Baby It's Cold Outside

Chapter 8

I woke up on a camp bed covered in a scratchy blanket. Disorientated, I sat up, and looked round me. I was in a corner of the town hall. There were people everywhere, sitting around chatting, drinking tea from a table manned by the ever-dependable Millicent Fry. A general buzz of conversation filled the air.

‘You’re awake,’ Jamie sat down on the bed and folded me into his arms. I sank against him.

‘You’re here,’ I said, so pleased to see him that I started to cry.

‘Oh sweetheart,’ Jamie said, brushing my hair back from my face and kissing me. ‘It’s okay now. Harry told me what you did – you saved all those people.’

It all came back to me in a rush; the avalanche, the mountain rescue team, the man with the blood all over his face…

‘Did the driver get out,’ I said, sniffing.

Jamie nodded.

‘He’s hit his head quite badly, but he’s okay,’ he said. ‘And the walkers are both fine too. And the dog. They would all have died if you hadn’t been there.’

I tried to smile, but I couldn’t stop crying. Jamie pulled me closer and handed me a tissue.

‘The rest of the mountain came down,’ he said. ‘Just after you fainted.’

‘I fainted?’ I’d never done that before.

‘You’ve hurt your wrist,’ Jamie said.

I pulled my arm out of the blanket and looked at my wrist which was bandaged.

‘It’s just a sprain, don’t worry. You can ditch the bandage before Saturday. You hit your head too,’ Jamie said, stroking the back of my hair. I winced as he touched a tender spot on my head.

‘Tansy patched you up.’

I wiped my nose and looked at Jamie.

‘Tansy’s here?’

‘Louise rang to tell us what had happened,’ he explained. ‘You can’t keep Tansy away from a crisis – she’s been telling everyone what to do.’

He pointed to the opposite side of the room where Tansy was talking to a paramedic while she efficiently bandaged a woman’s wrist.

‘Were more people hurt?’ I asked.

Jamie stroked my arm.

‘They evacuated all the houses but some people panicked when the second avalanche happened. It’s just cuts and bruises really – running on snow isn’t the best idea. A couple of broken arms and one guy broke his leg.’

‘But no one died?’

‘Thanks to you.’

‘Where’s Harry?’ I said, suddenly realising I couldn’t see her. ‘Is she okay?’

‘She’s at the café with your mum and Suky,’ Jamie said. ‘They’ve been dishing out drinks and cakes.’

I wondered if that had been all they were dishing out or if they were serving up a few enchantments along with their sweet treats.

‘I’m going to ring your mum now,’ Jamie said, digging his phone out of his pocket. ‘I’ll tell her you’re okay. Then we should think about getting home. Dad’s here somewhere. He brought the Range Rover so he can take us all home.’

‘Your dad’s here?’ I said in surprise. ‘Has he met Tansy? Does he know about Parker?’

Jamie looked down at his knees.

‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘He’s met Tansy before, when Mum and Dad came over to Kenya so I couldn’t really pretend she was anyone else. But I asked Tansy not to say anything about Parker. I need to tell them myself. Luckily they’ve been so busy there’s not been time for small talk.’

‘You’ll have to tell him soon,’ I pointed out. ‘Today. Now.’

‘I know.’

He kissed me gently on the lips.

‘I love you,’ he said. ‘Never get caught in an avalanche again.’

I felt a bit lost sitting there, watching Tansy bandaging people and laughing with the paramedics and mountain rescuers who were milling around. She looked more like a local than I did. I spotted Jamie’s dad – Dr Brodie senior – and waved to him. He blew me a kiss but didn’t come over. He was busy talking to a heavily pregnant woman who was pale and sipping from a cup of water. I smiled to myself. Jamie might say that Tansy couldn’t walk away from an emergency but he was just the same – and so was his dad.

‘How are you feeling?’ Penny pulled up a plastic chair and sat down to next to me. She’d shed her outer layers and looked younger and fresh-faced in a thin fleece over her waterproof trousers. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and she looked like a surf chick who had got lost.

‘I’m fine,’ I said feeling a bit sheepish. ‘I fainted.’

Penny looked at me, her green eyes holding a hint of mischief.

‘You don’t have a photographic memory do you?’

I shook my head, then winced because it hurt.

‘So what, are you psychic or something?’ she said, grinning.

‘Something like that,’ I said. I wasn’t going to give her all the details, no matter how nice she was being.

Penny smiled again.

‘It’s pretty cool,’ she said. ‘Well done. We’d never have got them out in time without you.’

‘What’s the deal with the mountain?’ I asked her, swinging my legs round to the side of the bed – I wanted to get up. ‘Is it safe?’

Penny gestured to the people who were gathering their belongings and starting to drift

‘We’ve shored it up with some heavy-duty netting,’ Penny said. ‘We’re confident it’s safe for now.’

I shuddered.

‘So everyone’s going home,’ I said. ‘Everything’s back to normal?’

