Page 39 of Home This Christmas

THIRTY-FOUR

I arrive at the train station a little early, and take in the platform, with its old-fashioned waiting room that reminds me of the station in the movie Brief Encounter.

In the summer months, raised beds that line the platform are filled with colourful flowers, earning it the honour of the UK’s best kept station for several years running.

The café is open, but I decide to stay outside sitting on the bench, as I feel like breathing in every last minute of the Yorkshire fresh air before I head back to London.

I glance at the board that tells me the train will be arriving in eight minutes, so I take my phone out and scroll through it to pass the time.

I would never have thought I would still be here – my original plan was to be in and out of Brindleford.

A part of me curses the weather, although another part of me is pleased to have made friends with Marilyn again.

And there is no denying the attraction I felt for Nathan, who seems to be taking up most of my thoughts.

With a minute before the train arrives, I heave myself up onto my crutches, when I hear someone shouting my name.

Glancing at a footbridge, I can hardly believe my eyes when I spot Nathan. He is suddenly running down the stairs and arrives on the platform just as the train pulls into the station.

‘Ruby, wait,’ he pleads. ‘Don’t leave yet.’

‘Nathan, my train is here; I must leave,’ I say, as several passengers step off the train. I know I literally have a minute or two until the train departs.

‘I don’t want you walking out of my life for a second time…’ he says, a pleading look on his face. ‘And in the same place too. Please say you will stay for a little longer.’

‘But, Nathan, I must go.’ As the passengers disembark the train, the seconds are counting down.

‘I’ll drive you to London, tomorrow if you like. Or the day after, whenever you like.’

‘I really don’t think I can, I…’

I am silenced then, as Nathan’s lips finally meet mine, and the sound of the guard’s whistle seems to mingle with the sound of the fireworks that are currently pinging around my body.

I am almost transfixed to the spot, locked in a moment that I do not want to end, before the sound of clapping brings me back to reality.

I turn to find several people cheering, and I feel like I am in the scene of a romantic movie.

‘You were saying…?’ he asks when we finally come up for air.

‘I think I might have missed my train,’ I reply, my heart beating like crazy.

When the people from the train drift off, Nathan kisses me once more, and we stand there all alone on the platform, wrapped in each other’s arms as my train vanishes into the distance. And despite my uncertainty, being here right now just feels right. Maybe London can wait a little longer.

‘So where is your luggage?’ asks Nathan as we walk to his car, my head still spinning.

I tell him all about Will offering to deliver it when he drives Henry back to London.

‘Any excuse to see you again, I’d say. I told you he liked you.’

‘He was being practical.’ I roll my eyes. ‘I couldn’t have managed my case on these crutches, and as his dad’s place is only ten minutes from me, he told me it was no problem at all.’

It occurs to me that I will need my case back, if I am to stay here a little longer.

‘If you say so.’

Once seated in his car, Nathan leans in and kisses me once more, and I feel the familiar heat throughout my body.

Despite all the reservations, I am happy that Nathan turned up at the train station, and I have to ask myself: why am I so intent on running away?

Apart from my work, what exactly would I be running home for?

Suddenly spending Christmas alone with that cheeseboard doesn’t seem quite so appealing.

I expect Nathan to take the two-minute drive to the farm, but instead he turns off onto the main road that leads away from the village.

‘Where are we going?’ I ask in surprise.

‘Just taking a detour, to get your luggage back. As you will be staying on, I guess you will need your clothes – unless you are planning on walking around naked,’ he jokes.

‘Very funny.’ I roll my eyes. ‘I was actually just thinking about that. Do you know where Will lives?’

‘Everyone knows where he lives. It’s not exactly your run-of-the-mill terrace, as you already know.’

‘I suppose so, but does he know we are coming?’ I ask a little doubtfully.

‘Does he need to?’ He turns to me. ‘As you are simply collecting your suitcase.’

‘No, maybe not.’

‘And I am saving him the trouble of driving across London to deliver it to you personally,’ he adds.

‘You’re not jealous, are you?’ I ask him.

‘No. Should I be?’ He turns to look at me.

‘Not sure,’ I say as I flick my hair over my shoulders. ‘I am footloose and fancy-free after all.’

‘Hopefully not for long,’ he says, studying my face. ‘Unless you really want to be?’

‘Not sure…’ I tease.

When we eventually swing into the driveway of Will’s house, he is just heading out through the front door.

‘Ruby!’ he says in surprise as I wind down the window of the car. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Nathan just drove me over for my luggage. It seems I am staying here a little longer.’

‘That’s great news,’ he says, as Nathan steps out of the car.

I open my car door to chat to him as Henry emerges through a side gate.

‘Hello, Ruby, love, I thought I heard your voice,’ he says as he approaches. ‘I was in the garden feeding the birds.’

‘Hi, Henry, how are you?’ I ask, delighted to see him.

‘Fine, fine. Just filling the bird feeder before I settle down to a couple of old episodes of Columbo. You can’t beat it on a cold afternoon in front of the fire.’ He smiles. ‘So, what you doing here then?’

‘It seems Ruby is staying on a bit longer,’ Will updates him.

‘Ah so will you be going to the Victorian market tomorrow?’

‘Gosh yes, I had forgotten about that… Tomorrow you say? Then yes, maybe I will.’

Will returns with my case, and I thank him.

‘Not a problem.’ He smiles. ‘Oh and if you are still here for New Year’s Eve, you are most welcome to come to my party. Both of you that is,’ he adds, turning to Nathan.

‘Thank you,’ I say.

‘So you think you might still be here on New Year’s Eve?’ Nathan asks as we swing out of the driveway.

