The Christmas Spirit Page 6

  Stanley stood, his mouth agape, then meekly preceded Cathy into the building. She ushered him down a corridor until they entered a large, airy room, with a vaulted ceiling. The building had originally been listed and had previously belonged to the church. True enough, two men sat playing cards; rummy.

  ‘This is Angus,’ Cathy said, indicating a portly gentleman of around seventy wearing a heavy cable knit navy sweater and grey trousers.

  ‘Hello,’ Angus raised his hand in greeting, careful to shield his cards from them all.

  ‘And this is George.’ Cathy pointed out the other man, who wore an immaculate white shirt with a chocolate coloured waistcoat, and trousers of a slightly lighter shade. The most notable feature about him was his enormous handlebar moustache, which gave him the air of a sergeant major.

  ‘Nice to meet you.’ George shook his hand; such a firm grip, Stanley noticed.

  ‘I’m Stanley,’ he almost whispered, then louder, ‘Stanley Winters.’

  ‘Winters, is it? That’s a great name for now, with all this snow.’ George let out a hearty laugh.

  Stanley smiled, ‘Aye, it is.’

  ‘So, do you play rummy?’ Angus asked him.

  ‘It’s been a while, but I did play, back in the day.’

  ‘When was the day?’ cackled George, easily amused.

  ‘I often ask myself that, but I think I’ve decided now is the day.’

  ‘Oh, this should be interesting. Were you any good?’ asked Angus.

  ‘I wasn’t bad,’ Stanley admitted. ‘Above average.’

  ‘Oh well, we like a bit of competition here, don’t we, George?’

  ‘Aye, we do that. Sorry, just a sec. Have to get important matters sorted first. Cathy?’ George beckoned her over. ‘What’s for lunch today?’

  ‘It’s pea or lentil soup and then roast beef Stirlingshire with roast potatoes, parsnips and baby carrots, or gammon steak, pineapple and fried egg.’

  ‘Ooh, I do like the roast beef,’ Angus licked his lips.

  ‘Yes, but they don’t serve the food hot enough for my liking,’ George grumbled.

  ‘Well, at least they’re heating the plates up now, as per your request,’ Angus pointed out.

  ‘Small mercies,’ George conceded.

  ‘The food’s good,’ Angus divulged, ‘But I agree with George, I’d like it a bit warmer. We think someone sued them in the past for burning their tongue on their lunch.’ Angus laughed at his own comment.

  ‘Aye,’ said George. ‘It was probably on Scotland Today - pensioner burns tongue.’ The pair of them had a fit of the giggles, as Stanley looked on, bemused.

  ‘So, Stanley, tell us a wee bit about yourself before the others arrive. We like to be in the know.’

  Happy to have made two acquaintances already, Stanley settled back in his chair and shared a few snippets of his life with the two men.

  Bustling around, trying to get everything ready for the club, Cathy came into the hall and saw that the three men were deep in conversation. As she’d been asked, Cathy dialled the number she’d been given, waited for the person on the other end to pick up, then introduced herself and said, ‘Stanley’s here and I think he’s going to be just fine.’

  Natalie thanked Cathy, replaced the receiver, and allowed herself a Cheshire Cat-like smile.

  Fortunately the presentation went exceptionally well. Sophie somehow held her part together, even though she felt she might faint at any minute, and by the end of the meeting contracts had been verbally agreed. For some in this business a handshake was enough; with others weeks passed waiting for approvals to go through. Sophie couldn’t fault Meredith’s presentation, as Meredith couldn’t fault Sophie’s research. They would achieve so much more if Meredith wasn’t such a control freak, an out-and-out bitch, and if she actually valued her. If she didn’t thank her for today and for coming in when she clearly wasn’t fit to work, Sophie was looking for a new job come the New Year.

  She was happy to be sent out to the bakery today for two reasons, not least that she wanted to get away from Meredith. As she walked the short distance from the office, Sophie thought with a smile of the other reason.

  A woman with a buggy was struggling to open the door to Sugar and Spice when Sophie arrived.

