On Christmas Day Page 8

  With her spirits rising, Lexi went to the door. She had done it! She’d had the nerve to say her piece to Mr McCann and hadn’t been told to go away and stop wasting his time. And the little bubble of optimism inside Lexi made her almost positive that he was going to take her on. The only thing left would be to convince her mother that it was a good idea …

  After she had gone, Johnny spoke up, feeling slightly angry with his father, who hadn’t made that easy for Lexi. ‘I wish you’d felt able to let Lexi know tonight, Dad,’ he said, ‘because I can promise you that you’d never have reason to regret taking her on. She is ambitious and determined, and is trying so hard to achieve what she wants.’ Johnny paused. ‘Aren’t those the qualities you admire, Dad?’

  ‘Of course, Johnny,’ Reynard said smoothly. ‘But there is no sentiment in business and you should never show your hand too soon. Having to wait for an answer makes people even more anxious to get what they want.’ He paused … at this present time his own words were proving only too true. He cleared his throat, patting Johnny’s shoulder as he went past.

  ‘Don’t worry about your little friend,’ he said. ‘I’d made my decision to allow her to do the rounds ten minutes ago. I will tell her formally tomorrow.’

  Chapter Eight

  ‘I really don’t know, Lexi,’ Cecilia said the next day as she was about to leave for the laundry. ‘Collecting those rents by yourself is going to be a far different matter than going with Johnny. You’ll be alone, carrying all that money – what if someone attacks you and makes off with it? What would Mr McCann have to say about that!’

  ‘Oh Mama, honestly, it will be fine!’ Lexi exclaimed. ‘I know everybody and the tenants are so nice and friendly … besides, I don’t think anyone would dare pinch Mr McCann’s money! Please Mama, let me give it a try.’

  Sighing briefly, but without answering for a second, Cecilia went slowly over to the cabinet and took out something from the back. She handed it to Lexi. ‘Perhaps it’s time you had one of these,’ she said.

  Mystified, Lexi slipped off the single sheet of brown wrapping paper, and her lips parted in a wide smile. She was looking at a black, steel money box, a real money box, not a childish thing, compartmented for coins and bank notes, its lid strong and held secure with a double lock key. And on the top, engraved in fine lettering was her name. Lexi Martin.

  Lexi put the box down, then went over and hugged Cecilia. ‘Thank you, Mama,.’ she said. ‘I never expected to own one of these. It can hold such a lot of money – Mr McCann has several just like it.’

  ‘I’m sure he has,’ Cecilia said dryly.

  Lexi had never been kissed before, not on the lips, not like this.

  Earlier that June Saturday evening, Johnny and Lexi had wandered across the fields together, not saying very much, but waiting for the moment when, as usual, conversation would suddenly be unleashed and they would hardly stop for breath.

  The damp turf beneath their feet made walking easy, and within twenty minutes they’d reached their favourite spot along the river where, at a certain point, the water was shallow enough for them to paddle. Sometimes – when they’d been much younger – they’d dared each other to go further and further in until the river threatened to take them off their feet and out into the sea. But they’d always stopped well before there’d been any chance of that happening.

  Now, Johnny took off his jacket and threw it on the ground and they lay down together. With his arm lightly around her waist, he half-turned and drew her in towards him. And Lexi tucked her head into his neck and breathed a long, drawn-out sigh.

  Then they turned to face each other properly and that was the moment when Lexi was kissed properly for the first time in her life.

  It was the moment she realized that being hugged by others, and showered with kisses from Phoebe and Joe and from her mother and father, was a totally different experience.

  What she was feeling now were small rivulets of warmth and longing – and desire … a word she barely understood but she felt it running through her body, making every part of her tingle.

  And she was aware that, at that moment, nothing would ever be the same again between them, that they had taken a step into another world.

  His parted lips against her soft mouth were firm but not demanding, and with her eyes closed, Lexi moved in even nearer. And in that dreamy, timeless space it seemed to both of them that they were one person, not two, and that nothing could ever separate them.

  Presently, he released her, and still holding hands but not saying a word, they lay on their backs and gazed up at the blue sky, at soft, fluffy clouds drifting along on the gentle breeze.

