Page 115 of The Holiday Cottage

“So did Santa come?” She felt a rush of affection for the little girl. “Was your stocking full?”

“Yes! I had lots of things. I’ll show you. And chocolate. I’ve already eaten it.”

“I can see that.”

“Can we open your presents now?” Ava wriggled out of Imogen’s arms, shot over to the Christmas tree and began shaking and squashing the parcels Imogen had brought.

Imogen could feel her excitement, but she could also feel everyone else’s excitement.

There was a level of energy in the room that wasn’t usually present.

“How about you open one now,” she suggested, “and the rest later?”

“Yes!” Ava read the labels carefully and handed one to her sister. “This is for Iris.”

Iris blushed and smiled at Imogen. “Thank you.” She sat down next to Imogen and carefully untied the ribbon.

Ava, meanwhile, ripped the paper from her gift in her haste to get to whatever was inside. “It’s an alpaca!” She held it aloft. “I love it. I want to show Benson.” She was on her feet and halfway across the living room when Sara stopped her.

“What do you say to Imogen?”

“Thank you.” Ava shot back across the room and gave Imogen a chocolatey kiss. “I’m going to call it Benson.”

“Nanna is just bringing a snack,” Sara said, “so maybe show Benson later.”

Dorothy came into the room carrying a tray of coffee and homemade cinnamon biscuits. “I thought you’d need to keep your strength up with all these parcels to unwrap.” She saw Imogen and smiled. “You’re here!”

“Just arrived. Merry Christmas.” It felt strange saying those words, because normally she didn’t have anyone to say them to.

“Merry Christmas.” Dorothy put the tray down and gave Imogen a big hug. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever, as Ava would say.”

“It already is. Nanna, look!” Ava waved her alpaca and Dorothy dutifully admired it, while handing around coffee to the adults.

They’d opened half the presents and almost devoured the cinnamon cookies by the time Miles appeared in the doorway.

Imogen felt her heart miss a beat.

Seeing him made her sohappy.

Was this love? It couldn’t be, could it? Not after such a short time. But it was something, she knew that. Something important. Something exciting and good.

His gaze held hers for a few intimate seconds before he turned his attention to Ava, who was tugging at his arm.

“Come in, Miles.” Dorothy gestured to a gap on the sofa. “Ellen and Valerie are coming for twelve, so we’ll open our gifts now, but I just need ten minutes in the kitchen before we start.”

Imogen was about to ask Miles where Ralph was, but he’d struck up a conversation with Patrick about a book they’d both read, so she followed Dorothy into the kitchen along with Sara.

“What can I do to help?”

“Nothing at all,” Dorothy said. “You’re a guest. Sara? Could you peel some more potatoes and parsnips please? I’m nervous that I didn’t do enough. Miles and Patrick eat so much and I don’t want anyone to go hungry.”

“There is absolutely zero chance of that. And Imogen is not a guest, she’s family.” Sara handed Imogen a potato peeler. “You do the potatoes, and I’ll do the parsnips.”

Imogen laughed. Who would have thought that being handed a potato peeler would have given her such a high? “Whatever you say, Aunt Sara.”

Sara winced. “You make me feel old. Also, on second thought, maybe you shouldn’t be peeling potatoes in that silver dress.”

“It’s fine.”

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