  ‘I’ll get that for you,’ she said, going ahead of the woman, opening the door and giving her baby boy a big smile and a hello handsome, as they passed her.

  It was such a relief to be out of the office and Sophie was glad the presentation was over. Everything for months had been building up to it and now they had won the contract. If Meredith was a normal boss, they’d be cracking open the champagne and celebrating. But all Meredith did was tell her to go to the bakery, although unusually she had asked for caramel shortcake - deviating from her habitual carrot cake.

  Maybe she’s lightening up - yeah, right.

  Jacob smiled when he saw Sophie come in. He had been wondering if she was better, as he enjoyed talking to her and was keen to let her know he’d met Cruella. When she turned to face the counter, he almost gasped. She looked terrible. Her eyes were sunken, had dark shadows under them, and she was wheezing.

  ‘I heard you were sick. You don’t sound better to me,’ Jacob said to Sophie, concern apparent in his voice.

  ‘I’m not, I feel dreadful, but we had this really important presentation today and I wasn’t able to get out of it.’

  ‘Can I take it Cruella made you come in?’

  ‘Yes, did you meet her? Lovely, isn’t she?’ Sophie coughed into a handkerchief. ‘Sorry, I’ll be out of here as quick as I can,’ she said, seeing the worried glance from the mother with the baby.

  ‘She was quite something,’ Jacob agreed, ‘Charm personified. It was clear she missed you,’ he said loyally.

  ‘I’ll bet. More like she missed her gopher.’

  ‘That’s probably true,’ said Jacob. ‘She really is a piece of work, a nasty woman altogether.’

  ‘Anyway, what did you to do to her? She’s asked for caramel shortcake instead of her usual carrot cake.’

  ‘Nothing. I didn’t speak to her. It was Natalie who dealt with her.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know what she said or did to her, but the fact she’s ordered something different is proof she can change. Where’s Natalie? Can you ask her to talk to her again? Maybe Meredith will stop being a bitch!’

  ‘I don’t think her powers are that far-reaching,’ Jacob laughed, ‘but I’ll let her know about the positive impact she’s had on Meredith’s ability to choose cakes.’

  ‘Do, please. This is a real breakthrough,’ Sophie said, as Jacob handed her the cakes and Sophie took out her purse. ‘OK, better get back to it, see you on Monday, unless Cruella has me in over the weekend. God, I hope not.’

  ‘Get some rest, and hope you feel better. See you Monday,’ Jacob called after her as Sophie left the bakery.

  Thank God that’s over, thought Meredith, breathing a sigh of relief. Sophie had come through for her, as she’d known she would. She knew the girl looked awful and she had told Sophie to touch up her makeup before the presentation started, to try to hide the dark circles around her eyes. She couldn’t have her in the boardroom resembling someone from The Corpse Bride. And that terrible cough - well, she had an awful cough, too, but she managed to hide it, so she’d warned her to minimise the coughing.

  The Xanders board had lapped up everything she had told them, and she had known they would award her company the contract by the time she had reached slide three. She really did leave nothing to chance. What she lacked in her personal life, she made up for in her professional one. She’d buy a more expensive bottle of wine tonight to celebrate. The adrenalin coursing through her veins made her feel temporarily better. Sophie wasn’t the only one who was feeling unwell.

  Meredith picked up her mobile and rang Amelia’s number. She liked to keep her sister appraised of her success.

  Chapter Eleven

  7th December

  ‘
Are you sure this is the address?’ Hannah asked Rebecca, eyeing the building uncertainly. Piles of rubbish lay outside; clearly the bin men hadn’t been for a few weeks. An old car with stuffing coming out of its leather seats lay at one end of the front garden, and four cats, no five, swaggered around the outside of the building as if staking claim to it.

  Rebecca was terrified of cats. ‘I can’t go in there. We’ll have to phone and cancel.’

  ‘Somehow I don’t think it was going to be for you, anyway,’ Hannah soothed her rattled friend.

