It was a three hour round trip to collect Harriet from the station at Kendal, but Krys was happy to have the extra precious time to catch up together. She’d kept herself busy over the past few days, planning how to decorate the manor, visiting the lantern parade in Ambleside and taking part in The Cock’s quiz night. Yet she was still missing Brett and longing for the company of her old friend.
Harriet emerged from the station entrance as Krys arrived, eagerly scanning the car park for a familiar face.
Buzzing with excitement, Krys jogged over and they threw their arms around each other.
‘Oh, how amazing to see you!’ Harriet was beaming as ever.
Krys hugged her. ‘It really, really is,’ she said, feeling far more emotional than she’d expected. Perhaps it was because it was the first time they’d ever been back to the scene of their first meeting. ‘Sorry it’s raining,’ she said.
‘I wouldn’t have expected anything less!’
As they drove west along the coast road, the rain cleared and the winter sun came out, turning the vast expanse of Morecambe Bay into a shimmering bowl of light.
‘This is a-mazing,’ Harriet said, her ginger ponytail bobbing enthusiastically. ‘And look at those mountains! I can hardly believe it’s the same place. It seemed a minging dump when I was little.’
‘Probably because you felt sick on the minibus,’ Krys said.
‘Yes, having to stop in a layby to throw up isn’t the best start to a holiday, not that it was a holiday.’
‘More like a sentence.’ Krys laughed. ‘We were so ungrateful.’
‘We were kids,’ Harriet said.
‘That’s how I feel again now. I’m so excited to see you. Thanks for coming.’
‘It’s me who should thank you. I’m getting a wonderful mini break in a gorgeous house with the bonus of avoiding a visit to the Snooty Outlaws.’ She squeaked. ‘Oh, is that snow on the mountain?’
‘It is,’ Krys said with pride. ‘Wait until you reach Thorndale. The tops are completely white.’
Harriet was suitably gobsmacked by Holly Manor. Krys lit a fire and they settled down in front of it.
‘It looks gorgeous. I love a bit of bling,’ said Harriet, tucking her feet under her on the sofa, holding a glass of mulled wine that Krys had bought from the market. ‘Who would have ever believed it? The two of us, here in this place.’
Krys felt more relaxed than she had for days. ‘I’d say I could never have imagined it, but I did.’
Harriet nodded. ‘Same. It’s about time we saw each other more often, but with busy lives, families, partners …’
‘Brett?’ Krys said.
‘Yes. You two don’t get much time together so I didn’t want to muscle in.’
‘Muscle in any time, whoever I’m with. Though it is nice to be able to say what we feel without anyone around.’
‘And how do you feel?’ Harriet said. ‘About Brett being away?’
‘I was disappointed and a bit annoyed at first and I do miss him but,’ Krys took a deep breath, ‘I can take care of myself. I’ve joined the local mountain rescue team.’
‘Nooooo wayyyy!’
‘Yes, way. Well, not exactly “joined”, though I have been to a couple of meetings and offered to help decorate their base for their fundraising ball. You’d have loved the last one, it was about first aid.’
‘Oh no, I’m on holiday,’ Harriet declared. ‘Please don’t tell them I’m a nurse or I’ll be roped in too.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t. I doubt we’ll bump into anyone while you’re here apart from Nikki, the Holly Manor property manager.’
‘And she’s in the MRT as well?’
‘Oh, yes. They all have other jobs, apart from Max of course.’
‘Ah Max. Now, I do hope we bump into him.’
‘Why?’ Krys asked, knowing that sly smile well.
‘Because you have mentionitis about him.’
‘No, I do not!’ Krys exclaimed.
‘Well, he always seems to creep into our conversations somehow. “Max popped in with Jake …” or “Max saved us from certain drowning” or “Max hates Christmas but he’s got a heart of gold really”.’
‘I have never said any of those things, Harriet Taylor!’
Harriet shrugged. ‘Not the exact words but pretty close.’ She topped up her wine glass. ‘You know, I would love to meet this Max.’
‘I can’t guarantee that.’
‘OK, and there’s something else that might be easier to guarantee.’
‘What?’
‘I’d like to see the Outdoor Centre. It is quite near here, isn’t it? I’ve been on Google maps.’
‘It’s on the other side of the lake to here,’ Krys said. ‘I haven’t been yet.’
‘Why not?’
She shrugged. ‘Not sure, really. Scared of how it will make me feel.’ Krys didn’t want any more intense emotional experiences after the past few months.
‘What’s there to fear?’ Harriet asked. ‘You’re a super successful career woman, doing what you love, despite a rough start.’
‘We both are. You have George and two great kids.’
‘True. I’d have been very happy if I could have seen into the future on that dark day outside the manor here.’
Krys hesitated. She’d have been very happy too, as long as the future had stopped short of Linda dying.
‘Although I had some happy times and met you and it inspired me to go for what I wanted, still, it reminds me of a past I’ve left behind me.’
‘Nothing to be ashamed of. Those times were tough and maybe you associate it with all that. Your loss is still new too, Krys. Be kind to yourself. We don’t have to go there.’
