Page 62 of Christmas All the Way

Grace nodded. ‘Of course. I’m clocking off now but maybe we could catch up tomorrow, if you’ve got time?’

‘Absolutely,’ Ivy said, and threw her a knowing look. ‘Although you might have a sore head in the morning, if tonight’s announcement goes our way.’

So she knew about the party, Grace thought as she made her way back downstairs. Raff must have told her. Perhaps now wasn’t the right time to broach the subject of future plans, she told herself. One more day wouldn’t make a difference, and at least she had the party to distract her. Checking the time, she sped up. If she was lucky with the traffic, she might just have time to detour into Chelmsford to do some quick shopping.

Keeley stared at her as she made her way into the living room just after six-thirty that evening. ‘Okay, who are you and what have you done with my friend Grace?’

A little self-consciously, Grace smoothed the pristine black velvet of her new dress, which came to a stop well before her knees. The neckline was scooped and beaded with silver sequins, and dipped daringly at the back. She’d bought a pair of black ballet pumps that were utterly impractical for winter but that she thought might survive the short walk to the pub. ‘Do you like it?’

Keeley grinned. ‘Are you kidding? I absolutely love it and so will everyone else.’

Grace bit her lip. ‘You don’t think it’s a bit much for a watch party?’

‘Absolutely not,’ her friend responded. ‘Just mind yourself around Gav – he’s a sucker for an LBD.’

Grace did not want to ask how she knew this. Instead, she took in Keeley’s outfit, which was a dark green knitted jumper dress that clung to her model’s figure like it had been made for her. She’d paired it with gold hoop earrings and a loose ponytail at the nape of her neck, and her only concession to make-up was a dab of red across her lips. She looked stunning, and just for a moment, Grace considered running back upstairs to throw on a pair of jeans and a festive jumper, because what was the point of trying to compete with Keeley? Then she remembered they were no longer at university, and it had been a long time since she’d felt the need to compare herself to her friend. ‘You look great too,’ she said, smiling.

Keeley winked at her. ‘I do not have anyone to impress. Whereas you—’

‘Don’t have anyone to impress, either,’ Grace finished sternly. ‘We’re going to cross everything for a win, and hold our heads up high if it’s anything else. Now stop teasing me or I’ll go upstairs and get changed.’

‘You will not,’ Keeley said, getting to her feet. ‘Come on, let’s go. I don’t mind telling you I’m more than a little bit nervous.’

The pub was pleasantly full – not mobbed, as it had been the night of the Christmas lights switch-on, but busy enough to create the buzz of conversation. Several people waved; Grace saw Paul in one corner, chatting to Helen and other members of the committee. Gavin had put BBC One on the big screen that was usually reserved for sport, although the sound was off and Wizzard were playing over the sound system instead, wishing it could be Christmas every day. With a shout of greeting, Gavin slipped out from behind the bar to greet them. ‘If it isn’t my two favourite ladies,’ he said, grinning and swooping in to plant a kiss on their cheeks. ‘What can I get you to drink? Champagne?’

Keeley raised her eyebrows. ‘Cava?’

Gavin shook his head. ‘Nope – actual champagne. I’ve pushed the boat out a bit, in anticipation of how brilliant we all are.’

‘In that case, it would be rude to say no,’ Keeley replied.

Moments later, Gavin was back with two flutes of golden liquid. ‘Cheers,’ he said, handing a glass to each of them. ‘Here’s to bringing that crown home for an eighth year.’

They chinked their glasses, then Grace gave hers to Keeley. ‘Hold this for a second, will you?’

She slipped off her coat, looking around for somewhere to hang it, but Gavin was there before she could decide what to do with it. ‘Allow me,’ he said grandly as he took her coat, then noticed her dress and whistled. ‘Very nice indeed. You scrub up well, Grace.’

‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Raff said, appearing as if from nowhere to stand beside them. He smiled at her. ‘Hello. You look lovely.’

Grace willed herself not to blush. ‘Thank you,’ she said, retrieving her glass from Keeley and trying to ignore the meaningful stare she was directing her way. ‘You look great too.’

The words came out automatically but she quickly realised he did look good. He wore a forest green shirt that was open at the collar and dark blue jeans, and she caught a whisper of that scent that still did strange things to her insides. Get a hold of yourself, she mentally scolded, not daring to look at Keeley.

‘Has Gavin opened the room upstairs?’ her friend asked, nodding towards the open door in the far wall.

Raff nodded. ‘He wanted to make it a proper celebration. Quite a few members of the committee are up there, along with my mum.’

Grace smiled. Without Ivy’s help, the light trail might never have happened.

‘Leila is setting up the food from Eliza’s Pantry,’ Raff went on. ‘The sausage rolls are to die for, so make sure you get one. And Deke is here, too. Apparently he considers himself an honorary member of the committee now.’

‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’ Keeley said, rolling her eyes. ‘He probably heard Gav was breaking out the champagne.’

Raff laughed. ‘Probably, but I don’t think anyone really minds. He does turn up for free every year.’

‘I thought he was pretty good,’ Grace said mildly. ‘He held the fort when the lights when out.’

‘That’s true,’ Raff conceded. ‘And he was famous, back in the day.’