Chapter 25
Alice
Even though she was just having another dinner with Jamie, Alice found herself faffing about in her bedroom with her clothes. She had told herself off more than once for making a fuss. It was just dinner at home, in the kitchen.
The smell of something roasting in the oven wafted her way, making her mouth water, and seeing how she wanted to act natural about things, she wiped off the lipstick she’d just applied, leaving some blusher and mascara in place.
Alice raised her palms as she stared in the tall floor mirror. ‘Just stop.’ Taking a breath, she slipped into her comfy trousers and blouse, then made her way to the kitchen to see if Jamie needed any help.
Jamie was crouched in front of the oven, concentrating on the timer in his hand. He didn’t even notice her enter.
Alice took a peek at the list on the worktop, recognizing Demi’s handwriting, and smiled to herself. It seemed she wasn’t the only one making a fuss. She dramatically cleared her throat to gain attention.
Jamie’s head shot around. ‘Oh, hello. Come in. Take a seat. I’m about to get everything out the oven in two minutes.’
Alice widened her eyes on seeing how the table was decorated. Christmas crackers and gold napkins, holly around a white pillar candle, and cutlery and glasses all in place with a bottle of chilled white wine.
A buzzer went off, and Jamie began draining vegetables, carving chicken, and serving up roast potatoes and pigs in blankets.
‘Are we having some sort of Christmas dinner?’ asked Alice, pouring a glass of wine.
‘Yep.’
She sat, straightening her blouse, then poured Jamie a drink as well. ‘It smells delicious.’
‘I won’t lie, I got help from Demi, so there should be no food poisoning. I wanted to make sure this chicken was cooked thoroughly, so if it’s a little overcooked, that’s why.’
Alice smiled as he put a roast dinner in front of her. ‘Ooh, lovely, thank you.’
Jamie sat opposite and took an obvious breath.
‘A little hot there, Jamie?’
He fanned his face with his hand. ‘Just a touch.’
‘You’ll have to cook more often, then you’ll get used to it.’
‘I felt like an octopus at one point.’
‘When you do it a lot, you get used to the timing of everything.’
He sipped his wine. ‘That’s why I asked Demi. I have no idea how she does this for a living.’
Alice chuckled. ‘She loves it.’
‘Next time, I’ll just throw in some oven chips.’
‘And I’m sure I’ll enjoy that too.’ She stuck her fork into a roasted slice of parsnip.
Jamie raised his glass. ‘Cheers.’
Alice put her food down to clink glasses with him. ‘Merry Christmas.’
‘I know it’s Christmas soon, but we’re sharing that day with so many others — I just wanted to have a Christmas moment with you.’
Alice smiled warmly. ‘I knew you had something more up your sleeve than just dinner. You looked shifty all through lunch.’
Jamie laughed. ‘Shifty?’
