Page 30 of Not Just for Christmas

‘I’m not entirely sure that I’m not dreaming.’ Nick took a step towards him and extended a hand, laughing softly. ‘But good to meet you.’

‘You too,’ said Dylan, who couldn’t wait for him to leave. He grasped the guy’s hand politely and then stepped aside so he could pass by. ‘Safe travels.’

Nick got into his car and seconds later, pulled away and disappeared down the lane.

The moment he was gone, Lucy’s shoulders dropped.

‘Well,’ she said, wrapping her arms around herself. ‘That was …’

‘Some curveball?’ Dylan offered gently, mimicking Nick.

She smiled. ‘And slightly awkward; I hadn’t mentioned that you were coming. Or even that we’re …’

‘Friends?’ Dylan brightened. This new guy couldn’t be too important if he didn’t know about Dylan being here for the holidays. ‘Sorry if it causes any problems.’

She waved a hand. ‘Don’t worry about it. So what are you doing here already?’

‘Long story.’ He took the final steps towards her. ‘My flight landed early, and my phone developed the screen of death and won’t switch on. I couldn’t work out the hotel directions without it, or even call you. And I thought …’ He shrugged, aware of his voice cracking. ‘Honestly? I didn’t want to wait until the morning, I wanted to be here as quickly as I could. So I jumped in a cab.’

‘Oh.’ Lucy stared at the ground between them. ‘That’s good to hear.’

‘And I stopped at The Otter so the driver could use the bathroom,’ he added. ‘I did ask Caroline to ring you, let you know I was on my way?’

Lucy gave a small, embarrassed wince. ‘I haven’t looked at my phone. I’ve been … busy with Nick.’

Busy. With Nick.

Dylan nodded. ‘Right. Got it.’

‘Not busy, as in work,’ she added quickly, looking flustered. ‘Just other stuff.’

Dylan wasn’t sure what she meant but something in him twisted, unwelcome and sharp.

Before he could think too hard about that, Lucy stepped forward and then suddenly her arms were around him.

‘Anyway,’ she laughed, ‘welcome back to Merrydown. Poor you, standing out in the cold. What a terrible hostess I am.’

In an instant everything inside him unclenched. He dropped his suitcase, wrapped both arms tightly around her and closed his eyes.

It had been two years since he’d touched her. Two years since that awful day when he’d gathered with Jack’s friends and family to say goodbye. She’d clung to him then, pale and barely present, and shaking so hard he’d been afraid she’d collapse. He’d thought about that day more times than he could count.

Now she felt different. Warmer. Stronger. And with a little of her feistiness back. Her hair smelled faintly of baking and woodsmoke, and when she breathed out against his shoulder, he realised how much he’d missed her – more than he’d ever dared admit.

After a long moment she stepped back, cheeks slightly flushed. He felt the cold rush in where her arms had been.

‘Come in,’ she said with a smile, ‘now I’ve got over the shock and finally remembered my manners.’

‘Here, I brought you these,’ he said, offering his flowers. ‘To apologise for the early arrival.’

‘Wow,’ she said, ‘gorgeous, we can decorate the table with them on Christmas Day. And please don’t apologise for arriving early. Sam is going to be so excited in the morning.’

He stepped into the hall and set his case down, then spotted another bouquet still in its cellophane wrapping. A more modest bunch, presumably from Nick, which made his look ridiculously over the top.

Lucy saw where he was looking and gave a little embarrassed laugh. ‘I’m being spoiled this evening.’

Dylan swallowed the tightening in his chest. ‘They’re nice.’ And he meant it. He didn’t want her caught in any awkward comparison. ‘Really nice.’

‘You must be exhausted after that long journey,’ she said, taking his coat from him and hanging it on the coat rack in the hall. ‘What would you like first: a drink by the fire, or me to show you up to your—’