Page 94 of All We Want for Christmas
‘Yes?’ Her heart beat a little faster.
‘I forgot to give you your present. It’s not much but it’s in my bedroom, in the wardrobe. Don’t get too excited.’
What else had she expected him to say? She laughed at herself. ‘I never get too excited.’
She went into his bedroom, recalling the last time she’d been in there, naked between the sheets with Flynn. Itseemed like a lifetime ago – a moment when she’d cast off the shackles of her past and everything seemed possible. She was trying to understand, to accommodate, to suppress her real feelings, but it was almost impossible.
It was then she spotted a photo on his bedside table that definitely hadn’t been there before. It showed Molly and Esme at the illuminations, both smiling, and Esme pointing at the reindeer on the grotto, her eyes lit up. It was such a happy picture. Lara wanted to cry for what might have been as well as for happiness on Flynn’s behalf. She wanted a family of her own. There was no way she could express that to Flynn or tell him that she’d dared to dream she could finally put her previous heartbreak behind her.
She hardly knew him, even if she was in love with him.
Her gasp was audible with the realisation that she did indeed love Flynn. It hit her physically with a squeeze of the heart. Nothing she could do could change her feelings even if, now that he had so much to deal with, it was the very worst time to tell him.
She had to give him space, hoping that, when he was back on his feet – in every way – things might change, though she couldn’t imagine how.
She dragged her eyes from the photo and opened the wardrobe. It wasn’t hard to find the present. His wardrobe wasn’t rammed like her own small one with stuff she hated to give away. The box lay at the bottom next to a pair of boots.
‘Lara! Is everything OK? Can you find it?’ Flynn was leaning against the door frame, his face grey with pain.
‘Yes, I’ve just found it.’
‘Good. I want you to open it with me.’
Before she could bend down to pick it up, she heard a squeal from outside and excited chattering.
He glanced at the bedroom window, where Molly, Esme and Imogen were on the path.
‘You have visitors,’ Lara said.
Flynn glanced back at her. ‘I – Lara—’
There was a rap at the door and they heard Molly chattering excitedly outside.
‘I didn’t know they were coming,’ he said.
‘I expect they wanted to surprise you. Shall I let them in?’
‘What about your present?’
She smiled. ‘I can have it another time.’
‘I know, but Lara – I want to say something,’ he said in a desperate tone, hobbling forward. ‘Shit! Ow!’
He almost tripped and fell, but Lara caught him just in time and steadied him, holding him up with her hands on his elbows. Their gaze met.
‘Flynn …’ Lara said. ‘You have to be more careful.’
‘I need to say something …’
‘Hello! The door’s unlocked so we’re coming in!’
‘I should go,’ Lara said, leaving Flynn leaning against the door and hurrying into the sitting room where Molly, Esme and Imogen had just walked in.
Imogen’s poker-straight jet-black hair hung down under a cream bobble hat, and Lara couldn’t help thinking it made her look quite severe. Or maybe that was because she’d found Lara walking out of Flynn’s bedroom. She stared at Lara in puzzlement.
‘This is my mum, Imogen,’ Molly said, turning to her mother. ‘Lara works here at the castle.’
‘Hi,’ said Lara, turning on her best visitor smile.
