Page 59 of The Christmas Star

Where in France though, Mum?

‘We’re staying in a wonderful hotel. Run by a lovely young couple who couldn’t have been more helpful if they’d tried when I slipped.’

My ears pricked. When you what?

‘That’s how I did this.’ Maeve held up her bandaged wrist. ‘If you’re watching, Erin, please don’t go overreacting. It’s not broken. I simply put my hands out to break my fall and landed funny.’

My eyes widened. Well that’s all right then!

‘It isn’t even stopping us getting out and about. We’ve come up with a system whereby I’m in charge of steering and the foot pedals and Jackson here controls the gear stick.’

My jaw fell.

‘You’ve all heard the phrase teamwork makes the dream work.’

Please tell me you didn’t just say that.

‘And we’re having such fun with it.’ Maeve gave Roma a fuss with her uninjured hand. ‘I’m so glad we made this trip. Arles…’

Mum withdrew her hand and unhappy at the sudden lack of attention, Roma barked, interrupting her mid-sentence.

Convinced she’d just revealed their location, I held my breath, in the hopes Mum would repeat herself.

‘Where was I? Oh yes. I was just saying how wonderful it is here.’

Irritated by the lack of confirmation, I paused Mum’s video and rewound it a little.

‘I’m so glad we made this trip. Arles…’

I hit stop. ‘Finally!’ I jumped to my feet ready to tell Theo we, at last, knew where Mum and Jackson had landed. The bedroom door flew open before I reached it and Theo made his exit.

‘Arles,’ I said as he almost bumped into me.

‘Sorry, what?’

‘That’s where they are. Mum just said so in her video.’ I typed her and Jackson’s whereabouts into Google Maps. ‘It’s in Provence.’ I held up the screen for Theo to take a look. ‘Looks like we still have a fair drive, but if we set off now, we’ll get there this afternoon.’ I stuffed my phone into my pocket and hastened into the bedroom to start packing.

‘Before we go…’ Theo put a hand on my arm to stop me.

My stomach dropped and my embarrassment returned. ‘If this is about last night, I get it. We both had too much to drink, it didn’t mean anything… et cetera, et cetera.’

Theo appeared hurt. ‘Is that how you see it?’

His question surprised me. ‘Is that how you see it?’

‘No,’ Theo replied. ‘It’s not.’ He gave me a tentative smile as he produced a gift from behind his back. ‘Merry Christmas.’

I stared at the wrapped and ribboned gift box in his hand. Excited at having located Mum, I’d almost forgot it was Christmas Day. ‘Actually…’

Theo’s smile slipped.

‘Sorry.’ He pulled his hand back. ‘You’re right. It’s overstepping, I get it.’ He swapped the gift from one hand to the other as if not sure what to do with it. ‘I just thought who wants to wake up Christmas morning with nothing to open.’

‘No, it’s not that.’ Smiling, I went straight to my overnight bag and rummaging inside produced a present for him. ‘I was so wrapped up in my video call with Hattie and Joyce and then Mum’s update… Well anyway, it’s not much. More of a token. I picked it up from the supermarket the day we landed.’

Theo beamed and as we exchanged presents, he seemed genuinely chuffed I’d thought of him. ‘Thank you.’

We both continued to smile and lost for words, neither of us seemed able to look away from each other. Our expressions turned serious and searching his face I wondered if Theo wanted me as much as I wanted him. I took in his blue eyes, his chiselled jaw and his oh-so enticing lips. Hungry for the man, I tossed his gift aside and lunged towards him.