CHAPTER FOUR
With fingers that tremble slightly, I pull at the white tissue paper and take out the wooden box inside, surely made by Rob himself. He’s such a brilliantly talented carpenter. Whatever is in the box feels surprisingly heavy, and when I draw it out, I give a gasp of delight. It’s a snow globe.
The scent of carved wood rises up and tickles my nose. ‘You made this?’
He grins. ‘I’ve got a mate who does the most brilliant glass-blowing and I carved the base myself. Getting the trees in place was the tricky bit.’
I hold it up, gazing at the delicate little pine forest within, loving the solid feel of the globe in my hands. I smooth my fingers over the glass. Then I give it a firm shake and hold it up, letting the porch light catch it so that all the lovely snow falling from the sky glints and sparkles like magic.
The base is a simple plinth of wood. Inside the globe, beside the copse of tiny, snow-laden fir trees, stands a small figure in a red cape. Ankle-deep in snow, she’s raising her arms to the sky in a posture of strength and determination, a big confident smile on her face.
‘It’s Wonder Woman!’ I laugh in delight. ‘It’s me, doing my power pose in the snow.’
He grins and I can tell he’s chuffed that I love it so much. ‘I made it a while ago. After we went to Brighton that time and I told you my secret for appearing confident.’
‘The power stance. I’ve used it ever since. I’d never have managed to be the Fairy Godmother in Ethan’s panto if I hadn’t been visualising myself as Wonder Woman!’
‘I’m sure you would have been fine.’
I shrug. ‘Maybe. But I’m convinced it calmed my nerves and helped me get on stage. But anyway.’ I beam at him. ‘It’s perfect!’
‘Just like you,’ he murmurs, gazing at me with that certain expression of his that always makes me melt.
I blush fiercely. ‘I’m not perfect.’
He shrugs. ‘You are to me.’
I smile awkwardly, wishing I didn’t get so covered in confusion whenever Rob compliments me. I think it’s because I was so stung by Ethan. All of his lavish compliments turned out to be totally meaningless when I discovered he was basically a lying, cheating scumbag.
I guess it’s hard to believe anyone after an experience like that. Even Rob . . .
‘I wish you’d start believing in yourself more.’ Rob pulls me against him, niftily sliding the globe into his pocket, leaving our hands free to roam. ‘You’re beautiful, Fen. And clever. And funny. And ridiculously modest. I’ve never met anyone like you.’
A moan escapes as I press myself against him, loving the feel of his hard body against me. I snake my hands up over the rough texture of his winter coat and tangle my fingers in his hair that’s now damp with snow, my head spinning away to the stars. Then his mouth comes down on mine as he silences my last protests with a hungry kiss.
Later, as everyone is leaving, Mum comes over as I’m talking to Ellie in the hall.
‘We’ve had a wonderful day, Marjery.’ Ellie gives Mum a hug. ‘Thank you so much for inviting us.’
Mum pats Ellie’s cheek affectionately. ‘Will and I have loved having you all here. That wonderful moment when I surprised you all, bringing Will back home from the hospital just before Christmas lunch, will stay with me forever.’ She glances at me, her eyes moist with emotion. ‘Your dad will never forget it, either.’
I link her arm, squeezing gently. ‘We’ve got Dad back. This is the best Christmas ever.’
Mum nods and brushes away a tear. ‘Honestly, look at me.’ She laughs. ‘Now, Ellie, make sure you don’t forget your goodie bag on the way out.’
Ellie smiles. ‘More goodies?’
‘Oh, just a few liqueuer chocolates - plus some of Fen’s glorious Madeira Christmas cake.’ Mum smiles at me and my heart contracts with love. Since Dad got ill, Mum and I have grown closer than we’ve ever been before. She’s asked me to manage the new café at Brambleberry Manor, which will open in March along with the house, and I can’t wait to start planning the celebratory launch.
‘Do you think you might come to my New Year party?’ Ellie asks Mum.
‘Will’s obviously under doctor’s orders to take it easy,’ murmurs Mum, ‘but I’d like to think we could at least pop in.’
