‘Yes, I’m Andrea,’ she says with a laugh, shaking Jennifer’s hand. She looks elegant in black-and-white-checked trousers and a powder-blue cashmere jumper, which offsets her pink cheeks. ‘I hitched a lift with Lewis and Moira rather than drive,’ she adds. ‘My car conked out after dropping my parents off at the station, and I wanted to make sure I got here in time for the birthday celebrations. I hope it’s OK.’ She looks over to Bailey again, and yikes, this is flipping awkward. Any second now ... Andrea’s eyes shift from him and flick over my face. Her smile falters. I can see her mind working overtime:Holly’s here? What’s going on?Why is his arm around her? What the hell have I just walked into?
She takes a step backwards, as if poised to run. But she’s trapped, reliant on Lewis for transport. At that moment, I genuinely feel sorry for her, but not too sorry as she’s obviously got designs on Bailey. What went on with them at the Christmas party? It must’ve been something for her to come all the way up here on Boxing Day with Lewis and Moira.
Bailey is silent. His fingers tighten on my shoulder imperceptibly. Kirk is looking at us quizzically as he tries to work out Andrea’s involvement in our relationship. Good luck with that—I’m having difficulty myself.
‘Bailey didn’t mention you were coming, but of course, you’re very welcome,’ says Jennifer. ‘It’s a tight fit, but we’ll find room. More the merrier, I always say!’
Bailey suddenly finds his voice and his manners, realising his silence is making things worse.
‘Andrea! So great to see you. Thanks for coming up.’ He goes over to relieve her of her bag and give her a kiss on the cheek. My stomach clenches.
‘Right,’ says Allan decisively. ‘Lewis and Moira are in the annexe. Follow me.’
They head off outside, and Jennifer looks at Andrea with her head tilted to one side, considering. ‘Come with me. I’ve got the perfect spot for you.’ She grabs Andrea’s bag off Bailey and hustles her upstairs with a small shake of her head at him. Hopefully she doesn’t make up a bed for her in his room! Everyone else wanders back into the lounge now that the excitement is over ... and I can breathe again.
I prod Bailey’s side. ‘You never mentioned an annexe,’ I mutter.
‘Why do you think? I wanted you in with me.’
‘Ah, sneaky. You also didn’t mention ...’ I jerk my chin in the direction of the stairs.
He plants a swift kiss on the top of my head. ‘Sorry about that.’
‘What is she doing here?’
‘Ah, I vaguely remember discussing Boxing Day plans with Lewis at the party, and I must have invited her too. I’d had a few drinks. I can’t really remember.’
‘You’re a shocker. She’s taken it as a come-on.’
He wrinkles his nose. ‘I don’t think so. We just danced a bit. I was being an idiot as usual.’
‘Really? Nothing else?’
‘No! Just chatting and silly dancing.’
Hmm, I’m not sure Bailey’s memory is 100 per cent reliable about that night. But how can I judge him when I was off my head?
In the kitchen, Bailey puts on the kettle to make tea and slides a plate of freshly made scones onto the table, along with a pot of strawberry jam, butter, and a small bowl of whipped cream.
‘Did you make these?’
‘Er, yes?’
‘Wow, you’re the first guy I’ve ever met who bakes scones,’ I say in wonder. It’s another really attractive feature about him. I’m half inclined to forgive him about the Andrea debacle. I do like a good scone.
‘Stick with me, baby. I’m full of surprises,’ he says, grasping me round the waist.
We’re enjoying an alone-time kiss when Lewis barges into the room, catching us mid-clinch. He freezes. ‘What the hell is going on?’ He points a finger at me. ‘The last time I saw you was tucked up in bed in my hotel room with a shower cap on. Now you’re snogging my friend in front of a cream tea.’ He rubs his forehead melodramatically. ‘Am I going nuts?’
Moira comes into the room at that moment. ‘Did someone say “cream tea”? Ooh yum, a Bailey special.’ She sits down at the table and looks at me expectantly. ‘White with no sugar, thanks.’
Huh, apparently, I’m making the teas. I head over to the cupboard to search for some mugs. I’m fully committed to confronting Lewis in a calm, civilised manner when the time is right. So I’m surprised to hear Bailey saying from behind me, ‘Holly’s here because of what you did.’ Oh no, he’s stealing my thunder!
‘WhatIdid?’ Lewis sounds bewildered.
‘On TikTok.’
‘Huh?’
