Staring into the washing-up bowl, I wanted nothing more. “It’s not that,” I replied, unable to look at him. “Vee did put you on the spot a bit and then there’s last night to consider.” I made sure to keep my tone light. “I wouldn’t want you agreeing to something because you felt you had to.”
He put the tea towel down and taking my wet hands, pulled me round to face him. His expression showed concern, as if what I thought mattered. “Do you honestly think I’m the type of guy to sleep with a woman and run?” he asked.
I hoped not.
“Last night was special.” He searched my face. “Wasn’t it?”
I nodded.
“So, if you want to spend Christmas Day at your parents’ house, then I do too.”
Looking back at Fin, he appeared genuine, but I couldn’t shift the nagging doubt that all wasn’t as it should be. There had to be something the man wasn’t telling me. “Okay,” I replied.
“Besides, my first family Christmas in years, in a house that’s got so many lights I bet I could see it from space. Who’d say no to an opportunity like that?”
I chuckled. Most people thought my parents barmy for going all out the way they did, yet there was Fin positively loving it. I thought back to the previous Christmas when I’d had to put up with Jeremy’s not-so-well-disguised reluctance. I smiled. “Only if you’re sure?”
Fin looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
I turned back to the washing up. “No reason.”
Fin pulled me round to face him for a second time. “Holly? What’s going on?”
My face crumpled. “You seem different,” I said. “Weseem different. It’s as if you have something on your mind, but you can’t bring yourself to say it.”
Fin put a hand up to rub his forehead. “Okay. If you must know, there is something.”
I felt dread as he took my hand and led me over to the table. Sitting down, I steeled myself ready to experience the ultimate in embarrassment – getting dumped from a relationship that wasn’t even a relationship.
“That call just now,” Fin said, taking the seat next to me.
I stared down at my knees wondering if I was about to learn he had a wife and three kids after all.
“It was about work.”
I lifted my gaze to look at him, confused as to what that had to do with me and his change in attitude.
“I’ve been asked to front a new project. I had an idea the call was coming, it’s why I had to go to Leeds the other day.”
“Okay,” I said, my bewilderment continuing. “But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
Fin smiled. “I suppose it is, yes.”
“Another exciting project likeCooking Hell?”
“Not quite the same, but exciting nonetheless.”
I waited for him to expand, but he stayed quiet. “Well?” I asked, eager to know more.
“Well nothing.”
I rose to my feet, ready to get on with the washing up, at the same time insisting I didn’t care anyway. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I said. “It’s not as if it’s any of my business.”
Fin took my hand, preventing me from moving. “It’s in America. The project. That’s where they’re sending me.”
I plonked myself back down in my seat. “Oh.” I looked down at my knees again, unable to meet Fin’s gaze once more.
“I’ve been asked to host one of those travel-come-cookery shows. You know the kind, going from town to town, sampling local cuisine and at the end of each episode replicating what’s been eaten for the viewers at home.”