‘I could be…’ I shrug. ‘But I guess I do have to go home sometime. So, do you fancy Will’s party, then?’

‘Possibly. Although maybe it is more exciting to be in London for New Year’s Eve?’

‘I do enjoy it,’ I confess. ‘I usually head down to watch the fireworks at the Embankment, but this year with my broken ankle, I might just view them from my apartment with a glass of bubbly.’

‘Alone?’ he asks.

‘I could party with friends, but actually, yes, I think alone this year, which I actually don’t mind… These past few days here have been a little exhausting.’

‘You don’t have to be alone,’ he says. ‘I would be happy to pop open the champagne.’

‘You would come to London?’

‘Why not? I have always meant to visit London. And what better time than for New Year?’

‘You’ve never been to London?’ I ask, surprised.

‘Strangely enough, no. I have visited lots of places in Europe, and Florida with the boys when they were younger, but London seems to have eluded me.’

‘It’s a wonderful city. I would love to show you around. When my ankle is better, that is. But I thought your boys were coming to visit?’

‘They are, but only for Christmas week. They are heading back to their respective universities in time for a big New Year’s Eve party apparently.’

I suddenly feel nervous at the thought of meeting his sons, should he decide to introduce us as anything more than friends.

‘So what do you think? You have sold me the idea of drinking champagne and watching the fireworks from your apartment…’ His eyes dance, and I can picture the romantic scene unfold in my head.

I think of my mother and Coleen, telling me how fate steps in. Now that the restaurant review is cancelled, it seems the stars are aligning.

As we pull into the vast farm, I glance around and realise once more what a success Nathan has made of his life. Who knew that we were both as ambitious as each other.

I glance at the huge green barn, currently lying empty, and wonder what Nathan will do with it eventually. Perhaps he could extend the shop even more. They could sell some of his cakes, given his baking skills.

After carrying my case inside, Nathan pours us both a brandy, and I gratefully sip it beside the fire. I am just making myself comfortable, when there is a tap on the front door.

Nathan lets an older man inside, who I can see at once is his father.

‘Hello, Ruby, it’s been a long time,’ says Ben Woods as he shakes my hand. He still has a full head of hair, now snow white, and a handsome face. He looks like an older version of Nathan.

‘It really has. How are you?’ I ask.

‘Can’t complain. Life’s been good.’ He nods.

‘Apart from when Nathan’s mother passed, then things were a bit bleak.

But we must get on, don’t we?’ He physically stands up straight and pulls his shoulders back.

‘And this one here has looked after me well.’ He pats Nathan on the shoulders and smiles.

‘So will you be joining us for Christmas lunch?’ he asks.

‘Hopefully, yes,’ I find myself saying, and a smile spreads across Nathan’s face.

‘I was hoping you would say that,’ he replies.

‘Good to see you, Ruby.’ Ben takes my hand and shakes it once more before he departs.

Nathan and I sit talking for hours, and after taking a shower, I wish I had some lounge pants to relax in. I mention this to Nathan, and he offers me a pair of his, and a long T-shirt that I gladly change into.

‘Very sexy,’ he teases when I emerge from the bedroom wearing his black joggers and the too-big white T-shirt.

‘It will have to do. But perhaps I need to go shopping again tomorrow.’

‘I’ll drive you to a bigger town tomorrow if you like…’ he offers.

‘Do you know, I think I will shop local.’ I want to support the shop on the high street again. ‘The shop in the village was actually pretty good,’ I say. ‘And I would love to go to the Victorian market.’

‘I was actually going to suggest that,’ he says. ‘I usually have a stall there, selling Christmas plants and wreaths.’

‘But not this year?’

‘No. The farm shop has really taken off, so I don’t see the need. Especially as the stall spaces are limited. I thought I would leave room for other traders,’ he explains.

‘That’s very benevolent of you.’ I smile.

‘Well, it is Christmas. Some local crafters only manage to sell their wares through local markets.’

Nathan is thoughtful too. Another quality to add to the list of his charms.

‘So, do you still see Brindleford as the backwater you left behind, then?’ he asks me.

‘I never thought that exactly… But I must admit, I am impressed with what I have seen so far,’ I tell him, realising the place has a vibrancy to it that I never expected.

We talk until night falls, when Nathan pulls me into his arms on the sofa and kisses me deeply.

‘I have just realised, I never showed you the bedroom last time,’ Nathan whispers in my ear, before he stands and takes me by the hand and assists me to the bedroom. ‘I hope it is to your liking.’

‘I am sure it will be,’ I say, feeling that familiar excitement in the pit of my stomach.

As he pushes open the door, I take in the stylishly decorated room, once more a mix of traditional and modern. The bed at the centre of the room is huge.

‘So,’ says Nathan, standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist as he kisses my neck. ‘Will it do?’

‘It will, it’s beautiful.’ I gently remove his arms from my waist and turn to face him.

‘But maybe we both ought to get some rest; I imagine you have an early start,’ I say, and he silences me once more with another thrilling kiss.

‘I’m glad you stayed, Ruby,’ he breathes.

‘Me too, but I don’t want to us to rush things,’ I tell him, half-heartedly, as my stomach rolls over in anticipation.

‘No, of course not.’ He grins.

‘Because I won’t be here forever, you do know that,’ I remind him.

‘Yes, you said,’ he mumbles, as he kisses my neck, and it feels so good.

‘Just so we are clear,’ I say, my head swimming.

‘Ever heard of taking one day at a time?’ he asks as he locks eyes with me.

‘Yes, but…’

‘Yes, but what?’ He is looking at me in such a way, I can barely string a sentence together.

‘I really can’t remember.’

‘Thank goodness for that,’ he breathes, as he closes the bedroom door, and leads me to the huge bed.