“You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that. Honestly, it’s like a weight’s been lifted. I was dreading having to tell Fin he’d have to find a hotel. You know what it’s like around here; everywhere gets booked up in advance. The poor bloke would have been on the streets.”
My face crumpled.
“And what with me now having both EmmaandJosh to stay, even if I wanted it to, my place couldn’t fit another body in.”
My mind raced. It wasn’t enough that my holiday of a lifetime had been ruined, my alternative staycation Christmas was about to follow suit. The universe had to be conspiring against me, because try as I might, I couldn’t come up with another explanation.
“I’d hate to think of him on his own on Christmas Day and he’d be much more comfortable at yours.”
I swallowed a whimper. What was Annie talking about? Fin couldn’t stay at mine for Christmas. As nice as the man had proven himself, and as much as I liked him, the only things I really knew about Fin I’d read on the back of a book.
I pictured my staycation again. Me lounging on the sofa in my pyjamas, a mountain of festive snacks at the ready, all the while scrolling through the TV channels for festive movies. I imagined drinking copious amounts of wine and tackling my humongous to-be-read pile of books. I envisaged writing my long-term to-do wish list, as I reflected on my past and planned for my future. What I didn’t see in my mind’s eye was Fin.
“And no doubt very appreciative,” Annie added.
I didn’t want appreciation, I wanted solitude.
“Thank you, Holly,” Annie said. “You don’t know how much this means to me. I might not have seen Fin for years, but I’d have hated having to let him down.” Annie’s loyalty was touching. She’d been a dependable and steadfast friend to me, so it came as no surprise that she was the same with Fin. He might have been her husband’s cousin, but I knew that to Annie that made him her family too.
“No problem,” I said, my voice jumping an octave.
Annie giggled. “I’m meeting him for lunch. I can’t wait to tell him. He’ll be as thrilled as I am.”
Standing there, I told myself at least someone was.
18
Landing home, I grabbed the Secret Santa I’d been gifted at work, dreading to think what it might be. If there was a world record for buying the most random gifts ever, my colleagues would win hands down. Looking at it, I told myself there was no point trying to guess and stuffing it into my bag, I climbed out of the car.
Tired and fed up I dragged my feet as I made my way to the house. I paused as I clocked a couple of teenage girls opposite with mobile phones in their hands. It was far too cold for anyone to be out doing nothing and I narrowed my eyes, wondering if they were there to catch a glimpse of Fin. That was all I needed. Seeing me stare at them, suspicious, they giggled before scarpering off down the street, making me wonder if I was simply being paranoid. I shook my head. While I’d hoped for a Christmas to remember, that year’s was turning out to be memorable for all the wrong reasons, and instead of feeling any yuletide spirit, I felt sorry for myself.
With my last shift before Christmas complete, I should have been racing inside for a quick shower, before grabbing my suitcase and jumping into a taxi headed for the airport hotel. I should have been flying off into the sun the following day, enjoying ten days of me-time, relaxing, having fun, and thinking about my future. As it was, I couldn’t even look forward to the alternative plan of locking the front door behind me, with nothing but ten days of blissful hibernation ahead. I ruined that for myself when I agreed to provide board and lodgings to a well-known homeless chef; a chef that Annie insisted liked me.
I wished she hadn’t. The last few days had been complicated enough.
I sighed again as I thought about the day’s events. Knowing I only had myself to blame, I mocked my own stupidity.Whatever it is, it’s a yes from me…I ridiculed.See it as a gift, to celebrate becoming a grandparent…I shook my head once more, wondering why I couldn’t have kept my big mouth shut.
I paused to gather myself before entering. Despite my self-pity, I knew it wouldn’t be fair on Fin if I spent the whole evening sulking. None of what had happened was his fault. I moved to let myself in.
“Jesus Christ!” I shrieked, convinced my heart had burst. Before my hand had even touched the handle, the door flew open.
“Close your eyes,” Fin said, suddenly appearing. He’d clearly been waiting to accost me.
Too busy trying not to have a coronary to follow his instruction, I put my hand up to my chest, telling myself to breathe. “Are you trying to kill me?” I asked.
Fin laughed. “Death by shut-eye. That’s a new one on me.”
Struggling to match his good humour, I flashed Fin a dirty look.
“Come on, Holly. Play along.”
“Why? What have you done?” I took in Fin’s childlike demeanour. As if shocking me into a heart attack wasn’t enough, he obviously had another surprise ready for me. The way my day was going I dreaded to think what lay in store. I tried to look over Fin’s shoulder for a glimpse, but not only was he too tall for that, he shifted his position making it even more impossible for me to see. “Fin, please. It’s been a long day.”
He tilted his head, giving me what were, no doubt, his best puppy-dog eyes and looking at him, it was clear that if I ever wanted to get back inside my own house I’d have to do as he asked. My shoulders slumped. “This had better be good,” I said. In danger of sounding like a stroppy teenager, I reminded myself that Fin was as stuck with me as was I with him.
His palm was warm as he took my hand, and liking the feel of his firm grip, I let him guide me over the threshold and into the house. I heard the door close behind us before he led me partway down the hall. He brought me to a stop before steering me to the right and I knew we were entering the lounge.
“Ready?” he asked, bringing me to a final standstill.
