Page 66 of Christmas off Script
‘Er…’
‘Theydon’t live here.’
‘But they’re part of the manor.’
‘As areyou, you noggin-headed ninny pants.’
She snorted.
‘Honestly, if I asked Bridget who she’d rather have here, me or you, you know full well she’d choose you over me every time.’
‘Only because I’m tidier and know where the vacuum cleaners are.’
Leo harrumphed. ‘Hogwash, balderdash, and poppycock.’
Ella laughed. ‘You sound exactly like your dad.’
His nose scrunched up. ‘Bugger. Next step down that slippery slope and I’ll be wandering semi-naked down Foxbrooke high street yelling, “Hullo!” to everyone.’
‘Could be worse.’
Leo didn’t reply, and Ella knew he was also thinking aboutherfather.
Picking up the miniature bottle of plum liqueur, Leo passed it to her. ‘Finish this off and let’s go to breakfast. It’ll be okay, I promise.’
Taking it, she drained the contents. ‘How did you know what I was thinking?’
‘I told you, I’m extremely telepathetic. Especially when it comes to you.’ He placed his fingertips on her temples and affected a look of extreme concentration. ‘Right now you’re thinking about Christmas tree shopping this afternoon, followed by the Winter Ball.’ Dropping his hands, he raised an eyebrow. ‘Correctamundo?’
She smiled. ‘Your powers are extraordinary.’
‘I know, right?’
‘But the tree’s going inyourroom.’
‘Nope. Yours.’
‘But your room has more floor space. I’ve still got boxes of my stuff cluttering this one up.’
‘We’ll move them.’
‘Where and when? I also need to buy a dress for tonight. It’s been so busy with school and the panto, I haven’t had time.’
‘Just borrow something from Willow. Or raid Summer’s wardrobe.’
Ella shook her head. Each time Leo or one of his family did something kind for her, she felt the weight of it, as if she were accruing a debt she’d never be able to pay back.
Getting off the bed, Leo grabbed her hand and squeezed. ‘Can we continue this discussion over breakfast? I can argue better with a full stomach.’
She nodded. ‘Sorry.’
‘You do know each time you say that word, an elf dies in Santa land?’
She gave him a look. ‘So whatshouldI be saying?’
He grinned. ‘“Yes, Leo. I love it when you’re always right”.’ Tugging her off the bed, he moved towards the door. ‘Now come along, Princess. You’ve got to get your strength up so you can face the wicked witch and be back in time to choose a Christmas tree.’
At five to eleven,Ella knocked on her stepmother’s front door, her heart more buoyant than it had been in a long time. It didn’t matter what Michelle threw at her, literally or figuratively. That afternoon she was selecting a tree with Leo for his room, buying a nice dress with the money she had from not paying Oliver’s parents rent for December, then attending the Winter Ball at the manor. The thought gave her goosebumps, butterflies, and tingles where they shouldn’t be.
