Page 55 of Will You Stay Another Day?
Lili cut a big piece of waffle, stuffed it into her mouth and bit into the sweet gooiness, slowly digesting his words.
‘I wonder if your bed is as comfortable as mine?’ he whispered, feeding her a cranberry.
Her eyes crinkled. ‘Only one way to find out. And I think we’ve got time.’
They practically ran to the lift and once in Lili’s room, they undressed faster than the spin of a roulette wheel.
An hour later, she lay in his arms, utterly content, having hit the jackpot after the sweetest breakfast a person could want.
37
‘And then what happened?’ asked Meg, and she bit into an egg sandwich, chewing avidly as her eyes widened.
Lili had got back from Las Vegas yesterday, and today was the last Saturday before Christmas. Tommo was holding the fort with other volunteers whilst Lili and Meg grabbed a much-needed break in the staffroom.
‘We finished our waffles, talked a bit, agreed we’d… give our relationship a go. Then we checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport.’
Meg’s face fell. ‘That’s it? After your romantic declaration of love with that berry coulis, the two of you stayed in the food hall and chatted?’
Lili’s face pinked up.
Meg put down her cup of tea. ‘Lili Taylor! You absolute liar!’
Lili grinned. ‘Okay. I might have invited him back to my room. Let’s just say we were a few minutes late checking out.’
‘So you’re dating?’
‘Do we have to label it?’
‘Label what?’ Tommo stuck his head around the door. ‘Because I don’t think we can cope with much more pricing up and tagging today. We still need to get those elf-themed egg cups on display.’ He screwed up his face. ‘Ah, yes, the reason I came in. Callum’s here and would like a minute with you, Lili, if possible. He and I have had a good natter about the football but he looks like he’s leaving in a minute.’
‘I forgot to mention – Callum came in twice whilst you were away,’ Meg added as Tommo disappeared. She got up and put their plates in the sink. ‘I’m really pleased for you and Dylan.’
‘How about your news? Any luck on the rental front?’ Lili chuckled. ‘God, it’s only been four days, but going that far it’s felt like a month. Did I tell you about the burlesque show? That was one bad Santa. Wearing a thong, in the cold snow on stage, didn’t reduce the size of his prospects, if you know what I mean.’
Meg burst out laughing and spluttered tea down her jumper. ‘Jeez, Lili, you sound like my gran. Prospects? If you simply mean he had a large?—’
‘Boa,’ cut in Lili, eyes twinkling. ‘They wore tinsel boas. It really was a great performance – hot for all the right reasons.’ She shivered. ‘Speaking of which, we couldn’t believe the drop in temperature when we got back to Heathrow. That frost this morning! And now it’s sleeting.’
‘I hope it doesn’t snow for your trip up north. It’s due to get even colder.’
‘Fingers crossed. Anyway, back to you and renting… Seen any new places?’
‘No. It’s a quiet time of year on the selling and letting front apparently. Everyone’s busy with Christmas. But…’ Her voice skippity-jumped. ‘This last couple of weeks, something’s changed with Gran. She’s always been supportive but wants to help me out financially. I’ve said no, but she’s been persistent. She wants to help me with a deposit for a new place, and to even go shopping with me, when the time comes, to buy any furnishings or kitchen equipment I need. She’s also done research into the vintage clothes business, and has offered to have a brainstorming session with me.’ Her voice became thick. ‘No one’s ever done that. Her research threw up that it’s best to focus on a specific area, to stand out. That hadn’t crossed my mind. Might be one reason I’ve not moved forwards much. One of her swimming friends used to run her own business. Gran spoke to her and she’s offered to look at my business plan. I… I feel so much better about moving out, with her so interested in my future.’
Lili felt toasty inside, as if back by the pool in Las Vegas. It was so good to hear that Elaine letting go of that doll had made such a difference.
Tommo stuck his head around the door again and adjusted his glasses. ‘Callum’s really leaving now.’
‘God, sorry, coming straight away,’ said Lili. She gave Meg a quick hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you. I’m no expert but, if you like, I’ll cast an eye over that plan before your gran’s friend takes a look.’ She made her way into the shop, full of children now that schools had broken up. Callum was turning up his coat collar and heading for the door. Sleet pelted against the window as she hurried over and touched his arm.
‘Callum? Hi. How are you? You’ve been looking for me?’
They moved over to the side of the door, by the Christmas tree that Tommo had decorated a few weeks ago. They stood awkwardly for a few seconds. Festive music played in the background. ‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande came on, and Lili couldn’t help smiling. Callum shot her a quizzical look.
‘This song,’ she said. ‘It reminded me of something funny I saw in Vegas.’
‘I heard you’d gone there. Sounds amazing. But I might wait until Jack’s over eighteen before I take him, if I can ever afford it.’
