Chapter Fourteen

There was hardly room to move. All the residents of Snowflake Cove had popped in to help decorate the Christmas trees, or so it seemed, and it was rapidly turning into a bit of a party atmosphere. People were dancing to Molly and John’s old CDs and the dulcet tones of Bing Crosby who was dreaming of a white Christmas whilst Andy Williams was roasting chestnuts. There were several other singers that Raven, Roland and Robin said they’d never heard of. Evie and Juniper had. They were used to these evenings and the same old songs. They were grateful Jessie didn’t start singing some of the ones from her era.

Mason Riley arrived, together with Jane Dorset and he played a few tunes on the antique piano in the bar. It was almost as out of tune as the singing and he said he’d pop over in the morning to give it a bit of a tune up. Evie half expected Jane to slap his face when he offered to give Jane a bit of a tune up too. Jane laughed and said that only the nimblest of fingers could work magic on her, which made Evie and Juniper cringe, and top up their wine glasses to forget the image that conjured up.

Darren arrived a little after nine.

‘Why are you so late?’ Juniper asked when he came into the bar, his green mac slung over his arm and a worn-out expression on his face.

‘It’s been one of those days,’ he said, kissing her firmly on the lips. ‘Things are hectic at work. I didn’t leave the office until ten to nine and I came straight here. I’m ravenous, so I’m pleased to see Molly’s baked several batches of mince pies, sausage rolls and shortbreads. Right now though I could murder a drink.’ He kissed her again and marched towards the bar.

Evie wanted to murder him.

‘He works so hard,’ Juniper said. ‘His new boss is a bit like Miranda – an absolute cow. She keeps him hard at it from the moment he arrives.’

Evie choked on her wine.

‘You OK?’ Juniper slapped her on the back.

‘I’m fine,’ Evie lied. ‘I didn’t know Darren had a new boss. It’s a woman, is it? What’s she like? Have you met her?’

Juniper shook her head. ‘No. I only know what Darren’s said about her and that isn’t much. He didn’t say she was a cow. That was me. Well, she is a cow to keep him at his desk for so long when I want him home with me.’

‘When did she start?’

Juniper shrugged. ‘I can’t recall exactly. About a couple of months ago, I think. Nothing much changed at first but recently she’s really been putting on the pressure. Darren says they have a big new client and the agency really needs to impress the company.’

Evie hesitated for a second before jumping in. ‘You don’t think this new boss has anything to do with Darren’s odd behaviour, do you? When did you first notice a difference in him?’

The penny dropped; at least Evie thought it had. Juniper opened her eyes wide and then her mouth but when she turned to face Evie, she was smiling.

‘Why didn’t I think of that? You’re a genius, Evie. Of course that’s the problem. Darren’s worn out and he feels guilty about having to spend so much time away from me. That’s why he’s giving me those looks. He’s worried he’s making me unhappy but there’s nothing he can do about it.’

Evie blinked. How had Juniper reached that conclusion?

‘Um. That’s one possibility. But there are others.’

‘Oh? Like what? Like he really is cheating on me and he’s lying when he says he spends so much time at work?’

Evie couldn’t bear to see the pain in Juniper’s eyes. She needed to think on her feet. ‘He could be wondering if he should give up his job and how you’ll react to that. He could be finding it hard to cope but feels you’ll think he’s weak if he tells you that.’

‘Oh I see. Yes. But he knows me well enough to know he can tell me anything and I’d love him regardless. Perhaps a few days off over Christmas will give us time to relax and talk about it. I hate to see him look so tired. I’ll suggest an early night and see if a cuddle will cheer him up.’

‘Yes. And I’ll go and get him a drink. Dad’s too busy dancing to notice there’s a queue forming and as much as Gran likes to resume her roll of barmaid extraordinaire, I can’t face the grumbling in the morning about how she was the only one working whilst we were all having fun. Back in a sec.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

‘No! I mean. Could you do me a huge favour and bring some more mince pies in from the kitchen. And those chicken drum sticks are looking a bit lost. I’m sure Mum made more.’

