Page 49 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘Brodie, this is Jessica,’ said Gillian. ‘Her parents live at Thistle Cottage.’
There was a flicker of recognition on his face. ‘Ah, yes, I’ve heard about you. Your brother is home soon to stay in Primrose Cottage? I’ve been helping Reuben with some stuff there.’
Jessica smiled. ‘Well, you’ve done a brilliant job.’ She noticed that he had flecks of paint on his sleeves.
He shrugged. ‘It’s just been good to help him out, you know? The place looks great. It’s all down to Reuben.’
‘You’re so modest, Brodie,’ teased Gillian.
He blushed. ‘Well, I will leave you to your drinks, ladies. If I don’t see you, have a good Christmas when it comes.’
‘Thanks, Brodie. Same to you and good to meet you,’ said Jessica. He turned and walked away and Lily looked at Jessica suggestively. ‘He’s cute, isn’t he?’
Jessica nodded. ‘He’s a good-looking guy.’
‘And he’s single,’ said Lily. ‘If you want me to put in a good word. Although it will have to wait until next year as he’s off to Costa Rica over Christmas and New Year.’
Jessica’s drink suddenly proved difficult to swallow. ‘Uh no. But thank you. He seems a nice guy but he’s not really my type.’ She wasn’t sure if she was being paranoid or whether Gillian was giving her a bit of a look.
‘What about you?’ asked Jessica quickly.
Lily shook her head dismissively. ‘Gawd no. He’s like my brother.’
‘Ah, not your type then?’
‘Definitely not. He’s the loveliest of guys but we are definitely just friends.’
‘Which is a shame,’ said Gillian, ‘as he’s very easy on the eye.’
‘I am very happily single,’ said Lily with a laugh. ‘Men are way too much hassle.’
‘Anyway, what were we talking about before Brodie arrived? Ah, yes, the Hogmanay party,’ said Jessica smoothly.
Gillian smirked. ‘I agree with Lily. You should come to the party. It’s brilliant. There’s a ceilidh band and dancing. It’s nothing like the sort of thing we used to do when we were younger.’
Jessica chuckled. ‘Remember the times we used to trail into George Square in Glasgow to bring in the bells?’
‘And try and persuade someone’s parents to pick us up? Or those stay up all night parties,’ said Gillian wistfully.
Jessica smiled and took a sip of wine. It had to beat last year when she was in bed by nine o’clock and had cried herself to sleep. The party at the inn sounded like a perfect and uplifting way to end what had been a horrible year. ‘You’re on. It’s a date. I’ll be there.’
Chapter Thirty-Two
Christmas was just four days away, and although it was Sunday, and the bakery was closed, Jessica had got used to rising early so this morning was dressed and downstairs before her parents. It looked like the perfect day for a walk — the sky was blue and the sun was shining — and she picked up her phone to text her brother.
Hey, M. Are you up? Do you fancy a walk up Conic Hill?
It took less than a minute for him to respond.
You’re on. Leave in 10? I’ll drive.
She quickly scribbled a note to her parents to let them know where she was. There hadn’t been much opportunity to catch up with Murray on his own since he’d arrived back. She was excited and looking forward to a proper chat with her brother, and this could be the only chance they had. She stood at the window of Thistle Cottage and waited and watched, waving at him when she saw him at his car.
‘It’s good you were up,’ she said.
‘I’m always up early,’ he said drily. ‘Having a toddler means saying goodbye to lie-ins.’
‘When did Lexi get up?’
