Page 29 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘I’m used to eating very early when I’m on a day shift, so if you’re having something, I’ll join you.’

‘It would be good if you did. That way, we can keep you here a bit longer too in case anything changes with Ellen.’ Lucy was smiling but he could see the worry in her eyes.

‘I see! An ulterior motive.’ He winked.

‘Sorry,’ Lucy said as she turned to leave the room.

He followed her through the hallway and into the kitchen. ‘Lucy, you have nothing to apologise for. I’m glad I’m here. Everything looks fine with Ellen so please try not to worry.’

She turned and leant her back against the worktop. ‘I feel so much better now that you’re here. It’s hard with it being just me and Ellen. Billy is so far away, Mum’s gone and Dad’s away… not that I’m sure he’d be much use in these circumstances although it would be nice to have another person around. I’ve been worried that something might happen on my watch, so to speak, and I couldn’t bear it if anything went wrong.’

Jack rubbed her arm. ‘Nothing’s going to go wrong. You’re doing a brilliant job and imagine how much worse it would be for Ellen if she was here alone. I’m sure she’s incredibly grateful you’ve come to stay.’

‘I think she is.’ Lucy sighed. ‘I’m trying to hold it together but I didn’t realise how stressful it would be every time she had a twinge.’

‘I can only imagine. But you have my number and apart from when I’m in work, I’m not far away, so call me. Anytime… day or night.’

‘Thank you.’ She stepped forwards and paused for a moment as if thinking about something, then she wrapped her arms around his waist. He froze for a moment in surprise then he relaxed and hugged her back. Her hair smelt like apples and she was warm, her dressing gown soft beneath his hands. Until he’d first hugged Lucy, it had been a while since he’d hugged anyone other than his mum and dad, and he’d forgotten how good it felt. He found himself imagining what it would be like to hug Lucy every day, to come home from work and hold her tight, to snuggle her in bed at night and bury his face in her curls. He realised that it was fast becoming what he wanted more than anything else and his eyes strayed to the doorway.

Lucy leant back and peered up at him. ‘What’re you looking for?’

‘I was just wondering if you had any mistletoe around here.’

‘What for?’

He shook his head.

‘Seriously, Jack, what for?’

‘Why do people hang mistletoe, Lucy?’

A smile lit up her face. ‘I’m teasing you. I knew what you meant but I wanted you to say it.’

‘Teasing me, eh?’ He cocked an eyebrow then lowered his head so their mouths were almost touching. ‘I’d like to kiss you but there needs to be mistletoe.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s complicated. I’ll tell you one day… perhaps when we’re old and grey.’

Lucy giggled. ‘Follow me.’

She led him through the doorway, into the hall and opened the front door then she plucked a sprig of mistletoe from the festive wreath that was hanging from the doorknocker. Closing the door against the cold, she turned to him and held the sprig above her head. ‘That better?’

‘Much,’ he said, leaning in.

When their lips met, the floor beneath him seemed to move and he found himself reaching for her and pulling her close. She moaned against his lips and he held her tighter, deepening the kiss that felt like it had been a lifetime in the making.

‘If the sight of you two canoodling in my hallway doesn’t put me into labour, then I guess I can go back to bed.’

Lucy and Jack broke apart and looked at Ellen.

‘Don’t look so sheepish the pair of you. Have a good snog because it looks like you both need it.’ Ellen laughed as she headed for the stairs. ‘I’m going back to bed so you two work up an appetite and enjoy your bacon and eggs. I’ll see you later.’

When Ellen reached the top of the staircase, Jack turned back to Lucy. ‘That was embarrassing.’

‘You’re telling me.’ Lucy shrugged. ‘But she’s right. I did need it.’

‘I did too.’ He held out his hand. ‘Want to try again?’

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