25 A Magical Evening

25

A Magical Evening

Oh, my goodness! You could almost hear a pin drop as everyone waits with bated breath for the play to begin. The stage is in darkness still, and as the lights in the barn are lowered, the shadowy forms of the actors move almost silently into place. In the wings, I spot Ruby and I bet she’s nervous. Her eyes will be firmly on the script in case anyone forgets their lines.

We borrowed forty chairs from the village hall, for people who couldn’t face standing for the thirty-five-minute performance but there are still half a dozen seats free. Everyone else is standing behind the two rows of seating, seemingly content and all appear to have a clear line of sight.

Suddenly, a switch is flicked, and snow starts falling on the stage. It’s obviously a projector, but it really sets the scene and it’s such a clever idea.

Seconds later, a spotlight bathes the globe and Daniela, wearing a long, full-skirted dress with a woollen shawl pulled around her shoulders, in light.

‘I’m here, my love, I’m here. Can’t you see me?’ she calls out, as a second spotlight shines on Oliver, playing the character of Adam. He’s standing beneath the lamp post, checking his pocket watch and he doesn’t seem to be able to hear her, even though she’s only a few yards away.

Daniela turns to gaze at the two children, knelt down making snowballs. ‘Oh, my darlings, my little darlings … the fun of throwing snowballs! Your hands will be cold. Why didn’t your father get you to wear your gloves?’ The woman is clearly growing distressed.

By the time we get to the part where we realise that Oliver is playing the part of a widower and that the woman inside the snow globe – the mother of the children – is his deceased wife, there’s a sharp intake of breath from many of the people in the audience. She’s not real, she’s a ghost. The tender way she watches her children playing in the snow, pulls on the heartstrings.

It’s a poignant moment, as two women standing at the Christmas Lane Barrow, talk about Daniela’s character, Eloise, and how awful it is for her husband and children now that she’s gone. At one point, another man and woman stand together looking over at Adam. He throws a snowball at his children, laughing to himself as he returns to clearing the path with a shovel. Their concern is that he isn’t coping with running his business, the house and the children. The woman says it’s time Adam moved on and found someone new to be by his side, but the man simply shakes his head. ‘He feels it would be betraying Eloise; she was the love of his life.’

Now, as I look around, lots of the audience seem to be either blinking quite rapidly, or actually brushing a tear off their cheeks. Daniela and Oliver portray the agony of a woman encouraging her husband to let go of the past and start living again. The representation of her being trapped in a snow globe is so clever. It’s obvious she isn’t really there and yet she is.

It isn’t until the final moments, when Adam stops to talk to a young woman buying flowers at the barrow, that it becomes clear why Eloise is at pains to talk to her husband. The mood shifts because a miracle is about to happen. She’s setting him free to love again.

The lights go out and when they come back on, Eloise is gone. All that remains in the ball is the stark white tree, and little peaks of snow lying at the bottom of the globe. Eloise is free to follow her journey into the afterlife knowing that she’s leaving Adam in good hands: the hands of a woman she knows will love him and her children.

The applause is tremendous, and it goes on and on as each of the cast take a bow. The children were amazing, frolicking, laughing and throwing carefully timed, fake white snowballs back and forth across the two old-fashioned sledges, on cue. Everyone seated stands and calls of ‘Well done’ and ‘Bravo!’ echo around the barn.

Elizabeth and Grandma make a beeline for me, their tearful smiles a joy to behold. It was everything they’d hoped for, and more.

‘Oh, Sienna! Wasn’t that simply marvellous?’ Elizabeth croaks. ‘What a perfect, and uplifting, ending.’

‘I know. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting. And they were all word-perfect!’

‘We have some bouquets to give all of the performers. Can you join me and your grandma on stage?’

‘Oh, of course. Who’s fetching them?’

‘Stephen offered but maybe you can give him a hand?’

I hurry off to find him as they make their way to the side of the stage. All around, small groups of people, their faces animated, discuss the twists and turns of a Christmas story filled with love, sadness and new beginnings.

