Page 95 of Someone For Everyone

She strained to see. ‘Oh, those aren’t for posting,’ she said, getting up and coming over. ‘Well, not externally, anyway. They’re for the game I made.’

‘Game?’ He skimmed through the envelopes, reading the words written on the front in Kate’s neat handwriting. ‘Booby Dingle… Spankers Hill Wood… Tickle Cock Bridge… The Blind Fiddler?’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘What kind of game are you planning here?’

‘Not that kind of game,’ she said, sloshing him. ‘The post-office game.’ When he still didn’t react, she pointed at the envelopes. ‘You said you liked playing it when you were young.’

His face was starting to grow warm. He had a feeling it wasn’t down to the fire.

‘These are all real places,’ she said, nodding at the envelopes. ‘I looked them up online. It’s amazing what comes up in the search results when you type in unusual place names.’ She pointed to a small red postbox sitting on one of the bookcases. ‘I made the postboxes out of cardboard. Thankfully, Geraldine had a stash of red tissue paper, and Deshad helped me to cut the letterbox holes. There are thirty of them in total scattered around the ground floor of the building… although I promise there are none hidden in the washing machine. I wouldn’t be that cruel,’ she said, laughing. But then her smile faded. ‘Oh, God, why are you looking at me like that? Have I done something wrong?’

He was struggling to speak. ‘You went to all this effort… for me?’

‘Well, of course. You’re not getting to spend Christmas with your family, so I thought playing a game might make you… I dunno, smile a bit? Nothing like a bit of nostalgia at Christmastime.’ Her unsure gaze was fixed on his. ‘Do you… do you like it?’

Like it? He bloody loved it.

More worryingly, he lovedher.

And that was a much bigger problem than all his other problems added together.

Chapter Twenty-One

Christmas Day

It was gone seven p.m. by the time all the day’s festivities had concluded and everything had been tidied away. As worn-out bodies emerged from late afternoon naps and wine glasses were refilled, ready for the evening’s entertainment, the group slowly drifted into the lounge, ready to exchange gifts.

Kate relaxed against the sofa cushions, her eyes sleepy from gazing at the flickering Christmas tree lights, as she listened to Larry playing a jazz version of ‘If I Didn’t Care’ on the piano. Was the man a mind reader?

She could vaguely see her sprawled-out reflection in the gilded mirror above the fireplace, the faint sparkle in her blue chiffon top glittering under the candlelight. She’d made an effort with her appearance today, adding silver hoop earrings and wearing a dash of make-up. And although the glow in her cheeks was enhanced from the amount of champagne she’d consumed during lunch, her snowmen slippers ruined any attempts to look classy. But with limited access to anything fancier, it was the best she could do.

At least her clothes fitted today. Unlike yesterday, when she’d spent the entire duration of the post-office game trying not to tread on the hem of Esme’s dress as she’d raced around the building in an attempt to referee the game. Who knew octogenarians could be so unscrupulous when it came to competition?

The memory made her smile. The game had proved popular, and everyone had joined in, manically rushing around in search of the postboxes so they could post their letters. As the alcoholconsumption had increased, so had the level of cheating. After two hours of laughter, sabotage, and Rowan accusing Ursula of ‘hexing’ the postboxes, the game was concluded, with Alex and Hanna declared the winners.

Exhausted from the exertion, everyone had collapsed onto the sofas in the lounge and sleepily watched the latest James Bond movie.

Kate had ended up next to Calvin, which had been a blessing and a curse. She wasn’t sure how her hand had ended up in his, or when his arm had slid around her, but as she’d rested her head against his shoulder and felt his thumb circling her wrist, she’d felt something shift inside her, like a knot unravelling, leaving her feeling boneless and contented.

Alex suddenly flopped down next to her, dislodging a cushion. ‘Have you spoken to the family yet?’ He handed her a flute of champagne. Like she needed any more.

‘I had a lovely chat with Mum and Brian first thing, and I’ve just finished FaceTiming your sisters. They said you haven’t called them yet.’

‘I’ll call them later. How were they?’

‘Good.’ She took a sip of champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose. ‘Poor Matt and Zac couldn’t get a word in. Megan is annoyed she can’t drink this Christmas, and Beth looked like she was hiding a secret, so I expect an announcement later.’

Alex’s eyebrows raised. ‘You think Matt proposed?’

‘Knowing Beth, it was probably the other way around.’ She raised her champagne flute. ‘Good for her, I say. She deserves to be happy.’

Alex rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Talking of which…’

Kate smiled. ‘You and Hanna?’

He looked sheepish. ‘That obvious?’

‘Apparently. Although it seems I was a bit slow on the uptake. Sorry about that, I’ve been a bit preoccupied of late.’

‘I’m the one who should apologise.’

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