‘That’s an odd expression,’ Quinn said, trying not to laugh.
‘I thought that too.’
‘Most people just say don’t put all your eggs in one basket, they don’t specify which breed of bird.’
‘No, exactly,’ Alex agreed. ‘I feel like it might be another clue.’
‘That he likes ducks?’ Quinn asked, innocently.
‘Maybe. I got some snacks for you too. I know you don’t really have a sweet tooth, so I got you some sausage rolls and steak slices from Sweet Escapes, I know you like them.’
He smiled. ‘Thank you, that’s really thoughtful.’
‘And while sweet things are not really your preference, I did get you these crème brûlée doughnuts from Donut Park to try. See if I can convert you to the sweeter side.’
Quinn took them and couldn’t help smiling. He hadhoped that tonight’s forthcoming stunt meant he might be able to throw Alex off the scent for a little while longer but he’d clearly been too obvious with his clues and his emails. Should he lie and say he didn’t like them? Although he promised her he’d never lie, not even about this.
‘They’re my favourite,’ he said.
He could see the realisation dawning across Alex’s face and knew his secret was blown. Her whole face lit up with utter joy and she reached out to stroke his face. ‘You are the most wonderful, kindest man and I love you so much.’
He had hoped to do a big reveal on Christmas Eve but maybe this way was better. No fanfare, just this quiet moment between them.
‘What are we going to do if we see St Nick?’ Zara said, interrupting their moment. ‘Will we apprehend him?’
‘Well, he hasn’t actually done anything wrong so I’m not sure he deserves to be arrested,’ Quinn said.
Zara giggled. ‘I didn’t mean that. I meant, will we go up to him and speak to him, let him know he’s been caught red-handed?’
‘I don’t know, I quite like the idea of us knowing but him not knowing that we know,’ Quinn said. ‘As today is only the twenty-second, St Nick might have several more baubles he wants to give to people before the big day. If we tell him he’s been rumbled he might not want to give them and that would spoil it for any intended recipients.’
‘That’s true,’ Alex said.
‘You’ll know who it is and that’s enough. What you choose to do with that information is up to you.’
‘What if we don’t know who it is?’ Zara said.
He’d hoped to get away with that question and just put in her mind about not chasing after St Nick when they saw him.
‘I think you’ll know. This person knows the people he’s targeting, he knows your favourite colour, your mum’s favourite flower, people’s favourite animals and hobbies. This can’t be a mystery person – it’s someone who lives here, it has to be.’
‘What if he’s in disguise?’ Zara asked.
This kid was way too smart.
‘Why would he be in disguise?’
‘In case someone is watching him to try and catch him.’
‘How would he know someone was trying to catch him?’
‘You might have told him,’ Zara said, innocently.
‘Why would I have told him?’
‘Because you don’t want us to find out who it is.’
Quinn knew Zara was super smart, but he hadn’t been expecting her to read his actual freaking mind.
