Page 111 of The Holiday Cottage

“All done. How about you?”

“I just have Imogen left to buy for. I’ve bought fun things for her stocking—Iris and I chose a few things together, but I want to give her something special. Can you think of anything she’d like?”

Sara was still smiling. “Er—a certain super-hot animal doctor, maybe?”

“Sara!”

“Okay, sorry. No meddling.” Sara sat back and thought. “Clothes? No. She lives in London so she’ll have plenty of clothes. And she always looks stylish, even when she’s dressed for arctic weather. A necklace? Something special?”

“I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe.” Dorothy pondered. “This is her first Christmas with us, and it’s a fresh start. A beginning, if you like. I want to give her something meaningful. Something that makes her feel like part of the family.”

“I think just being here with us will make her feel like part of the family,” Sara said, “but I’ll keep thinking.”

The dogs suddenly shot out of the room barking, and Dorothy watched them go.

“Someone at the door. Imogen, no doubt. No more talking about Miles. And do not give her the third degree on her love life.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Imogen walked into the room moments later, an adoring Ralph at her heels.

“Thank you so much for keeping him, Dorothy.” She hugged Dorothy tightly, and Dorothy felt a lump build in her throat. All the love she’d been holding back threatened to spill out.

“You’re so welcome. Anytime.”

Imogen made a fuss of Ralph. “Was he good?”

“Good as gold.” Dorothy eyed Ralph, and Imogen glanced at her with a smile.

“Was he a handful?”

“Well, he did keep wanting to share the bed with me, but once we established that it wasn’t going to happen, he slept down here with Bailey and all was well.”

Imogen turned pink. “That’s my fault. I may have spoiled him a little when he was staying with me.”

“And this is why we don’t have a dog,” Sara said. “Having two children climbing into bed with me is more than enough. Did you have a fun day yesterday, Imogen?”

“It was brilliant. I bought a gift for Ralph. And one for Bailey too. No favoritism.” Imogen put her hand in her pocket and presented each dog with a new chew toy shaped like a bone. “The Christmas market was so festive, and the light trail was magical. I’m still thinking about it.”

“You were lucky with the weather,” Sara said. “It was a clear night. It must have been romantic.”

Dorothy sighed. “Sara—”

“It was romantic.” Imogen leaned against the countertop, a dreamy look in her eyes. “I had the perfect day. Normally I avoid everything to do with Christmas, but yesterday I embraced everything and I had the best time. Miles is so great.”

“He is,” Sara said. “He really is.”

Imogen watched as Ralph played with the bone. “Did you know he asked his sister for ideas for the best Christmassy date ever?”

“Well, actually I—” Sara caught her mother’s eye. “No. Didn’t know that. Tell us all about it.”

Dorothy reached for a cake tin. “Imogen might prefer to keep it to herself.”

“No, I wouldn’t. It was so amazing I want to talk about it.” She gave them an apologetic look. “Sorry. I’ve never felt like this before. You’re probably bored. You don’t want to hear it.”

“Trust me, we want to hear it. The more detail, the better,” Sara said, and pulled out the chair next to her. “Sit down, Imogen. Eat a mince pie. They’re delicious. Mum will make us both coffee while you tell us everything. Where is Miles, by the way?”

“He’s working today and he was called at six.” Imogen sat down next to Sara. “He did tell me which farm, but I’ve forgotten the name.”

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