Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,29
as you think he is.’
‘He’s madly in love enough to be planning a romantic proposal on New Year’s Eve.’
‘Oh yeah. I forgot about that. Which reminds me.’ Sarah thumped Molly’s arm. ‘Next time you break a promise, don’t drag me into your lies to cover it up, okay?’
‘Don’t be such a grouch. I know you’re not really mad because I can see your mouth twitching. But if it makes you happy, I promise I won’t involve you next time.’
‘And you promise me you haven’t – and won’t – say anything to Terry about what I said.’
‘Scouts’ honour.’
‘That fills me with confidence. Are you going to take the things you bought here today to the cottage this evening?’
‘I said I’d pop in, so yeah. Will you drop me off on the way home?’
‘Of course. But just a friendly word of warning. If Chance tells you he’s ‘coming’ when you knock on the door, wait for a minute or two before you burst in.’
‘Oh very funny. He’ll hardly be naked in the cottage, will he?’
‘With Chance, anything’s possible, I think.’
‘If only that were true.’
They finished packing the stall away and climbed into Sarah’s battered Land Rover.
‘I think you should get Terry to buy you a new car rather than an engagement ring. This thing’s on its last legs. Or should that be, last wheels?’
‘I can buy my own car, thank you very much. I happen to love this old Land Rover, that’s all. It has a lot of happy memories for me.’
‘I get that. I loved Dad’s old Land Rover. That had lots of happy memories for us. Terry and I were heartbroken when Dad sold it. And then, just a few months later, he and Mum were dead.’ Molly let out a sigh. ‘Life’s strange, isn’t it? I still miss them. We both do.’
‘I know. You probably always will. It was a tragedy that they died so young.’
‘At least they were together. And they were doing something they both loved. Apparently planes are still one of the safest forms of transport, or so the experts say. You stand more chance of being killed in a car crash than a plane crash.’
Sarah threw her a quelling look. ‘Thanks for that. But talking of planes. Did you hear that more bad weather’s coming? Heavy snow’s expected tonight and some say we may have blizzard conditions. They’re already saying they may have to close the airports and ground flights. If that continues over the holidays, Jolene might not make it here for New Year’s Eve.’
‘That’d be great, wouldn’t it? Although not so great for everyone else trying to get to see their loved ones. And it would only delay the inevitable. If Chance doesn’t propose on New Year’s Eve, he’ll propose at some stage afterwards. I hope Jolene realises how lucky she is to have a man like Chance. Ooh! I love this song. Turn it up, please.’
George Michael’s ‘Last Christmas’ blasted out over the radio and Molly and Sarah sang along.
Molly was still singing it when Sarah dropped her off outside Wishing Well Cottage and Chance smiled at her when he opened the door.
‘That’s one of my favourite Christmas songs,’ he said, stepping aside to let her in.
‘You old romantic. I wouldn’t have put you down as a George Michael fan.’
‘Not so much of the old. I’m only four years older than you. And I like a lot of different artistes, I’ll have you know.’
‘Noted. So how are you getting on here? And where is Miracle?’
She glanced along the hall and walked towards the sitting room.
‘With Mum and Beauty, snuggled up in front of the fire, no doubt.’
‘I feel really guilty getting your mum to look after him so much. She’s spent more time with him than I have.’
Chance smiled. ‘Don’t feel guilty. I told you, Mum loves to feel needed. She’s enjoying looking after Miracle. And two dogs are almost the same as one.’
‘Really? Remind me again why you went for a swim. And why Sarah and Terry’s tree isn’t the shape it once was. And why they had to replace some presents. And a ham.’
‘Okay. I’ll admit Miracle is a bit of a handful, but he’s different with Mum. You saw him last night. She said he’d been as good as gold. And all three of her trees are still standing. He hasn’t touched them. It’s as if he knows he’s onto a good thing with Mum and he doesn’t want to ruin it.’
‘But it will be ruined, won’t it?’
Molly slumped