  They drove immediately round to the next viewing, which was an open house. A few other viewers milled around, murmuring to each other about what they liked and disliked. At least this one didn’t look scary at first sight. Yes, it would need a little TLC, but for the most part it ticked all the boxes, i.e. it was under £500 a month, was furnished, and was relatively clean. The view out to the bing wasn’t the most attractive, mind you.

  The next property initially seemed OK, but then Rebecca noticed an odd smell. As she sat on the sofa, she noticed something flutter past her feet. A moth? She couldn’t stand moths. Hannah lifted up one of the sofa cushions. It was riddled with dead moths. Rebecca ran out of the house. Hannah found her throwing up into a patch of snow.

  ‘How can these properties be so misrepresented online? Not one of them is habitable.’

  ‘Well, the one before the moth-infested one was OK.’ Hannah tried to be fair.

  ‘Don’t. Don’t mention this visit again, ever, or I might be sick again.’

  The next property was in the centre of town, so Rebecca parked her Citroen Saxo, and she and Hannah climbed the stairs to the second floor flat. It was a new build, higher in price than she had hoped to go, but after this morning’s nightmares, Rebecca was prepared to view anything, even stately homes and castles.

  The rooms were small, but clean and brand new. Rebecca couldn’t say she’d warmed to the place the way she had her own flat. It was neutral, so she’d be able to put her own stamp on it, although if she did go ahead with renting it, she’d have to ask in advance if she’d be allowed to modify anything. Most landlords, she understood, were happy to let you decorate or remodel as long as you put things back the way they were originally, before you moved out, or if you were improving the property.

  Deciding she had had enough for one morning and since they were in the centre of town anyway, Rebecca suggested to Hannah that they nip into Sugar and Spice to try one of the cakes.

  ‘Seriously, they’re to die for and there’s a sweet guy there, who’s right up your street.’

  ‘Sweet,’ said the unattached Hannah, ‘Does that mean he’s as ugly as sin?’

  ‘Not at all, the exact opposite, quite a hunk.’

  ‘Lead the way.’ Hannah pushed her friend forwards, promise of a good-looking man apparently reason enough for her.

  As they entered the bakery, Rebecca saw that it was much busier than during the week, the café was full, not a single free table. Just as she turned to head back out, wondering where else they could go that wasn’t too far a walk, she heard a voice say, ‘Table number five’s free now,’ and turning, she saw the boy from the other day smiling at her.

  ‘Thanks,’ she grinned at him. ‘Hannah, over by the window. That couple’s just leaving.’

  Hannah nabbed the table, whilst Rebecca headed over to grab a menu, as she saw that the one on their table was missing.

  ‘Do you have a menu?’ she asked Jacob.

  ‘Sure. So you live and work round here?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, well, for now,’ she said ruefully. Who knew what would happen once she had to sell her share of the flat to Ethan? He’d texted her the other night asking how the flat hunting was going. Giving me plenty of time to move, my arse.

  ‘Ah, it’s just I’ve noticed the Saturday crowd is different to the people we see during the week.’

  ‘Right,’ said Rebecca, unsure where this was heading. ‘We’ll just have a quick look at the menu and we’ll be ready to order soon.’

  ‘No problem. Take your time.’

  The longer she stays in the café the better, thought Jacob. She looked different today, not dressed for work, but still very elegant in slim black trousers, a white fluffy jumper and black ankle boots. This trend of oversized boots costing hundreds of pounds, which had cropped up in the past few years, had never appealed to him, plus Jacob thought it made all the girls look the same. Rebecca’s style was original and he liked it.

  ‘Here’s the menu. There are loads of cakes listed on it, but to be honest, you’re better just to go up and see for yourself,’ Rebecca told Hannah, as she swept her hair back from her face, where it had fallen over her eyes when she bent down to pick up her bag.

  They chose their drinks and Rebecca told Hannah she wanted an Empire biscuit, ‘Makes me feel like I’m back at school, but these Empire biscuits are nothing like the stodgy ones we had there.’

  ‘You’ve no class,’ her friend chided. ‘I was going to go for a pain au raisin, but I think I’m going to go for the Cake of the Day.’

