‘And that brings us to the end of our programme,’ said Suzie, who was leaning casually up against a potting bench, dressed in jeans, tee-shirt and a snug fleece. ‘Next week we’ll be taking a look at the old gardener’s cottage and planning the planting for the courtyard, as well as looking at what Matt’s got in store for the inside. And I’ll be off to look at some of the stunning gardens in the Scilly Isles. So join us if you can here at Crowbridge, same time, same place.’
In the sitting room of their house, as the titles began to roll, Suzie leant over and pressed the off-switch on the DVD remote. She sat back. ‘So,’ she said. ‘There we have it. What do you think?’
Megan, who had been sitting on the floor in front of the fire, leapt up and burst into a spontaneous round of applause, quickly joined by Simon and Hannah, who added in a couple of whoops for good measure.
‘It’s really good, Mum,’ said Hannah sagely. ‘I really liked it.’
It was late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Outside it was almost dark and they were all curled up around the fire to watch the pilot of Suzie and Matt’s TV show.
‘Ace,’ said Simon approvingly.
‘Fantastic,’ said Megan.
Liz shook her head. ‘I hate to say this, but it’s brilliat: make-overs, cookery, grow your own, gardening tips, travel ideas – damn it, Suzie, you’ve managed to include every saleable trend from the last decade,’ Liz said as she raised her glass of designer water. ‘How about a toast? Here’s to the famous fabulous television sisters and your programme being a roaring success.’
Suzie blushed furiously.
‘Hear! Hear!’ seconded Sam and Max.
‘I think we should maybe break out the champagne,’ said Sam, heading toward the kitchen.
‘I’ll clear a space for the glasses,’ said Suzie, tidying the coffee table.
‘You know I’m helping out down there part time now,’ said Sam conversationally as he came back in. ‘And I’m loving every minute of it.’
Liz raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? At the gardens?’ Sam nodded.
‘What about the factory?’
‘I’m taking voluntary redundancy in the New Year. It’ll give us a decent lump sum and Suzie and Matt really need someone at the gardens to sort out the business, the logistics, marketing, staff, the whole shebang really, so I’m starting there in January as general manager.’
‘Working together?’ said Liz incredulously.
‘Don’t say it like that. Sam and I make a great team,’ said Suzie, grinning at Sam. ‘We always have and given the choice between taking on an unknown quantity and taking on Sam, I’d be mad not to grab him with both hands. He’s got all the expertise we’ll need to help grow the business.’
Sam laughed. ‘Not to mention being cheap.’
Suzie slapped him playfully before turning to Hannah. ‘Hannah, would you please go and get the champagne flutes? Oh, and while you’re there, get yourself and Simon another can of Coke if you want one.’
Hannah nodded. ‘Is it all right if I have some crisps?’
Suzie nodded. ‘Sure, there are some in the pantry. Oh and some Christmas cake too if you’d like some.’
‘I’ll give you a hand,’ said Simon, getting to his feet.
Suzie watched Simon follow Hannah out. Between them Suzie and Sam had sorted out an awful lot of things since the anniversary party: the first being making the time and the effort to start talking to each other again – and not just about what they were doing, but how they felt.
Hannah had settled down and was doing well at school again, and although she wasn’t always easy, she was a million times better than she had been. Sadie and Tucker seemed to have faded out of her life and Simon, gangly and funny and lovely to have around, had crept in and it didn’t take a genius to see that he was a good influence.
Megan had grown two inches since the summer and was changing fast from little girl into little woman, but so far was cannily avoiding the pitfalls that had beset her older sister.
Suzie and Sam were still working life out, both realising that they had been horribly close to throwing away something very special. And now Sam was going to join Suzie in her grand passion. When Suzie and Matt decided they needed someone full time and hands-on to make the most of what they’d got down at the garden, it had been Matt who had suggested Sam for the job. Once he had, it seemed like a natural choice and Suzie had backed the decision all the way.