  He could not tell her how much he had longed for this moment, how long he had imagined holding her close, to feel her lips like this. Instead –

  ‘I’m going to miss you Lexi,’ he groaned. ‘So much.’.

  She snuggled into his neck again. ‘Don’t let’s talk about that,’ she whispered. ‘Don’t let’s spoil any of this.’

  Much later, reluctantly, they began strolling back, pausing every few seconds for their eyes and lips to meet again and again. But eventually the spell was broken as they emerged out of the countryside and into normality. And Lexi, not wanting the day to end, murmured –

  ‘Shall we see if Bert’s Place is still open?’ She smiled up at Johnny. ‘I want to buy you something nice.’

  Walking on, even more slowly and with their arms around each other, they arrived at the open-fronted café. There were only two customers, and they were just getting up to leave. The owner was wiping down the counter, and a broad smile spread over his features when he saw the two arrive.

  ‘Hello Mr. Bakewell,’ Lexi said, wondering if her voice sounded as funny to him as it did to her. ‘Um … do you have any of your custard tarts left by any chance? Because if you do we’d like one each, please.’

  ‘I certainly do,’ the owner said, ‘you go and sit down and I’ll bring them over in a couple of ticks. And – a pot of tea as well?’

  She and Johnny took their place at one of the tables, and Lexi smiled quickly. ‘We may be a bit longer than we thought Johnny,’ she said quietly. ‘We’re the only ones here now, and you know how much Mr. Bakewell likes talking to his customers, especially those who will stay and listen to his stories about life at sea … the places he’s seen, the storms he has survived!.’ She looked thoughtful for a moment, then, ‘It makes me realize how little I know of the world,’ she said. ‘Do you think I will ever have the chance to leave England – or even Bath?’

  Johnny reached across and put his hand over hers. ‘We don’t know what the future holds, Lexi,’ he said softly, ‘but when the time is right – for both of us – we’ll make our own future, together.’

  Lexi’s eyes shone. She didn’t really know what he meant by that, but it sounded wonderful to her.

  Bert Bakewell returned with their tray, then sat down opposite them. ‘You know, it’s always good to see you young folks down here,’ he said. ‘Especially this little lady who’s helped me out quite a few times I might tell you young man!’

  Johnny raised his eyes, glancing at Lexi. ‘Really?’

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ Lexi said, stirring sugar into her tea.

  ‘Well, it isn’t nothing to me,’ the owner said. He turned to Johnny. ‘One time in particular when Lexi and her mother and Miss Hobbs were here, and I was counting up, I dropped the takings and they went all over the place and down on the floor and I was scrabbling about on my hands and knees and I couldn’t pick the darned stuff up – not with my poor fat old fingers!’

  ‘That must have been horrible for you, Mr. Bakewell, Johnny said, but the owner hadn’t finished.

  Well – see – it was Lexi to the rescue! She found every last penny, then counted it all out and bagged it up for me – did it like lightning! And she’s offered to help me out whenever she can … I told her, she’s my accountant!’

  ‘It’s simple, Mr. Bakewell,’ Lexi sai
d, finishing the last of her custard tart, ‘I’m used to handling money because I work at the sweet shop as you know, and I also help Mr McCann sometimes when I’m with Johnny.’

  The owner looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Of course, this place will never make me a fortune but it’s a funny thing … money doesn’t interest me that much anymore, not that it ever really did. As long as I have enough to get by and can keep my little place going that’s enough for me.’ He sat back and folded his arms. ‘What I really love is cooking,’ he went on. ‘It was my job at sea. And I love meeting folk, talking to them. That’s why I bought the place.’ He paused. ‘It was a little dream I had for when I finally came ashore.’ He smiled affably at Lexi and Johnny. ‘And that little dream came true.’

  It was impossible not to love this happy, elderly man, Lexi thought, but it was time to go. They’d been gone a long time this evening. She took money from her purse to pay for their order and stood up, and Johnny stood as well.

  ‘Thank you so much, Mr. Bakewell,’ they chorused, and reluctantly the owner heaved himself out of the chair.