  ‘Ooh, what’s that? I didn’t see that,’ Rebecca said, peering at the menu.

  ‘No, I saw it up on the blackboard there, under Specials.’

  ‘Oh right.’ Rebecca squinted to read, as she wasn’t wearing her contact lenses. She could drive fine without her contacts, but reading small print was a bit of a challenge.

  ‘Stollen. Ah, German Christmas cake. Oh yeah, I’m definitely having that, then. I can have an Empire biscuit anytime.’

  Rebecca went up to place their order and then sat down to analyse the morning’s events.

  ‘So what are you going to do?’ Hannah asked her.

  ‘The only one that’s even a possible is the new build, but it’s the top end of, if not over, my budget, and tiny.’

  ‘And how many more are on your list?’

  ‘Two more this afternoon and that’s about it unless I want to change area. I don’t.’

  ‘And have you talked to Ethan?’ Hannah asked, as she rotated a coaster between her middle finger and thumb.

  ‘No, just by text. He’s prepared to buy me out if I want him to, otherwise we put it on the market.’

  ‘And what about all your stuff?’

  ‘I’m putting off that conversation for as long as possible.’ Rebecca was tearful; it wouldn’t be a pleasant task.

  Jacob brought over their order, sat it down on the table, and said, ‘Is there anything else I can get you, ladies?’

  Ladies, thought Rebecca, what a charmer! But he’s a nice guy.

  ‘How about a decent flat in this area?’ Rebecca asked.

  Momentarily taken aback, Jacob recovered saying, ‘How many bedrooms?’

  ‘One or two.’

  ‘Any other requirements?’ he mimicked estate agent speak.

  ‘Parking, a shower and it’s to rent, not buy.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know of any, but I’ll keep my ear to the ground for you.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Rebecca said. He’s just being nice.

  Rebecca and Hannah discussed her separation from Ethan in hushed tones whilst they ate their stollen and drank their coffees.

  Natalie watched the girls from a distance and thought happily to herself that all was on schedule.

  The blare of a horn woke Meredith from a deep slumber next morning. She’d only fallen asleep properly around four. So much for celebrating. When she had arrived home the night before, after picking up a bottle of Barbera d’Alba reserve, she felt much worse than earlier. She was shivering and somehow she didn’t think it was solely down to the minus temperatures outside. Damn, she’d better not have flu; there was too much to do.

  She had phoned out for a Chinese - she couldn’t face making anything, no matter if it only required pinging in the microwave. Anyway, she needed comfort food and she was celebrating, so why not? To try to heat herself up, she took a shower, but although it helped at the time, within half an hour she was freezing
again. She ate little of the Chinese and drank only half a glass of wine before calling it a night and going to bed, first throwing a second duvet on top.

  About an hour after going to bed, the second duvet had been thrown off and Meredith had eventually thrown off the other duvet, leaving herself only partially covered by a thin sheet - her body bathed in sweat. Dragging herself out of bed, she made herself a lemon drink with paracetamol before seeking refuge under the covers once more, where she’d tossed and turned for hours.

  Meredith opened her eyes with difficulty; her eyelids seemed to be stuck together, her throat felt dry and her breathing was raspy. Gradually she pulled herself up to a sitting position. Christ, she felt awful. She’d never felt this bad before. Bloody flu. Just as well she had nothing urgent to do today, and it was Saturday. Thank God the presentation had been yesterday. Meredith managed to make it to the bathroom before a coughing fit overtook her. She must have what Sophie had. Bloody girl. It didn’t occur to her that it was her own fault for telling Sophie she had to come in.

  After making herself a cup of tea, Meredith went back to bed. Within minutes she was asleep again; the tea lay untouched on the bedside cabinet.

  Chapter Twelve

  9th December

  As he buttoned his shirt and put on his tie, Stanley realised that he was humming a tune he used to sing to Edie. We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn seemed appropriate, and for the first time it made him happy not sad. He made himself a pot of tea setting out, as usual, a cup for Edie too, and buttered himself a slice of toast. Yes, he was feeling very positive. What a difference meeting new people could make.