Page 40 of Snow Going Back

With a chuckle, Kate pulled on her hat and gloves then set off towards Main Street, deciding to work in the quaint-looking coffee shop she’d spotted on her way into town that first day. The sound of cheerful Christmas songs rang out as she passed the raised bandstand where a local choir practised. White twinkling lights wound around each wooden beam, bathing the singers in a warm ethereal glow. It somehow made everything look even more magical, and Kate smiled, feeling the festive warmth fill her heart.

Much as this place had been thrown at her, and much as she truly despised Sam, she realised she’d begun to fall deeply in love with Pineview Falls, with its pretty town centre, caring community and beautiful history. And suddenly she was glad that she’d been given the chance to experience this place in the run-up to Christmas. Even if it was causing all kinds of chaos back home. Pineview Falls was a rare hidden gem – and one she hoped stayed that way, for its own sake. Wonderful aesthetics aside, it was a town with a true beating heart. A town with a soul in a world where most places had sold theirs to the highest bidder long ago. It was simply and quietly beautiful. To be partof it for a little while, even as an outsider, was a gift she knew she was unlikely to experience again.

Reaching the coffee shop, she walked inside and ordered a peppermint hot chocolate before setting herself up to work in a cosy-looking corner. Soon absorbed in what she was doing, Kate zoned out, oblivious to the time and the world around her as both continued moving forward. When she was finally pulled from her focus, two hours had passed.

‘Kate?’ She looked up to see Jenna, the office manager from Coreaux Roots, smiling at her tentatively.

‘Jenna, hi!’ Kate smiled back, folding her file over to the side.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just thought I’d say hi,’ Jenna told her with an apologetic look.

‘No, no, you haven’t,’ Kate replied. ‘I’m done, anyway. How are you?’

‘I’m OK, thanks,’ Jenna replied. She held up a take-out cup. ‘I have a rare weekend off from the kids so thought I’d go wild and wander down here for a hot chocolate.’ She laughed, sounding slightly embarrassed.

‘Ah.’ Kate held up her empty cup. ‘I’ve chosen the wild side, too.’ She grinned. ‘How old are your kids?’

‘Five and nearly seven now.’ Jenna’s warm brown eyes lit up as she spoke. ‘They’re staying with their grandpa for a couple of days, and my husband works nights, so it’s just me tonight.’

‘Would you like to join me?’ Kate offered, gesturing towards the empty chair opposite her. ‘I’d welcome the company.’

‘Sure, that would be nice.’ Jenna smiled and sat down.

Kate ordered a fresh drink, along with two of the cookies she’d previously been eying. She offered one to Jenna.

‘Oh, thanks!’ Jenna smiled. ‘These arereallygood.’ She took a bite. ‘So, what about you? Do you have a family back home? Kids?’

Kate shook her head. ‘No, not yet. But I’m engaged,’ she added, trying to sound upbeat. ‘Getting married on New Year’s Eve, actually.’

‘Congratulations!’ Jenna said. ‘Gosh, it must be so stressful being here with all that going on. Though you’re probably all set by now, I imagine.’

Kate forced a bright smile. ‘Fewthings left to do, but, er, yes. Mostly.’

‘How are you getting on at the house? You have everything you need?’ Jenna asked.

‘It’s going OK,’ Kate replied. ‘There was a lot more to sort than I’d anticipated, but I’m making some headway. I’m learning so much about Cora and William, too. That’s probably what’s slowing me down the most, to be honest.’ She laughed. ‘The more I discover, the more I want to know. They seem like they were pretty amazing people.’

‘They were,’ Jenna said with a smaller smile this time. She took a sip of her drink.

Kate’s mind wandered back to Cora’s diary and the sweet-talking mailman. ‘So, you and Cora were pretty close. Can I ask you a question about her? It’s quite personal.’

‘Sure, go ahead,’ Jenna said, her eyes filling with curiosity.

‘Did Cora ever mention another man? From her past, I mean. A first love, perhaps.’ Kate sipped her hot chocolate.

Jenna’s forehead puckered into a frown. ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘No. William was the only man Cora had ever loved. She’d say that a lot. Those two were the most perfect couple there ever was.’ Jenna smiled fondly and looked away. ‘I knew them both my whole life. I’ve never known a couple so deeply in love, so happy, no matter what was happening or how many years passed. They—’ Jenna stopped abruptly as her bottom lip wobbled and tears filled her eyes.

‘Oh, gosh, Jenna, I’m sorry,’ Kate said, aghast. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘No, you didn’t,’ Jenna told her, wiping her eyes as the tears began to fall. ‘Really you didn’t. I just really miss her.’ She gave Kate a sad smile as more tears followed, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a tissue. ‘Cora was like a mom to me, you see. Mine died when I was just a baby, and when my dad couldn’t figure out how he was going to workandtake care of me, Cora was the one who made it possible. She had a corner of her office set up with baby equipment and arranged it so that when he worked, she’d look after me there. Wouldn’t take no for an answer, my dad said. And would never accept a word of thanks, either. She was amazing. Threw me a birthday partyeveryyear. Took me shopping for my first bra, showed me how to style my hair, nursed me when I was sick.’ She closed her eyes and bowed her head in pain.

‘Jenna, I’m so sorry,’ Kate said, feeling heartbroken for the woman.

Jenna sniffed and wiped her eyes. ‘No, I’m sorry. You’re here just tryin’a work and enjoy your night, and here I am bawling all over you.’ She laughed, visibly forcing back the tide of grief. ‘I’m fine. Really. It’s fine. Death is part of life.’ She shrugged, her eyes still glistening but the tears subsiding. ‘That’s what Cora told us when William died. As long as we remember the good times, people live on through us.’

Kate nodded and reached out to squeeze Jenna’s arm. ‘If there’s anything of Cora’s you’d like to keep, let me know, OK? I’ll see it comes to you.’

Ifanyonewas deserving of being left something by Cora, it was her. Kate found it strange, knowing as she now did how close the couple had been to people, that they’d never written an updated will. She frowned, and Jenna looked at her questioningly.

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