Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage Page 10

  ‘Great.’ Molly still sounded as if she was smiling. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  Chapter Eleven

  By the time Mandy tracked down Tom Hope, he had cleaned out the guinea pigs as well as the rabbits. ‘Any of the dogs still need exercising?’ he asked.

  ‘Not really,’ Mandy replied. ‘Though I cut Melon’s session a bit short. Maybe we could play with him a few more minutes.’ She glanced at her watch. James was coming round later. There would just be time to sort out Melon and the cats. Then she would have to go in and help her parents prepare dinner.

  At the thought of food, Mandy frowned. The Harper’s delivery still hadn’t arrived. She was sure she had booked it for Saturday morning and now it was two o’clock. Not only did she need cat and dog food, but she had been waiting for some specialised donkey feed for her two new charges. They weren’t young enough for replacement milk, but they did need a special diet until they were fully grown. ‘I’m just going to call Harper’s,’ she told her grandfather.

  He took a flask out of his rucksack and went to sit down on the small sofa that stood in the reception area. ‘I’ll take a breather,’ he said.

  Pulling the phone from her pocket, Mandy dialled the number. It was most unlike Harper’s to get the order wrong. Did she forget to call them? But she distinctly remembered the conversation. They had talked about the donkeys. She had spoken to Sally Harper herself and Saturday had been the earliest they could manage delivery.

  Mandy was relieved when she heard Sally’s voice on the other end of the line. ‘Harper’s Supplies, Sally speaking.’

  ‘Sally!’ Mandy began. ‘This is Mandy Hope from Hope Meadows.’

  ‘Hi, Mandy.’ Sally’s voice was warm. ‘What can I do for you today?’

  Mandy had half expected a swift apology for lateness, or regret that there was a problem, but Sally sounded as cheery as she always did. Was it possible there had been a misunderstanding about the date?

  ‘I think I was expecting an order this morning?’ she said. ‘Cat and dog food and a special for the baby donkeys?’

  There was a moment of silence at the other end of the line, then Sally answered with a hint of surprise. ‘Oh. Yes. I remember you calling the other day, but there was nothing on the manifest this morning. How odd! Just let me check, will you?’ There was a scuffling sound and the clicking of keys on a keyboard. Voices in the background. Mandy leaned over the counter, propping herself on her elbow.

  ‘Hello again.’ It was Sally.

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘I’ve got the details on screen. You did place the order, but it was cancelled two days ago. Wasn’t it you who cancelled it?’

  Standing up straight, Mandy shook her head. ‘No. Definitely not.’ The silence this time was longer. Distant voices again. Mandy’s eyes wandered to the window. She could see Holly and Robin standing together under an apple tree. Their fur was almost the same shade as the weathered grey bark. Holly had her head on Robin’s back.

  There was a click on the other end of the phone. ‘It wasn’t me who took the call.’ Sally had returned. ‘It was our assistant Janice. She didn’t get a name I’m afraid, but the order was definitely cancelled. I’m sorry if there’s been a misunderstanding.’

  Mandy stifled another sigh. It wasn’t Sally’s fault, but she needed that feed. ‘Can I speak to Janice, please?’ she asked, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.

  ‘Yes, of course. I’ll just get her.’

  Outside, the donkeys shifted. Robin had turned around and was nuzzling Holly’s ear.

  More muffled chat came down the phone line, then a new voice. ‘Hello, Miss Hope.’ Mandy felt a stirring of sympathy for Janice. The assistant sounded nervous as well as apologetic. ‘I’m so sorry about your order,’ Janice went on.

  ‘Thanks.’ Mandy gathered her thoughts. Janice hadn’t taken a name, but perhaps she could recall something. ‘I know you don’t know exactly who it was that cancelled my order,’ she said, ‘but do you remember anything about the call, please?’

  ‘Oh.’ There was a pause. ‘Well, it came in after lunch on Thursday. I’d just come back from the sandwich run and there were a couple of people waiting at the till. The phone rang while I was serving but I picked it up. It was a man, but he didn’t give his name. I can’t remember exactly what he said but I know he told me he was from Hope Meadows. He asked if we were due to deliver anything and I told him just the Saturday order. He told me it wasn’t needed any more. Just like that. It wasn’t needed any more.’ Janice stopped to draw breath. ‘I asked him if there was anything wrong and he said you’d got the food cheaper somewhere else. He said you wouldn’t need anything else now. I was a bit surprised because there’s only Gosling’s and that’s miles away. And they’re definitely not cheaper, not if you add in delivery fees and everything …’ Her voice trailed off.

