‘And do you think Pickle will like that?’
Holly thought for a moment. ‘They’d become best friends. I wish I had a best friend. Do you have a best friend?’
Libby thought for a moment. ‘I have my brother, Flynn,’ she replied, thinking how sad it was that Holly felt she didn’t have a best friend. It broke Libby’s heart.
‘Maybe we could be best friends?’ Holly said with hope.
‘I’d like that,’ replied Libby, feeling guilty because she knew that very soon she would be leaving. But there was no reason why she couldn’t write old-fashioned letters to Holly and send her photos and presents from the Big Apple. But the now familiar niggle was troubling her and she found herself wondering if she was doing the right thing.
‘Let me check on those chips.’
As Libby stood up there was a loud knock on the door. ‘I think that’s going to be your dad.’ She gave Holly an encouraging smile. ‘It will be okay. Just tell him what you’ve told me and explain how you feel. He’s your dad. He’ll understand. I promise.’
Opening the door, she found Guy looking worried. ‘I’ve just received your text. Is Holly here? I thought she was in her bedroom.’
‘You thought wrong,’ Libby said in a hushed whisper. ‘I found her outside, sitting on the bench in the freezing cold with only her slippers on her feet, and all because you’re arguing again with your mother. She had a wonderful afternoon and it would have been lovely for her to end the day decorating your tree as a family. This isn’t fair on Holly and it needs to be put right. Not only is she sad about the arguing, but she’s also sad because she has no friends. All she has is her family and with you guys continuously at each other’s throats, what effect do you think it’s having on her? I know I haven’t got kids but—’
‘That’s right, you haven’t,’ Guy cut in. ‘So you’d best leave the parenting to me.’ His tone was curt.
Libby exhaled and held her hands up in a gesture of surrender. ‘I’m just saying that I promised you’d listen to her,’ she said placatingly as Guy walked into the living room.
‘Hey,’ he said.
Holly was still sitting on the chair, cuddling a cushion.
‘I’m sorry, Granny and I didn’t mean to argue.’ Guy knelt at the side of the chair. ‘I was really worried when I’d realised you had gone. You have to promise not to do that again.’
Holly nodded.
‘I know you’ve had a good chat to Libby and I’ve promised I’ll listen to what you have to say.’ He stood up and stretched out his hand. Holly reached out and slipped her hand into his. ‘Please thank Libby for having you.’
‘Thank you, Libby, and thank you for being my new best friend.’
It was the most adorable thing anyone had ever said to her. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘You will,’ replied Holly, looking over her shoulder and giving her a gorgeous smile as they headed towards the door.
Guy picked her up. ‘You can’t walk out in your slippers,’ he said. Just as they reached the door, he turned back to Libby. ‘Can I smell something burning?’
‘Blooming heck! I’ve left the chips in the oven,’ she said, hurrying into the kitchen and grabbing the oven gloves. ‘It’s okay, you two get yourselves home,’ she shouted after them. As she pulled the oven door down she was hit with a smoky blast of hot air. Turning the oven off she pulled out a tray of chips that wouldn’t look out of place at Miranda and David’s wedding. Black as coal. Just her luck.
‘Hotel restaurant it is,’ she murmured, tipping the burnt potatoes straight into the bin before grabbing her coat and keys. As she walked out of her front door she glanced through the front window of Guy’s lodge. The curtains were wide open and she could see the Christmas tree standing in the middle of the room. Guy was holding fairy lights and Cynthia a large glass of wine. Holly was standing on a chair, ready to start hanging the baubles. Libby smiled. She hoped they could all get past whatever was going on and have a good family night together.
Heading towards the hotel restaurant, Libby knew things were starting to get on top of her and promptly texted Isla.
Are you free tomorrow morning for breakfast? I need a friend.
Immediately Isla replied.
I am. Are you okay?
I am but I’m not. Can you meet me in the bar at Starcross Manor around 9.30?
See you there.
Libby felt relieved. Maybe after a good night’s sleep and a chat with Isla, everything would become a lot clearer.
ChapterFourteen
