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‘Not really.’

‘Ah. If you’re not that bothered, I’m guessing you and Ben aren’t going to become a thing.’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Hold off for a person that makes you feel amazing whenever you see them. Or think about them.’ Valentina smiled off into the distance as she idly rubbed her tummy. ‘A person that makes you breathless, and a little nervous and sick because of the way your guts twist at the thought of them,’ she added wistfully.

‘You okay?’

Valentina broke out of her trance-like state.

‘Sorry. How’s Rocco?’

‘Currently being monopolised by Catriona.’

‘Oh?’

‘She’s very glamorous. Also quite predatory which is just like her dog; a tiny little Chihuahua called Star who tries to hump the legs of all the male dogs.’

Valentina laughed.

‘I actually feel quite sorry for Rocco!’ Frankie said.

‘I’m sure he’ll be fine, and it means he’ll be distracted if Jay appears.’

‘True. You coming through?’ Frankie asked as she stood up.

‘In a bit.’

Frankie went to the door and poked her head round in time to see Jay, Cole and Si arrive.

People turned to look then looked away, careful not to gawp. Living in Drumkeldy, the locals were used to Jay Costello, but having three-quarters of one of the biggest indie rock bands walk into a Christmas party was something else. Although Frankie’s guests seemed to be leaving them alone for now, Frankie could well imagine a fan base clustering around them after another couple of emboldening drinks.

‘That’s Jay. I’ll go say hello.’

Valentina nodded as Frankie closed the door behind her and went back into the party. It took her a moment to squeeze through a group of people mingling and it gave her a chance to observe Jay as he hung back slightly with Cole and Si.

All day Frankie had been having a serious butterfly infestation in her stomach. She put it down to nerves about throwing a party but when Jay looked up at her and smiled, all the butterflies in Frankie’s stomach exploded into her chest, leaving her breathless, a little nervous and sick…

Cole took a step forward when he saw Frankie.

‘Hello again. Thanks for having us. You look amazing and I love that you’re wearing green and that your decorations are red and green.’ He pointed up to the crossbeams of the barn which, as well as having fairly lights entwined round them now had some tasteful and understated red and green Christmas decorations. Rocco had bought them for Frankie, probably terrified she’d buy some gaudy bright-pink tinsel.

‘Everyone associates those colours with Christmas but not everyone knows why,’ Cole continued. ‘It all goes back to the religious festival. Red represents the blood of Christ and green the evergreen tree, thus eternal life. And of course⁠—’

‘Come on, Mr Encyclopaedia. Shut up and drink up.’ Si gently shoved Cole toward the drinks table. ‘Cheers for the invite. Nice place,’ Si added with a wink to Frankie as he passed her.

Frankie and Jay were left standing together. Neither seemed to know what to say.

Jay cleared his throat. ‘You look…’ He gestured to her dress.

Frankie struck a pose. ‘I hope it’s the embodiment of eternal life as that was the exact look I was going for.’

‘I was going to say, beautiful,’ Jay said softly.

‘Oh. Thanks.’ Frankie self-consciously played with one of the little pieces of hair at the nape of her neck.

‘Here, I brought you this.’ Jay handed her a bottle of champagne. ‘I didn’t think the cider or cheap vodka we drank in the old days would cut it anymore.’