‘Do you mind if we don’t? I don’t want to waste any time revisiting it while you’re here. I tell you what, I would love to show you the mountain rescue base and we can walk there.’
With the weather crisp and dry the following morning, Krys and Harriet wrapped up and headed towards the village.
‘Those mountains. They look gorgeous. There’s even more snow!’
‘They are beautiful.’
‘It always seemed to rain when we were kids.’
‘That’s because it really did rain for a week. We’re very lucky to have some sunshine at all at the end of November.’
They had lunch in The Cock before setting off for home as the shadows lengthened, passing the base on the way. ‘I couldn’t believe how dark and quiet it was last night,’ Harriet said.
‘The sun sets by four at this time of year,’ Krys said. ‘And there’s no light pollution.’
‘It is beautiful,’ Harriet said, linking arms with Krys, reminding her of their childhood bond. ‘Now, come on, show me this mountain rescue base. You know you want to, really … and if you do, I can let you have a green Haribo.’
Smiling, Krys led her friend into the car park of the base.
Harriet blew out a breath. ‘Wow. It’s pretty smart. I’d kind of expected a shack.’
‘It’s pretty impressive though they have to do a lot of fundraising to keep it like that.’
Hector was standing by a Land Rover and shouted a hello to Krys.
Krys waved back.
Harriet raised an eyebrow. ‘He seems nice – if very tall.’
‘He’s a paramedic,’ Krys said. ‘And a drag artiste.’
‘And in the mountain rescue? What’s wrong with these people?’ Harriet joked. ‘Don’t they have homes to go to? Phew. From someone who’s in the job professionally, I am in awe that they do this for free and out in all weathers.’
They’d almost reached the manor when they met Max and Jake walking towards the village.
He managed a smile and Jake immediately ran up to them, looking for fuss which was duly given.
‘He’ll stand any amount of that,’ Max said.
‘Oh, so this is Jake, is it? Oh, a border collie! Isn’t he gorgeous?’ Harriet rubbed his ears. ‘You handsome fella. I’ve heard so much about you from Krys.’
Krys caught Max’s eye. ‘Harriet likes dogs,’ was all she could manage.
‘I do. I adore them. I have three chihuahuas,’ she said. ‘Small but very mighty.’
Max smiled. ‘I bet.’
Max chatted for a few minutes about Harriet’s journey and how she was enjoying the manor and then he left, presumably on his way to the post office or pub.
‘So that was Max!’ Harriet declared, once he was safely out of hearing. ‘He is lush. Bloody hell, Krys, you never said that.’
‘Actually I think he’s a bit scruffy,’ Krys said wickedly, silently agreeing with Harriet that Max was pretty gorgeous when he wanted to be.
‘Scruffy? What about ruggedly handsome, totally hot and brooding?’
Krys laughed. ‘Rugged and morose. Moody and a little bit strange …’
‘Oh, intriguing. I want regular reports on him from now on. You do know that he couldn’t take his eyes off you?’
‘What? Now you’re winding me up.’
‘No, I was watching him while you stroked the dog. He looked like he was wishing you’d do the same to him and he had that suppressed look of longing on his face. You know, like Mr Darcy when he’s watching Elizabeth Bennet and doesn’t want her to know he’s totally mad on her.’
Krys let out a gasp, that became a giggle. ‘That’s in a movie, not real life, and Max is about as far from being Mr Darcy as I am from being a swooning heroine in a corset.’
Harriet nodded. ‘That is true. About you, I mean, but I definitely get the Mr Darcy vibes off him.’
‘Harriet Taylor!’ Krys declared, with mock outrage. ‘If you keep on like this, I won’t crack open that bottle of champagne I’d been saving specially for you.’
Actually, she’d been saving it for Brett but as he was living it up in New York, she was bloody well going to enjoy it with her old friend.
Harriet had been back in London for a couple of days when the doorbell rang while Krys had her arms elbow deep in flour, having decided to make mince pies for the first time in years.
Having been expecting a delivery of sample garlands from a Dutch supplier, she was surprised to find Nikki and Amina on the step, shiny-eyed and smiling broadly, as if they were about to convert her to something.
‘Hello!’ they trilled together.
Nikki piped up. ‘We want to ask a favour.’
‘Another one,’ Amina added with a grin. Krys wondered how she had the ability to look absolutely stunning in the teeth of a gale.
‘Come into the kitchen,’ she said, rather pleased to have the company, while wondering what the favour might be.
‘We’ve interrupted your baking,’ Nikki said.
‘It’s OK. I was going to chill the pastry for a little while. That’s what it suggests in the recipe, anyway. Do you want a coffee?’
Nikki and Amina perched on stools at the breakfast bar while Krys rustled up cappuccinos. She was a dab hand at playing barista now.
‘I’m meant to be your housekeeper. Really, I should be making these,’ Nikki said when Krys handed over the mugs.
‘It’s your day off. Both of you, and it’s not as if I’m rushed off my feet.’
