A Kiss in the Snow - Rosie Green Page 0,28

conditions but at least the road is clear now. What did you get up to today?’

‘Oh, nothing much. A Zoom call with some friends from where I work. They were putting up the Christmas tree and wanted me to see it.’

‘Nice.’

‘It was. We’ve never had a real tree, my sister and I. But I’ve always secretly longed for one. Our parents could never be bothered with the mess. So it was fake and silver.’

‘We had a real tree every year when I was a kid.’

I smile. ‘Lucky you.’

‘I suppose so.’ He grins. ‘Hated the needles in your bare feet, though, and having to help Dad dispose of it in January.’

‘Maybe the dream of having a tree is actually better than the reality, then.’ I sink down at the table with a little sigh and examine my nails pensively. My dream of being with Adam should probably have remained a dream…

‘Coffee through here?’

I look up. Ronan is standing at the door, holding two coffee cups.

‘Sorry. Yes.’ I get up and follow him through, sitting back down on the sofa with my coffee, while Ronan takes one of the armchairs, his long legs stretched out.

‘I didn’t mean to wake you up,’ he murmurs.

‘Sorry?’

‘When I came in, you were asleep?’

‘Oh.’ I smile sheepishly and take a sip of the coffee. The brandy in it is lovely, although it makes my eyes water a little. ‘Actually, I was just lying here, thinking.’ I take another swallow, enjoying the warming feeling in my throat as it slips down. It tastes wonderfully festive. Maybe it’ll improve my mood.

‘Good stuff or bad?’

‘Not great,’ I find myself admitting. ‘I…well, the Zoom call wasn’t all fun. I found out that…someone I really liked has asked my sister out.’ I shrug. ‘The sad thing is, Krystle only wants Adam as a friend, so it’s all a bit…weird.’

‘Ah. Have you liked Adam for a while, then?’

‘Best part of a year, I suppose.’

‘But you’ve just been friends?’

I nod. ‘I really thought at one point that…’ I trail off and paste on a smile. ‘But more fool me. At least I know now.’

‘That’s hard. Especially with him liking your sister. I expect you’re really close, as twins?’

I nod. ‘It’s not always the case. But Krystle and I grew up having to rely on each other more than most, I suppose.’ I explain to him about our workaholic parents.

‘It would be a shame if this situation with Adam put a strain on your relationship with Krystle.’

‘Oh, it won’t. I’m used to this sort of thing happening, you see. My sister is…well, she’s more extrovert and fun than I am.’ I laugh. ‘I’m the boring, reliable one who’s there to catch her when she falls. But I really don’t mind.’ I breathe in the coffee’s delicious aroma. ‘I love my sister.’

‘You don’t seem in the least bit boring to me,’ Ronan says. ‘I caught you and Anita having the time of your life in the snow earlier.’

‘It was good fun,’ I agree.

‘Any good at making snowmen?’

‘Snow people, surely?’ I grin. ‘I’ve made a few in my time.’

‘I fancy making an igloo. Dad made one in the back garden once when I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to give it a go.’

‘Well, according to the forecast, you should have plenty of building materials very soon.’

I glance up to find him studying me with a lazy smile. A wave of heat rolls over me. I pick up my mug and take another slug. This drink is certainly doing a sterling job of warming me up!

‘I’d go easy with that,’ he grins. ‘There’s a very generous measure of brandy in there.’

‘I can tell.’ I laugh, pressing my hands to my cheeks. ‘I’m probably a very unattractive shade of ripe tomato right now. Alcohol always does that to me.’

He laughs. ‘You’re glowing, that’s all. And if it’s any consolation, I think this Adam guy is a pillock.’

‘You do?’ I stare up at him.

He gets up. ‘I do. I’m off for a shower. I do a mean spaghetti Bolognese, by the way. Shall I make it for two?’

‘Oh. Yes, please.’

After he’s gone, I lie back on the sofa and resume staring up at the ceiling, feeling deliciously woozy and relaxed after my lovely brandy coffee.

Ronan thinks Adam is a pillock!

Maybe it’s the alcohol, but I suddenly feel so much better…

*****

The spaghetti Bolognese is very good. We eat at the table in the kitchen. Ronan opens a bottle of red wine and asks me all about my job at