Page 114 of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
Nory xxx
Dev had been unable to speak to Isaac because he wasn’t at the cottage, and neither, upon further investigation, did he appear to be around the gardens. Nory’s boots, coat, and scarf were outside the front door on the mat. Dev had gathered up her things, pushed Nory’s note through the letter box, and left.
“I take it you’ve tried phoning him?” Jenna asked.
Nory held up her phone and scrolled through to show page after page of Isaac’s number having been called. “No response,” she said, as though the evidence wasn’t blindingly obvious. “I’ve messaged a bunch of times as well. Nothing.”
“I’m sorry, Nory,” Jenna said. “I know you really liked Isaac. Guy is such an arse.”
“I’m not overly keen on Isaac right now either,” said Pippa.
“It’s not his fault.” Nory leaped to his defense. “I’ve only got myself to blame.”
Ameerah and Jenna made soothing shushing noises.
“He didn’t let you explain,” Pippa continued. “Everyone has a right to a fair hearing, isn’t that correct, Ameerah?”
“Innocent until proven guilty,” Ameerah agreed.
“But I am guilty!” said Nory. “Not of doing anything with Guy, but for the whole secret investigation. Who the hell did I think I was? Nancy bloody Drew?”
“You were only trying to help,” soothed Jenna. “And if he’d taken a second to listen to you, he would have realized.”
“He took me into his confidence, and I betrayed him.”
“ ‘Betrayed’ is a strong word,” said Ameerah.
“But it’s exactly what I did. I wanted to fix it and instead I broke it all to hell.” Nory could see her friends exchanging worried glances. “I’ll be fine,” she assured them, wiping her eyes and sniffing hard. “I just need to get back to London. I need to be with my books.”
“Chin up, old girl,” said Charles.
“Why must all our group gatherings end with Guy causing a disaster?” asked Jenna. “I’m supposed to be the drama queen.” She rolled her eyes, and they all laughed.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” said Nory, holding a hand of both Charles and Jenna. “And an amazing week. Thank you for inviting us all, it’s been lovely to be all together again.”
“It’s been shits and giggles for sure,” said Pippa.
“Shits and giggles and then some,” added Ameerah.
“We’ll have to do it again soon. For no reason next time. I don’t want us to be the kind of friends who only all get together in the same room for births, weddings, and funerals,” said Jenna.
“Agreed.” Pippa nodded.
“Although the next one probably will be for a birth,” said Nory.
“Gosh, yes, Katie and Jez. It’s not that long now,” agreed Jenna.
“Well.” Charles clapped his hands together. “We’ve got to get down to the hotel. It’s been great.” Nory saw him well up and quash it—blink and you’d have missed it. “Love you all, losers! Thanks for coming.”
They exchanged hugs and kisses and then Ameerah, Pip, and Nory watched the happy couple cross the snowy drive, arms wrapped around each other.
“As you know, I don’t believe in the concept of marriage,” said Pippa, and Ameerah and Nory groaned dramatically. “But if any couple can make it, it’s those two.”
“Agreed,” said Ameerah, kissing Pippa’s cheek.
“Me too,” added Nory, wrapping her arms around Pip’s waist.
“I love you both with all my heart,” said Pippa stiffly. “And if you ever tell anyone, I’ll murder you both in your sleep.”
