Page 6 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘She can’t tell you.’ Ellen shook her head.

‘Why not?’

‘NDAs all over the place.’

‘NDAs?’

‘Non-disclosure agreements,’ Lucy said. ‘I’m a ghost writer.’

‘I see. So you write for other people and they put their names on the books?’

‘Basically, yes.’

‘She writes a lot of celebrity books,’ Ellen whispered, looking around as if someone might be eavesdropping. ‘You know, the ones celebrities get praise and a lot of money for. It’s quite exciting seeing books on the shelves wondering if she’s written them.’

‘You don’t know what books she’s written?’ He scratched the back of his neck.

‘No!’ both women said sharply. Then Lucy added, ‘Because of the NDAs.’

‘Of course.’ He nodded. ‘You can’t tell anyone at all, not even your sister?’

‘That’s right.’ Lucy was smiling and he felt the glow in his cheeks deepen. She was stunning and, it seemed, talented. She wrote books for celebrities. He was in awe.

Reluctantly, he said, ‘I guess I’d better get going.’ He raised his basket. ‘I was just grabbing a few things for lunch.’

‘You’re working today?’ Ellen peered into his basket. ‘And your lunch is… a cheese and pickle sandwich, salted crisps, orange juice and a packet of dog treats?’

He laughed. ‘The treats are for Fifi.’

‘I thought they might be to throw at dogs when you’re on a call so they don’t bite you.’ Ellen took another bite of the croissant then glanced around furtively as if worried she’d be caught.

‘That’s not a bad idea, actually.’ He inclined his head. ‘Although most dogs are fine. I haven’t been bitten once. Not by a dog, anyway.’

‘Have you been bitten by a human?’ Lucy’s voice rose in shock.

‘Ha! Sorry, can’t say. Patient confidentiality is its own NDA.’ He grinned and Lucy laughed.

‘Anyway, ladies, great to see you. Have a lovely Saturday.’

He smiled at them both then turned and walked away, wondering at the sudden shift in his spirits. Ellen was a lovely person and he got on well with her partner, Billy, too, and now it turned out that she had a beautiful sister who was staying in the village until January. If Ellen had her way, she’d be here permanently. And she was a writer!

Jack wasn’t one to get carried away but as he paid for his shopping then packed it into a festive themed bag, he did wonder if this year, Christmas at Cwtch Cove might be a bit more interesting than he’d anticipated.

CHAPTER4

Jack was leaving the hospital after dropping a patient off when he saw a familiar figure heading towards him. His breath caught in his throat and his heart skipped a beat. He scanned around him for somewhere to run, but in the narrow corridor there was nowhere other than back the way he’d come and then she’d see him running away.

Dammit!

He sucked in a deep breath and held it then forced his lips into a smile.

‘Jack!’ She gave a small wave. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’

‘Fancy that.’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘In a hospital of all places. Anyone would think we were paramedics.’

She gave a small laugh. ‘Yeah. Right. Dropping off?’

‘Yep.’

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