Page 50 of A Merry Little Christmas

‘Cool.’ Max gave her a bashful smile. ‘Thanks, Nell. You’re the best. You and Dad.’

Her stomach plummeted towards the floor; she was so lucky to have this wonderful, trusting young man in her life. Even if he wasn’t Olek’s son, as far as she was concerned it didn’t change how she felt about him. ‘Max?’

He turned towards her, and she gave him a tight hug.

‘You’re the best too.’

‘Weirdo,’ he said with a grin.

She followed him back inside. The shop was even busier than before. Harley had a queue of customers at the till, Woody was gift-wrapping as fast as he could, and Fred had come through from the studio to chat to Astrid. For the next ten minutes, Nell threw herself into sales mode, talking to customers and advising shoppers on which aroma would suit whom on their Christmas gift list.

‘Oh God,’ Woody muttered, pressing a hand to his chest. ‘You are kidding me. Who brings a pet shopping with them?’

Two girls had come into the shop, one of whom had a pet carrier which she wore as a backpack. There were mesh panels on all sides and the beak of a bright yellow budgie was poking through a tiny gap in the back panel.

‘You big wuss,’ Nell snorted. ‘It’s not going to get you.’

Woody shuddered. ‘I hate birds. Like real full-on phobia. It’s the wings and the way they flap at you. I’m staying in the studio until the coast’s clear.’

‘The rest of the choir has arrived,’ said Harley, brightening as the door opened and a group of excited kids piled in. ‘We’ll sing for thirty minutes and then I’m going to leave too. Granddad, are you still OK to give us a lift?’

Fred clapped a hand over his mouth. ‘I forgot all about it. And I’ve drunk too much mulled wine now. I’m sorry, lad.’

Harley groaned. ‘You’re supposed to be dropping me and my mates off at Nando’s. That was partly how I got them to agree to sing tonight.’

Fred put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Book a taxi for you and your friends, I’ll pay for it.’

‘Or I can take you?’ Nell offered. ‘I’m giving Max a lift, so it’s no bother.’

‘Thanks, Nell. But a taxi would be cool, please Granddad,’ he mumbled and sloped off to join his friends.

‘Pastry-enclosed Christmas nibbles!’ Woody announced, returning with two trays of food.

‘That’s a lot of pastry,’ Merry frowned, appearing from the studio with some Winter Wonderland candles to replenish the shelves. ‘What about people who don’t like it or who are gluten-free?’

On any other night, Nell would have laughed it off, but tonight, she was feeling too sensitive. ‘I’ve catered for all dietary needs,’ she said, bristling. ‘I’ve got vegan and gluten-free mince pies. I just haven’t put them out.’

Astrid and Irena bit into sausage rolls and a shower of pastry crumbs fluttered to the ground.

‘Ojej!’ said Irena.

‘Entschuldigung!’ said Astrid at the same time. ‘Aber also lecker!’

‘I rest my case,’ said Merry through gritted teeth. ‘Now I’ll have to vacuum the floor before I leave.’

‘Or,’ said Nell, crossly, ‘as I am also a partner in this business, maybe I’ll do it.’

‘You’ve literally just said you’ll take Max home,’ said Merry, a little smugly for Nell’s liking. ‘So you won’t be able to.’

‘I’m amazed you heard that over the volume of this music,’ Nell retorted.

‘Oh, Nell, please!’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Change the record. The music is fine, it’s Christmas music.’

‘Mince pies and sausage rolls are fine, it’s Christmas food,’ she shot back, folding her arms.

She glared at Merry and Merry glared back. It was so childish that Nell almost cracked up with laughter, but the thought hit her suddenly that her best friend would be holding her own baby in her arms in a matter of weeks but that she herself, unless she did something extremely drastic, never would. So, instead of laughing, she tensed her jaw and tried not to notice the look of hurt in Merry’s eye.

The awkward moment was broken by a scream and someone shouting, ‘Oh no!’