She narrowed her eyes at him again. ‘I never said he lived there, just that it was a place of interest.’
‘Right, OK.’
‘I’m going to do a stakeout tomorrow night after we go ice skating. Zara would love that, especially if there’s doughnuts.’
Quinn shrugged. ‘OK. I’m happy to do a stakeout with you. Although it might be a dull night. St Nick might be anywhere.’
‘Well, at least I could rule you out if there are baubles placed somewhere else that night and you’re in the car with me.’
He smiled. ‘You really think it’s me?’
‘I’m not sure. There is some indication that it is you. But I’m a bit thrown by St Nick mentioning his other half, though. We weren’t together at that point and that’s the kind of thing you say about a wife or girlfriend.’
‘So maybe it’s not me.’
‘And maybe it is.’
‘You could just ask me, if you’re that frustrated by not knowing. I’d never lie to you, about anything.’
Alex frowned. She suddenly didn’t want this to be over, she was enjoying the thrill of the chase. Like finding out the truth about Santa, she didn’t want to ruin the magic, not yet anyway and she certainly didn’twant to find out like this with no fanfare. If it was him, she wanted to find out on her own not have it presented to her as a fait accompli.
‘No, I need to find stronger evidence before I accuse you. Just like in Cluedo, yousuggestthat it might be Miss Scarlett with the dagger in the conservatory, you don’taccuseuntil you have all your ducks in a row.’
‘You need more ducks.’
‘Yes, and I’m going to find them.’
‘OK, I have to go.’ Quinn moved forward to give her a kiss. ‘I’ll see you tonight for the parade. And maybe after I could come back and hang out with you all.’
‘Zara has her Brownies Christmas party sleepover after – she has a better social life than I do and I have a top secret meeting,’ she laughed.
‘What’s the top secret meeting?’ Quinn asked, pulling his coat on.
‘I have no idea. Cleo wanted to meet and she said it was top secret, so I probably shouldn’t have told you that! Forget I said anything.’
He laughed. ‘I’ll try.’
‘But you could come round after my meeting, spend the night. I don’t have to pick Zara up until nine the next day.’
‘Now that sounds like a perfect plan.’
‘We’ll have to be quiet though, Immy is in the room right next door.’
‘I can do quiet. Can you?’
She laughed. ‘I can try.’
He smiled, gave her another kiss and walked out.
Dear St Nick,
Very clever throwing me a red herring last night with the elf hats and, yes, I suppose I did find it funny that every single person was wearing one. Although as that clue was less than helpful I think you owe me two clues today.
Did you manage to speak to me? I spoke to so many men last night, some for a few minutes, some no more than a hello, so I’m not sure I can whittle it down with that either.
So I’ll ask you a few questions to try to narrow it down some more.
How old are you, or at least can you give me an age range?
