Page 60 of The Cosy Travelling Christmas Shop

Meanwhile Daniel was heating butter and syrup together in a pan. ‘My mum bakes a lot, so I suppose I picked it up from her. Sort of like osmosis. My favourite bit used to be licking the bowl at the end.’

‘Isn’t that everyone’s favourite part?’

‘Don’t overwork it,’ he advised. ‘Rough and crumbly is what we’re aiming for. Once you’ve achieved that, you can bring it all together, like dough.’

‘Is this OK?’ she asked, showing him the bowl.

‘That’s great. I take it you don’t do much baking?’

‘I don’t bake at all. Are you any good at cooking proper meals?’

‘I’m not bad, although I usually go to my mum’s most evenings now that Grandad has moved into the care home.’

‘How is he settling in?’ she asked.

‘He loves it. It seems to have given him a new lease of life. He says it’s because he’s living with people his own age who can understand references to things likeThe Golden Shot.’

‘The what?’

‘Exactly. Apparently it was a game show in the early seventies.’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘Grandad had to explain it to me, but his cronies in the home knew what he was talking about straight away.’ He checked the dough she was making. ‘OK, roll it out until it’s about a centimetre thick, then cut it into fingers. Once you’ve done that, it’s ready to go in the oven. Fancy a glass of wine? Dinner will be half an hour yet.’

‘I’d love one, please. What are we having?’

‘Shepherd’s pie. Sorry it isn’t anything more adventurous.’

‘I adore shepherd’s pie, and anyway, I couldn’t face eating à la carte food every day. It’s too rich.’

Daniel was relieved, even if she was only saying it to be kind. He had ummed and aahed about inviting her to his house for the evening, hoping she wouldn’t think he was aiming to get her into his bed (he was, but not necessarily tonight), but he couldn’t go on taking her out every time he wanted to see her. Although she’d insisted on paying her way (except for the meal on Friday because that had been his treat), it was still costing a fortune, and it was money he couldn’t afford to throw around. It seemed silly to be doing a job he didn’t want to do which was meant to tide him over the winter months, if he was going to spend all his earnings on going out – as nice as the going out had been. He’d thoroughly enjoyed last night at the Winter Wonderland, but it was Seren’s company and her kisses he’d enjoyed the most. And he could have her company at his house (he’d been relieved when she’d accepted his invitation to dinner and to cuddle up with a film afterwards) for a fraction of the cost. Plus, not being in public meant he could kiss her as many times as she’d let him.

He was hoping she’d let him kiss her a lot.

With the shortbread biscuits baked, dinner was ready shortly afterwards, and Seren helped him lay the table. He dished up whilst she poured two glasses of water, as she’d driven over in her van and he didn’t want to drink wine if she wasn’t having any more, then they settled down to eat. To Daniel, it was completely natural her being there, and once again he had the feeling they were meant to be. It was as though he’d known her forever, as though she’d always been in his life, and although it was far too soon to be thinking those thoughts, he realised he was falling in love with her.

As they ate, they chatted about this and that, nothing and everything, but he didn’t mention Gina. Seren knew he’d been in a relationship previously, thanks to his mum and Mrs Williams, but she didn’t need to know the details and he had no wish to share them with her, so he kept the tone of the conversation light, and the subject quickly arose of when they would be able to see each other again.

Daniel had far fewer commitments compared to Seren, so he was more than happy to work around her.

‘Do you like bowling?’ he asked. He’d been wondering what they could do on their next date, and he’d seen an advertisement for an activity that he hoped she might enjoy. Of course, they could always go to a wine bar or to the pub, but there was so much going on in the run-up to Christmas, that it seemed a shame to do something they could do any other time of the year. If he budgeted carefully, he should be able to afford it.

‘I do, but I haven’t been for ages,’ she said.

‘I was hoping you’d say that. It’s not bowling exactly, though… it’s a variation on a theme.’

‘What is it?’ she asked, her face alive with curiosity.

‘Wait and see,’ he said. ‘But you might want to dress up warm.’ He got to his feet, collected the plates and took them over to the sink, and was about to run some hot water when Seren pushed him aside.

‘Oh, no, you don’t,’ she said. ‘You cooked, so I’ll wash.’

He gently pushed her back. ‘How about I wash, you dry?’

She narrowed her eyes, but picked up a tea towel and flapped it at him. ‘Get on with it – I want to watch the film tonight not tomorrow.’

Daniel did as he was told, and he made a couple of mugs of tea while Seren washed up, then the two of them settled down on the sofa together and tucked into the biscuits they’d made.

‘These are quite good,’ Seren said in surprise as she bit into one of the shortbread fingers. ‘I might give them a go myself, when I find the time. You’ll make some woman a good husband,’ she continued, then blushed to the roots of her hair. ‘I’m, erm, not hinting,’ she added hastily.

‘I didn’t think you were,’ he replied, his voice mild, as he removed the mug from her hand and put it on the coffee table. Then he slipped his arms around her and pulled her towards him.

The film could wait – Daniel had more important things on his mind.

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