  Mandy found herself wondering whether Janice was always so chatty or whether it was just nerves. The story seemed odd, too. Hope Meadows had been mentioned by name. And why suggest she wouldn’t be using Harper’s again? Why would he do that, whoever he was? A million questions whirled in Mandy’s head. What exactly had she learned from all Janice’s chatter? The only useful thing seemed to be that it was a man who had called.

  ‘It was definitely a man’s voice?’ she checked.

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘Did he mention me?’

  ‘No. He said Hope Meadows. No other names at all.’

  ‘And you don’t remember anything else about him? Accent or … did he sound young or old?’

  Mandy’s eyes wandered over to Grandad. He had found a catalogue for cat accessories and seemed engrossed. ‘He might have been youngish,’ said Janice, ‘but I’m not sure. I really am sorry.’

  Mandy shifted her feet. Her legs felt stiff. ‘Never mind,’ she said. ‘Can I speak to Sally again, please?’

  ‘I’m so sorry for all this.’ Sally’s voice came down the line loud and clear. ‘I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do today. The van’s already left. I’ll have a look at the list though.’ Another interval, more clicking. ‘We could get it to you first thing Tuesday,’ she announced. ‘Sorry I can’t do anything sooner.’ She did sound truly apologetic. Mandy couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for her interrogation. None of this was Sally’s or Janice’s fault.

  ‘Thanks, Sally,’ she said. ‘When are you open till? I’ll have to come in and get a couple of things to tide me over.’

  ‘We shut at five.’ Sally sounded relieved. ‘See you later.’

  As she ended the call, Mandy stared out of the window and frowned. From what Janice had said, it didn’t sound like there had been a mistake. The man, whoever he was, had mentioned Hope Meadows. But why would anyone do that? Were they trying to cause trouble? Even if there had been rumours about the barking, it was a big step from moaning in the Fox and Goose to deliberately phoning the store to cancel a food delivery.

  Grandad put down the catalogue and looked at her, eyebrows raised. ‘Problems?’ His voice was sympathetic. When Mandy nodded, he patted the seat on the sofa beside him. Putting the phone back in her pocket, Mandy walked over and sat down.

  ‘It’s very odd,’ she said. ‘Someone phoned Harper’s and cancelled my feed order.’

  Grandad Hope raised his eyebrows. ‘On purpose?’ he asked. ‘That doesn’t make sense. It must have been a mistake, surely?’

  Mandy shook her head. ‘It didn’t sound that way.’ She stared at her hands. ‘It’s not just that,’ she admitted. ‘I found a hole in the hedge yesterday. It was just the right size for a dog to escape.’ She glanced up at Tom, whose blue eyes were troubled. ‘I thought at first an animal must have made it, but it didn’t look right,’ she told him. ‘It was too high up, and too round.’

  Grandad looked shocked. ‘You think someone made it on purpose?’

  Mandy lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. She didn’t know what to think. ‘It just seemed odd,’ she said.

  H
er grandfather put one of his warm, weathered hands over hers. ‘If you think someone might be doing these things maliciously,’ he said, ‘you should keep a record. If anything else happens and you go to the police, it’ll help if you have everything written down.’

  ‘The police?’ It hadn’t crossed Mandy’s mind that this might be a legal matter. Surely no one wanted to commit a crime against the rescue centre?

  Tom Hope pursed his lips. ‘It probably won’t get that far,’ he said, ‘but it’s worth being prepared.’ His expression softened. ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘Whatever’s going on, you’ve far more allies than enemies.’ Putting his arm around her, he pulled her into a hug and Mandy let herself relax against him. At least her family were on her side.

  Releasing her, Tom Hope pulled himself to the edge of the couch. ‘We should finish up,’ he suggested. ‘After that, I can pop to Harper’s for you. How would that be?’

  ‘That would be amazing,’ Mandy told him.

