Libby threw back her head and laughed. ‘Oh you poor thing! And what about the girl?’
‘Never saw her again. She was dating the captain of the rugby team before I’d even got out of hospital. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.’ He laughed.
‘I think you’ll probably do best to keep your feet on the snowy ground this evening, never mind the ice,’ Libby teased.
‘All I can say is thank God it was during the time before social media, because if that had been captured on video, it would have gone viral.’
As they turned the corner and the rink came into view, the magic of the space took Libby’s breath away. Flynn had pulled out all the stops and it had paid off.
‘It’s Christmas!’ Holly squealed.
‘Just look at this,’ Libby said admiringly.
The rink was lit by a soft glow, the trees surrounding it decked out in twinkly fairy lights, and Christmas music filtered out from the wooden hut next to the skate shack. The extras were scattered all around, some huddled in groups at the side of the rink cradling hot chocolate and mulled wine while others bustled on and off the ice, some in groups and in couples holding hands. Even though this was a staged event and the rink didn’t open until tomorrow there was tangible excitement.
Libby shivered as the cold tickled her cheeks, and stuffed her hands firmly inside her pockets as they made their way to the hot chocolate shack. ‘Can you see Miranda and David anywhere?’ she asked, scanning the area.
‘Not yet,’ replied Guy. ‘Hot chocolate with marshmallows all round?’
Holly squealed and ran ahead towards the counter. ‘I think that was a yes.’ Guy laughed.
Standing behind Holly, Libby burrowed her chin in the collar of her coat and shuffled from side to side to keep warm. ‘The temperature is dropping fast.’
‘Here, take this,’ said Guy, unwinding his scarf from his neck and slowly wrapping it around Libby’s.
She smiled. ‘Thank you.’
He caught her eye and for a moment they stared at each other.
‘Dad, are you having one?’ asked Holly, interrupting the moment.
‘Two more please,’ confirmed Guy, his gaze still on Libby for a second longer. As he turned to pay he noticed a bunch of mistletoe dangling just above their heads. It had been tied to the top of the hatch of the drinks hut. He smiled as Libby spotted it at almost exactly the same time and they exchanged a playful glance.
‘Shall we take a seat on the bench over there?’ Libby pointed. ‘While we drink these and wait for Miranda and David.’
‘Great plan, that will be a perfect spot to set up the camera too.’
With their hands wrapped tightly around their cups Holly sat down next to Libby on the bench and shuffled in close. Libby wrapped her arm around Holly’s shoulders and pulled her in to keep her warm.
‘Here they are.’ Libby nodded towards Miranda and David who were making their way around the rink, walking hand in hand.
‘And dressed for the part,’ added Guy.
Miranda was sporting a huge black Shapka on her head with a matching black coat and gloves. She looked elegant and turned heads as she made her way through the extras. David, on the other hand, was turning heads for a different reason. With his bright neon green bomber jacket and matching hat and gloves, David was not going to be lost in a crowd any time soon.
‘Now that’s a jacket and a half. As a fashion designer, would you say that jacket is on trend?’ Guy asked merrily.
‘Keep your voice down or they’ll hear you,’ Libby whispered, smiling and passing her hot chocolate to him for a second while she stood up and greeted the couple.
‘Look at this place, how romantic,’ Miranda trilled. ‘This must have taken some organising to have an ice rink with all these gorgeous huts and Christmas lights.’ Miranda spotted the next hut along. ‘David, a mulled wine is a must.’ She pointed and without a pause or question David was on his way to the hut.
It was then that Miranda noticed all the huts had hanging mistletoe.
‘Oh David,’ she called, quickly at his heels. He turned round and Miranda planted her bright blood-red lips on his then pointed to the mistletoe above. ‘Never miss an opportunity for a kiss.’
‘Eww,’ said Holly out loud, making Libby bite her lip to suppress a smile.
‘Holly.’ Guy gave her a warning glance.
