Page 96 of I’m Dreaming of a New York Christmas

My breath caught in my throat. ‘Shut up, you did not.’

I took a proper look at the bracelet dangling from my arm, inspecting the pretty charms closely. They took on a whole new meaning now I knew Anneka had crafted them, each of them reflecting an element of my interests and personality. There was a pencil, a CD, a pair of headphones and a flower with the letter ‘F’ engraved in the centre.

‘Is this… a mushroom?’ I asked, peering at the fifth and final charm from every angle.

‘Yeah, remember that amazing risotto we—’

‘I remember,’ I interjected, not wanting to dwell on that memory any longer than I had to. That said, I now had a permanent reminder of my fungi fraud.

‘Since when were you a jewellery-making genius?’ I asked.

Anneka shrugged. ‘It’s hardly perfect. But I’ve been learning silversmithing for a couple of years. One of my dog walking clients has a studio in her garden. Do you like it?’ she asked, with wide eyes.

I nodded, my own eyes brimming with tears. ‘I love it. Thank you. Although now I feel bad that I haven’t got you anything.’

Anneka scrunched up her face and shook her head. ‘Nah, don’t be silly. You being here – us being here, together – is enough for me. And for Mum – even if she’d never say it out loud.’

As if she’d been eavesdropping, Mum appeared from the bathroom. She looked pale, but determined. If she had overheard our heartfelt conversation, she didn’t acknowledge it while she made her way to the makeshift dressing table, unsteady on her feet.

‘Hey, Mum. Are you sure you’re going to be—’ Anneka’s question was cut off with a hiss-like ‘shush!’ from Mum, as we both know it would be.

‘No more questions, okay? It’s our final night in New York. We’re going out. And we’re going to enjoy ourselves. That’s the end of it.’

Anneka and I looked at each other, but there was nothing to say. Mum had made up her mind, and we had no choice but to go along with whatever it was she wanted to do.

The Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular show had been an unrelenting riot of feathers and flailing limbs. Admittedly, it had also been fun, with the crowd in high festive spirits and our seats far enough from the stage that I felt sufficiently safe from the risk of any unexpected audience participation elements.

‘I guess I’ll see you both tomorrow morning, then,’ I said. It was just gone six thirty, and the show had just finished.

‘Yeah, checkout’s at ten, I think?’ Anneka replied, Mum leaning against a wall outside Radio City Music Hall to catch her breath while rubbing her tummy. ‘And our flight’s early evening, so we should have tons of time to get to the airport once you’re back.’

‘Great. Listen, are you sure you’re okay for me to leave you with Mum? She seems to be going downhill.’

‘Yeah, we’ll be fine. Once we get back to the UK, I’ll make sure she sees the doctor – I’m sure it’s just a virus.’

‘Okay, if you’re absolutely sure?’

‘I’m sure. Have the best time.’

‘Thanks. And… thank you for telling Mum about the wedding.’

‘Sometimes things just work out, Flo. The trick is to allow them to happen.’

I gave her a quick hug, while murmuring into her ear, ‘I’m sorry about what I said the other day.’

‘I know,’ she murmured back. ‘Me too.’

She released me and took one final look at my appearance.

‘Wait, you need one more thing.’ She started shimmying out of her enormous pink coat, and held it out to me. ‘Here.’

‘Oh, I really don’t think—’

‘I know, I know, it’s not your regular style, blah blah blah, but I looked up the venue you told me about and it’s a vibe. This’ll work way better with your jumpsuit than that tatty bomber jacket, plus it matches your nails. Trust me?’

I looked down at the sleeves at my trusty coat, which, to be fair, were frayed at the ends and did bring down the overall look somewhat.

‘Shit, you’re right. Thanks, let’s swap.’