  Grandad followed her into the dog room. Melon was sitting by the door to his cage, perched on his haunches with his head on one side. ‘You’re one persuasive little animal,’ Mandy told him as she opened the cage and clipped on his lead. ‘I have a feeling he won’t be with us much longer,’ she said. ‘I think he made a rather unlikely friend today!’

  Mandy threw her arms around James when he arrived, shortly after six o’clock. Squeezing him tight, she was relieved to feel that he had gained some weight, and he wasn’t quite as bony as before. She had already planned to load his plate with food full of healthy fats and carbs. James was going to eat with them, then return to sleep at his parents’ house overnight.

  ‘You’re squashing me!’ James puffed. Mandy let him go and he wrestled off his overcoat.

  ‘How are you?’ The words still caught in Mandy’s throat, as if the only possible reply could be, ‘My husband died. How do you think I am?’

  But James was more generous than that, which was one of many reasons why Mandy loved him so much. ‘A bit better each day,’ he said. ‘How about you? Are you getting into the Christmas spirit?’

  Pushing aside the thought of Flame’s escape, the hole in the hedge and the cancelled food delivery, Mandy managed to laugh. ‘Hardly!’ she replied. ‘It’s not even December yet.’

  James hung his coat on a spare peg. ‘It will be in two days,’ he reminded her. ‘Then you’ll have to start facing up to it. You can’t stop December 25th from coming round.’

  It would be his first Christmas without Paul, Mandy thought. Turning away, she blinked fiercely and took a deep breath. She led the way to the kitchen. ‘There won’t be much time for festivities if I’m on duty all day,’ she said.

  ‘It might be fun to have a completely different sort of Christmas.’ James sounded wistful. Mandy wondered if he was wishing he could be at work, too. She knew the busy café he ran in York kept his mind occupied. But he never opened over the Christmas period because all his customers were busy with their families. ‘I’m going down to spend Christmas with Paul’s parents,’ he told her, as if he could tell what she was thinking.

  ‘That sounds like a great idea,’ Mandy said, with a flash of relief that he wouldn’t be on his own. Though of course she would have insisted he spend the day at Animal Ark if he hadn’t made other plans. ‘Now, brace yourself. Dad’s made chilli. There’s soured cream and mashed avocado and everything.’

  The scent of tomatoes met them as they walked through to the kitchen. James rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. ‘I’m braced,’ he reported to Mandy, and Adam and Emily stared at them baffled as they dissolved into giggles.

  Two hours later, waistband straining, Mandy followed James to the front door to say goodbye.

  ‘I hope you sleep well,’ she said, taking his coat down from the hook and helping him into it. ‘When are you heading back?’

  ‘Tomorrow evening.’

  Mandy pulled open the door. Dense fog had crept over the village and the streetlights on the far side of the field shone through halos of drizzle. Stepping outside, James turned up his collar. ‘Are you free tomorrow morning?’ he asked. ‘I want to visit Paul’s grave. I … I’d like the company, if you don’t mind.’

  The simple way he said it tugged at her heart. Mandy knew him so well, but his dignity, the way he was bearing up in spite of everything, made her love him more than ever. ‘It would be an honour,’ she told him.

  They clasped hands for a moment, then James turned and tramped off into the mist, his overcoat giving him an unusually bulky silhouette.

  ‘Good night!’ Mandy called after him, and he raised a hand in return.

  The square church tower loomed above them below the overcast November sky. The earth on Paul’s grave was still bare, though it no longer looked newly-dug. Autumn rains had smoothed the clay soil and there were a couple of tiny blades of grass sprouting from the mound. James seemed calm, though there was a bleak edge to his gaze that made Mandy want to reach out to hug him, but simultaneously warned her to hold back. Neither of them had worn black, though James’s charcoal mac and Mandy’s brown wool trenchcoat were in keeping with the sombre mood.

  Mandy stood beside the grave with her head bowed. James was silent. Raising her head an inch, Mandy risked a glance at her friend. His left arm hung at his side, his hand forming a tight fist, the knuckles white. In his right hand, he clutched a Christmas rose in a pot. The greenish white flowers seemed insubstantial against his dark grey coat. When Mandy lifted her gaze to his face, she winced at how pale he looked. His dark eyes were huge behind the rimless glasses and his cheeks looked hollow, but when he caught her gaze, he managed a small smile. ‘Thanks for coming,’ he said.