Juniper smiled. ‘I’ll see what I can find. But get me another drink would you please and give it to Darren?’

‘I’ll give it to Darren all right,’ Evie said, and marched towards the bar where Darren was resting his elbows on the wooden top. He looked as if he needed the support to keep him standing whilst Jessie was busy serving someone else.

‘Sorry, Darren. What can I get you?’ Evie gave him her brightest smile.

Darren returned it with a wan one. ‘A pint of anything, please, Evie. I’m too tired to care.’

‘Yes. Juniper was just telling me that you’ve got a new boss and you’re hard at it from morning till night. What’s she like?’

He gave her an odd look. ‘She’s very focused and can’t abide slackers. It’s the first time I’ve been under a woman and I’m finding it harder than I thought.’

‘Not literally under her, I hope, Darren.’ Evie made it sound like a joke but she held his look when she said it. ‘It’s odd you know, because I could have sworn I saw you this afternoon coming out of your cottage. It was sometime around four, I think. But that couldn’t have been you if you were chained to the desk. Could it? And you wouldn’t have had a woman with you.’ She leant forward as she handed him his beer. ‘Would you, Darren? Because if anyone had seen you they might have got the wrong impression entirely.’

He took the pint and stared at her. He didn’t flinch or bat an eyelid. ‘Would they, Evie? Even if they were sticking their noses in where they shouldn’t? Even if they were adding two and two together and making five? Well then, it’s a good thing everyone knows how much I love Juniper. And it’s a good thing it wasn’t me you saw at four this afternoon. Isn’t it?’

That wasn’t the reaction Evie had expected but before she could say more, Jessie came and stood beside her.

‘You look exhausted, Darren. Your parents would turn in their graves if they saw you looking like that. You need to take things slower, my boy, or you’ll be dead before me.’

‘Thanks for the advice, Jessie. Helpful as always. Cheers.’ He held up his pint and took several gulps before putting it down on the bar and letting out a long sigh. ‘Sorry. It’s been a shitty day and it just got a whole lot worse. I know you’re Juniper’s best friend, Evie but I thought you were my friend too.’

‘What’s this?’ Jessie asked, looking from Evie to Darren and back again.

‘Nothing Gran,’ Evie said. ‘We were just having a little disagreement about work.’

‘I’ll leave you to it then. One of those armchairs is calling me. I haven’t made up my mind which one yet but I’m sure a glass of sherry will help me decide. No fighting, you two. This is the festive season. Good will to all men and women.’ Jessie wandered off to pour herself a sherry and find a comfortable chair by the fire, no doubt telling someone else to get out of it, if she had to.

‘I am your friend. But if I have to choose, it’ll be Juniper. You’re not going to make me choose, are you, Darren?’

‘That depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On how well you can keep a secret. I think I know you well enough to realise you can’t, so all I’ll say is this. I love Juniper with all my heart and I’d never do anything to hurt her. In fact, I’ll do everything I can to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. And I’m not having an affair, which is clearly what you think I’m doing. It would be great if you would believe me, trust me, and let this go.’

Evie stared at him. His eyes didn’t flicker for a moment.

‘OK Darren. I believe you, trust you and I’ll let it go. But I’m telling you now that if you hurt Juniper in any way, you’ll live to regret it. And I’ll also say this. Juniper already thinks you’re having an affair. She told me so only yesterday but it seems she’s convinced herself otherwise today. If you love her as much as you say you do, I think you need to prove it.’

Now he did look shocked and he blinked several times in rapid succession. ‘She thinks what? Why?’

‘Because you’ve been acting differently lately and giving her odd looks. And you’re always at work.’

He closed his eyes, sighed again and shook his head. ‘Thanks Evie. I hadn’t realised I was doing that. I’ll deal with it, I promise. And I don’t think you’ll hate me, come Christmas.’

‘I don’t hate you. But I will if you hurt Juniper.’