Oliver makes his way over to the edge of the stage to help Elizabeth up the deep steps and, with an armful of flowers, I link arms with Grandma. Centre stage, Oliver’s friend and his assistant are fiddling with a hand-held microphone. Elizabeth indicates for Grandma to take it just as Stephen appears at her side, clutching the remainder of the flowers.

‘Can you hear me?’ Grandma checks, but it’s obviously not live. One of the guys takes it from her and taps the top. There’s a sudden loud popping sound, so at least it’s working. He hands it back, and as Stephen passes the first of several bouquets to Elizabeth, Grandma thanks each of the troupe for the magnificent performance.

The two children get the longest round of applause and shout-outs. Considering they are only six and eight years old, respectively, they were amazing and Mrs Jessop and her husband, who is rarely seen out and about, look overwhelmed with pride.

Now it’s time for Grandma to announce that the buffet is open both inside and outside the barn. ‘Without further—’ But the microphone stops working and only the people at the very front can hear her voice.

Suddenly, Stephen steps forward literally grabbing the wireless bit of kit from her hand. He fiddles with a switch on the side, thinking maybe Grandma touched it without realising it would turn it off. Then he holds it up to his mouth.

Elizabeth turns to look at me, her eyes blazing.

‘What a wonderful …’ He tails off when he realises it’s still not working. But, to Elizabeth’s horror, and my dismay, he simply lowers it and raises his baritone voice, loud enough to be heard. ‘In honour of—’

Elizabeth hurries off stage, Grandma in hot pursuit. I sprint forward, grabbing the microphone from Stephen’s hand. Then I get ready to raise my voice.

‘Sorry!’ I bellow, as loud as I can. ‘Slight technical hitch everyone,’ I apologise, my voice barrelling out of me at a level I didn’t know I could reach. ‘The buffet is now open, please enjoy!’

If looks could kill … Stephen will never forgive me, but it’s Elizabeth I’m concerned about.

‘Stephen was totally out of order, Sienna.’

I’m sitting next to Elizabeth in the study, having encouraged Grandma to go back to the party to check that no one else feels it necessary to seek out Elizabeth to see what’s going on.

‘I felt bad shutting Stephen down like that, but when I saw the look on your face I just sprang into—’

‘He didn’t like it when I said there’d be no speeches this year and that I’d asked your grandma to thank the cast and announce that the buffet was open. When I made it clear that I didn’t want him meddling in my affairs, he said I was losing my grip. He said some awful things about the changes I’ve made recently. Unforgivable things and that’s why I had to storm off, or … risk saying something that would forever come between us. I’ve had my fill of family rifts and arguments but there’s only so much I can take!’

‘He doesn’t approve of Grandma moving into the Hall to become your companion and assistant, even though the two of you have been lifelong friends?’

‘That’s about the sum of it.’

She looks agitated, twisting her hands in her lap. ‘Do you think I’m acting out of character, Sienna? Do I need to see a doctor to check that I’m still mentally … capable?’

‘No,’ I blurt out, horrified that Stephen should have sown seeds of doubt in her head. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Elizabeth, other than you’re missing Freddie. That’s a huge, life-changing loss to come to terms with for anyone, at any age. Stephen should be sensitive enough to understand that, and he owes you an apology for his appalling behaviour.’

My words seem to make her rally a little. ‘It wasn’t his place to step into Freddie’s shoes, but I know that’s what he’s wanted all along. No one can do that.’ The exasperation in her tone saddens me.

‘And you were right to speak your mind. Freddie was the life and soul of the party, and you were always the person beavering away in the background. Tonight, you and Grandma did a splendid job of greeting everyone, circulating, making introductions to ensure no one felt they were on their own. In your low-key way, you’ve done Freddie proud. No one can take that away from you and now they get to eat, drink, dance and be merry.’

Elizabeth wipes her eyes. ‘But you’re the one who pulls everything together, my dear, and it’s been that way since the day you first came to work at the Hall. You turn ideas into reality. And that play … what a superb cast, the audience was spellbound. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, as they say.’ She smiles, staring into the distance. ‘Freddie and I always thought of you as the granddaughter we would have loved to have had. Tonight, you stepped in at the right time, and if you hadn’t, I might have said something I would have lived to regret. Even though Stephen has overstepped the mark, he’s still my flesh and blood. That means something to me. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.’