‘Except for the road, of course,’ Penny said. ‘That amount of snow means it’ll be blocked for days. A week, maybe.’

I stared at her as the enormity of what she was saying began to sink in. The road – the main road – the only road in and out of Claddach – was blocked. We weren’t able to leave – that meant Tansy was here for at least a few more days than she’d planned to be. And, worse than that, no one could get to us. My wedding dress, Harry’s bridesmaid dress, our catering supplies, Chloe, Frankie, my lovely dad, the registrar – oh god, the registrar – were all outside Claddach with no way of getting in. It looked very much like the wedding wasn’t going to happen.

I cried all the way home in Jamie’s dad’s car. Tansy sat in the front with my future father-in-law, telling him about the work she did in Boston. He seemed impressed and asked her all sorts of questions as he negotiated the Range Rover up the hill through the snow. The plough had been out but it was still hard going.

I stared out of the window, hot tears falling down my frozen cheeks, and listened to Tansy charming the pants off my future father-in-law.

It seemed crazy that just twenty-four hours ago, Jamie and I had left Edinburgh full of excitement about heading up to Claddach. It had been snowing there too. A light covering resting on the pavements as we walked to the station. The castle glowed against the leaden sky, looming over us as our train pulled out of Waverley.

‘Goodbye Edinburgh,’ I’d called when we crossed the rail bridge. ‘Next time I see you, I’ll be Mrs Brodie!’

Thinking about that now, I let out a sob. Jamie looked over and squeezed my hand.

‘It’ll be okay,’ he said. ‘We’ll sort it out.’

I gave him a quick smile, but there was no warmth in it. The weather, the avalanche, the road, the ex-fiancée, the newly discovered son – it was all too much for me.

We got home before Mum and Harry. I was shivering violently and Jamie hugged me close as we peeled off our outer clothes.

‘I’m going to make everyone a cup of tea,’ he said quietly. ‘Then I guess I’ll go and tell Dad that he’s got a grandson.’

For the first time, I realised Parker wasn’t there. Shows what kind of rubbish step-mum I’ll be, I thought in misery.

‘Where is he?’ I asked, wiping away my tears. I didn’t want Tansy to see I’d been crying.

‘With Eva,’ Jamie said. I followed him into the kitchen while Tansy and Dr Brodie went into the lounge, still chatting about Tansy’s hospital in Boston.

‘I bet Eva’s loving that,’ I said. Eva and Allan’s only son had been killed in an accident when he was a teenager. After he’d died, they’d left their native Yorkshire and come to live in Claddach. Eva – who was a witch too – joined Mum and Suky in the café, while Allan’s art career boomed. But their hearts always ached for the son they’d lost and their home became a sanctuary for a series of foster children, runaways and troubled teenagers. Eva would enjoy caring for little Parker, with his love of science and his funny way of talking.

Jamie poured water into the kettle.

‘She was thrilled when I asked her,’ he said. ‘Parker was drawing pictures of his house back in Boston when we left him.’

I caught a hint of pride in his voice.

‘He’s great isn’t he?’ I said, my voice wavering a bit.

Jamie smiled.

‘He’s something else,’ he said. ‘He’s so clever and funny, and it’s so sweet how he looks out for Tansy.’

The kettle boiled and he poured the hot water into the teapot.

‘This whole thing has knocked me sideways,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure what to make of it all.’

He wrapped his arms round me and I rested my head against his chest.

‘All I know,’ he carried on, ‘is that I love you and I want to marry you. Parker being in my life doesn’t change anything for me.’

He pulled back and looked at me.

‘Does it change anything for you?’

‘Nothing,’ I said, feeling happier than I had for hours. An image of the huge pile of ice and snow blocking the road flashed into my head and I shoved it away. It would be fine, I thought, as long as Jamie and I stuck together.

I picked up a mug of tea and gave Jamie a kiss.

‘Right then,’ I said. ‘Let’s go and introduce Parker to his grandpa.’

Chapter 9

I followed Jamie into the living room where Tansy was still entertaining David.

‘…and of course it was arthritis,’ she said, as David laughed uproariously.

‘Tansy,’ Jamie said. ‘Would you mind giving us a minute?’

Tansy realised at once what Jamie was about to do.

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘I’ll just go over to Eva’s. Give me a yell when you’re ready.’

She slipped out of the door. Jamie sat down next to his dad and I sat on the other sofa.

‘Dad,’ Jamie said.

‘What’s going on, Jamie?’ his dad said. ‘Has something happened?’

‘It has,’ Jamie said. ‘Don’t worry – it’s a good thing. It just might be a bit of a surprise, that’s all.’

‘That’s an understatement,’ I said under my breath.

‘So, you remember Tansy?’ Jamie began. ‘Remember we were engaged once?’

‘Yes,’ David said, his brow furrowed. He looked at me. ‘Must have been a shock for you, Ez, having the ex-girlfriend turn up on the doorstep.’

