Page 116 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
And it was all because of the man asking my opinion on a pair of boots for his sister-in-law.
Allegedly for his sister-in-law.
“You know,” I said, staring at the boots in front of us. “You said this was to cheer me up, but really, I think you just wanted a hand in finishing up your Christmas shopping.”
“It might have been a mutually beneficial endeavour,” Thomas replied, slowly nodding his head. “But, hey, haven’t you got some of your Christmas shopping done?”
I sighed. “Hands down the best thing I purchased today is a new gravy boat. I’ll have to put a sticker on this one that says, ‘Do not use to wash the pig.’”
“That’s really not something one should ever have to write on a gravy boat.”
“Well, tell that to my grandmother.”
“She scares me a bit, to be honest,” he admitted. “How did she even get the pig?”
“I have no idea, and as much as I want to know, I also don’t want to ask. I’m afraid to hear she may have kidnapped it.”
He peered over at me. “Is that really a thought you should entertain about your grandmother?”
“Not for most people, but I watched her scold someone for taking the piss out of her pig while eating a pork sandwich, so I can hardly take her seriously.”
“Ah.”
Yes.
That was about the only reply for that.
And to think that poor Gramps couldn’t even have bacon in the house.
“Which pair do you think Beth would like?” Thomas asked, leaning in towards the display. “The black ones or the brown ones?”
“How would I know? Ask your sister!”
“Mm, can’t.”
“Why not?”
“She’s not talking to me since I refused to give her a job.” He rubbed his chin. “Maybe the brown ones. I think she has an older pair like this.”
Then why was he asking me? And why would he refuse to give his own sister a job?
Welp. That was none of my business.
I leant over and peeked up at him. “Is Zara not talking to you, or are you the one not talking to Zara?”
“Bit of both.”
“...These boots are for Zara, aren’t they?”
Thomas coughed into his hand and looked to the side. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Aw. Even he could get embarrassed.
“Go for the brown ones.” I nudged him with my elbow and smirked.
He cleared his throat. “Right. Beth will like them.”
“Yeah, sure. Beth will like them.” I rolled my eyes. Because everyone knew that giving a pair of heeled boots to a pregnant lady was a good idea. “I’m going to buy Nana some slippers. Do you think you can manage alone from here?”