‘Mum’s hoping that we’ll all go to the midnight carol service with her tonight,’ said Suzie, ejecting the DVD and popping it back into its case.
Max got up to throw another log on the fire. ‘You know, it looks like it’s going to snow,’ he said, peering out of the window.
‘It’ll be lovely if it does,’ said Suzie. ‘We can all walk to church.’
‘Wouldn’t it be nice to be snowed in?’ Liz said dreamily.
‘Not with you it wouldn’t,’ said Sam, topping up their glasses. ‘Bloody hell, we have enough trouble getting into the bathroom as it is.’
It was almost exactly a year since they had sat around the fire and planned Jack and Rose’s surprise party. No one could have guessed what an impact it would have, nor how much things would have changed since then.
Suzie glanced up at the mantelpiece as Sam opened the champagne. This year there were cards from her new sisters, Nina and Helen, in pride of place, and a bright newsy letter about Helen’s engagement and how Nina’s new job was going. There was also one from Janet and Tony and alongside that another card in the shape of a palm tree hung with baubles from Fleur and Frank, standing beside an invitation to their wedding.
Sam made his way over to the sofa where Max and Liz were sitting. Liz held her hand over the top of her glass. ‘Not for me.’
‘Oh come on,’ said Sam. ‘One’s not going to hurt you. You’ve been on water all day. It’s not because of your famous dermatologist guy we’ve all been reading about in the papers, is it?’
As he said it, Suzie caught the look that passed between Liz and Max and felt her jaw drop.
‘No?’ Suzie whispered in surprise and delight. ‘You’re kidding me?’
Sam looked bemused. ‘What is it? What did I say?’
‘Not you,’ said Suzie, waving towards the sofa where Max and Liz were sitting. ‘Those two. Tell me I’m wrong.’
Liz threw back her head and laughed. ‘Trust you to guess. We were going to keep it a secret and tell everyone tomorrow at lunch.’ She paused and took a deep breath. ‘Yes, we’re going to have a baby. There I’ve said it now. Isn’t it brilliant?’
‘Oh my God,’ said Suzie. ‘I can’t believe it, that’s the most wonderful news.’ Then she pulled a face. ‘What about the big white wedding you always told me you were going to have?’
‘Give me a break, I was six,’ protested Liz.
‘How did you know?’ asked Sam in amazement.
Suzie grinned. ‘It’s something to do with being sisters.’
‘So are you going to get married?’ asked Sam.
Liz smiled as Max said, ‘Actually we already are, we nipped off as soon as we found out about the baby. But before you get all upset about it, Liz thought we’d have a big white blessing next year, once the baby’s here and we’ve had a chance to plan.’
‘And invite everybody,’ said Liz. ‘I’m already trying to arrange it. I was thinking maybe we should try and talk Mum and Dad into getting married too – it’s high time Dad made an honest woman of her.’
Suzie groaned. ‘Remember what happened last time we tried to organise a party?’
Liz looked fondly at her husband. ‘I found Max,’ she said.
‘So will your big white blessing be included in Hello! magazine?’ Suzie said. ‘If so, I’m thinking we’re probably going to need a bigger marquee.’
Liz shook her head. ‘No. We were thinking just family and friends – all of them,’ she said, nodding towards the Christmas cards. ‘Time Nina and Helen got to know what their big sisters are like.’
‘Well, I couldn’t be more pleased for you,’ said Sam. He handed her a champagne flute. ‘You can have one glass, surely?’
Liz glanced at Max. ‘Maybe just a little one.’
‘I can’t wait to be an auntie. It’s the most wonderful news,’ said Suzie.
‘It certainly is,’ said Max, eyes bright, as he took Liz’s hand. ‘And you know what? We’re having a boy.’
Suzie looked at him incredulously. ‘No. That can’t be right? No one in our family ever has a boy.’
Liz giggled as she gently stroked her stomach. ‘Well, we’re going to start a new trend.’