Page 54 of New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage

They walked along the prom hand in hand, absentmindedly admiring the decorated beach huts but only having eyes for each other until they reached the last one.

‘Well, I’m not quite sure what to say,’ Jago observed.

‘You can’t say the Ninja Knitters don’t go all out.’

The beach hut was a thing of wonder. A life-sized Father Christmas stood at his work bench examining a toy train. Mrs Christmas stood at the back of the workshop, her arms full of wrapped presents, her hair a snowy-white knitted mass. Five elves were dotted about, wrapping presents and filling stockings. The floor was a vast white knitted blanket spilling out onto the prom and there were even knitted icicles hanging from the ‘snow’ covered roof.

Jago pulled Honor in for a hug. ‘How much work has gone into it?’

‘They must have been planning this for months, if not years. It takes ages to knit that much. It’s quite something,’ she added, on a giggle.

‘I can safely say I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.’ He dropped a kiss on her head. ‘Hope it wins.’

Honor pointed out a small sign held by one of the elves. ‘First Place,’ she read. ‘And even the sign is knitted! Overly optimistic or well-prepared?’

He laughed. ‘We live in a strange but magical town.’ As he turned her to him the softest touch landed on his nose.

‘Was that a snowflake?’ Jago stared hopefully into the dark sky.

They looked up.

‘Surely it’s too clear for snow? I can see stars.’

‘Maybe it was just the one. One snowflake just for us.’ He kissed her, his lips cold against her warm mouth. ‘A blessing from the universe.’

‘Do you think the Ninjas knitted that too?’

Jago laughed and laid his forehead against hers. ‘Have you no romance in your soul, woman?’

‘Oh, I’ve plenty of romance,’ she replied and reached for his kiss again.

The pub was packed but, once they’d squeezed past the crowd at the bar, they found a quieter back room with a table in a corner next to the wood burner.

Honor looked around. ‘Not sure why this one’s free but I think we’d better grab it.’ By the time Jago had returned from the bar with their drinks, she’d stripped down to her T-shirt. ‘Found out why the table’s free. It’s The Ship’s tropical corner. I don’t know if it’s the contrast with outside or whether that stove is pumping out too much heat but I’m boiling.’ She accepted her mulled wine. ‘Thank you. It’s a good table though, quite secluded.’

He slid in next to her. ‘Just what we need. Cheers.’ They clinked glasses. ‘And, trust me, no opportunity for talking next door. Bruce Springsteen is blasting out.’ At her enquiring look, he added, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’

‘Ah. That’s a good one. I love Christmas music.’

‘You just love Christmas full stop, don’t you?’

‘What’s not to like? Cheesy music, the excuse to eat lots of great food, everyone’s in a good mood, oh and cards. I love getting Christmas cards!’

He smiled wryly and sipped his pint, grimacing. ‘Half-wishing I’d bought a coffee to warm me up.’

Honor smiled. ‘Never seen the appeal of beer and I’ve sworn off cider for life. I’ll stick to mulled wine, thank you. Warming and very seasonable. You don’t seem as much of a fan. Of Christmas, I mean. I always sense you’re going through the motions somehow.’

Jago blew out a breath. ‘You’re an astute observer. I am, I suppose. I used to love Christmas but something happened to change that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sort of enjoying all the Christmassy stuff going on in Lullbury Bay but mostly it’s a way of keeping things upbeat for Mum and Merryn.’ He paused, wondering how much to tell her.

Honor put her hand on his. The skin-on-skin contact took her breath away. ‘What is it, Jago? What happened?’

‘Do you really want to know? It’ll put a real downer on the evening. It’s not a very Christmassy tale.’ He feathered a light finger across her neck, tenderly stroking her hair out of the way. ‘I’d rather talk about us.’

‘Of course I want to know. I want to get to know you. We seem to have been at cross-purposes so much, I’d like for there to be honesty between us. There’ll be plenty of time to talk about us.’

‘Okay then.’ He turned back to his pint, staring moodily into the glass.

She sat absolutely still, wondering what was coming.

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