A Kiss in the Snow - Rosie Green Page 0,74

But she split up with her boyfriend and she asked me to go with her instead.’ She shrugs. ‘But of course I told her there was no way I’d forgo spending Christmas with my sister – especially since we’ve got so much catching up to do.’

I stare at her. ‘How long would you be away?’

‘It’s a five-day break,’ she says. ‘But I’m not going. I told you.’

‘But it sounds amazing. You should definitely go!’

‘I told her that,’ says Adam, grinning. ‘If I got to stay in a five star hotel in Paris over Christmas, it wouldn’t matter who I was deserting for the holiday season!’

Krystle rounds on him. ‘Will you shut up!’

I smile at them both, thinking rapidly.

A five star hotel in Paris? For five days? I’m so touched that Krystle has automatically turned it down to spend Christmas with me, but it’s far too good an opportunity to miss.

‘You have to go,’ I tell her.

She shakes her head. ‘Of course I’m not going.’

‘Yes, but…well, I was about to tell you. My new friend in Silverbells, Anita, wants me to spend Christmas with her and her little boy, Rufus.’ It’s a complete lie, but…

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ I shrug. ‘She’s on her own and she’s worried Christmas will be a bit lonely for her and Rufus.’

‘Oh. Right.’ She looks at me in confusion.

‘I mean, obviously I was going to tell her I couldn’t go to hers, but since you’ve got the chance to go to Paris…maybe we should just spend this one Christmas doing different things?’

She’s not sure, I can tell, but Adam and I both work on her, and by the end of the evening, it’s all settled.

Krystle is going to Paris for Christmas.

And I’m going…nowhere.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

It’s four o’clock on Christmas Eve and I can feel the magic in the air as I drive along Sunnybrook High Street. Fairy-lights twinkle in the shop windows and dazzle overhead as shoppers scramble for last-minute gifts and stocking fillers. But I won’t be joining them.

This Christmas, I’m heading back to Silverbells.

I dropped an excited Krystle and Rowena at the airport on Tuesday, for their flight to Paris, and when I got home, my mobile rang and it was Anita.

‘How’s it going?’ I asked, smiling.

‘Has Krystle gone?’

‘Yup.’

‘Right, well, you’ve got no excuse not to get yourself over here. It went brilliantly last night, Carrie. No slip-ups at all, despite it being the first night. We’ve even featured in the local paper, mainly because we managed to get the whole Christmas Revue organised in the space of just over a week! Becca is the star of the show, of course, and Reenie was in the audience almost bursting with pride.’

I smiled. ‘I can imagine that.’ I felt a tug at my heartstrings. With Krystle gone, how lovely would it be to be back in Silverbells, reuniting with all the folks I got to know?

‘So are you coming? It’s running for four nights and Thursday is the last night. Christmas Eve. I bought you a ticket for the last night because it’s always extra-special, so you have to come.’

I laughed. ‘I can’t possibly say no, then, can I?’ My heart was already lifting at the thought of being back. ‘You haven’t seen Ronan, have you?’

There was a pause. ‘Sorry, Carrie. No, I haven’t.’

‘Okay.’ I tried to ignore the squeeze of disappointment in the pit of my stomach. ‘Well, never mind, who needs men, anyway?’

‘That reminds me. If you come on Christmas Eve, you’ll meet Jeff.’

‘Really? Are you two back together, then?’

‘Well, we’re working on it. We’ve agreed he’ll spend Christmas Day with us, and we’ll take it from there.’

‘Oh, Anita, that’s brilliant! I’m so pleased for you and Rufus.’

‘I know. It’s good, isn’t it?’

‘Well, I’d better get packing. I’ll check if it’s okay to spend the night at Snowdrop Cottage again because I don’t fancy driving back after the show.’

‘There’s mince pies and mulled wine in the interval, so you won’t be able to drive anyway. But if you can’t get Snowdrop Cottage, you can stay with us.’

I ended the call with a feeling of excitement mixed with apprehension. It would be lovely to see Silverbells again. But how would I feel about being back there without Ronan?

*****

I’m experiencing déjà vu as I drive over the little hump-backed bridge and onto Silverbells High Street. It’s looking a lot more festive now. Lights have been strung between the lampposts and there’s a large sign, all lit up, directing people to the venue for the Christmas Revue.

It strikes me that