Page 99 of A Merry Little Christmas

‘No. Not bad enough to keep me from the love of my life. And my truck will get us through anything. So have you two had a good time?’ he asked, kissing Nell’s cheek.

‘The best,’ Merry replied. ‘Very relaxing.’

‘And fun,’ Nell agreed.

She hugged her best friend’s husband, holding on to him for a long moment, at least ten seconds, but if Cole thought it had gone on too long, he was too polite to say so. Those ten seconds were filled with snapshots of Merry and Cole together, and Nell thought how fortunate she was to have had a front-row seat watching their love for each other unfold. Cole was perfect for Merry, just perfect. And he’d be the steadying presence she needed to help her navigate this new phase of life.

Nell released him and thought of Olek, the man who’d been the rock in her own life. She wasn’t going to let this be the end, she was going to fight for their love with everything she had.

She blinked back the inevitable tears and smiled stoically. ‘Get everything done?’

Cole nodded. ‘Everything.’

Merry looked from Nell to Cole. ‘What were you doing?’

‘Wrapping your presents,’ he said, stifling a yawn. ‘A new vacuum cleaner and an ironing board takes a lot of paper, you know. Luckily, I think sleep is overrated.’

His wife grinned. ‘Very funny. And let’s hope you’re still happy not to sleep when I make you share the night feeds.’

He took her hand and kissed it. ‘Foot rubs, cups of tea, cuddles, you name it, I’ll accept all of them.’

‘You tease.’ Merry gave him a playful nudge before pulling a face. ‘Oof. Shall we go home? I’ve got something amazing to tell you.’

‘Intriguing. And a very good plan.’ Cole picked up her bag and kissed Nell’s cheek again. ‘Merry Christmas.’

Nell felt a flutter of panic; she didn’t want to put the Robinsons to any trouble, but she did need a lift home. ‘Erm … I don’t suppose you’d be able to drop me off en route?’

‘Of course we can!’ Merry rolled her eyes at Cole.

Cole’s gaze flicked to somewhere over Nell’s shoulder so fleetingly that she almost missed it. But a sixth sense made her turn around. Sitting in an armchair, hidden behind a copy of The Times newspaper was a man. Her heart started to thud and, for a moment, time stood still as she drank him in.

She’d recognise those legs, those jeans and boots anywhere. The newspaper lowered and there he was, her handsome, wonderful man, his broad shoulders almost filling the armchair. He was wearing his down puffer jacket and the blue striped scarf Max had given him last Christmas. His face not giving anything away, but his eyes … Oh, how she’d missed looking into those beautiful blue eyes. He set aside the newspaper and got to his feet.

‘Olek!’ she gasped. ‘What are you doing here, how did you …?’

Her feet took her towards him, and he stepped forward to meet her, standing so close she could smell his cologne, feel the warmth of his breath and the cold radiating from his jacket.

‘Nell.’ His eyes locked on her as if she was the only person in the world. ‘Sorry I didn’t reply to your messages, I’ve been stuck in the snow, and I didn’t have any signal, then my phone ran out of charge.’ He batted a hand dismissively. ‘Long story.’

‘It’s so good to see you.’ Was she allowed to touch him? Kiss him? How did he feel about her? She wished he’d say something.

‘You too,’ he murmured.

She felt something inside her shift, a flame of hope ignite, a determination to not waste this moment, to be honest and true.

‘I’m glad, and I’m so, so sorry for everything.’ She swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘For lying to you about the test results, and not telling you that I’d had a termination when I was younger.’

Mostly, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him, but did he still love her, could he still love her after what she’d done? Her pulse raced erratically as she watched him digest her words, willing him to forgive her.

‘I thought we didn’t have secrets from each other,’ he replied, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, and she heard the jingle of his car keys. ‘I thought that was something other couples did. Not us. You really hurt me, Nell.’

‘I know, I know.’ Tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t have the energy to wipe them away. Her arms hung loosely by her sides; they’d never felt so empty. She had to hold herself back from burying her face in his neck. ‘I have so many regrets.’

‘Don’t cry.’ Olek touched her face, wiping her tears with his thumb. ‘I’ve missed you.’

Thank you, thank you, thank you. ‘And I’ve missed you,’ she replied.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, and she felt his body against hers. The cold fabric of his coat was a sharp contrast to the warmth of her hoodie. She slid her arms under his jacket, resting her cheek against his chest, and closed her eyes.