‘I don’t know. The wedding? Her mum? Kieran said she wasn’t herself.’
With an effort, Nell assembled her thoughts into a tactful but non-worrying answer. ‘I think she’s just a bit stressed with Brenda. She’s normally a force to be reckoned with but lately she’s gone into overdrive. I’m sure Cat will be fine. Though she did text me yesterday and even though she hated them before, she’s changed the party favours from traditional sugared almonds to little Christmas present-shaped chocolates. I’ve now got to source them online and try and get them at a reasonable price. I could do without it with only a month to go, and I don’t know why she’s changed her mind, but I guess it’s a bride’s prerogative.’
‘Sounds fun. Okay, if you’re sure everything’s all right.’
Just then, Harry strolled back into the dining room and Nell’s heart fluttered at this unexpected treat. ‘Can you believe I forgot my wallet?’ he said, laughing, in his wonderful American accent. ‘What a dope. Hey, Nell, while I’m here, where’s a good place to take my family for lunch? I want some proper British food but something classy. Where would you recommend?’
‘The Fisherman’s Wharf is nice. It’s down on the seafront. I’d definitely recommend there if you like fish.’
‘Good job I do then, thanks.’ He stepped away but paused before he left. ‘Oh, and you’re looking really pretty today. I meant to tell you earlier. I like that sweater. It makes your eyes sparkle.’
And on that bombshell, he left. Nell didn’t hear compliments like that often and her chest tightened. Tom stared at her like they’d just had a fleeting visit from aliens.
‘So who’s the new guest?’
‘That’s my American who’s staying for three weeks. I did tell you about him.’ She hadn’t told him how handsome and charming he was though.
‘Oh right.’
‘What?’
Tom’s face clouded over. ‘Nothing. He’s just a bit in your face, isn’t he?’
‘He asked for a restaurant recommendation. All my guests ask for that. It’s not exactly in your face.’
Tom harrumphed as a gust of wind whipped around the house, rattling the windowpanes and shaking the bushes in the garden. Nell and Tom watched the world outside, glad to be indoors in the warmth of the dining room. A light drizzle tapped against the window and onto the stone path that led down to the holly bench. While there were a few benches dotted here and there, the holly bench was at the bottom of the garden and her favourite place to sit in the summer. When Tom continued, he quickly changed the subject. ‘Grandad Nigel wanted me to check you’re still coming to help decorate the care home. He said he was looking forward to seeing you.’
‘Yes, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’ She loved seeing Grandad Nigel. He was cheeky and a bit of a rebel in the care home. ‘I’ve got a little present for the old boy too.’
‘Don’t tell him that, he won’t let you leave. That reminds me though. Have you got any spare Christmas decorations?’
Nell cocked her head to one side. Tom was so mad about Christmas he normally had enough decorations for every room in his house and then some. Many a time he’d ended up giving the overspill to friends or turning the flower shop into some kind of floral Christmas grotto. All it needed was a jolly fat Santa. As for her, she’d put out everything she had and needed more if she was hosting this carol service and offering a romantic Christmas retreat. ‘Not really. Why?’
‘Tracey, the care home manager, texted me to say she’d been in the loft and most of their decorations are so old and tatty she can’t use them. I’ve got a box I can bring along. I didn’t know if you had any spare. She’s in desperate need of donations because they don’t have the budget to buy any.’ Giving up on his tea he pushed his cup away. ‘Between you and me I think she spent all her decorating budget on Halloween when she frightened all the residents half to death with that life-size talking butler. The only person who wasn’t scared was Grandad and that was only because he couldn’t actually see it. He could hear it all though. Said it was the noisiest thing he’d heard since the Blitz.’
Nell giggled. ‘I’d love to help but I can’t afford to buy any to donate out of the business account. Not with doing this romantic Christmas escape idea. I might be able to get some out of my own money. It’s not like I’ve got loads of Christmas presents to buy and I’ve already got most of yours and wrapped them too.’
‘Really?’ She nodded and another strange moment passed between them. She wondered if Tom felt it too because he was beginning to blush, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was or what it meant. Nothing was different between them, was it? ‘You don’t need to buy anything. I’m sure we’ll think of something. I’ll bring some greenery along with me too. I’ve got some left over from the wreaths I’ve made so far.’
‘There’s an idea,’ said Nell.
‘Another one?’ Tom teased. ‘Don’t hurt yourself.’
‘Ha ha.’ But while he might tease, she’d just had another great idea to boost her business. At least, she thought it was a good idea. ‘How about we host a wreath-making session here? Not massive ones like you made me but smaller ones, and then we can decorate the care home
