Gracie’s eyes are huge as I peep out from under the duvet. ‘Does Feather Christmas’s reindeers fly up here, Hols?’
Rory’s face is split in a grin. ‘Holly Christmas! Seeing as this is twenty questions, why are you still in your pyjamas when it’s time to go?’ His grin slowly turns into a knowing smile. ‘Unless your Christmas present to me is asking me to meet you in Paris, via your pyjamas?’ Even though we both know it’s bull, he never gives up.
I’m trying to shut him up. ‘We’ll see once Christmas is over.’
‘I’ll take that as a yes, then?’ He doesn’t get any less tease-y.
‘Ask me again next time you see them.’ Obviously there won’t be a next time. Part of me is aching inside that he won’t be crashing in and waking me up with the smell of cooking bacon. That those pre-wedding breakfasts are over. However seductive Rory’s plans sound and however much I man up, with my savings as they are I can’t make the figures work. There isn’t enough for me to get a business up and running, and eat too. ‘But how did you get here? The mews looked impassable. I thought you weren’t coming.’
‘The main roads are fine.’ His brow wrinkles into a frown. ‘I promised I’d be here, Berry. If it meant pulling you ten miles on a sledge, I’d still have come to get you.’
Something about the way he looks at me as he says that makes my insides turn all soft. Just for a second I’m regretting that I wasn’t out of bed to get a ‘Happy Christmas’ hug. Although however much I’d like to bury my head in his neck, it’s probably best that I didn’t, because I might not have wanted to let go. So when Gracie dips around Rory’s ragged jeans and holds a furry toy out to me, I’m grateful for the diversion.
When I see what it is, I can’t help laughing. ‘An Olaf meerkat? Isn’t he fab?’
Gracie’s beam couldn’t be any bigger, although she’s still holding snowman tightly too. ‘Feather Christmas brought him.’
Rory cuts in. ‘I know we’re mashing our genres here, but it was your voice in my head telling me he was too cute to leave in the shop.’ For a guy who once thoughtFrozenwas what peas are, he’s caught up fast.
As I smile, I realise what’s missing from Rory’s hip. ‘Where’s Teddie?’
‘Where do you think? It’s hard to prise him away from Immie these days.’ He looks at his phone. ‘If you’d like to get ready, that would be good. We need to call round by Roaring Waves to get some beer and fizz for Bart and Jess.’
I pick up my best jeans and a Topshop shirt. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’
‘Great. Don’t forget your wellies.’ Just before Rory backs out of the room, he drops a carrier bag onto the bed. ‘That’s the Christmas jumper I promised you. You put that on and I’ll get the Christmas tunes ready.’
I tip it out onto the quilt, but instead of the threadbare Bad Elf Beer hoody I’m expecting, there’s a soft, berry-pink sweatshirt with a white-printed caption.
Christmas is too sparkly … said no one ever…
I’m laughing so hard I can hardly speak. ‘Thank yousomuch.’ Better still, when I bury my face in it, it smells faintly of Rory. I’m about to dive across for a thank-you hug. But it’s too late, he’s already closed the door.
Chapter 38
Monday 25th December
Christmas Day at Rose Hill Manor: No surprises
The snow-covered landscape looks magical as we sing along toJingle Bell RockandWhen Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimneyon the road to Rose Hill village. But it’s nothing compared with how it looks when we turn down the lane to the Manor and see the gracious stone house with its chimneys and snowy roofs appearing beyond the black and white trees along the drive. The Christmas trees flanking the entrance are covered in snow too, and sparking with twinkling lights, and as we go through the wide front door the warmth hits us. Even though we saw the towering hallway tree reaching for the sky at Sophie and Saffy’s wedding, it makes us gasp all over again this time around. Jess and Bart have added several miles of tinsel and a celestial army of cherubs to make it even more Christmassy. Some artfully arranged Swiss sledges and ski boots underneath it add the perfect dollop of festive atmosphere. And from the chatter drifting out into the hall, it sounds as if they’ve added in extra guests for the pre-lunch drinks party.
As Rory swings in from the car with the first crate of beer, I seize the chance to whisper to him. ‘Where are all the pressies?’
He gives the laziest wink. ‘They’re on their way.’
There’s no time to ask more because Jess is welcoming us with air kisses, looking fab in her blue cashmere Klosters Snow Polo jumper and her ski pants and furry boots. She raises an eyebrow and fixes me with that stare of hers. ‘Keep your coats with you. I hope you’re ready for a day of fabulous surprises.’
‘Lovely.’ Hopefully there won’t be too many like last year’s.
Jess is laughing. ‘No need to look so scared, Holly. Come in, have some gluhwein and enjoy the ride.’
We move through to the lovely living area, with its comfy linen-covered sofas and wide polished boards. Across the room, Kip and Lily are talking to her mum and her new husband, who are both wearing zingy raspberry exercise wear that matches her lippy. As Bart throws logs onto a blazing fire, Jess ladles warm, spiced wine and hot, spiced apple juice into our glasses. Then we pick up some smoked salmon blinis and while I move on to do the rounds of ‘Happy Christmas’ hugs and air kisses, Rory goes out for the rest of the beer and fizz.
When I find Poppy over by the doors looking out to the lake, I settle Gracie down on a stool with Meerkat, Snowman and a tray of canapés. Then I give Poppy a special hug, grinning at theMy Little Snowflakecaption on her bump.
‘How’s that tiny person of yours doing?’ Even though we’ve chatted on the phone, I haven’t actually seen her since she got back from hospital yesterday.
She pulls a face. ‘I’ve pretty much got over having Christmas wrestled away from me. I know Rafe and Jess are only trying to protect us both.’ The bump she’s patting under the snowflake is actually huge. ‘Whatever it says on my top, there’s nothing little about this one. He’s run out of space to kick now. They’ve always been struggling with their dates, but the head’s engaged, so he might even be a January baby, not a February one.’