  ‘No, thank you,’ he said, then, looking at Lexi. ‘Oh, before you go, Lexi, did I ever tell you about the time I …’

  When they got back to the cottage, Cecilia was sitting reading last night’s evening paper. She looked up as they entered.

  ‘Oh good – there you are. Did you have a nice walk?’ She turned another page. ‘You’ve been a very long time.’

  ‘We did go to Bert’s Place afterwards,’ Lexi said casually, ‘for a custard tart each. And to talk to Mr. Bakewell for a bit.’ You know what he’s like’.

  Cecilia sat forward, narrowing her eyes, just slightly. She could read her daughter in a trice. ‘Where did you go for your walk?’ she enquired.

  ‘Oh, by the river…. like we usually do,’ Lexi replied, glancing at Johnny. ‘The water was very calm today.’

  After a few minutes Johnny cleared his throat. ‘I’d better be off,’ he said. ‘I’ve still got some homework to do before tomorrow, and you know what my father is like about getting things done on time.’

  When he’d left, Cecilia stood up, yawning. ‘I think I’ll have an early night,’ she said, then – ‘it’s going to seem strange not having Johnny – and Alfred – at home for the summer, and then of course, after that when they go to college. But there it is. That’s how the future is going to be. Mr McCann has great plans for his two boys and I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.’ She shot Lexi a quick glance. ‘We’re just going to have to get used to not seeing them around so much anymore, that’s all.’

  Presently, upstairs, Lexi slowly got ready for bed, biting her lip. Cecilia had seemed a bit irritated when they’d got back and a sudden thought struck Lexi. Surely her mother couldn’t have guessed that she and Johnny had kissed! Lexi coloured up at the thought. But she couldn’t deny that her mother had seemed annoyed with them – or more specifically with her, Lexi. But why? Cecilia hadn’t objected to them going for a walk – hardly an unusual event – and Lexi had done all the household chores in good time.

  Sighing briefly, she went over to the window and looked out. One of these days her mother was going to have to accept that her fourteen-year-old daughter had a mind and a will of her own, whether it was to work at whatever she could, to buy them that house, or to sometimes come home a bit later than usual.

  She turned to gaze down at Phoebe and Joe for a moment, both looking so cosy and peaceful and protected, tucked up in the soft white covers. Then bending, Lexi kissed them gently, taking care not to disturb them.

  And with a renewed rush of excitement she remembered Johnny’s lips on her own as they had lain together on the soft turf. They had taken a step into the unknown, and now, he was no longer her best friend, he was much, much more than that, and their fate had been sealed. Because Johnny McCann was the person Lexi Martin wanted to spend the rest of her life with. To live with, properly, forever.

  The person she wanted to love forever.

  And he must surely be feeling the same – because what had he said earlier? That one day they would find their futures together.

  In her own room next door Cecilia lay awake for a long time, her mind a torrent of anxieties. Something had happened that evening … she was sure of it. Because when those two had come home they’d been different together. As if they were sharing a secret. For those fleeting minutes the atmosphere in the room had been charged with something indefinable – yet to another woman, instantly recognizable.

  And Cecilia’s last waking thought was that she would protect her beloved daughter from hurt with the last breath she had. Whether Lexi approved or not.

  Chapter Nine

  It was the 26th of June, and the last Friday that Lexi and Johnny were doing the rounds together before Johnny was to leave for Salisbury. Tomorrow, he would be joining Alfred, and on Sunday the college field trip to Barra was to begin.

  This evening, the pair were taking far longer than usual to collect the rents. They didn’t hold hands, not properly, until they were well away from home and out of sight, then, with his arm around her waist Johnny kept drawing Lexi gently towards him and she would lift her face for him to kiss her, over and over again.

  Their newly discovered relationship was as wonderful and as natural as if Venus herself had decreed it, and Lexi clung to Johnny unashamedly. Perhaps, she thought dreamily, these special feelings of theirs had always been there but had finally come to the surface – like the undercurrent of their slow-moving river … there all the time, but unobserved.

