A Kiss in the Snow - Rosie Green Page 0,43

just order her brain to discard the memory. If only it were that easy.

‘What about the flirting on the phone?’ she murmurs.

‘Yes, but that’s just her opinion. Did Jeff think he was flirting? Or did he just think he was having friendly banter with a colleague?’

She smiles sadly at me, but doesn’t reply.

Then she blows out her breath. ‘Oh, anyway, enough of my troubles.’ She forces a cheery smile. ‘Let’s deliver the rest of these cakes.’

*****

It’s getting dark by the time we hand over the last slice of triple chocolate tray bake in a napkin and start ploughing through the snow, across the village green.

‘When do you need to be back?’ I ask.

Anita glances at her watch. ‘I said I’d be there around six.’

‘So you’ve got time for a glass of mulled wine to warm you up?’ I suggest.

She smiles. ‘Yes, please. That sounds like just what the doctor ordered.’

‘Pretty weird doctor.’

‘Nothing wrong with weird.’

‘Except if “weird” is living right next-door to you,’ I murmur, looking over at Moon Cottage as we pass by it. ‘I’d love to know what’s going on in there. Actually…’ I break off as a thought occurs. ‘There’s a parcel in the cottage, addressed to Reenie. The postman couldn’t gain entry. Maybe I should…?’

Anita shoots me a look. ‘Good idea. Delivering Reenie’s parcel is a perfectly valid excuse to knock on the door and find out who the hell is living there.’

‘I’m not sure I want to.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

I shake my head. ‘He won’t answer the door, though. I know he won’t. It’s like he’s a vampire and only emerges when it’s dark and there’s no-one else around.’ A little shudder escapes as I recall being locked in the barn and finding the bloody knife. I told Anita all about it on our pilgrimage around the houses and she thought it was creepy, too.

‘I’m getting really worried about Reenie now, after what you’ve told me,’ she says. ‘What if Frank Lennox really has tracked her down and done something terrible?’

I nod. ‘It’s weird. I’ve never met Reenie, but her story’s haunted me ever since Maud told me about her. I really want her to be okay.’

‘She probably is, you know. She might be Christmas shopping in Portsmouth with her sister right this minute.’

‘True. We’re probably letting our imaginations run away with us,’ I say, opening the gate to Snowdrop Cottage. ‘I blame Maud, with her melodramatic tales of murder and revenge.’

Anita looks doubtful. ‘You should still probably tell Ronan that if we’re not back from Moon Cottage within five minutes, he has to come and rescue us.’

I laugh. ‘Now who’s being the melodramatic one? Oh, my God. Look!’

We both laugh in amazement as we walk over to inspect the finished igloo.

‘It’s incredible,’ she says. ‘I mean, it almost looks exactly like an igloo.’

I grin admiringly. ‘I think it’s supposed to.’

‘No, but that must have taken some work. Apart from the weird flat bit on the top, it’s perfect.’ She shakes her head in awe and murmurs, ‘Not only gorgeous and thoughtful, but good with his hands as well. He’s a keeper, Carrie, I’m telling you.’

‘Yeah, yeah.’

‘So can you go inside it, do you think? It’s big enough for me to stand up in.’ She peers in the doorway. ‘I can’t see anything, though. It’s too dark.’

‘I’d better check with Ronan that it’s safe before I invite you in. I’d hate an ice block to fall on your head.’ I grin at her. ‘Might knock some sense into you, though.’

‘Hey, you! No need to be horrible, just because I pointed out that your house-mate is gorgeous.’

I shake my head at her. ‘I’ll go in and collect the parcel. Do you want to wait here?’

‘Okay. Don’t trust me with Mr McDreamy, then?’

‘Not sure. What have you got planned for the poor man?’ I waggle my eyebrows at her, wishing she’d let the subject of Ronan drop.

She sighs and gives me a sad smile. ‘Nothing, I promise you. There’s only one man for me, Carrie.’

I lean over and nudge her gently. ‘I’m sure Jeff thinks the same about you.’

‘Except I’m a woman.’ She attempts a smile as she dashes away a tear.

‘Back in a minute. And don’t go inside that igloo.’

‘It’s so cute, I might move in.’

‘We’d have to evict you.’

‘Oh, it’s “we” now, is it?’

‘Behave.’ I start walking up the path.

‘I know all about squatter’s rights,’ she calls, laughing.

Chuckling, I let myself into the cottage. Ronan must be in his room, so I collect the small