I reach out to grab her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. ‘It was always going to be a difficult and emotional couple of days, Elizabeth. So far, so good, and everyone is having an amazing time. Honestly, the only person who was put out by that little incident is Stephen. I don’t think anyone else really noticed there was a problem aside from an equipment failure.’

‘It’s kind of you to seek me out to put my mind at rest. As you know, I’m not usually one to let my emotions get the better of me.’ She looks downcast and apologetic, which is crazy. She’s holding up really well, all things considered.

‘The truth is that I can’t seem to make sense of my life at the moment. Without Freddie, it’s a constant battle and if weren’t for your grandma, who has kept me grounded …’ Elizabeth lapses into silence.

After a few moments I sit back in my chair, giving a little sigh. ‘It’s strange you should say that. Grandma told me that when Pops died, she kept going because of me and Mum. I guess it’s a sense of duty, really. I mean … you can’t let the people you love down, can you, when they’re grieving too? But she went on to say that it was you and Freddie who made sure she didn’t have time on her hands to dwell. She said it saved her from herself and that thought stuck with me. There is no giving up, is there?’

Elizabeth stares down at her hands. ‘That’s the very point at which I find myself now. Each day is a new trial but also, I’m coming to realise, a new adventure. Your grandma found her way through her grief to comfort you and your mum and look at her now – she’s full of life and raring to go.’

‘I know. And she was glad to shut the door on River View Cottage that last time, before she handed over the keys to me. At first, I couldn’t understand why she was so happy to turn her back on it, but I believe I do now. It’s easier to hang on to the past because it’s what we know, but nothing wipes out the memories and there are new ones to make.’

Elizabeth lets out a determined sigh. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get there – if only because I have some wonderful friends who’ll give me a nudge if I take a step in the wrong direction.’

At last, there’s a spark of hope in her voice again and a hint of a twinkle in her eye. ‘We’d best get back to the party before Stephen thinks he has the better of me. He always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder when we were growing up. I’m the eldest and that never sat well with him for some reason. Probably because I never listened to anything he said, and I don’t intend to start now. We might be siblings, but we’re two very different personalities.’

Elizabeth stands, ready to freshen up her makeup, while I make my way back to the party. As soon as I step inside the barn, it’s obvious that Oliver has been keeping an eye out for me, and when he sees me, he indicates with his hand that I should stay where I am. He disappears from sight and a minute or two later reappears next to me, carrying a glass of champagne in each hand.

‘You look like you could do with this.’

‘You’re a lifesaver. Did I make a fool of myself just now?’

‘Not at all. I think you saved the day. Is Elizabeth all right?’

‘Yes, she’s just taking a moment to calm herself down. Um …’ I nod my head in the direction of the dance floor at the other end of the barn.

‘You want to dance?’ he asks, and I shake my head at him.

‘No, Ruby is hovering, and she looks a bit lost for company. I’ll take your glass; you go rescue her. Go on, I’ll be fine.’

With that, I down half of a glass of champagne in one go. And boy, does it hit the spot, even though the gassy bubbles seem to be making my nose fizz. I pour what’s left into the other glass and place the almost empty one on a small side table.

As I look up, I see a fraught-looking Nigel striding towards me, and I wonder what on earth is wrong, as he inclines his head, indicating for me to follow him. We make our way to the far end of the barn, to stand in the shadows at the side of the stage.

‘Be straight with me, Sienna. I know you’re Daniela’s best mate and you’re very loyal, but I need to know what’s going on.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You led me to believe that you and Oliver were seeing each other and now he’s up there …’ Nigel points to the dance floor ‘… dancing with Ruby and looking very cosy together. It doesn’t make any sense. He’s here because of my wife, isn’t he? Have you been helping to cover that up?’

