Page 98 of The Merry Christmas Project

I raised an eyebrow. ‘What’s up ?’

‘All those presents you helped me wrap ? It appears the delivery company has lost them. I’ve tried putting in the tracking details on their website, but it tells me the number isn’t recognised. In the absence of a Christmas miracle, the kids aren’t going to get any of the presents I sent them.’

‘Oh, Cole.’ He didn’t have to tell me how disappointed he was, I could read it in his body language. I really felt for him ; he’d tried so hard to be the best dad. It just wasn’t fair.

He shook his head, looking defeated. ‘And I’d made sure they were sent plenty early enough. Best-laid plans and all that.’

‘OK,’ I said, determined to shine a positive light on the situation. ‘The presents might still turn up, but let’s make a contingency plan. Once my courier has been to collect today’s orders, I’m all yours. I can go shopping for you, we can wrap them tonight, and send in the morning. They won’t arrive in time for Christmas, but at least you’ll know they’re on their way and I’m sure we can make up a story about Santa getting muddled up for Freya’s benefit.’

Cole grinned. ‘That’s really good of you, but I can’t ask you to do that, they’re my kids.’

‘Well, you’re my … I faltered, daring myself to say the word. I met his gaze. ‘Boyfriend ?’

He nodded gently, a lazy smile spreading over his face. ‘Does that mean we’re official ?’

‘Yes.’ My heart leapt as his mouth covered mine.

‘Have I told you recently that you’re amazing,’ he whispered softly against my lips.

‘Tell me again.’

We remained in each other’s arms until the courier arrived. Between us we carried the parcels downstairs and then Cole said he had to go and kissed me goodbye.

‘Oh, by the way,’ he turned back, frowning. ‘I had the energy bill for this place this morning. Something weird has happened with the electricity supplier. The consumption has quadrupled in the last few weeks. Any ideas why ?’

‘None at all,’ I said, perplexed. And then I remembered. ‘Yes ! The Christmas tree.’

He looked perplexed. ‘But you haven’t got a Christmas tree.’

‘I haven’t, but Wetherley has.’ I pointed out of the window where the twinkly lights on the enormous tree could be seen.

Cole’s jaw dropped open. ‘What the hell ?’

‘I thought you’d know.’ I winced. ‘It was a gentlemen’s agreement struck up years ago between Benny Dunford and the town council. The old bank supplies power to the Christmas tree.’

‘You are kidding me.’ He squeezed his eyes shut and massaged his brow with his fingertips and for a moment my heart thudded with worry, wondering what his reaction would be. But when he opened his eyes they were dancing with amusement. ‘This Christmas just gets better and better.’

I knew he was joking, but I couldn’t help thinking that he might just be right.

Chapter 30

Merry

24 DECEMBER

At two o’clock on Christmas Eve, as the market traders packed away their wares for the last time before Christmas, the snow arrived in the form of big graceful floating flakes. And because the last few days had been cold and dry, within minutes Wetherley was transformed into a scene straight out of a Dickens novel. It was, I thought, as I picked my way carefully to the Buttermarket to meet the other team members, the perfect backdrop to my winter wonderland project. It was exactly how I hoped it would be when I dreamed up the idea in October.

‘Here she is ! The woman of the hour,’ Nell cried as I stood at the door, stamping my feet to get rid of the snow.

The assembled group gave me a round of applause. Daniel was still in the shop and Tasha had flown to Mauritius at the end of term to spend Christmas with her parents, but Tom and Sally, the school secretary, had come to support us and Mrs Flowers, the music teacher, would be here later on to look after the school choir. And sitting in the corner looking very sorry for themselves were Fred and Astrid, who had Otto on her lap.

‘It’s a team effort, remember,’ I was quick to point out. ‘And sorry I’m late, I had a cryptic message from Hester and when I called her back she didn’t pick up.’

Her message had told me to expect a nice surprise. Maybe she’d sent me a gift, which would be wonderful but also a bit awkward because I hadn’t got her anything. I’d phoned her back to pump her for more information but had only reached her voicemail.

‘She’s on air from two until five,’ said Fred weakly, resting his head in his hands. ‘Try after that.’

‘Are you two OK ?’ I asked, concerned about the state of them ; they seemed barely able to keep themselves upright.