to be on top form.’
‘Why? What have you got planned?’
‘Sunday dinner with the family.’
‘You’re going back?’
The last I’d heard; he had sworn off Sundays with the family for good.
‘Yep,’ he said, puffing out his cheeks. ‘Zak’s talked me into it. But I’ve told him, if Dad even hints that he’s starting on me, then I’m out of there.’
‘Well, good luck,’ I smiled, reaching up to kiss him and hoping that Zak’s personality change would ensure he’d take Finn’s side if there was any trouble. ‘I’ve had my weekly dose of family this morning. Trying to find the right thing to say to Mum is exhausting!’
‘Poor you,’ he said, kissing me back. ‘Did you hit on the right thing to say?’
Given that he was already stressed about the prospect of dinner with his dad, I didn’t think it was quite the right moment to tell him that I’d told my parents I was in love with him.
‘I’ll tell you later,’ I said. I’d fill him in on Peter’s news then too. ‘I better get back to the kitchen. Mark’s preparing some dough that he wants me to bash about.’
‘Rather you than me,’ Finn grimaced. ‘I’ll come and see you in the garden tomorrow, shall I?’
‘Oh, I won’t be there,’ I said, only just remembering. ‘I’ve got tomorrow and Tuesday off.’
‘In that case,’ he said, ‘how about we spend it together? I could take you to the cathedral like I suggested before and there’s a Christmas market in the city centre. We can look around that too, if you fancy it?’
I fancied it very much indeed and went back to the kitchen light of step, with my hangover practically forgotten and feeling buoyed up for the chutney- and bread-making marathon.
Chapter 26
The following morning, I was up long before it was light. The bread-and-chutney Winterfest session had been every bit as successful as those which went before it, but I couldn’t say, in all honesty, that I had felt particularly present during any of it.
Finn’s brief visit, along with his suggestion that we could spend my days off together, had pretty much banished my post-fizz sickly feeling, and I was very much looking forward to the start of my week.
‘Come on,’ I said to a surprised but delighted Nell, as I rattled her lead that Monday morning. ‘Let’s get an early walk in, shall we?’
The stars were still shining and I was pleased I’d layered up because it was more than a little crisp when I stepped outside. Nell, resplendent in her tweed and moleskin fleece-lined coat, trotted ahead, as keen to start the day as I was.
‘Couldn’t you sleep either?’
My hand shot up to my chest and even Nell, usually so aware of everything around her, was caught off guard, but then she realised who the voice belonged to and her tail thumped against my leg.
‘Crikey, Finn,’ I gasped. ‘You made me jump.’
‘Sorry,’ he said, quieter than before, so as not to disturb the neighbours.
Aside from those in Lisa and Heather’s houses, there were no other lights on in the square and I reckoned they were only lit up because kids tended to be early risers, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
‘So where are you going so early in the day?’ Finn asked, falling into step as Nell tugged on the lead in her eagerness to be off.
‘I thought I’d get Nell walked early as you and I are going out. We are still going, aren’t we?’
‘Definitely,’ he said, taking my free hand, giving it a squeeze and then not letting go. ‘I could hardly sleep for thinking about it.’
‘Excellent,’ I said, as my heart kicked hard in my chest, both the result of us holding hands and Finn being as excited about our festive trip as I was. ‘So where are you headed?’
‘I’m going to Blossom’s.’
‘Blossom’s?’ I echoed. ‘At this time?’
‘Yes, she does the most amazing filled breakfast rolls, but you have to be up really early to get them. I was planning to get us some and surprise you with them.’
‘I rather wished I’d stayed at home now,’ I told him. ‘Breakfast almost in bed would have been most welcome.’
Finn chuckled.
‘So, what does Blossom fill these rare rolls with?’
‘Pretty much everything from the traditional full English range,’ he explained, making my tummy rumble. ‘My favourite is the classic eggs and bacon. It might sound basic, but it’s packed full and keeps me going till long after lunchtime.’
‘In that case,’ I said, quickening my pace, ‘shall we step it up a