‘Just play it by ear,’ agrees Ellie. She turns to me. ‘You’ll be there, of course. With Rob.’
I grin. ‘Naturally. I can’t wait.’ I feel a little fizz of excitement.
It’s true. I actually can’t wait to be at Ellie’s New Year’s Eve party at The Little Duck Pond Café with Rob by my side. It’s been so long since I had a ‘plus-one’ at any party or gathering. Having Rob with me is going to make it such a special night.
‘Maisie and Summer were on fine form tonight,’ I say. ‘Although Maisie looks as if she’s about to drop asleep on the spot.’
Ellie grins. ‘It’s way past her bedtime. She’ll fall asleep in the car on the way back.’
‘It’s all working out for the three of you, thank goodness. Now that Sophie’s packed her bags and gone.’
Ellie groans at the very mention of Zak’s ex, Sophie.
Sophie walked out on Zak and Maisie when her daughter was just a baby. Then just before Christmas, she appeared back on the scene, using Maisie shamefully and almost splitting Zak and Ellie’s little family apart with her sly scheming to get Zak back. Thankfully, Zak let Sophie know exactly where she stood in his life. Nowhere.
‘I should think you’ll just go from strength to strength now. The perfect little family.’ I grin.
I’m expecting Ellie to agree. But her face clouds over.
‘What?’ I ask.
She gives her head a little shake.
‘Tell me.’
Ellie hesitates. Then she sighs. ‘It’s just we’ve been really worried about Maisie. She’s never had a mum in her life because Sophie deserted them soon after she was born. Anyway, we were talking and Zak said he thought it might be nice if Maisie could start thinking of me as her mum.’
I nod. ‘Sounds perfect.’
But Ellie’s face tells a different story. ‘We asked Maisie this morning, when we were opening presents, if she would like to call me “Mummy” from now on.’
‘What happened?’
Ellie sighs. ‘Oh, Fen, she just looked at me in horror and ran out of the room.’
‘Really?’ I gaze at her in astonishment.
Ellie nods. ‘Honestly, I was crushed. I mean, I couldn’t love Maisie any more if she was my own daughter.’ She shrugs helplessly. ‘I really don’t know what to think. I know it’s daft to feel sad, but I can’t help it.’
‘What’s going on?’ Jaz joins us, and Ellie repeats her Christmas morning bombshell.
‘Kids are weird,’ says Jaz. ‘You never really know what’s going on in their heads. She’ll come round.’
‘Do you think so?’ Ellie frowns and Jaz and I both answer her at once.
‘Definitely!’
I show Ellie and Jaz the globe.
‘Oh my God, Rob made that for you?’ gasps Ellie.
I nod, my heart swelling with pride. ‘He has a mate who’s a glass blower.’
‘Well, Rob just went up even further in my estimation,’ she murmurs. ‘And he was already pretty high, mainly for putting a big smile on your face after that horror whose name we shall not mention!’
‘Bloody Ethan Fox,’ growls Jaz.
I smile. ‘Ellie’s right. We’ll not talk about him! Especially now I’m with a gorgeous man who’s the complete opposite of that serial womaniser.’
‘Ooh, Fen is in lurve!’ giggles Ellie.
I blush happily. Then I lean closer and confess, ‘I think I’ve found my Mr Darcy.’
‘Thank God. We despaired that you were a lost cause. But it looks like Rob is the answer to a prayer.’ She turns. ‘Don’t you think so, Jaz?’
Jaz pauses before she answers, her eyes flicking down to her feet.
‘What?’ I ask in surprise. ‘Is there something you’re not telling me?’
She laughs. ‘No, no, of course not. I just . . . um . . . don’t put Rob up on a pedestal, Fen, that’s all. No man can match up to a fictional hero. They all fall from a great height in the end.’
‘You’re such a cynic!’ grins Ellie.
‘No. I’m a realist.’
I smile at her and Ellie, not deterred in the slightest by Jaz’s doom-laden warning. She’s probably thinking of her own less than perfect experience with Harry.
And I also know that Rob is as perfect a guy as I could ever hope to meet . . .