Page 160 of Christmas off Script
She frowned. ‘I think so. The satsuma’s always last, isn’t it?’
Leo attempted a nonchalant shrug. ‘There might be one more.’
Lifting the stocking, she thrust her hand inside. ‘I missed one!’ She drew out a small wrapped package.
‘Ella…’ Leo began.
Shocked into stillness, she gazed at what was in her hand, then up at him, her eyes wide.
‘Aren’t you going to open it?’
She tore the paper away, ripping it to shreds, then stared at the box, the logo for Foxbrooke’s jewellers on the lid.
‘Ella—’ he started again.
Flipping the lid, as if impatient to know exactly what might be inside, she gasped when she saw the ring.
‘I know it might be too soon,’ he said. ‘But—’
‘Yes.’ Her eyes snapped to his.
‘What? Youwill?’
‘Yes,’ she repeated.
‘You’llmarryme?’
‘Yes! Oh, my god, yes!’ Her hands shook. ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ She gazed at the ring again, blinking as if she couldn’t quite believe it. ‘Are you sure?’
Leo took the ring from the box and held her trembling fingers. ‘I’ve never been more sure about anything. I want you for life, Ella Chamberlain, not just for Christmas.’ He pushed the ring onto her finger.
‘It’s—oh, my god, it’s so b-beautiful!’ she stammered.
‘It’s a princess cut diamond.’
‘I don’t know whether to burst into tears or scream with excitement.’
‘You could do both?’
She did, letting out a shriek that made Leo’s ears ring, then promptly bursting into tears.
The door flew open and Arthur entered the room wearing a well-worn and slightly frayed Santa suit. ‘What the bally hell’s going on?’ he cried, then his gaze fell to Ella’s face. ‘Did you find the mice?’
‘The m-mice?’ she replied. ‘Have you lost them?’
‘Er…’
Behind Ella, Leo mimed zipping his lips shut.
‘No! Not at all, my dear.’ He glanced at Leo. ‘What on earth have you done to the poor girl? We’re trying to keep her, not scare her away!’
Ella held out her hand to show him the ring. ‘We’re getting married!’
Arthur’s jaw dropped, then he threw his hands in the air. ‘Hurrah and Huzzah!’ Grabbing a hunting horn from his belt, he blew it loudly. ‘Happy bally Christmas!’ He dashed back into the hall, then returned with two glasses. ‘Buck’s Fizz. I was just doing the rounds, waking everyone up.’ He passed them the glasses. ‘Congratulations my dears! When’s the big day?’
Ella looked blankly at Leo.
‘Dad, we’ve been engaged for less than a minute. We haven’t got that far yet.’
