Amountain of paper chains sat on one side of the table, while Fin and I sat at the other finishing off the tasty casserole Fin had made. “That was delicious,” I said, placing my spoon down on my empty plate. With my stomach feeling fit to burst, I leaned back in my seat. “I couldn’t eat another thing.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Fin replied. He indicated the home-made Christmas decorations. “We’ve still got to hang that lot yet.”
I groaned at the prospect, telling myself that the food I’d just eaten needed to do a whole lot of settling before I could even think about getting on with a task like that. I rose to my feet and picked up our plates. The washing up was the least I could do after all of Fin’s hard work.
Heading for the sink, I placed everything down on the counter and decided the dishes could wait a bit longer. “More wine?” I asked, instead. I didn’t wait for Fin’s answer, I simply reached for the bottle. Having put the Roberta debacle behind me I had had the most wonderful carefree evening reminiscent of my childhood and I wanted to hold on to my contentment for as long as I could.
In the darkness outside something caught the corner of my eye. “What’s that?” I asked. I turned to Fin, before looking out into the garden. I suddenly freaked and the wine bottle slipped from my hand.
Fin jumped to his feet as it smashed to smithereens. “What is it?” he said, racing over.
“There was a face.” I pointed to the window. “Someone’s out there.” A picture of Roberta popped into my head, followed by images of the paparazzi hiding in bushes. My heart raced. I wouldn’t have put it past her to call them. Having been rebuffed, she’d have done anything to ruin my happiness. Calling in the press was probably her way of ensuring Fin was long gone by the time I got back off my alleged holiday.Oh, Lordy,I thought,I should have got rid of Fin no matter what.
“You stay here,” he said, ready to go and investigate.
My panic continued. The media loved knocking celebrities down. Newspapers were full of headlines depicting how far the paparazzi went to get the perfect photo. And by “perfect” they meant photos which showed people like Fin in a bad light. “Be careful,” I said, but before Fin got the chance to find out who was out there, the back door flew open.
I screamed, before looking for something to grab.
Fin froze as he stared at the intruder.
I froze, too, wooden spoon raised high. “Vee!” I said, shocked to see she was the trespasser, not the man with a camera I had been expecting.
“Who else would it be?” she asked.
I lowered my arm. “What are you playing at? You scared me half to death.”
Fin looked from her to me, clearly confused. “You two know each other?”
“Yes,” I replied, trying to control my heartbeat. “This is my sister.”
“Not that you’d know it,” Vee said, glaring at me.
I stared back, wondering why suddenly everyone thought they could let themselves into my house uninvited. “I don’t know if it’s a full moon out there, but people seem to be acting very strangely tonight.”
Mitch suddenly appeared in the doorway behind Vee. He panted, trying to catch his breath. He’d obviously ran to catch up with her, no doubt parking the car while she raced on ahead. “Sorry,” he said. “I did try to get her to call, but she wasn’t having it.” He spotted Fin. “Oh, hi there. I’m Mitch, Holly’s brother-in-law.”
Fin nodded in acknowledgement, before looking to me, eyebrows raised, clearly wondering what was going on. I shrugged. As much in the dark as him, I wished I knew.
Mitch took a step forward, opening his mouth to speak, but my sister put a hand up to silence him.
“Don’t you dare say this is my hormones,” Vee said to her husband. “I mean it. If you quote one more pregnancy book, or try to mansplain my own body to me, I swear I will swing for you.”
Mitch did as he was told and stepped back again, while Vee returned her attention to me. “Why would Holly go food shopping, I ask myself,” my sister said. “If she’s not going to be around to eat anything?”
Recalling my midnight supermarket run, I tried but failed to recall seeing anyone that Vee might know. My nerves crept to the fore and I let out a hollow laugh. “Who said I’ve been shopping?” I asked, faking innocence.
Vee scoffed. “There’s no point denying it. Elizabeth’s cousin’s niece’s best friend saw you.”
Fin’s face contorted.
“What can I say?” I said to him. “It’s the Yorkshire Dales. Everyone knows everyone.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Vee said.
I suddenly frowned, my eyes narrowing as I turned my attention back at Vee. “Hang on a minute. You’re telling me that Elizabeth’s cousin’s niece’s best friend is Jeremy’s bit on the side?” Again, I looked at Fin. “Don’t ask.”
“What does it matter?” Vee replied. “I’m more interested in what you’re still doing here. Shouldn’t you be at some hotel by now?” She turned to Fin. “And pray tell, who are you?”
