A Brambleberry Manor Christmas - Rosie Green Page 0,15

beef fillet on a tray into the oven.

I hesitate. Normally, I like to take the first course out myself, partly to reassure myself that things are going smoothly and also because I’m always curious to know who I’m cooking for. But an image of Noah Jackson shoots into my mind and suddenly, the thought of walking into that dining room with his eyes on me fills me with panic. I’ve already made a plonker of myself in front of him today, getting in the way of his zip-wire fun.

So I nod at Flo’s offer. ‘That would be great.’

A little later, just as she’s about to leave with her loaded tray, the kitchen door bursts open as someone walks in, knocking right into her. I watch in horror as Flo only just manages to balance the carefully-prepared dishes and stop them crashing off the tray to the floor.

CHAPTER FIVE

Melanie looks as alarmed as I feel. ‘Hi! Ooh, sorry, nearly had a calamity there! I’m so bloody accident-prone, it’s unbelievable.’

My heart still hammering at the close call, I smile at her. And Flo says cheerily, ‘Disaster averted. Starters remain in the upright position.’

‘They look lovely!’ Melanie’s eyes widen, examining the tray. ‘I just wanted a glass of water. Marjery’s serving this really delicious aperitif and I’m afraid I’ve been drinking it like it’s lemonade. Noah thinks it’s hilarious that I’m already tipsy.’

My heart gives a funny little jolt at the mention of her friend. ‘Well, what’s a house party for, if not to let your hair down a bit?’ I say, with a smile, wondering if there could be more than friendship between her and Noah.

‘That’s true.’ She pours herself a glass of water.

I dry some dishes on the draining board, sneaking a glance at her as she glugs down the entire glass of water. Her cheeks look flushed. Her pale grey eyes are sparkling.

‘Phew, that’s better!’ She sets the glass down and gives me a rueful smile. ‘I always drink too much when I’m nervous.’

‘Nervous?’ I look at her in surprise. Bubbly Melanie doesn’t seem at all the type to get nervous in company.

She swallows. ‘Well, maybe not nervous exactly,’ she murmurs, staring out of the window into the darkness, suddenly lost in thought. For a moment, it’s almost as if she’s forgotten I’m there. Then she draws in a deep breath and turns with a smile. ‘Excited. And hopeful. Yes, definitely hopeful. And I’m so looking forward to tasting that delicious starter, Jenny.’

She starts backing away towards the door. ‘It is Jenny, isn’t it?’

‘It is.’ My smile changes to one of alarm as I see she’s about to collide with a pan of vegetables that’s sitting on the table behind her. ‘Watch out!’

‘Oops.’ Narrowly missing plunging her elbow into the carrots, she grins sheepishly. ‘Sorry. Better get out of your way before I ruin the whole dinner.’

‘Hope you enjoy the starter!’ I call after her as she hurries for the door, blissfully unaware that a roll of kitchen paper has drifted off the bench onto the floor in her wake.

‘Thank you! Actually, I’m so hungry, I could eat my own arm. That’s what Noah always says,’ she calls, whisking out of the kitchen.

And there’s that odd little jolt again, on hearing his name…it’s probably embarrassment, because I’m remembering our collision in the woods.

Memories start flooding in…me, flat on my back in the bracken, hot and breathless, with the full weight of Noah Jackson’s muscled body crushed against me…staring up into those deep blue eyes…

Heat steals into my cheeks and I drop the large metal spoon I’m holding. It lands with a clatter on the tiled floor. Definitely better if Flo serves the starters!

‘You okay there?’ she asks.

‘Yes. Yes, I’m fine,’ I reply, turning away to drop the spoon in the sink.

‘Right, I’m going in.’

Flo goes off with the tray and silence suddenly reigns.

‘They seem a jolly bunch,’ she reports, coming back in a few minutes later. ‘And the drinks are obviously flowing nicely.’

‘Excellent.’ I grin at her. ‘Hopefully they’ll be too merry to notice any faults in the cooking.’

She watches me carve the tender beef into thick, perfectly even slices. ‘That looks melt-in-the-mouth delicious. I’m drooling, I know, but the scent of that wild mushroom and herb filling is heavenly. They’re going to love it.’

‘Here’s hoping,’ I murmur, recalling Fen’s comment. Mum expects everyone to be as focused on perfection as she is!

I’m fairly confident they’ll like the beef. It’s been the main course at two other dinner parties Flo