  Reluctantly, he let her go and they continued walking, their hands held tightly, both feeling miserable that soon they were to be parted for such a long time. Then, with all the rents collected, they made their way back towards Grey Gables, not wanting to hurry, not wanting to share each other with anyone else. But eventually, Lexi slipped Johnny’s arm from around her waist and moved away from him. They’d be passing the cottages in a minute and her mother may be looking out of the window. Cecilia must not suspect anything, must not suspect that there was more to the youthful friendship than there once had been. Lexi sighed at her own thoughts. It couldn’t possibly be that her mother didn’t approve of Johnny – she’d always liked him, had often said so – but once or twice lately, and especially on that Sunday a couple of weeks ago when they’d got home a little late, it seemed that Cecilia was unhappy about something … perhaps unhappy about her daughter becoming too close to anyone outside the family.

  When they got back, Anna was sitting at the table writing her diary and she looked up. ‘Oh good, come and sit down. The kettle’s on and I expect you could both do with a cup of tea.’ She glanced at Lexi. ‘You must be tired, my dear, after those hours at the shop and now this as well.’ She pointed to the huge bag of money which Johnny had put down on the table.

  They both took their seats as instructed, Johnny, gazing at Lexi and not wanting to take his eyes off her. He folded his arms. ‘Two things are going to keep me going while I’m away for two whole months,’ he declared flatly. ‘One will be coming back to our Anna and her fantastic food, and the other will be looking forward to seeing Lexi perform at the Pump Room in September.’ He glanced up as Anna put their tea in front of them. ‘Will you be coming to hear her as well, Anna?’

  ‘But of course!’ Anna said. ‘Cecilia and I will be going along together I expect – It is going to be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons at 4 o’clock, during September and right up until Christmas, isn’t it Lexi?’ The housekeeper smiled happily. ‘I shall be going at least once a week, if not twice, and the friend who I sometimes go to the theatre was so impressed. She told me she will be coming along as often as she can!’

  Just then they heard steps on the stairs and Reynard emerged. ‘You’re back,’ he said, without preamble. ‘Any problems?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Johnny said. ‘In fact, several of the tenants were outside waiting for us. They gave us an apple each!’ He picked up his cup.
‘By the way, did you know that Lexi is going to be our famous Bath soloist, Dad? She’s been engaged to sing at the Pump Room from September right up until Christmas.’

  Reynard glanced at Lexi briefly. ‘Well I hope you are being paid for it,’ he said.

  ‘Oh yes, Mr McCann, I am!’ Lexi exclaimed. ‘And the pianist told me that I will almost certainly be given tips from people who really enjoy my singing and that sometimes they ask for their favourite songs or pieces … so I shall have to learn a lot more than I know at the moment!’ She paused. ‘Apparently they have a string trio playing there now, and I will be replacing them.’ Lexi smiled. ‘So my fee will all go towards that house I’m saving for, Mr McCann. I’ve got quite a lot already – though I’m not sure how much I will need to actually buy one. I am sure that houses like Grey Gables cost a great deal,’ she added.

  Reynard had been watching Lexi as she’d been speaking, had noticed how her eyes had sparkled at her own words. He admired anyone with ambition, and this young woman certainly seemed to have her sights set on what might seem a somewhat impossible goal for anyone her age and class.

  After a moment, he opened the big bag of rent money and threw the coins onto the table. Then he sat back and looked across at Lexi. He cleared his throat. ‘Do you have as much as this saved up – or more than this?’

  Lexi stared down at the pile of coins. She knew how much it always came to, because she’d counted it upstairs many times with Johnny when Mr McCann hadn’t been there. ‘I think a little more than this,’ she faltered.

  ‘Where do you keep it?’

  ‘In a box under my bed,’ Lexi began, and he interrupted at once.

  ‘Well, it’s not going to do you any good there, is it?’ Reynard spoke in such a cross voice that Lexi drew back for a moment. What had she said? What should she have said?

  ‘Money needs to be moved around,’ Reynard went on emphatically. ‘Left under the bed it’s just gathering dust. It is not increasing. You must make money work for you – you’ve worked hard enough to get it, and you must make it work for you!’