Page 18 of Kiss Me at Christmas
The snow was the light, dusty kind, as though someone in the clouds were tapping it through a fine sieve. It settled on Harriet’s hair and coat and made the busy street look even more Christmassy as it fluttered past the overhead fairy lights. The snow-capped forests of fir trees that flanked the hills around the town looked like cake decorations from down on the street.
Usually this would have filled her with a childish glee, but this first snow of the season served only to remind her of all the fun she wouldn’t be having. Well-meaning people kept telling her that the empty-nest feeling wouldn’t last forever, that she would grow to cherish her independence and that the time she did spend with Maisy would become “quality time” rather than the mundanity of everyday life. But most of this wisdom came from couples who had gone on to redefine their relationshipsin their new, changed landscape. Maybe she should get cats.
Her phone rang in her pocket; it was Pete.
“Hey, Pete, what’s up?”
“Emma says you’ve got a meeting with Evaline Winter today.”
“That is correct. I’m on my way to it now. Took an early lunch.”
She heard Pete pull in a deep breath. He did this when he was measuring what he was going to say next, carefully lining up his words to best effect before speaking.
“She’s a bit of a slippery fish. A pike, with a large bite radius—metaphorically speaking, of course; I’ve never known her to actually bite anyone. But there’s a first time for everything.”
“If you’re trying to warn me about something, could you be a bit more specific, please?”
“Em told me that you’ve got ideas about turning the theater into some sort of community youth club.”
“So?”
“Just be on your guard. Evaline Winter is an astute businesswoman, and she isn’t famed for her philanthropical ventures. The reason she’s got so much money is because she’s very good at keeping it for herself. I say this as a solicitor who’s had more than one run-in with her professionally.”
“Really? How have your run-ins gone?” Harriet was curious. Before yesterday, she’d never crossed paths with the wealthy widow.
“She owns a lot of properties in the area, private rentals and the like; she’s quick to sue for missed payments but less proactive when it comes to maintenance and building regs.”
“I’m clearly having a slow brain day, you’re going to have to spell it out for me. What exactly am I on my guard for?”
The theater was coming into view as she hurried along the pavement. A limo with blacked-out windows had already pulled up outside the front.
“She isn’t going to give anything away for free. If she lets you use the space for your students, look for the catch because I promise you there’ll be one.”
“She’s already got me for cleaning services.”
“Yeah, well, that’ll just be for starters. Strictly off the record, the woman’s a shark.”
“You are really feeling those marine-life analogies today, aren’t you?”
“I’m serious, Harri. Be careful.”
Pete was the only person who still called her Harri.
“All right, all right, keep your hair on. I’ll stay alert.” She paused and then asked casually, “In your dealings with Ms. Winter and her impressive bite radius, have you had much contact with her solicitor?”
“James Knight?”
“Yes, I think that’s his name.”Act casual.
“He’s one of those steely types. Gives nothing away and then clobbers you at the last minute with some hidden clause or other that collapses your case. He’s a good solicitor, just not very personable; that’s probably why he heads up the business side of the practice and leaves family law to the other partners.”
“Right. Good to know.”
“Well, that was all, just wanted to give you a heads-up. Good luck. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it from Em later. Oh, and listen, I get that you’re feeling a bit weirded out about Maisy not being around for the holidays, but we’dstill love to spend Christmas with you. You were my family before any of the kids came along, you always will be.”
She smiled down the phone. “Thanks, Pete. Did Emma put you up to that?” She knew Emma would have been bending his ear about it when she’d got home last night.
He gave a chuckle. “A little bit. But it doesn’t make it less true.”
