Page 10 of A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet

Realising it might look like he was staring, his mind pinged back to her question with a start. ‘The singing would have to be at least in tune if I was to consider it again,’ he said with faux seriousness, though he couldn’t stop his smile from growing wider.

‘Yes, I think that’s vital.’ Brogan nodded, giving him a sidelong look, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. A second later, the pair of them burst out laughing again, heads turning beside them.

Before he knew it, they’d been talking non-stop for hours, and had barely conversed with the other guests sitting either side of them. In that time, he’d managed to establish that she was single, which had cheered him up no end – though he’d found it hard to believe that her last relationship had been a whole three years ago. The plates had been cleared, speeches delivered and glasses raised in toast, all seemingly in the blink of an eye. Darkness had fallen without him realising and now the thud of music could be heard, heralding the start of the disco in the function room next door. It didn’t take long for the guests to be drawn to it, with Toby’s sisters performing a slightly merry conga as they made their way there. Soon just Nick and Brogan remained with staff clearing away around them, the clink of crockery in the background. His brother’s suggestion of leaving after the meal couldn’t have been further from Nick’s mind right now. And neither could Loretta. Nick couldn’t remember when he’d last felt this light-hearted.

Turning to Brogan, he said, ‘Don’t suppose I can tempt you to a whirl around the dance floor, can I?’

‘Awhirl?’ she asked with another of her infectious giggles that set his heart stampeding. ‘Sounds like something my grandad would’ve said to my grandma. “Fancy a whirl, our lass?”’ She exaggerated her North Yorkshire accent.

Nick laughed and cringed at the same time. ‘Yep, sorry about that. I have been told I’m seriously uncool at times. In fact, I’d go as far as to say, I’ve honed being uncool to perfection.’ He gave a light-hearted shrug.

‘Well, it’s lucky for you I’m rather fond of “seriously uncool”. I’m no stranger to it myself.’ She grinned. ‘And, yes, I’d love a “whirl”, but just let me go and freshen up first, my hair feels all frazzled like it needs taming.’ She smoothed it down with her hand and straightened one of the sparkly hair slides beside her ear. ‘I bet I look like a lion that’s been caught in a wind-tunnel.’

Nick chuckled, attempting to picture her analogy. ‘You really don’t, your hair’s lovely.’

‘Thank you,’ she said shyly, her face growing pink. ‘I’ll be really quick.’

They arranged to meet at the sofa by the large Christmas tree in the hotel foyer, rather than risk struggling to seek each other out in the darkened function room which was packed with dancing bodies. Nick hoped she’d return, and hadn’t just used the excuse to freshen up as a means of escaping him. But something told him she wouldn’t do that; that he’d see her again. His heart fluttered at the thought.

And just ten minutes later he was proved right when he glanced up to see her making her way over to him, her hair freshly brushed, the light picking out golden highlights. He felt a little flame ignite in the pit of his stomach. There was something inordinately special about this girl.

‘Hi,’ she said, beaming. ‘Ready for that “whirl”?’

He gulped.More than you’ll ever know.He cleared his throat, recalibrating, inhaling the spicy perfume she’d obviously spritzed while she’d been away. ‘Er, yeah, I sure am.’ He noted she was wearing a pair of flat, green satin ballet pumps, adorned with sequins, which meant, at six-foot-three, he towered above her. He held out his hand and led her to the disco.

‘Oh, I love this song,’ she said, her voice raised to be heard over the music. She pulled him onto the dancefloor as one tune segued into the next. ‘Come on, Nicky Boy, let’s “whirl”!’

They danced non-stop for a good half-a-dozen songs, Nick’s tie loosened, his brow glistening with perspiration. ‘Fancy a drink?’ he asked, bending to speak in her ear. Her hair brushed against his face, stirring up the scent of her perfume. His pulse took off again.

‘Love one! I’m gasping,’ she said, her eyes shining.

The queue at the bar of the function room was three deep with no one getting served any time soon so Nick suggested going to the main bar in the hotel. ‘Good plan,’ said Brogan, following him, the music muting as the door closed behind them.

As he’d expected this bar was quiet and he was served quickly. He handed Brogan her glass of chilled Pinot Grigio, saying, ‘Don’t know about you, but I could do with a breath of fresh air.’ The heating at the hotel had been cranked up to compensate for the recent cold snap and everywhere was stiflingly warm. It didn’t help that he’d kept his suit jacket on while he’d been dancing.

‘Actually, I’d love some.’

‘That’s settled then.’ Smiling, he held out his hand which she took almost shyly. He liked how it felt in his.

By the door was a basket filled with neatly folded fleece blankets. Nick handed one to Brogan before taking one for himself. ‘Thank you. They’ve thought of everything,’ she said.

Outside, they found a covered, paved area set out with all-weather rattan furniture. Fairy lights were twinkling everywhere. They were strung from the timbers of the roof, wrapped around the chunky oak posts, draped over shrubs and the Christmas trees in pots, their glow sparkling over the frost. The effect was magical.

‘This looks perfect,’ said Nick. ‘You okay to sit here for a bit?’

‘Oh, it’s so pretty. I’d love to.’

She wrapped one of the fleeces around her shoulders and sat down on the rattan sofa. Nick, still needing to cool off, didn’t feel the need for his fleece just yet. He sat down beside her, acutely aware of her presence next to him. How could a woman he’d just met arouse such feelings in him? The urge to put his arm around her was overwhelming, but he wasn’t sure she’d welcome it, so he took a sip of his beer instead, casting his eyes up to the inky-blue sky that glittered with stars. He was suddenly gripped by the feeling that there was something special about this day; something that would have a seismic impact on his life. There was no way he could ever say it out loud – at least, not without running the risk of sounding absolutely bonkers – but he justknew, could feel it in his bones, that this moment with this beautiful girl beside him was going to be momentous. He smiled, feeling inordinately happy, and released a contented sigh.

Brogan turned to him. ‘You okay?’

He looked into those big green eyes, taking a moment before he answered, his gaze dropping to her full mouth. ‘Brogan, can I ask you something?’

‘Er, yes, course.’ She nodded, looking directly at him, the hint of a frown creasing her brow.

‘Can I kiss you?’

She grinned. ‘Yes, please.’

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