“Sounds fun,” I said. Pleased for him but not so much for me, I tried to sound upbeat. The last thing I wanted was to come across like some needy girlfriend, even though I was neither. I pulled at my fingernails. “When do you leave?”
“On the 31st.”
I lifted my head to look at Fin, feeling relieved. “Of January? But that’s weeks away yet.”
“Of December,” Fin replied.
“I see.” I took heart in the disappointment on his face, which matched my feelings. “But that’s only a week or so away. It’s New Year’s Eve,” I said, my voice quiet.
Fin got up from his seat, hauled me up out of mine, and pulled me into a bear hug. “Looks like we’re going to have to make the most of this family Christmas of yours, doesn’t it?” he said, kissing my forehead.
With his arms wrapped tight around me, I breathed in his scent, wanting that moment to last forever.
Fin leaned back to look at me. “Can we do that?”
I nodded, unable to find any words.
30
Christmas Eve
Having woken up far too early, I lay in the darkness staring up to the ceiling and listening to the rhythm of Fin’s gentle breathing. Light from a street lamp shone through a gap in the curtain and I turned onto my side to look at the man lying next to me. He slept on his back, one hand behind his head. The bedcovers were down to his waist, enabling me to watch the rise and fall of his chest as he inhaled and exhaled. Knowing our Christmas holiday romance would soon be at an end, I’d already started to miss him. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you, Fin McCormack,” I whispered. I hardly believed it possible, considering I’d only met him a week ago.
Fin began shifting position and as he slowly turned my way I froze. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of him opening his eyes having heard me. I held my breath for a moment, only relaxing once I saw that he hadn’t actually awakened. There was no way Fin could know how I felt about him and as he stayed asleep, it seemed my secret was still mine to keep.
With Fin stirring, I knew it wouldn’t be long before he woke up for real and I slid out of bed, before heading downstairs to put some coffee on in readiness. Waiting for the machine to work its magic, I became aware of how quiet and lonely the house was going to be without Fin. Especially the kitchen, which had understandably, yet inadvertently, turned into his domain. I smiled as I imagined him flitting between the cooker, the fridge, and the sink, producing fabulous meal after fabulous meal for us both. Some with names I couldn’t pronounce let alone try to recreate.
Contemplating how much cooking Fin had done since landing, I thought what better morning to return the gesture than Christmas Eve morning. While my culinary skills might not have stretched to the fancy food Fin served up, as I plugged in the toaster and dug out the frying pan, I knew I made a mean bacon sandwich.
With the bacon sizzling to perfection, crispy on the edges but not burnt in the middle, the kitchen smelt divine. Turning the heat off I grabbed a couple of golden slices of toast, slathered them in real butter and with a bottle of brown sauce at the ready, began the sandwich’s construction.
Hearing Fin make his way downstairs, I quickly finished what I was doing and poured him a cup of coffee.
Waiting for him to enter, I frowned at the sound of his voice, realising he must have been chatting on his phone. I couldn’t hear his conversation as he spoke in hushed tones, although I assumed the call was work-related seeing as he was speaking so quietly. We’d made an agreement that we wouldn’t talk about his new job. The plan was to forget about it for as long as was feasible and simply enjoy the time we had left together. Pushing all thoughts of his leaving to the back of my mind, it was a plan I was determined to see through.
“Thank you. Anyway, I’ve got to go. Bye,” Fin said just before he entered the room. Then he addressed me, plastering a smile on his face. “Something smells wonderful.” It was good to know he seemed resolute in our strategy too.
I picked up his breakfast and cup of coffee and carried them over to the table. “Merry Christmas,” I said, giving him a peck on the lips.
Taking a seat, he smiled at the offering. “A bacon sandwich. The way to a man’s heart.”
“Pleased to hear it,” I said.
As I headed back to pour myself a drink and tidy up the mess I’d made, my mobile beeped, signalling I had a text come through. I picked the phone up off the kitchen counter, surprised to see Annie’s name on the screen. Having assumed she would be far too busy on Christmas Eve to be contacting anyone let alone me, I opened her message, curious as I read.
You free for coffee today? I finish work at one.
I grimaced, not sure I fancied tackling a hoard of last-minute shoppers.
“That looks interesting,” Fin said, obviously acknowledging my reluctant expression.
“It’s from Annie. She wants to meet up later.” I put my phone back down.
“Sounds like fun.”
I looked Fin’s way. “You think? Today of all days, town will be packed.”
“She probably needs to let off steam,” he said. “What with Emma and her boyfriend taking over the house.”
