Christmas Kisses at the Farm on Muddypuddle Lane: a sparklingly festive story to snuggle up with by Etti Summers

Author:Etti Summers [Summers, Etti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lilac Tree Books
Published: 2023-10-31T23:00:00+00:00

Eliza tried to concentrate on the nativity play, but she couldn’t. She had arrived early and had been scooped up by Dulcie and the rest of the family, who insisted that she joined them, and she was now seated between Walter, on her right, and Jay, on her left. But instead of enjoying the experience, she was craning her neck to look for Isaac, and wondering if any of the women in the arena’s viewing gallery might be Julia.

Eliza managed to laugh in all the right places, clap when everyone else did, and look suitably enchanted at the ‘ahhh’ moments as the youngsters recited their lines. But neither her attention nor her heart had been truly in it, and as the play drew to an end, she felt guilty for not being as invested as she should, seeing how kind Petra had been earlier. The woman had obviously put a great deal of effort into it, and it had been wasted on her.

However, Eliza couldn’t help how she felt, or how distracted she was, so when she found an opportunity to speak to Petra, she took it.

‘Great play. The children were wonderful,’ she said, taking a hot chocolate from a tray that one of the youngsters was holding. Several children were circulating with drinks and nibbles, and the old people from the care home in Picklewick were tucking in with enthusiasm.

Petra saw the direction of her gaze. ‘I do it for them, mainly,’ she said. ‘I did worry that William, the care home’s manager, might cry off because of the roads, but he decided it was safe enough, and they look forward to it so much.’

‘They seem to be having a great time,’ Eliza agreed. ‘Did your other guests manage to make it?’

‘Which ones?’

‘Um, Julia and… Stephen?’ Eliza struggled to remember the man’s name but the woman’s was seared on her mind.

‘Yes, they did.’

‘I know this sounds odd, but do you mind pointing Julia out to me?’

‘May I know why?’

‘My dad used to know her.’

‘Emrys did?’ Petra pursed her lips, and understanding flared in her eyes. ‘I see. I suppose it’s okay. But before I do, can you promise me that you’ll speak to her privately and not in front of her husband.’

‘Oh?’

‘Last year, her marriage went through a difficult patch. I don’t know the full details and neither do I want to, but I believe it was triggered by a certain phone call from New Zealand.’ Petra gave her a knowing look.

Eliza’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. She closed it slowly and took a deep breath. It was clearly her phone call to Julia to which Petra was referring.

Petra added, ‘I’ll ask her to pop along to my office. You can chat there. It’s the second door on the left as you leave the gallery.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I’m not saying she’ll want to speak to you, mind,’ Petra warned, ‘but if she does, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t upset her.’

‘I’ll try not to,’ Eliza replied, wondering whether she was doing the right thing.

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