Page 102 of The Holiday Cottage

Imogen watched her go. “She was giving me funny looks.”

“It wasn’t personal. She was just interested because we were together and I was holding your hand. She had a million questions that she will now no doubt fire at my sister, who won’t know the answers. I await the phone call.” He seemed to find it amusing rather than irritating, and she felt a pang of envy that he had such a close family relationship.

Her mother had never shown the slightest interest in her love life. She’d never shown the slightest interest in anything Imogen did.

Imogen had been on her own.

But not anymore.

“Did you get on well with your sister when you were growing up? She wasn’t jealous of you?”

“No. If anything, she mothered me. I suppose she still does in a way. And yes, we got on fine, although better now that we’re older. We didn’t share many interests when we were growing up, apart from a love of food. We used to fight over the last slice of my mother’s chocolate cake.”

His mother’s chocolate cake. Chocolate cake came with happy memories.

She smiled. “Who won?”

“My mother always insisted on cutting it in half. She was a born diplomat.”

“Your appetite seems to be something of a local legend. Do you always have multiple invitations to Christmas lunch?”

“Always. I’ve perfected a certain helpless look when people talk about Christmas, and it works a treat. I haven’t had to cook for myself on Christmas Day for at least five years. In my defence I invariably cover Christmas, and I often get called out, so I wouldn’t risk roasting my own turkey. If I can grab a few roast potatoes at someone else’s table, that works for me.”

“Why do you cover Christmas?”

“Because my colleagues all have families. It’s important that they’re at home for Christmas.”

“That’s thoughtful.”

“They cover for me when necessary.” He pulled her closer. “I negotiated for them to cover today for me.”

“What reason did you give?”

“I told them the truth. That I had a hot date with a hot girl.” He smiled at her. “Although you look pretty cold right now, so we should probably get ourselves to that coffee shop before you freeze.”

They carried on walking, and everywhere she looked she saw charm and character. Rows of cottages, their stone walls gleaming pale gold in the winter sunlight. Creeper wound itself around doors and windows and snow dusted the sloping roofs.

“This whole place looks like a movie set. It’s so Christmassy.”

“That’s why I brought you here.” His hand tightened on hers. “You said you’d never done anything Christmassy before, so that’s what we’re doing today. We’re spending the whole day doing Christmassy things.”

“I thought you didn’t usually make much of a fuss about Christmas?”

He smiled. “This will be a first for both of us. Also it’s a cunning way of getting you to help me choose my Christmas gifts. Left to my own devices I’d buy everyone a woolly hat. Do you need a woolly hat by any chance?”

“Is it possible to have too many?”

“Not in my opinion and I’m glad you agree. But before we go shopping, we need sustenance. This place has a Christmas market and a coffee shop that sells the best cakes anywhere. Except, maybe, Dorothy’s kitchen.” He pushed open the door of a pretty café and she stepped inside.

Immediately, she was engulfed by warmth, delicious smells and the soothing sound of a coffee machine in action.

“What can I get you?” Miles unzipped his coat and gestured to the counter. “Choose something.”

“I’m not sure about chocolate cake.” She scanned the display. “Almond croissant please. And a cappuccino. I’ll pay.”

“No, today is on me. Call it a thank-you for helping me out with Ralph. You can treat me to a day out in London sometime. Go and grab that table by the window. It has a great view of the street.”

Imogen sat down at the vacant table. It was nestled in the curve of the window, and she gazed out over the snowy street, feeling as if she was starring in a Dickens novel.

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