You don’t know the half of it, I thought. Jamie was taking a long time to get to the point. I scowled at him and he got the message.

‘Thing is, Dad, when Tansy arrived she didn’t come alone – she had her son with her.’

David may have been close to retirement but he was as sharp as ever.

‘Her son?’ he repeated. ‘And is he your son?’

Jamie slumped in relief that his dad finally knew.

‘He is,’ he said. ‘He’s mine. I didn’t have a clue until Tansy arrived.’

David sat in silence for a moment. I held my breath, not knowing how he’d react.

‘Bloody Nora,’ he said. ‘So you’re a dad?’

Jamie nodded.

‘And I’m a granddad.’

Jamie nodded again.

‘Are you okay, Dad?’ he said. ‘You’re not angry?’

‘Angry?’ David said. ‘Not angry. Just confused. Why didn’t she tell you she was pregnant? And why turn up now?’

‘Long story,’ Jamie said.

‘So he’s what – four years old?’ David said.

‘He’s five,’ Jamie said, unable to suppress a smile. ‘His name is Parker and he’s amazing.’

‘And how do you feel about this, Esme,’ David said. ‘Can’t be easy?’

‘It’s not,’ I admitted. ‘But he’s a lovely little boy.’

David turned his attention to Jamie again.

‘You need to tell your mother,’ he said.

‘I was hoping you might,’ Jamie said with a grimace.

‘Oh no, that’s your job,’ David said. ‘Tell her now – ring her. She’ll be spitting feathers that I knew first.’

‘You must,’ I said to Jamie.

Jamie took a deep breath, then he picked up his phone and dialled the number.

‘Mum,’ he said. ‘I’m here with Dad. I’ve just told him some news and I need to tell you too.’

There was a pause as his mum spoke.

‘No the wedding’s still on,’ he said. ‘Esme is right here. I’m going to put you on speakerphone okay?’

‘What’s going on?’ Barbara’s voice came out of the phone loud enough for us all to hear.

‘On Friday night, Tansy turned up out of the blue,’ Jamie said, speaking quickly so his mum didn’t have time to interrupt. ‘She brought her little boy with her, Parker. He’s my son, Mum.’

There was a pause.

‘Well are you sure?’ she said. ‘Can she prove it?’

‘Well no,’ said Jamie. ‘But the timings fit and he looks like me.’

‘And what does she want, this Tansy? Money?’

I felt a rush of affection towards my future mother-in-law.

‘Does she know you’re getting married this weekend?’

‘She does now,’ said Jamie. ‘She doesn’t want anything. She just wanted me to know Parker exists.’

I snorted. But quietly so no one would hear.

‘Esme?’ Barbara said. ‘Are you there? What do you think of her?’

Caught on the hop, I wasn’t sure what to say.

‘She seems genuine,’ I said lamely. ‘Parker’s great.’

‘Well I don’t know,’ Barbara said. ‘This all seems a bit fishy to me. You’re too trusting, Jamie. Always have been. I need to think about all this. David, are you coming home now?’

‘I’ll be there in half an hour,’ David said, making a face at Jamie.

‘Goodbye Jamie,’ Barbara said, then she rung off.

‘Well that went well,’ Jamie said, rolling his eyes.

‘Oh, J,’ I said, getting up and going to sit next to him. ‘She’ll come round. She’s just protective of you, that’s all.’

Jamie’s dad slapped him on the back.

‘Everyone’s just looking out for you, son,’ he said. ‘So where is this little boy? Can I meet him?’

Jamie looked thrilled.

‘Of course you can,’ he said. ‘I’ll get him.’

Jamie disappeared to find Parker, and David and I looked at each other.

‘Holding up?’ he said to me.

Once again I felt like crying at the sound of a friendly voice.

‘Trying to,’ I said. ‘It’s been a nightmare. Tansy turning up and now the avalanche.’ I looked down at my bandaged wrist and shrugged, desperately trying not to cry.

‘You’re strong, Esme,’ David said. ‘You’re doing so well. We’ll all help you and Jamie work things out.’

I smiled at him gratefully, as Jamie came back in, holding Parker by the hand, Tansy following behind.

‘Parker,’ Tansy said. ‘This is David. He’s Daddy Jamie’s dad. Which means he’s your grandpa.’

I felt David flinch a bit at the word “grandpa” but he didn’t show it. He smiled at Parker. He was brilliant with kids and I knew he’d try his best to make friends.

‘Hi Parker,’ he said. ‘I’m Grandpa. Isn’t it funny we’ve never met before now, but I think we’re going to get along, don’t you?’

Parker eyed him warily.

‘Slugs have four noses,’ he said.

‘But butterflies smell through their feet,’ David said.

They grinned at one another.

Suddenly I felt exhausted, achy and very close to tears.

‘I’m going to leave you to it,’ I said. ‘I need a bath and a lie down.’

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