I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day - Milly Johnson Page 0,108
unlike Daniel. My possible replacement,’ said Charlie, tilting his head to study their creation.
‘He’s got much more personality than Daniel,’ said Robin. ‘And at least he’s not boring us to death with his comparisons between the present prime minister and Ted Heath.’
Charlie bent, fashioned a snow sausage and stuck it on the snowman’s groin, adding a snowball at either side.
‘Better?’
‘Yes, he’s slightly more attractive now.’
‘Don’t be lonely, Robin,’ said Charlie.
‘Very kind of you to think about me, but I’m exploring the possibility of becoming a celibate. I think I’d look fetching in a nun’s habit. A wimple would frame my face beautifully.’
Charlie chuckled.
‘I’m so glad we didn’t go to Aviemore.’
Robin smiled. ‘I agree with you, for once. How are we going to better it for New Year? Shall I invite them all down for a party? I will ask for their addresses before we go to bed tonight.’
‘Yes, do keep in touch with them,’ said Charlie. ‘I’d like them to come to my funeral.’
Robin opened his mouth to retaliate with a ‘shut up’, but he felt Charlie needed to be listened to now.
‘I’m sure we could run to a few extra Gregg’s sausage rolls.’
‘Thank you.’
* * *
‘Right, right,’ said Jack, trying to process this shock of new information.
‘I’ve written you a letter. I was going to give it to you when we got back home. I’ve been at Butterly’s since I left college and I think it’s time for pastures new and I’d like to start as soon as possible.’ Mary thumped a lump out of the snowman’s back, her actions channelling all the feelings that her calm voice wasn’t.
‘I see.’ Jack’s thoughts were racing in panic mode, like motorcycles around a Wall of Death. Could he honestly blame Mary for seeking pastures new after he’d treated her so much less appreciatively than he should have? She was young and clever and lovely and all he’d done to her for four years was to treat her like his father treated people. Of course she wouldn’t be interested in him romantically. Of course she wouldn’t want him to wine and dine her in Firenze. What had he been thinking of, writing his invitation in the diary? He trusted she hadn’t seen it yet. What an idiot he was. He had stepped out of his comfort zone, got burned and now it was time to retreat, hopefully with a little dignity.
‘Well, the very best of luck to you, Mary. I’ll agree to your terms, it’s the least I can do,’ Jack said and held out his hand to shake hers.
His grip was firm; her hand sat inside it as limp as a dead fish.
Chapter 32
‘Robin, will you add five pounds to the money we owe the landlord, I’m going to take this book home with me,’ said Charlie, holding up the copy of Persuasion.
‘If you want,’ said Robin, changing into a dry pair of trousers. ‘It’s a bit worse for wear though. You could buy a new one for that.’
‘No, I want this one,’ said Charlie. ‘I have plans for it.’
‘Sounds very Secret Seven. Am I allowed to ask?’
‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ said Charlie, tapping the side of his nose. ‘I have enjoyed dipping into it again. It’s brought back some very happy memories for me. Everyone should read this book, it’s full of life lessons.’
‘You and your life lessons! Like what?’
‘Well, no one should ever settle for anything less than their Anne Elliot or their Captain Wentworth.’
‘Granted.’
‘And that you can have a happy ending, even when you’ve given up hope of it. As I had.’
‘If you’re lucky,’ said Robin. Charlie was more of a romantic than he was.
‘Do you think Jack knows Mary is carrying a torch for him? Should we tell him, Robin?’
‘Absolutely not,’ came the firm answer. ‘If ever there was a strong woman who needed a strong man it’s our little Mary; someone worthy of success and notice, which I’m not convinced she’d get from Jack. Not at the moment anyway. He needs firming up a bit.’
‘I do like Jack and I think he feels something for Mary too,’ said Charlie, dropping his volume to deliver his next words, ‘but, sadly, he is more of a Corporal Wet-Wipe than a Captain Wentworth, isn’t he?’
‘Precisely, so no, let neither of us be persuaded to interfere, excuse the pun. Look what happened in the book when Lady Whatsername stuck her nose in. Jack’s mid-thirties, not mid-teens. Who wants a Wentworth with no balls?’