‘The wood store looks good.’ Alvaro reappeared sooner than Jade expected.
‘They’re good lads.’ Ellen nodded. ‘They did it in record time.’
Alvaro washed his hands before checking the contents of the pantry and giving a satisfied nod. ‘I’ll get under way.’
‘He comes every year to help with the preparations.’ Ellen sighed to Jade, but pride was evident in her voice. ‘He makes the Christmas butter.’
‘The Christmas butter?’ Jade laughed as she glanced across the table at him. ‘Alvaro?’
He shrugged as he reached for an apron. ‘It’s the best and, no, I won’t share the recipe. I have my own secret blend of nuts and spices.’
‘It is the best.’ Ellen nodded. ‘I’ll give him that.’
Of course, it was. Because Alvaro was the world’s most competitive person in everything he attempted.
‘It doesn’t take long,’ he said gruffly.
But Jade didn’t want Ellen thinking she was making him cut this visit short.
‘Can I help? Please let me help.’ She rubbed her hands together nervously. ‘Anything that doesn’t require skill, that is.’
‘You don’t cook, PJ?’ Ellen asked.
‘Not really,’ Jade mumbled apologetically.
‘I’m sure you do other things,’ the older woman said with that oddly brisk kindness. ‘Not everyone can excel at everything, like that overachiever there.’ She gave Alvaro a warm glare.
Alvaro had been looking thoughtfully at Jade. ‘We can make a start on the potatoes for you, Nel. I know you hate peeling.’
‘What I hate is the arthritis I get when I try.’ Ellen grimaced. ‘So, yes, thank you. You ordered far too many, even for us.’
Jade watched Alvaro gather equipment.
‘I’ll peel, you chop, okay?’ he said.
‘Sure.’ She was just relieved she didn’t have to stand there uselessly any more.
An hour passed swiftly as they slipped into a natural rhythm. Jade listened to the banter between Ellen and Alvaro—each ridiculously quizzing the other. Alvaro visibly relaxed and teased more. Once the potato mountain was peeled, he moved on to his famous butter—chopping a massive pile of nuts and dried fruit.
‘Will you stay for lunch?’ Ellen asked.
‘You know we can’t stay this time,’ he said instantly.
‘This time?’ Ellen rolled her eyes and gruffly scolded him again. ‘You flit in and tear up the place getting everything done and the second it is, you’re gone. You never stay.’
‘And you know there’s always the next job to be done...’
‘It’s supposed to be a holiday,’ Ellen grumbled before she turned to Jade. ‘Come and admire my Christmas tree, PJ,’ she ordered. ‘So chef here can maintain the secrecy of his recipe.’
‘It won’t be long,’ Alvaro reminded them as Jade dutifully followed Ellen to the dining room.
The tree was in one corner, but the room’s real draw were the two large rectangular tables. Set end to end, they took up almost the entire space. An assortment of chairs was stacked in the corner while heaped on the end of the nearest table were packets of table decorations, Christmas-themed plates and tinsel. The courier sticker was still on the packaging of one and the name on it caught Jade’s eye—Ellen Byrne.
Jade stilled, surprised. Alvaro had taken Ellen’s surname? So for how long had they been in each other’s lives? When had they met? And in what way had Ellen saved him? It was obvious they were close, and yet...
‘You do this every year?’ Jade sought to relieve some of her less intrusive curiosity.
‘Yes, and Alvaro arrives every Eve to help.’ Ellen straightened. ‘It’s not enough that he pays for everything.’ Her expression tightened. ‘He’s always paying...’
‘You don’t like him to?’ Jade asked.
‘I wish he didn’t feel that he has to,’ Ellen muttered. ‘And so much. Look at that pile of decorations. What am I supposed to do with them all?’
Jade chuckled. ‘People like being able to do things for those they love. I guess this is something he can do?’
‘He ought to understand that the Christmas butter is enough. But every year he sends more and stays less.’
Jade had been surprised that he’d arrived seemingly empty-handed but of course he’d already provided the things—the food, the heating, the whole house. All those vital, practical things. But then he left. Jade couldn’t help wondering what it was that made him feel as if he couldn’t stay. Why didn’t he want to? Because it wasn’t for lack of welcome. Ellen obviously would like nothing more.
‘He doesn’t like to be a burden.’ Ellen sat in a chair at the table and softly offered her opinion on the questions Jade hadn’t even voiced. ‘He doesn’t understand that he never was that to me.’
‘What was he?’ Jade asked.
‘Everything.’
Jade nodded. She could understand how that might be so. But then she heard Ellen draw a breath and she just knew a question was coming. A personal question she had no good answer to. So she got in first to avoid it. ‘There are a lot of decorations. Would you like me to see if I can do something with them?’
Ellen took her measure for a long moment. Then she smiled. ‘Unlike Alvaro, I never say no to an offer of help. You go for it.’
‘Great. Then you go have a coffee with him.’ Jade smiled and looked back at the packets of printed paper plates. ‘And leave me to this. It’ll be fun.’
It was fun—because there was an insane amount of Christmas decorations and Jade had never got to do Christmas decorations before. She set the chairs out, having seen the way footmen and maids prepared tables for formal receptions at the palace. She knew the sort of thing that was required. But this was better with all the whimsical little ornaments and snowy glitter to scatter everywhere.
‘Uh, Jade?’
She looked up, suddenly self-conscious, and realised Alvaro was standing in the doorway, an odd expression in his eyes.
‘I just need a few more minutes,’ she said apologetically, glancing down at the table. She’d not realised how extraordinarily colourful she’d made it. ‘I’m not quite done yet...’
Had she done an okay job? Or was this...too much?
‘Sure thing.’ He nodded slowly. ‘Come back to the kitchen when you’re done. It’s looking amazing.’