Page 9 of All I Want for Christmas

‘We’re only there to work, not have a good time.’

‘Got it.’ She got up at last and headed for the door.

‘And, Darcy – I take it you have a cocktail dress?’ Otto asked behind her, no doubt privately aghast at her mismatched running kit.

‘Of course,’ she lied.

‘Good. I’ll email you the details,’ he murmured, releasing her fully, and she rolled her eyes as she stepped into the corridor. She had nothing fancier to wear than a black tube dress that was distinctly more clubbing than cocktails. She would need to go out later and buy something suitable. It was another job to add to her to-do list, which was growing longerby the minute – and she still had a seminar to teach at four. She walked back down the corridor, past the faculty offices, the squeak of her trainers on the floor at a distinctly faster tempo than on the way in.

Chapter Four

‘Tonight’s not going to be possible, sorry. I have a work thing I can’t get out of.’

She checked the time. Seven twenty? The day had run away from her and it showed no sign of slowing down yet.

‘Do academics have evening work things? Surely the libraries are closed?’

‘Ha-ha. I’ve actually got to attend a fancy drinks reception.’

Did she have her lip liner in her bag? she wondered, rifling through the side pockets.

‘Skip it. Live a little.’

‘Can’t. Important people I have to meet for a special project I’m working on.’

‘How about afterwards?’

‘No idea when I’ll be out.’

She stared at her fingernails: clean, but unshaped and matt. There’d been no time for a manicure.

‘I’ve been to my fair share of fancy work events. They don’t exactly kick off. You’ll be done by ten. We could still meet for a drink after.’

‘I’m not sure. Maybe.’

‘Do you always play so hard to get?’

She sighed. She didn’t have time for a full-blown conversation right now.

‘No, just wary of making plans I can’t keep.’

‘I’m prepared to take the risk of a no-show...Besides, you’ll be all dressed up, won’t you? Shame to waste that effort on people you work with.’

She smiled. Female gaze.

‘Well, that is true.’

She stared at her reflection in the dressing-room mirror. Like her old clubbing dress, this one was black and strapless – but it was cut from velvet, not jersey, and had an ivory satin bandeau across the top. It didn’t show too much boob or back, but how short was too short? she wondered, feeling the skater’s hem graze her fingertips. It was expensive – far more than she wanted to spend on a last-minute purchase for work – and she wondered if Freja would go halves on it with her. Plus, if they shared the dress between them, she could get some new shoes too.

‘Where’s the party?’

‘At the National Gallery.’

‘That is fancy. How will I recognize you? What will you be wearing?’

She deliberated a moment, then took a photo of her reflection.‘This.’

‘Wow!’

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