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‘For a long time, I vowed that I never wanted to put myself at risk of that. Either the physical danger or the risk of my heart being smashed. But Daniel is finally ready to start living again – in small ways, at least. He’s enjoying being with Tommaso, even if he’s not ready to fully commit. So maybe it is OK to enjoy the now. I’m having the time of my life with you, Shay. And even if this is all we’ve got because you’re moving on, let’s make the most of it.’

‘I don’t want to hurt you.’

She reached out, trying to smooth the lines on his forehead. ‘Then I promise I won’t let myself fall for you.’

And she closed her eyes and let herself roll into him, closing the gap between them. At least with her eyelids shut, he hopefully wouldn’t see the truth of things. That she was falling for him. She hoped the way her hands tangled in his hair, her mouth opening for him, and her sliding on top of him like she couldn’t not be near him wouldn’t give her feelings away. He began moving beneath her, his hips rocking with the motion she was instigating.

She peeled off her top, keen for her skin to be touching his through her thin T-shirt bra.

‘Can we …?’ She let the obvious question hang.

‘I would love that,’ he whispered into her ear, his breath ragged. ‘Believe me. But Noémi, you mean a lot to me. And you deserve something better than a slightly drunken thing in the back of a van.’

She pulled her face away and looked around. ‘Your home is fant-iffic.’

He smiled. ‘And you’re a bit tipsy.’

‘In the morning?’ She gave him her best hopeful eyes. ‘I’ll find us a really romantic bush, if the van bothers you. Something without holly, but maybe with a bit of mistletoe?’

‘In the bum-freezing snow? Now who’s getting adventurous?’

She sighed. ‘Is there something wrong with me?’

‘What? No. You are absolutely perfect.’ He lifted her chin so she couldn’t avoid the sincerity etched across his face. ‘Gorge-xquisite. And if anything happens between us, I want it to be right – especially after what you’ve just told me. And I don’t just mean in terms of where the mattress or non-prickly bush is located. I mean I need to think a little further into the future. In all honesty, I’ve been trying to. I can’t promise I’m ready to settle or to commit to anything that keeps me forever in one place. But I have spoken to my landlord about staying in the shop for another six months – maybe with a less controversial shop sign, seeing as my adventures can’t strictly be described as better anymore. And then see how it goes. I’m sorry this isn’t exactly sexy talk.’ Was he blushing a little? ‘I just don’t want to be a reckless heartbreaker.’

‘Wow. Really?’ She hadn’t seen that coming, but the thought of Shay sticking around a bit longer was kind of sexy. ‘Won’t you be bored?’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘With a hot girl next door and all those spring-themed daffodil cookies to sample between my Cotswold adventures? I hope not. I might even get a proper bed and move in above the shop. Could be a nice change from camping in a pub carpark and having to ask Delilah to spin dry my elf tights and tutus.’

They were definitely happy tears that fell as she sank back into kissing him, slowly and deliciously, no longer minding that she’d have to wait a bit longer to unwrap him fully. He was right. What she felt for him deserved to be honoured. And though she wasn’t averse to tearing off his PJs in the back of Ethel, she’d savour the anticipation of waiting until she was less woozy and would remember every superb-u-lous moment.

Chapter 46

6 days until Christmas

Their drive back to Hazel Blooms was almost as perfect as the evening before, with Noémi bundled in a blanket, the heating blowing intoxicatingly warm heat and Shay giving off a hint of cacao and cinnamon from his healthy breakfast. Noémi was hugging a Brazil-nut toffee latte that she couldn’t wait to tell Chai about, and the Christmas hits radio station was joyfully playing ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! for at least the third time. She would usually pull out her book on a long journey, but talking to Shay had become even more addictive. Doing anything with this man always felt like a soul-happy adventure.

‘If you decide to stay in the village for Christmas, won’t you miss your family too much? I’m sure they’d miss you.’ Noémi had known Shay for less than a month and she already couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing him. She would have to work on that.

He checked his wrist, presumably for the date, though he still hadn’t replaced his smart fitness watch. ‘Argh, I’d never get away with not taking my many nieces and nephews random terrible gifts at some point. We’ve less than a week until Christmas, though it might be a rush to visit now. Maybe afterwards.’

‘Will you tell me more about them? I’d love to know.’

‘Just you try and stop me,’ he said brightly. Giving her a quick glance with those eyes that could light the way for Santa’s full herd of reindeer. ‘I’ll show you photos and give you the full rundown when I’m not driving. You might need one of your notebooks to keep count.’

‘Can’t wait.’ She grinned back. He often mentioned his sisters, parents, and various other family members, and she could tell that they meant the world to him. The fact he was willing to share more of his heart made her glow.

‘What do you usually do for Christmas Day?’ he asked. ‘You might be fit to collapse after your Christmas Eve events.’

‘These days, I go to Happy Hedges for turkey and trimmings with Mum and the residents. They have a good old singsong, watch the King on telly, then Santa brings a few gifts before they nod off in their armchairs or head to festive bingo.’

‘Sounds like my kind of party.’

‘You should come, if you’re around. Your granddad would be thrilled to see you. We could tempt people into a wintery shuffle around the garden before lunch. Maybe we’d borrow Goatrude and dress her in antlers. You in your elf costume, me reading a festive story around the fireplace later on.’

‘And some of your Christmas pudding cookies?’

‘Always.’