Page 34 of Home This Christmas

TWENTY-NINE

‘Wow, this is seriously nice!’ I say as Nathan puts the key in the door, and we step inside the lounge from the front porch.

The cottage is set to the left of the driveway, adjacent to a field and next door to the holiday let.

‘Thanks.’ He smiles. ‘I did have a little help with the interior design, but I did most of it myself.’ He takes my coat along with his own and hangs them on black, cast-iron coat hooks in the porch.

I don’t ask who helped him, but whoever it was has very good taste.

The cottage is a perfect mixture of traditional and modern, with wooden beams and a log burner, modern fashionable furniture and some beautiful lighting and mirrors that give the room a warm and comfortable feel.

After removing my coat and settling myself on a comfy cream sofa, Nathan heads to the kitchen.

‘Actually, I have a bottle of really good brandy,’ he says, popping his head around the kitchen door. ‘Instead of a coffee if you fancy it?’

‘Maybe a small one,’ I say, as I already feel relaxed by the two large glasses of Rioja I drank at the restaurant.

‘Coming up.’

I take a sip and feel the burn of the delicious brandy as the silky liquid slips down my throat. I can hardly believe I am sitting here in Nathan’s stylish home. I carefully position myself on the sofa and Nathan tells me to flick a switch at the side of it.

‘Recliner,’ he tells me. ‘And don’t worry, it’s a slow release.’

‘Thank goodness, I wouldn’t fancy being catapulted across the room, especially not with this leg,’ I say, and he roars with laughter.

‘Ah thank you, this is comfortable.’ I give my approval as my feet are elevated, and I nestle into a cushion. Nathan throws a log into the burner, and soon enough the room is warm and toasty.

‘Anything for you,’ he says as he sips his drink.

He is sitting on a chair opposite me, and we chat about this and that, including our parents.

Whenever he tries to bring the subject around to what I want from the future, though, I find myself talking of something else, including the planned protest for tomorrow.

‘I heard about that,’ he says as he swirls his brandy around in his glass. ‘I agree it’s a shame about the library and the park. The boys used both of them when they were little. Although there is no doubt, the village needs more housing.’

‘Maybe so, but surely there is a more suitable site. Anyway, there is a chance the decision might be reversed,’ I add optimistically. ‘If there is enough opposition.’

‘It would seem very strange without a library in the village…’ Nathan says. ‘I hope the protest has some effect.’

‘Me too. Or the village might end up with just one of those library boxes we passed earlier.’ I sigh, suddenly realising how much I am invested in the preservation of the library.

I stifle a yawn as the warmth of the room seems to wrap me in a comfortable hug.

‘Maybe I should get that coffee after all,’ Nathan says, getting to his feet.

I nod as I feel my eyes become heavy, and I snuggle into the soft cushion. It’s just so cosy here. Maybe I will just rest my eyes until Nathan returns from the kitchen…