Page 36 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘Ed, don’t you think it might be?—’

‘I just want to focus on us having a good time with Zak and Chloe, then I’ll think about talking to him, okay?’

‘Okay.’ Florrie smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek.Progress!‘I promise, we’re going to have a great time tomorrow.’

‘That’s what’s important right now,’ he said, his shoulders relaxing. ‘I’m way more excited about going sledging than a bloke my age should own up to.’ He gave her a heart-melting smile.

‘Oh, you’ve clearly never heard my dad on the subject,’ she said.

‘Remind me to bring it up next time I’m having a pint with him at the Jolly.’ They both chuckled at that, the mood lifting instantly.

TWENTY-ONE

SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER

Florrie slid her glasses onto her nose and peered out of the bedroom curtains, taking in the wintry scene before her. At just gone seven thirty, darkness still lingered. In the soft light of the streetlamps, it was as if a vast white eiderdown had been thrown over everything and settled gently. Her heart gave a happy leap.

‘How’s it looking?’ Ed asked from the bed. His mouth stretched into a yawn as he ran his fingers through his sleep-tousled hair.

‘Perfect!’ Florrie couldn’t help but smile. ‘Looks like a couple more inches have fallen overnight. Everywhere looks so pretty.’ Her gaze travelled over the row of houses opposite. They seemed to sparkle in the half-light.

‘Fantastic. Sounds like sledging and snowman building is on the agenda for today, then.’ He beamed at her as he threw the duvet back and climbed out of bed.

‘Zak and Chloe are going to be so excited.’

‘They’re not the only ones,’ Ed said with a deep chuckle.

A moment later he was standing behind her, slipping his arms around her waist, the warmth of his body reassuring. He peered out over the top of her head. ‘Looks so picture-perfect out there.’

‘It does.’ She turned to face him, looking up as he pressed his lips to hers, his kiss warm and inviting. She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he pulled her to him.

‘I really appreciate you organising this, Florrie.’ He gazed down at her, his expression soft.

‘Hey, I’m looking forward to it myself.’ She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again.

Their kiss was deepening, Florrie losing herself in the moment, when the ping of a mobile phone bounced around the room. Their eyes flashed open and they froze, hardly daring to breathe, as if awaiting something to happen.

Florrie’s stomach clenched, all feelings of passion leeching away. Ed took a step back and pushed his fringe off his face, anxiety clouding his features.

How easily a sound could affect a mood.

It took several moments for it to dawn on Florrie that the sound came fromhermobile phone and not Ed’s. He’d thrown his into one of the drawers in the kitchen the previous evening before they’d gone to bed. ‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ he’d said, shutting the drawer firmly. ‘And that’s where it’s staying until we get back from sledging tomorrow. I’m not going to allow my parents to spoil our time with Zak and Chloe.’ Florrie hadn’t been sorry to hear that.

Relief flooded her, her heart rate steadying. ‘It’s mine, not yours. It’ll be my mum or Jasmine.’ She gave him a reassuring smile. He visibly relaxed as she headed over to her bedside table and scooped up her phone. She knew he’d have been thinking exactly the same as her, that the day’s onslaught of texts and calls from his dad had started early.

She tapped her phone, its light illuminating the room as her eyes scanned the screen. ‘It’s Jazz. Oh, heck.’ She laughed as she read the text that was peppered with a variety of worried face, crying and laughing emojis. Then she read it out to Ed.

Hi Florrie, just checking plans are still on for today? Little monsters were awake when I got home last night & in my wisdom I told them all about it. They’ve been up since six bombarding me with questions!!! Over & over again!!! Argh! In case you haven’t guessed, they’re VERY excited!!! Thought I should warn you. Oh, and you’re not the only one with a massive bruise on your bum, I’ve got one where I fell. Looks like a map of Australia!!! Jxxx

Ed chuckled. ‘I dread to think what it must be like at Jasmine’s house right now with all that excitement bouncing around the place. I’ll bet her ears are ringing with the kids’ chatter.’

‘Ooh, and some.’ Florrie chuckled. Zak, in particular, was lively especially when he was excited about something. He put her in mind of Jasmine when she was his age. He was bubbly, full of bounce and enthusiasm, and had a well-developed sense of mischief. And, just like his mum, you’d often hear him coming before he came into view. His effusive personality had got him into trouble on more than one occasion, especially at school, just as it had done with Jasmine, but he seemed to take it all in his stride. He’d inherited his mum’s quick temper, too, especially if he thought an injustice had been done, his anger flaring like touch paper. And just like hers, it subsided quickly; neither were the sort to bear a grudge.

Chloe, in contrast, was a quieter, more diluted version of her mum and sibling. Even at such a young age, she was given to thinking deeply, though it was fair to say she shared their zest for life and was easily scooped up and carried along by her brother’s ebullience. Unlike Zak, she’d inherited Jasmine’s artistic streak and wasn’t averse to sitting quietly and drawing or colouringwhen the mood took her. Where her beautiful singing voice had come from, however, remained a mystery.

Not one given to boasting, Jasmine’s pride and love for her children was undeniable. ‘I love them so much it hurts right here,’ she’d said on more than one occasion, patting her chest where her heart lay, her eyes burning fiercely. ‘I’d lay down my life for them.’ Florrie didn’t doubt that for a second. She was full of admiration for her friend who worked hard to give Zak and Chloe a secure and loving home.

‘Jazz said she was cleaning a holiday cottage for Stella’s mum today and needs to be there for ten o’clock so she’s dropping Zak and Chloe off here at half nine. And my mum’s calling in for the bookshop key and to drop the sledges off at half past eight,’ Florrie said.

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