Page 22 of Home This Christmas

SEVENTEEN

‘Well, it has been lovely staying here, June, thank you for everything.’

I am at the reception desk settling the bill for my stay here at the Swan.

‘You’re welcome. It’s been lovely having you here,’ says June warmly. ‘You should come back in the spring. The daffodils will be out then, and it’s a gorgeous walk into the next village from here – but of course you already know that.’

‘You never know,’ I say, yet doubting I will return.

I know that walk like the back of my hand, I think to myself, as I imagine turning right at the church, and onto a public footpath, flanked by open fields.

The route passes the remains of an old mill before heading into slightly hilly terrain.

After walking for around an hour, and passing a farmhouse en route, the distant view of the cove at Malham can be seen.

The farm in question is Hope Farm, the home Nathan grew up in.

‘And I agree, that walk really is beautiful in spring,’ I say.

Thankfully, the trains are up and running today and I have booked my ticket for the two o’clock train, which will give me time to say my goodbyes to everyone.

I wasn’t expecting to connect with people enough to have to do a round of farewells.

It’s a bittersweet moment – maybe I should suggest I’ll come back next year to judge. I could even bring Coleen.

As I pack my things into my small suitcase, glad that I brought a couple of extra outfits, I feel a little guilty that I was unable to find out any more about Will’s plans to build in the village, or indeed offer any more support to the campaign.

But Marilyn will be the voice of the people when she finds out for sure, which she tells me she will put all her energy into, once Christmas is over.

I am about to head out, when as if breaking into my thoughts, Will calls.

‘Will, hi, how are you?’ I ask.

‘Good, good. I was just wondering if you were still up for meeting this morning?’ he asks. ‘I heard the trains are up and running.’

‘I am booked on the two o’clock. This afternoon, so sure, why not?’

‘Great. And it’s good news about the trains. For you at least. If you had been around tomorrow I would have suggested going out for a drink.’

‘Oh that’s a shame,’ I find myself saying.

‘So you would have said yes?’ he asks. Speaking to him reminds me that he has rather a sexy voice.

‘Yes,’ I tell him honestly. It would have given me the chance to find out more about his building plans. Plus, being with him certainly takes my mind off Nathan.

‘Then perhaps you have time for a bit of a country walk before you leave, instead of coffee at the hotel…?’ he suggests. ‘I know a little café, newly opened, that does the best hot chocolate.’

‘Hmm. Yes, I guess I could. I need to say goodbye to Marilyn and Gerard at the church, though, so maybe in around an hour?’

‘Perfect. Although actually, when I say café, it’s more of a wooden hut really, but it does have outdoor furniture.’

‘In this weather?’

‘Fair point. We can always grab a takeaway, keep us warm as we walk.’

‘Sounds good. See you later, then.’

Before I head off to see Marilyn, I suddenly think of Henry and decide to give him a call. I would love to meet up with him when he returns to London.

‘Henry, hi, it’s Ruby,’ I tell him when he picks up.

‘Ruby, oh hello, love, how are you?’ he asks warmly.

‘I’m good, Henry, yourself?’

‘Oh aye, I’m fine, love, just back from a nice walk actually, got to keep moving at my age, although my jogging days are over.’ He laughs.

‘I was just calling to let you know that I’m leaving Brindleford today. I have your number, so maybe we could meet for a coffee in London sometime?’ I suggest.

‘I would like nothing more.’

‘Great, I will look forward to that, then.’

‘Me too. You Have a good journey,’ he says before adding, ‘Oh, and didn’t that lad of mine say he was meeting you this morning?’

‘He is, yes; I am just off to say bye to a couple of people first.’

‘Well, bye, then, Ruby, but there is just one more thing,’ he adds before he ends the call.

‘What’s that?’

‘I’ll meet you for a cup of tea, not coffee.’ I can imagine him grinning on the other side of the line.

‘You’re on. I might even buy you a teacake to go with it.’

‘Now you’re talking.’

When I hang up, I remind myself that new connections can come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe it’s time I opened myself up more to the possibility of having more friends in my life.

‘For the journey,’ says Penny, handing me some chocolate croissants when I pop in to say bye. ‘And I was serious about giving you a job, should you decide to stay.’

‘Good to know, and thanks,’ I say, raising my bag of goodies. ‘See you around, take care, Penny.’

‘You promise you will come back for the Easter service.’ Marilyn is clutching my hand as I prepare to leave. ‘And it would be wonderful if you could persuade your mum to come too…’

‘I will try my best, Marilyn. You know, I think if she came here, she might remember the good times. And what a wonderful friend you were.’

I truly believe that. It hasn’t taken long for me to be welcomed into the tight-knit community.

‘That’s very kind. We never parted in a bad way; she just moved on, I guess. I know she found it painful being in the house without your father. All the same, it would be lovely to see her.’

I hadn’t really appreciated that Mum might have found the house too quiet.

We are standing outside as a group of volunteers are salting the footpaths between the graves and clearing away any ice and snow with a shovel, to make them less treacherous. Marilyn has just handed out hot drinks to the grateful workers, who take a break from their hard work.

Just then Gerard appears from the church and wraps me in a hug. I feel so happy that Marilyn and Gerard found each other. They are two of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

‘Don’t be a stranger, young Ruby,’ he says, giving me one last squeeze goodbye. It makes me smile that he still calls me young Ruby.

‘I won’t be,’ I reply, wondering if I really mean it.

‘I will do my best to return at Easter and let’s hope Mum will join me.

’ Although I don’t really hold out much hope.

Mum seems to have closed the door on the chapter of her life that involved living here in Brindleford.

Still, you never know. ‘And I’ll keep in touch, of course, as I will want to know all about the library situation,’ I tell Marilyn, who gives me one final goodbye hug.