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‘I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling,’ said Daniel, pulling her into a hug after the final customers left. ‘I know you were starting to fall for Shay, and it’s shit that he’s disappeared without explaining. Though I still believe he’s a good one and that somehow, there’s more to this story.’

Noémi’s mind skipped back to the flight to Ireland that she’d been adding to and deleting from her virtual shopping basket all evening. Pressing ‘purchase’ would be one way of ensuring there was another chapter – although who knew how that might end?

‘That’s why I feel terrible about what I’ve done,’ Daniel added slowly.

‘What?’ Noémi pulled away so she could see his face. Had he spied her furtive actions and bought her a ticket? Or had he been in touch with Shay?

‘But I promised Tommaso and I did this before we knew anything about Shay leaving. Things were going so well with you two, and Shay had quietly mentioned sticking around for a few months longer, so I didn’t think you’d miss me.’

‘Miss you?’

‘I’m just going to come out with it.’ Daniel winced. ‘Tommaso is going to the Italian Alps for the ski season in January. His uncle has a hotel in one of the resorts, and there’s plenty of work. I’ve loved having so much snow here this winter and I’m missing it. I can’t even ski, but I’d love to try. And I can see myself serving up Aperol spritz at the après-ski. I need this change of scenery, Mi-Mi. So I’m going with him.’

‘Oh.’ Noémi wasn’t sure whether she was more surprised at her best friend’s travel plans or that she was the tiniest bit disappointed his secret had nothing to do with Shay.

Because she’d always known Daniel didn’t belong in a bookshop. His wings were wider, or perhaps just different. He wasn’t the biggest reader. Before he’d lost Asher, he’d been all about getting out there and living the adventures instead. If he was finding his way back to himself, she was thrilled for him. Though perhaps the part where she felt elation would come later. For now, she plastered on a beam and made yay noises.

‘You don’t have to pretend this is great news for you,’ Daniel said guiltily. ‘It’s rubbish timing and I feel dreadful about it. But I can’t keep it from you, or it would eat me. If we hadn’t booked flights and promised our services, I would totally bin it off. And I’ll work my notice here and make sure you have trustworthy new staff. I’ll vet them myself, and they’d better be fricking amazing.’

If the shop would be open long enough to need them.

Noémi spat out a slightly snotty laugh and pulled out the tissue from under her bra strap. ‘You dumbo. You don’t have to feel bad about following your dreams. I’m happy for you. And my staffing needs are not your problem.’

‘You are my best, best friend, Noémi Blanc. Any issue of yours is absolutely my problem. And if there’s anything I can do about this Shay situation …?’ He tilted his head.

She shrugged. ‘It hurts like a shit-ton of bricks crushing my soul, but whatever. Now I’ll get to brood, like all the best heroines.’

‘You want me to call him? Find out where he lives and send the boys around? Go there and drag him back for you, by his leprechaun toes?’

‘None of that.’ She laughed. ‘What will be will be.’

‘Well, at least let me stay over with you tonight. Tommaso dropped off a bag with my Nordic onesie and toothbrush earlier. We’ll order brie and cranberry pizza and watch Christmas romcoms until our eyes go dizzy with baubles.’

‘That would be nice,’ said Noémi, relieved not to have another long night of loneliness ahead.

Moping was always best done in good company, preferably with cheese. And at least with her best friend to distract her, she couldn’t accidentally put any flights to Ireland in her basket. Well, probably not.

Chapter 52

Christmas Eve

The next few days spun by in a tangle of Christmas Eve to-do lists that would have made Santa’s eyes water. Though if nothing else, being flat out trying to organize the big village meal in the style of the French tradition Le Réveillon de Noël, juggle in Felix’s Icelandic-inspired Jólabókaflóð book-gifting evening, boost business on the street, bring the whole village together, and continue to save the bookshop took up a whole lot of headspace.

Yes, there should be medals for anyone in charge of arranging Christmas.

And finally, Christmas Eve morning had arrived. Noémi’s final day to make hearts happy and business bloom in The Cosy Cookie Bookshop, before she could count the last takings and see whether she could keep things afloat. Her efforts and events had been going well so far. But Christmas Eve had once been their busiest, most magical day of the year. If her best attempt to bring that back was a flop, the news would no doubt spread. And who would visit in dull January if she couldn’t make a success of the most bustling time of the year?

Not to mention she was determined to make this day a positive one for Daniel. They’d promised each other they would not have another miserable Christmas period after the last two, so it had to be brave faces all round.

It felt like a lot.

Noémi stood in the window of the bookshop, trying to control her jittery breathing as she looked out onto the still-dark, empty street. Outside, the Christmas lights were just buzzing to life, but the air was still. The snow hadn’t returned – and nor had Shay. Not that he was in any way linked to meteorological events.

She toyed with the vintage lace neckline of the Mère Noël costume, which she had been looking forward to finally wearing but now wondered if the whole thing was just silly. She’d once fantasized that the dress held some sort of mystical sparkle that would wisp around and fix everything. Yet here she was, alone in her empty window, unsure how this day would go or what on earth would follow.

In grumpier moments, she’d thought about calling the whole thing off. In her mind’s eye, Shay should have been part of this day, here to share the joys and burdens, to lighten the mood with his jokes and elf tights. What was the point in plastering on a smile and pushing through when she would rather crawl under her duvet with seven novels and a box of coffee swirl cookies? She’d even pondered if it was worth making her business blossom if she had no special person to celebrate life with. Had her bookshop’s recent success meant less customers for Shay’s real-life adventures? If that was true, there was nothing sweet about victory.

Then she caught sight of headlights in the road and her breath hitched.