her wedding planning to be as fun as the big day. To Nell, that was even more important for brides-to-be because they often spent more time on the planning than they had on the day itself. Every aspect of the run-up should be fun. And it was Cat’s choice at the end of the day. No matter what Nell thought about it, Cat had always made her own decisions and Nell would support her. Yet, it wasn’t sitting well, and she didn’t really know what to make of it.

With the conversation finished, she said goodbye to them all and with no guests in the hotel and none expected to arrive, locked the front door and made her way to her basement flat to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary – or should it be 27 Dresses? She hadn’t had the chance to watch that last night and right now she just wanted to disappear into a world where it was certain that everything would work out in the end.

Chapter 3

November

Thursday afternoon, Tom arrived back from his lunch break to watch his apprentice, Janie, plonk a bunch of pale cream roses into the silver display bucket. The stems bounced off the bottom making a tinkling noise that set his teeth on edge. Pushing back his floppy, blond hair, he said, ‘Janie, don’t forget to treat the flowers gently. If you throw them around, you’ll bruise the stems or the petals and then we won’t be able to use them. Okay?’

Janie turned, looking like he’d just praised her to high heaven rather than told her off a bit. ‘Okay, boss.’

Tom shrugged off his thick wool coat and hung it out the back. He wasn’t very good at telling people off and really should have been firmer as it wasn’t the first time Janie had done it, but then, she was such a sweet girl and so perpetually cheerful he didn’t want to be the one to make her frown. She was still learning but was coming on well and showed a particular aptitude for the management side of things. She’d also proved incredibly responsible and given all of that, he didn’t mind waiting till the next time she did it. He’d be just a little bit firmer then, using the tone of voice he kept for Nell when she’d fallen into her own little dream world again, or become pessimistic about the hotel. It was a tone of voice he found himself using more and more as she was worried about failing her parents and running the lodge into the ground. All nonsense, of course, and he’d tell her so when they went for dinner that night. The Langdon Mansion Hotel had been so busy, this was the first reservation he could get. Just then, Janie placed a cup of tea in front of him, bringing his attention back.

‘Thanks Janie. We’ve got a few orders to make up this afternoon. Do you want to do the birthday hatbox or the new baby basket?’

Janie blew on her tea to cool it. ‘Is it for a boy or a girl?’

Tom checked his order book. ‘Girl.’

‘Then I’ll do the baby basket. I love doing girlie ones. Did they say what colours they wanted?’

Tom checked again and as he did little dots appeared in front of his eyes. He tried to blink them away, but the stubborn swimmers refused to budge until he squeezed his eyes tightly shut and opened them slowly. ‘Umm, I’ve written pinks and creams with splashes of yellow for a touch of joy.’

‘That sounds nice.’

He waited for her to say something about the blinking incident, but she didn’t seem to have noticed and was now choosing the basket and flowers that would hopefully make someone’s day.

Standing side by side, they both took a moment to assess the array of blooms in front of them. The till counter ran across the back of the shop and along one wall was a workbench covered in tools, ribbons and trinkets that he and Janie shared between them. The other wall was stacked high with silver buckets all of which contained the most beautiful seasonal flowers and foliage. Bright yellow walls made it feel like the sun was shining, even on this cold, gloomy November day. Through the large front window onto the high street, the sky above was a plethora of shades of grey. Between the dark charcoal rain clouds, smaller, hopeful misty white ones were buffeted together, losing the battle against impending rain.

Even though it was only early November, Christmas orders were beginning to come in and Tom couldn’t wait to get started. He was a big kid at Christmas and absolutely loved getting into the festive spirit, doing so as early as possible. Tom could just see himself and Janie dancing around in Christmas hats as the radio played out and they created gorgeous green wreaths, and winter-inspired bouquets with shiny red baubles. A new catalogue had arrived yesterday full of Christmas things he could decorate his bouquets with, and it was going to be a struggle not to order everything in it. The window display would be changed soon, losing the pumpkins, the warm orange roses and the all-important symbolic poppies, and gaining something festive. Something containing mistletoe and holly with ruby-red berries, and lots and lots of tinsel and giant Christmas baubles and … He could feel the excitement building and took a sip of his tea.

They settled into their normal working pattern of listening to the radio which was already starting to play Christmas songs in between the normal cheesy pop Janie loved. There were numerous cups of tea and a few moments where they assessed each other’s arrangements and made some suggestions. Janie was developing a great eye and Tom was becoming ever prouder of her as she grew and developed under his tutelage.

Just before five, Kieran popped in. His job as a gardener meant he tended to finish with the daylight, and sure enough, the sky behind him was turning a muted dark blue. Somehow the rain had stayed away, the strong winds having blown the cloud cover over them and out to sea. Though his shaved head made him look a little bit like a thug, in reality, you couldn’t meet a gentler soul, and he’d only shaved his head after going prematurely bald at 28. Without thinking, Tom ran a hand through his hair almost to check it was all still there.

‘Whatcha.’ Kieran pushed the door open and winked at Janie, coming to rest on the counter behind which Tom was fiddling about and preparing for the following day. ‘You coming to the pub, Tom?’

‘Ah, no, sorry, mate. I’m meeting Nell at the Langdon Mansion for dinner. We’re scoping out their menu.’

‘Oh, yeah.’ Kieran wiggled his eyebrows in an innuendo-laden manner. ‘Your date.’

Feeling the heat rise on his cheeks, Tom turned to Janie. ‘Do you want to finish for the day, Janie? There’s nothing else to do and if you go now you can catch the early bus, can’t you?’

Her eyes widened in hope. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Course I’m sure. You’ve worked your socks off today. Go on.’

‘Thanks, boss.’ Rushing out the back to grab her coat and rucksack, she said a hasty goodbye and made her way into the darkness.

Once she’d left, he turned back to Kieran. ‘Will you please stop doing that in front of Janie? I don’t need the whole world knowing how I feel about Nell.’ A sudden wave of panic washed over him as cold as the winter sea. ‘You haven’t let slip to Cat, have you?’

Tom always worried that with them being engaged, Kieran might accidentally tell Cat that Tom had been in love with Nell for years. The four of them had been friends since they all met at university in the nearby city of Halebury and Kieran had guessed his secret quite early on. So far, he’d managed to keep his gob shut, but Tom did worry that might change with Kieran and Cat now getting married. Married couples shouldn’t have secrets as far as Tom was concerned and he felt a twinge of guilt that he was placing Kieran in an awkward position. His fear of rejection and how uncomfortable things would be if Nell found out were forcing him to keep Kieran quiet.