Page 114 of The Holiday Cottage

No more. She’d always believed in second chances. Maybe it was time to give herself a second chance.

She was going to follow Imogen’s example and leave the past where it belonged, in the past.

She was going to forgive herself for any mistakes she may have made. She was going to acknowledge that Tina’s choices were her own.

And instead of regretting all those years she hadn’t had Imogen in her life, she was going to be grateful for the years they had ahead.

And suddenly she knew. She knew exactly what she was going to give Imogen for Christmas.

23

Imogen

Imogen loaded her gifts carefully into the back of the car. She’d spent hours wrapping them, folding perfect creases in festive paper and tying elaborate bows with shimmering ribbon, and she wasn’t going to risk ruining all her hard work now. It felt a little ridiculous to be driving the short distance to Dorothy’s, but there was no other way of transporting the presents. And also herself. She’d treated herself to a new dress at one of the boutiques in the village, and it wasn’t exactly designed for a snowy trek up to the house.

She’d assumed she’d be going with Miles, but after spending a romantic Christmas Eve together, sipping champagne and talking about everything under the sun as they always seemed to do when they were together, he’d vanished before it was light.

She’d been half-asleep when he left, had dimly heard him wish her a Merry Christmas, but when she’d woken enough for a conversation, he was gone and so was Ralph.

He’d left a note on the kitchen table saying he had things to do, and he’d meet her at Dorothy’s.

And she was already looking forward to seeing him again, even though it had only been a few hours. They’d spent every available moment together since their Christmassy date, and she’d never been happier.

She loaded the last of the parcels, locked the cottage and drove carefully up the snow-covered drive to the house.

Dorothy had told her that she was welcome to stay at the house for Christmas Eve, but given that Ava and Iris were also in residence, Imogen and Miles had decided it would be more appropriate for them to stay at the cottage. Also, she was conscious that she and Miles didn’t have that much longer together, living like this, and she wanted to make the most of it.

“Imogen!” Ava was in the doorway, waving madly. She was wearing a red dress with green tights, her cheeks were flushed with excitement and she already had traces of chocolate around her mouth. “I’ll help you with your presents.”

“Don’t let her help,” Iris advised, appearing next to her. “She either drops them or opens them.”

“I do not.”

“We’ll all help Imogen.” Sara stepped past the girls and together they unloaded the car and transferred everything into the house. “Where’s Miles?”

“Being mysterious. He muttered something about an animal.”

“He did warn us he might get called out,” Sara said, and Ava’s eyes were round.

“Maybe it’s one of Santa’s reindeer that’s sick. They must be very tired because going round the whole world is a very long way.”

“That could be it.” Sara closed the front door and they deposited all Imogen’s gifts under the tree.

Imogen took off her coat and Ava gasped.

“You sparkle! Look, Mummy.”

“I can see.” Sara stood back and admired Imogen. “That is a stunning dress.”

“You look like the star on the Christmas tree. All silvery.” Ava touched Imogen’s dress reverentially. “Can I have one the same?”

“A fashionista at six.” Patrick gave Imogen a quick kiss on the cheek by way of welcome. “Pity me. Or at least, pity our bank balance.”

“I’m not sure the dress comes in your size,” Imogen told Ava, “but we can take a look later.”

She’d been nervous that she’d overdone it, but Sara had also made an extra effort and was wearing an elegant dress of midnight blue velvet, with her hair swept into a casual updo. Her nod to Christmas was the pair of silver robin earrings that dangled from her ears, catching the light each time she moved.

Ava lifted her arms up to Imogen and she scooped her up and felt the child’s arms lock around her neck.

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