Mr Elf’s laughing at Bill. ‘Us, outrageous? As if! Sometimes it’s good to tell people your secrets.’
Santa’s clearing his throat now. ‘Okay, girls and boys, if everyone’s aboard and holding on tight, we’ll set off. Come on Nutty, trot on.’ There’s a jingle as he shakes the reins, the pony tosses his head, steam comes out of his nostrils into the cold air and the cart draws away. As they pick up speed and turn down the drive there’s snow flying off the wheels, the children are cheering and waving, and my heart is flying.
Bill’s arm slides around me. ‘So about Chamonix …’
‘Yes …?’ The less I say about this the better.
‘Every time I mention it you change the subject, but I have to tell you what Mr Elf says is completely true – I spent the whole holiday waiting for you to break up with George soIcould ask you out.’
I feel my eyes snap open in surprise. ‘Really?’
‘That first afternoon when we were the only ones there … I’ve kicked myself so often since for not telling you how I felt that day …’ He’s frowning at me. ‘When I sounded George out at the end of the holiday he was so adamant you were already unofficially engaged it felt wrong for me to intervene. That’s why I assumed you were married.’
I sigh. ‘As I discovered, George lied a lot more often than he told the truth.’
Bill’s voice is low. ‘Youdoremember that afternoon though, tell me you’ve thought about it occasionally?’
I grab my courage and my dignity in both hands and go for it. ‘Only most days since.’ It would probably be too much to tell him that lately it’s been more like every hour.
‘Ditto.’ He lets out a long sigh. ‘You’ve no idea how pleased I am to hear that. Or how over the moon I was when you walked round the corner and found me in the hot tub.’
‘We still haven’t found where Merwyn buried your boxers.’
‘Who needs those?’ He laughs and pulls me closer. ‘So many lost years, this time I won’t be letting go.’ As he looks down at me, his eyes are so dark, and it’s wonderful to know the shadows of his stubble are mine to touch whenever I want. ‘You are going to stay on after the others go home? We can work together at the castle, there’s so much you could do with the gin, or find another job if you’d rather?’
I smile. ‘Thanks, I’d love that.’
He’s squeezing me even tighter. ‘A whole new adventure – together.’
We look up as the rumble of the wheels and the jingle of the bells comes closer again. And as Nutty comes to a halt snorting in front of us, Tansy’s waving down at us.
Tiff grins. ‘Well however much Granny Miranda changes her mind, Ivy and Bill are in love, we always knew they were.’ She turns to Libby standing beside us, her hand shading her eyes from the bright afternoon sun. ‘Can we come back here for Christmas every year, Mum?’
Libby laughs and turns to Bill. ‘Is it too early to book in for next Christmas? Same great rates, Nathan’s treat.’
I give Bill a jab in the ribs. ‘Can you face doing it all over again in twelve months’ time?’
Bill shrugs inside his Barbour. ‘If you’ll be here to help me … then, hell, yes!’
Tom’s frowning at Libby from under his hat in the back of the cart. ‘In that case, why are we even going home, we could all just stay here …’
Libby holds up her finger and nods at Tom. ‘Funny you should say that, I’ve been checking out the local rental rates and the fabulous visitor numbers here in summer, it might be a great place for my first shop. Just saying.’
Fliss and I roll our eyes at each other. ‘This is Libby, she’s never going to stop.’
Libby’s looking straight at us. ‘If you two are looking for work, I’d happily take you on – you could do worse.’ Considering the huge Christmas lunch she just ate there’s a scarily lean and hungry look in her eye.
Fliss gives her a hug. ‘Thanks, Libs, that’s fab. Let’s talk about it after we’ve had our ride with Santa.’
I smile up at Bill. ‘You see, Christmas comes first, every time.’
He laughs down at me. ‘I’m with you on that!’
As he pulls me against him, I’m talking into his new stripy scarf. ‘This has to be my best Christmas ever, for so many reasons – but mostly because of you.’
‘Mine too.’ He’s rubbing his cheek against mine. ‘No pressure – but should we be planning for next year?’
My cheeks are tight because I’m smiling so hard. ‘Totally. But let’s have one more snog first.’
And as he pulls me into the longest Christmas kiss ever, with the snowy turrets sharp against the diesel blue sky, and Merwyn snuffling at my feet, I have to be the happiest woman in Cornwall if not the world.
