A Kiss in the Snow - Rosie Green Page 0,73

We do turkey and all the trimmings, open presents and just lie around watching TV. Then Mum and Dad come round in the evening for the left-overs buffet.’

‘Very relaxing.’

I smile. ‘It is, actually.’ Thinking about it, I’m actually looking forward to spending that time with Krystle. Christmas Day will be lovely and undemanding. Just me and my sister, catching up, eating lots of great food and drinking champagne. Just as it should be…

After Anita has gone, joking that she’s going to find Ronan for me, I trail upstairs and pack my clothes and belongings into my case, ready to leave the next day. When I get into bed, I feel strangely tense. And then I realise I’m waiting to hear the sound of Ronan’s car engine, pulling up outside the cottage…his key in the lock…his footsteps on the stairs…his lovely familiar voice calling to ask if I’d like a coffee…

It’s not going to happen, Carrie, so you may as well get over it!

Sighing, I turn on my side, pull the duvet over my head and pray for sleep.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Next morning, I linger in the cottage, making sure everything is spick and span, the way I found it. It’s after eleven and I’ve already been over to see Nora and little Holly to say goodbye.

‘You will come back and see us, though?’ said Nora anxiously, as I cooed over the baby.

‘Of course I will. I’m only an hour or so down the road.’ We hugged at the door. ‘You’re a brilliant mum, Nora. Holly is one very lucky little girl.’

Afterwards, I popped in to say goodbye to Reenie, and she seemed quite choked at me leaving.

‘Thank you, Carrie, for everything,’ she said, hugging me fiercely. ‘You hauled me out of a very dark place and I’ll never forget that.’

‘I’ll be back to see you,’ I promised.

‘You’d better.’

And now my bags are packed, waiting by the door. My heart doesn’t really want to leave, but I know I have to, so I load up and get on my way.

I’m just driving slowly away, when I look in my rear view mirror and spot someone hurrying after me. It’s Anita and my heart misses a beat. She’s waving to me, a big smile on her face.

She’s tracked down Ronan! He’s coming back to the cottage! I’ll see him again, after all!

Elated at the thought, I slow down, lowering the window to speak to her even before the car has fully stopped.

‘You’ll never guess!’ she pants. ‘I’ve just been in to see Reenie again and she said yes. It’s all arranged. We’re staging the Christmas Revue a week today in Reenie’s barn!’

*****

Krystle has prepared a lovely meal to celebrate my return. And Adam is coming over.

I’m not sure how I feel about this, but actually, when he arrives, we just slip into the old, funny banter. Everything feels easy between us. It’s as if his visit to Silverbells and his declarations of love had never happened at all, and that’s absolutely fine by me.

‘Ah, chicken and chips,’ I smile, sitting down at the table. ‘It’s so lovely to be home.’

Krystle grins. ‘That’s exactly what I thought. A taste of home.’

‘She’s decided to leave the fancy cordon bleu stuff for next time,’ jokes Adam.

‘Hey, you. Don’t be rude. This happens to be my stand-by dish,’ protests Krystle, pretending to be offended.

‘Don’t we know it,’ I groan, and we all start to laugh.

It’s a lovely evening, as it turns out, and I hardly think about Ronan at all. In fact, it really does feel good to be back. That’s what Christmas is all about – being with the people who love you – and spending the festive season just doing all the old familiar things will be just perfect.

‘Turkey again on Christmas day, Sis?’ I ask. ‘Or shall we push the boat out and have a goose instead?’

‘Turkey for me,’ says Krystle.

‘You should feel honoured,’ Adam tells me, grinning. ‘She could be having posh nosh in Paris instead, but she wants to spend the day with you.’

‘What’s this?’ I turn to Krystle, just in time to catch her making a threatening face at Adam.

She smiles at me. ‘Oh, nothing at all, Carrie.’

‘Er, I wouldn’t call Christmas in Paris nothing,’ snorts Adam.

‘Christmas in Paris?’ I stare at Krystle.

She sighs. ‘Thanks, Adam.’ She shoots him a daggers look.

‘What?’ He stares back, clearly bemused. ‘Have I put my foot in it, then?’

‘No, it’s okay.’ She turns to me and says lightly, ‘Rowena won a raffle prize. Christmas in Paris.