I look at him aghast. ‘No, I never said that Oliver and I were together. If it weren’t for the play, our paths would probably never have crossed. We’ve become friends, as you well know. But he’s only here because of the play and why wouldn’t Daniela have contacted him to be a part of it?’

‘Hmm … it’s also a good excuse to reconnect in a more meaningful way.’

He sounds choked up and I wonder just how much he’s had to drink.

‘Do you really think I’d endorse something like that? And it’s even worse if you think Daniela is capable of doing that to you. It’s madness on your part.’

He runs his hand through his hair, a desperate look on his face, but it’s the sadness in his eyes that is devastating to see. ‘She’s hiding something from me, and I don’t know what it is. It’s like she’s not been herself lately. At first, I thought it was getting back into work mode, but did the two of them … did they have an affair when they were in Bristol?’

An involuntary gasp makes Nigel stare at me, his scrutiny intensifying as if he’s challenging me.

‘And all these little trips to Inglewick Hall,’ he continues. ‘How can I be sure it’s just work and she’s not meeting up with him in secret?’

I shake my head in disbelief. ‘You need to have this conversation with your wife, Nigel, not me. You’re not going to believe anything I say, or Oliver, for that matter. And, yes, he and Ruby do seem to be having a wonderful time, but surely that’s a good thing? If you were here to impress a woman, slow dancing with someone else isn’t exactly a clever idea, is it?’

Now he looks confused because Oliver and Ruby do look very cosy together indeed!

‘Would you tell me if you suspected Daniela and Oliver were more than just good friends? Be honest, please, because I feel like my life is falling apart around me.’

‘If I believed that were the case, I’d have challenged Daniela about it because there’s no way I’d be a willing party to a cover-up. You seem to be forgetting that Liam cheated on me, and I know how much it hurts when you discover the truth from a third party.’

That seems to stop him in his tracks.

‘I like to think that you regard me as your friend, too, Nigel. I mean … I’m godmother to your children! What I will say is that Daniela is loyal to you and she’s not capable of doing something like that. But don’t take it from me, you need to ask her outright. Whether you believe her is between the two of you, but jealousy is a reaction to a perceived threat. Why are you feeling so …’

‘Vulnerable?’ He almost barks at me and I take a step back.

He panics, reaching out to place his hand on my arm. ‘It’s just that if I lost her I don’t know what I’d do.’

‘Talk to her, Nigel. Tell her just that and listen to what she has to say before your fears alienate her. How would you feel if it were the other way around and you were innocent? If you really love her, tell her that and explain why you’re feeling like you do and maybe, just maybe, you can work this out.’

‘Sorry, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking …’ He looks miserable.

‘Don’t wait; talk to her now. And I think you’re right about Oliver and Ruby; by the look of it, they seem to be getting on very well. You see, Oliver is an easy man to be friends with because he doesn’t play games. But when there’s a spark between two people, well … you only have to look at them to see that’s the case.’

Nigel’s eyes follow mine and I can see him visibly relax. He leans in to kiss my cheek. ‘Thank you. Good friends don’t judge us when we mess up, do they?’

‘No.’ I smile at him. ‘They don’t.’

As he goes in search of Daniela, I continue to glance over at Oliver and Ruby. Their faces are animated as they dance around each other now, without a care in the world. That’s the look I want on my face when I realise I’ve finally met the one . They may not acknowledge it yet, but it’s plain to see.

Looking back, that day Daniela and I had lunch with Oliver at The Sailor’s Retreat, I clearly remember the way Ruby looked at him. For a brief second she faltered, before her eyes lit up. He’d literally taken her breath away.

How I wish now that I’d paid more attention. As my uneasy acquaintance with Oliver developed into what I hope will be an enduring friendship, did Ruby avoid him because of me? Did Oliver avoid her because he was confused? Did I hold back because deep down inside my instincts knew that we weren’t destined to be more than simply good friends?

Wow. When something is meant to be, it seems there’s no avoiding it, even when it takes a while to understand what’s happening. Maybe everything does happen for a reason. Is that why Oliver and I … why we never did find that perfect moment alone together?