Page 37 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘In that case…’ Ed took her hand and led her to the bed, its sheets still warm and ruffled from their sleep. ‘I think we’ve got time to pick up where we left off with those tempting kisses of yours.’

Bang on the dot at half past nine, there was an enthusiastic pounding on the door of Samphire Cottage, accompanied by a babble of eager voices.

Smiling, Florrie opened the door to see Zak and Chloe beaming up at her, while behind them, the freshly fallen snow of the path was peppered with their footprints. ‘Morning,’ she said as Gerty pushed her nose through, her tail wagging hard.

‘When can we go sledging, Florrie? Can we go now?’ asked Zak, excitedly, his freckly face wreathed in smiles. ‘Can Gerty come, too? She can ride on my sledge with me. It’s gonna besocool!’

‘Yay! I want Gerty to come as well!’ said Chloe. She was looking adorable in a powder-blue snow suit covered in pinkflowers, a woolly hat with a huge pink pom-pom pulled down over her ears. Her blue eyes were shining happily. ‘We’ve been awake forages! I wanted to put my snow suit on as soon as I got out of bed, but Mummy said it was too early. And I’ve got some new wellies – look.’ The little girl stuck out her foot, showing off a bright pink, fur-lined wellington boot.

Florrie inhaled the familiar smell of fresh washing she’d come to associate with Jasmine’s children. They were always spotlessly clean and neatly dressed.

‘Calm down, you two, give Florrie a chance to open the door,’ Jasmine said, laughing, and giving an affectionate roll of her eyes. ‘Morning, Florrie. You still sure about this?’

‘Of course I’m still sure about it, we’re looking forward to it. Come on in.’ Florrie turned to Chloe. ‘And Iloveyour new wellies, Chlo. Do you think they do them in my size?’ She smiled down at the little girl.

‘I don’t think so, these are just for little girls, but we can go shopping together and I can help you find some, if you like?’ she said in her trill voice.

‘Ooh, I’d love that. Shopping for shoes is one of my favourite things.’

‘Morning.’ Ed wandered down the hall from the kitchen as Jasmine and the kids tumbled in.

‘Hiya, Ed. Can I race you at sledging?’ Zak asked, grinning at him.

‘I’m up for that.’ Ed laughed. ‘But I don’t think I’ll be much competition.’

‘That’s all right, I’ll give you a head start,’ Zak said generously.

‘Thanks, Zak, I think I’ll need it.’

‘I’m going to build the biggest snowman. He’s going to be as big as this house,’ said Chloe, demonstrating with her hands, her eyes wide.

‘Wow! He sounds fabulous. Can I help you do that?’ Florrie asked.

‘Yes, you can.’ Chloe nodded enthusiastically.

‘Morning, Ed,’ said Jasmine before turning to her children. ‘Wellies off at the door, kids.’

‘Did I just hear right? Chloe’s taking Florrie shopping for shoes? I didn’t realise a girl’s love for footwear started so young,’ Ed said, smiling.

‘You have a lot to learn then, Ed.’ Jasmine shot him a knowing look. ‘Chloelovesshoes, the pinker, and the more sparkly, the better.’

‘Ah, I see. Just like Florrie then.’ He chuckled, exchanging a look with Florrie who was laughing, too.

‘Ed! Ed! Ed! I’ve asked Santa for some pink glittery tap shoes for Christmas,’ Chloe said, tugging on his shirt sleeve and peering up at him from beneath long dark lashes.

‘Have you? They sound wonderful.’

Chloe nodded. ‘Oh, they are, they’re the bestest.’

‘Right, come on monsters, we’re letting the cold air in standing here like this.’ Jasmine stamped the snow off her wellies, the children following suit, before she ushered them onto the doormat.

Once they’d removed their footwear, Jasmine bustled them along the hallway. She handed Florrie a couple of backpacks, one pink and sparkly, the other covered in a variety of superheroes. ‘There’s a change of clothes for each of them – they’re bound to get soaked or mucky, or both. And here’s some money if you have a change of plan and take them to the cinema and pizza afterwards.’

Florrie stepped back. ‘I’m happy to take the change of clothes, but there’s no way I’m taking any money. It’s our treat today,’ she said with a smile. She watched Jasmine’s expression change. She was clearly wrestling with her thoughts. The lastthing Florrie wanted to do was hurt her friend’s pride, but equally, she didn’t want to take any money from her, especially when things were tight so close to Christmas.

When Jasmine went to protest, Florrie said, ‘Don’t forget, it’s you who’s doing us the favour, Jazz. This was my suggestion and both Ed and I are looking forward to it. It’s a treat for us as much as the kids, and that it’s another thing to add to the Happy Christmas Memories Project is perfect.’

‘Well, if you’re sure?’ There was still a hesitant look in Jasmine’s eyes.

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