Page 83 of All We Want for Christmas
‘It all sounds extremely reckless,’ Mrs Danvers said, before sloshing more fizz into her glass. ‘And rather wonderful. Your turn, Lara.’
‘Oh no. You know everything about me.’
‘No, we don’t, you play your cards very close to your chest,’ said Mrs Danvers. ‘You must have seen a lot in your career. I bet you’re keeping loads of secrets.’
She thought of the chalice and tried not to catch Flynn’s eye. So many secrets, none of which she would ever reveal to her colleagues.
‘My secret is that my boss once tried to persuade me to break up with an old flame for him because he was too cowardly to do it.’
‘Urgh!’
‘What a pig.’
‘How were you to do this evil deed?’ Mrs Danvers asked. ‘In person or on the phone?’
‘Neither. He wanted me to compose an email to her, as if the message had come from him. He said I’d be a lot more sensitive and tactful about it than he would.’
She should have known then that Rob was a bastard,Lara thought, but she hadn’t known him long and he’d sold her some story about the woman turning into a stalker.
‘I didn’t do it,’ Lara insisted. ‘I refused, so he had to write her a letter instead.’
‘What a creep,’ Flynn murmured.
‘Well, it’s clear there are some total shits about.’ Mrs Danvers waggled her glass. ‘Is there any more Prosecco about? If their lordships are paying, I feel it’s our duty as their vassals to drink it.’
It was half past two when Flynn took Lara aside in a quiet corner near the rear door of the café. ‘Lara … I hate to do this, but I have to bail out or I’ll never make it to Molly’s. I’ve really enjoyed myself.’
‘Against your expectations?’ she said archly.
‘Maybe,’ he said, grinning. ‘I’m sorry to leave you.’
‘Don’t be sorry. I’ll be fine.’ There was an edge to Lara’s voice that she couldn’t suppress. ‘And you’ll enjoy being with Molly and Esme on Christmas Day.’
‘Will I? Molly’s excited and Esme is a delight, but Brenda’s none too sure about me. I think she’s finding having a man around quite a struggle. They have their own family traditions and I don’t want to upset them.’
‘It can’t be easy for anyone. But you’ll make new traditions. Together,’ she added cheerfully, hiding her disappointment at him leaving.
‘Are you staying over at Molly’s tonight?’
‘No. I think that would be a bit much for all of us. We’re all still taking baby steps. Literally.’
‘And Imogen?’ Lara asked.
‘Molly’s promised to tell her tomorrow on FaceTime.’ He grimaced. ‘If she doesn’t, Brenda will. And what about you? How will you spend the rest of the day?’
‘Join theWallace and Gromitwatch party. Eat my own weight in chocolate truffles. Make sure no one falls in the fountains.’
He laughed. ‘I hope not.’ His smile melted away. ‘I wish …’ he said, with an expression of longing that made Lara’s resolve wobble.
‘Don’t wish. Never wish.’
‘You’re probably right.’ He gazed upwards in frustration. ‘But this is tearing me in two, Lara.’
‘I don’t want to be the reason for ripping anything apart. This is a special time for you and for Molly. I wouldn’t expect you to do anything other than give your whole self to it. You’ll regret it if you don’t, I promise.’
‘I know, but …’ There was such tenderness in his voice and eyes – such longing and gratitude that Lara almost threw her arms around him.
He glanced upwards. ‘How ironic,’ he murmured, ‘that we’re standing under the mistletoe.’
