Page 48 of Home This Christmas

‘So how does it feel being back in London?’

I am having lunch with Coleen in Soho, a few days before filming starts for Britain’s Best Cook.

‘Good actually. It feels energising in a different way to Yorkshire.’

‘I can imagine. You are so goddam lucky as you have the best of both worlds,’ she says, and she is right.

I decided to keep the apartment in London – my work is here after all – but I spend a lot of time in Brindleford now.

And it so lovely having a second home in the city, as Nathan and I can escape here at the weekends.

I also started the monthly blog, detailing the comings and goings of the farm, along with some delicious seasonal recipes, which is proving to be very popular with an ever-increasing following.

The building is going ahead for the luxury new home in the spring, so after that, I am hoping to make Brindleford my permanent home. But with regular visits to London, of course.

At Christmas, Nathan had presented me with a ring.

‘It’s an eternity ring,’ he had been keen to explain. ‘Just so you don’t feel trapped.’ And I had told him I was no longer that eighteen-year-old girl, and that there was no danger of that.

‘So, you will be happy to live here at least some of the time?’ he had asked, and I told him without hesitation that I would. I love him more than I would have ever thought possible.

The community hub has been a massive success too, and as Marilyn had predicted, the sale of the old library’s books has filled many of the shelves, which some of the villagers had kindly erected.

A rota of willing volunteers has been drawn up to serve coffees and cakes, with locals such as Esme often donating their own bakes.

Mum came to Brindleford too once Christmas was over, and we exchanged gifts and had a Sunday roast at the Swan Inn. She has happily become reacquainted with Marilyn and some of her old friends. And the best news? She is considering moving back here permanently, since I have taken up with Nathan.

‘I don’t think I have ever seen you look so happy,’ says Coleen as we finish our drinks.

We have enjoyed a lovely lunch and will be heading home before the evening crowds fill the streets. ‘I am thrilled that you return to London often, though; I would miss you if you didn’t.’

‘I would miss you too. And as soon as the weather is a bit better, you must come to Brindleford for a break.’

‘Ooh I will. Those country walks sound so relaxing.’

‘And there is the most amazing bakery,’ I tell her. ‘With pistachio cream-filled buns the size of boulders.’

‘Now you have really sold it to me.’

‘Did you have a nice catch-up?’ asks Nathan, when I return home.

We drove up this morning to enjoy a long weekend at the apartment, as we often do.

‘It was wonderful.’ I turn to him, and he kisses me.

‘What did you get up to?’ I ask, as I hang my coat on a stand.

‘I had a lovely look around the National Gallery actually,’ he tells me. ‘It was very interesting. There is a top-class restaurant there too; we should book a table when the boys come.’

‘Sounds good.’

I have shown Nathan around London on our previous visits, and next month we will meet his boys here and spend the weekend with them.

‘So, what do you fancy doing this evening?’ he asks as we glance at the twinkling lights across the city. ‘Fancy a bottle of wine and a film?’

‘Perfect,’ I tell him, realising that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, if you are with the right person.

Home is where the heart is, after all.

* * *

If Ruby and Nathan’s story had you completely addicted, don’t miss Christmas at Red Robin Cottage, another unputdownable holiday romance by Sue Roberts.

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