With the pastry in cling film in the fridge, Krys made a drink herself and leaned against the worktop. Behind her visitors, two tall windows looked over the garden with the fells in the distance. She thought of Max and Nikki climbing them in the dark with the MRT and Brett, horrified at the idea of Krys herself venturing up there.
‘So, how can I help you?’ she asked.
‘Remember that you mentioned that in one of your previous jobs, you used to be in charge of organising Santa’s Grotto?’ Nikki said.
‘I did,’ said Krys, cautiously. ‘Though that was a few years ago, now.’
‘Even so, you know a lot more about it than we do,’ Amina continued.
‘You see, the MRT has connections to the local outdoor centre,’ Nikki explained. ‘We sometimes give safety talks, we take the search dogs to visit and a couple of the staff there help us out on rescues.’
‘Thorndale Outdoor Centre?’ Krys echoed.
‘Yes,’ Nikki said. ‘It’s a few miles away in the next valley.’
Krys could picture it. The dorms, the boot room, the canteen smelling of overcooked cabbage and minced beef.
‘Anyway, we usually help organise a Christmas party for some of the kids who are staying and some local children too. We have games, food, a disco and a Santa’s Grotto for the young ones – though it hasn’t happened for the past couple of years, so this year we want it to be bigger and better than ever.’
‘It’s the day before the ball, though, so you might be too busy enjoying yourself with Brett,’ Amina said.
‘But if you possibly can spare the time, it would be such a boost for the centre. Most of the kids who’ll be there have really missed out on treats like this for one reason and another, so we’d like to push the boat out for them and make sure they have an amazing time,’ Nikki continued. ‘Sooo …’ She shared a glance with Amina, who took up the thread.
‘We kind of wondered if you’d decorate the place and help us organise it?’
‘I know you’re already helping at the base but this is probably even more important,’ Nikki added.
Krys had been on the alert for the request since the words ‘Santa’s Grotto’ had been mentioned; even so, it sounded quite a challenge. She’d always had big budgets and suppliers to call on and with that kind of support, it was relatively easy to make a place look amazing. Here, she’d have no professional resources and certainly no budget. She’d already called in a lot of favours and gone on the scrounge.
However, lack of budget wasn’t the only reason why she was prevaricating. ‘I haven’t been in charge of running the grotto for a few years now. When I worked for the garden centre chain, I did order the decorations.’
‘You know more about it than we do.’
Their faces were so hopeful and Harriet’s words came back to her: What have you got to fear? You’re a super successful career woman, doing what she loves, despite a rough start.
‘I wouldn’t want to raise your expectations too high, or the children’s hopes …’ Krys said warily. ‘Or the staff’s.’
What if Miss Braithwaite was still in charge? Even after all these years, she wasn’t sure she could work with the woman – or for the woman, even as a volunteer.
‘Um. You said the staff sometimes work with the MRT. Is it anyone I know?’ she asked, angling for an answer.
‘It’s Jo and she’s lovely. She’ll just be ecstatic that a professional is stepping into the breach. If you’re too busy, though, please do say. We know you’re already committed to help with the ball.’
Krys’s heart sank but seeing these two expectant faces in front of her, it was going to be almost impossible to say no. What kind of a person was she if she couldn’t agree to help out a kids’ party? They were probably children just like she’d been, longing for a bit of sparkle to brighten up tough times. Amina and Nikki gave so much time to the MRT team. It would be something else to throw herself into now that she’d be at a loose end until Brett’s return.
‘Of course, we don’t want to disrupt your break,’ Amina said. ‘You and Brett deserve some time together.’
‘Brett’s not here at the moment. He’s had to make an unexpected trip to New York and won’t be back for a while.’
‘Unexpected trip to New York. How glamorous,’ Amina said.’ I wish someone would beam me out of the post office to New York.’
‘He will be back for the ball, though, won’t he?’ Nikki asked.
‘Absolutely,’ said Krys. ‘OK, I’ll help if I can.’ Her mind was already whirling with how she could possibly stretch the decorations for two events.
‘Hurrah! Thank you so much,’ Amina said.
‘And the good news is Jo says there might already be some stuff for the grotto,’ Nikki added brightly.
‘That’s good,’ Krys said, trying to focus on the positives and sweeping aside her misgivings.
‘You might want to take a look at them though; they’ve been in storage for a couple of years.’
‘OK,’ she said, wondering where she could scrounge even more decorations for two large spaces including a Santa’s Grotto. She was owed a few favours, she thought, maybe she could call them in. She’d been a good customer of several large decoration suppliers. They might have some display samples or damaged stock. A thought suddenly occurred to her.
‘This grotto. Who’s going to play Santa?’ she asked, praying that wouldn’t be part of the deal.
‘Oh that’s easy!’ Nikki piped up. ‘Hector does it. He’s incredible. Even we don’t recognise him.’
She gave an inner sigh of relief. ‘I’d like to see that.’
A while later, Krys closed the door and took a few deep breaths. Her Christmas holiday was turning into anything but a holiday, in every sense of the word.