  ‘Thanks for inviting me,’ she murmured.

  Brown leaves littered the churchyard. James crouched down to clear the few that clung to the mound at his feet. Then he carefully placed the pot on top of the soil, pushing down until it sat securely.

  Mandy reached into her pocket and felt the smooth coolness of an ornament that had been in her bedroom since their childhood. When she had come across it again emptying a drawer just a few weeks earlier, she had been reminded so strongly of James’s dog Seamus that she wanted James to have it. Pulling it out, she held it out to her friend. His fingers were chilly as he took it from her.

  ‘Seamus?’ There was a spark of amusement in his eyes. ‘Gosh, I remember this! Where did you find it?’

  Mandy grinned. ‘It fell out of a drawer when I was having a clearout. I couldn’t resist saving it for you. I can’t even remember where it came from originally.’

  James was turning the little brown shape over and over, gazing at the narrow muzzle and shining black eyes. ‘Can I leave it here with Paul?’ he asked. ‘Along with the rose?’

  ‘Of course. It’s yours.’

  Bending down, he placed the ornament beside the plant.

  ‘Where are the dogs?’ Mandy asked.

  ‘They’re at Mum and Dad’s,’ he admitted. ‘I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to bring them.’ He thought for a moment and his eyes lit up. ‘Remember when you brought them to the hospital in York?’

  How could she forget? Mandy gave a half-laugh, feeling her ears grow warm. ‘Yup. I’m never one to worry about whether something’s appropriate.’

  James reached out a hand and squeezed hers. ‘Thank goodness someone doesn’t,’ he said with meaning. For a moment, Mandy felt cheered, but James let go of her hand and she heard him sigh. Looking round, she could see pain in his face. ‘It’s so hard,’ he said quietly. ‘I want to talk about Paul all the time. But it’s as if everyone’s terrified I’ll fall apart if I mention his name.’ His jaw clenched. ‘I do get it,’ he went on. ‘I wouldn’t have known what to say either, before …’ His voice trailed off.

  Mandy took hold of his hand again and squeezed his fingers. ‘You can talk to me,’ she said. ‘I’ll make time, any time.’

  The wind was rising, the leaves on the ground shiftin
g and whirling. She felt the first drops of rain on her cheek, and heard a creak from the yew tree as it bent to the breeze.

  ‘I loved him so much.’ James’s eyes were fixed on the mound of earth which marked the final resting place of the love of his life. Eventually, he looked up, across the graveyard, over the wall. There were tears in his eyes. Mandy’s gaze followed his to the war memorial on the village green. Other young men were remembered there. They had died long ago, but they too had been loved.

  ‘At least we had the wedding,’ James said. Still holding hands, they left the graveside, walking through the gate and over the road to the green. ‘What a cracking day that was.’

  ‘It really was,’ Mandy agreed. James and Paul had been a model of happiness and romance, despite the tidal wave that was rushing towards them. ‘Seamus and Lily were the best ringbearers I’ve ever seen, that’s for sure.’

  ‘I was so worried they would find a way to prise open those little boxes and swallow the blasted rings,’ James admitted, managing a smile, though there were tears on his face.

  ‘Really?’ Mandy stared at him. ‘That hadn’t even crossed my mind.’ She grinned. ‘It wouldn’t have been the end of the world. You would have just had to put the wedding back a few days.’

  James pulled a face. ‘What a pleasant thought.’

  Side by side, they headed over to stand beneath the bare branches of the oak tree where the marriage ceremony had taken place. The green looked very different now, but the village and the fells were as they had always been.

  Lowering his eyes back to Mandy, James found a smile. ‘How about the handsome Jimmy Marsh?’ he asked. Mandy felt the heat rising in her face. ‘Have you seen much of him lately?’

  James’s eyes had brightened and he was looking at her as if he already knew the answer. He could read her far too well, Mandy thought. ‘There do seem to be some developments in that direction,’ she confessed.

  ‘I’m so glad for you. You deserve nothing but happiness, do you know that?’ Without warning, James put his arms out and hugged her. The droplets of rain cooled Mandy’s warm cheeks as she closed her eyes and hugged him back.