Page 75 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
Bay Radio began to play The Carpenters’ ‘Merry Christmas Darling’.
‘Theyreallyought to update their playlist,’ Livvy murmured and then, when Mark’s lips met hers, she lost all power of rational thought.
The kiss was everything they wanted, had longed for. And more. To the sound of Karen Carpenter’s sultry voice they kissed, mouths and fingers exploring one another… Eventually breaking apart, they stared at one another, amazed at what they’d just created.
‘Bloody hell,’ Mark said, sounding very Yorkshire.
‘I know. Wow.’ Livvy answered, barely coherent. ‘Now let’s go to bed.’ She sighed. ‘Please.’
CHAPTER 39
English Breakfast tea – perfect for any occasion. The drink that cheers but never inebriates
Livvy woke early on Christmas Day. Slipping out of bed quietly so as not to disturb a sleeping Mark, she padded downstairs to let Angel out.
Opening the kitchen door the cold, and the pink-streaked dawn sky took her breath away. Angel leaped into the snow and disappeared. The dog emerged shaking her head, gave a joyful bark and bounded around to the beer garden. Livvy watched her, concerned, but the springer played happily.
When it had begun, the unpromising thin flakes of snow hadn’t looked as if it would amount to much, but it had fallen steadily. Snow coated the car park turning it into a winter wonderland, magically hiding the reminders of their enemy’s work. Her work van was camouflaged against the wall where the wind had blown a four-foot drift and Mark’s Mercedes was an unidentifiable white blob. It must have snowed throughout thenight, not that she and Mark had noticed. Livvy hugged herself. It had been perfect. Mark had been as kind and thoughtful as a lover as he was as a friend. Onlysomuch sexier. She gulped as a little aftershock of pleasure shot through her. He’d surprised her. Easy-going Mark had turned out to be quite something in bed. He had more of the alpha male in him than he thought. She giggled.
Staring at the view beyond the car park, contentment blanketed her. The sun was low but bright, making the snow gleam and sparkle. Tendrils of mist floated low over a denim blue sea and a few gulls wheeled, calling and cackling, joyfully riding a thermal. It was Christmas Day, and the world was at peace. Despite, or perhaps because of, what had happened, Livvy still loved this view. She’d had many moments where she’d doubted herself and her sanity in taking on The George. Staring at this view and its ever-changing beauty, she felt it was a true privilege to live and work here. She sucked in a great breath of fresh salty air and then coughed a little as its frigidity hit her lungs. Her feet were solid blocks of ice. Calling Angel in, she retreated to the warm kitchen and clicked on the kettle.
The springer found Mark before Livvy got to him.
‘Ow. Dog. Get off me. I’m not awake!’
Livvy put the tea tray down and hauled Angel off the bed. ‘Sorry. She’s excited by all the snow. It must be three feet out there and deeper where it’s drifted. I’ve brought tea and toast.’
Mark sat up, his hair ruffled and his hazel eyes gleaming. ‘Could you get any more perfect? Come here so I can kiss you.’ Pulling her on top of him, he kissed her hungrily. The tea forgotten, Angel taking advantage, stole a slice of toast off the plate and scampered away.
Later, much later, after showering and making fresh tea and toast, they sat in the kitchen listening to Bay Radio. This morning it was wall to wall traditional carols.
‘“Silent Night”. Your favourite,’ Mark said, grinning lovingly at her.
Livvy kissed him. ‘I love that you remember things like that.’ Then her phone trilled, interrupting them. ‘Excuse me,’ she said, a crease of worry appearing on her forehead. ‘I need to take this.’
‘Everything okay?’
‘Not sure. It’s my mother. Bit odd, it’s usually Dad who rings.’ She took the phone into the bar. It was cold, they hadn’t yet got around to lighting the wood burner. Livvy switched on the Christmas tree and the fairy lights around the bar to brighten the place. From the kitchen she could hear Mark singing along to the carol. From the accompanying clatters and bangs it sounded as if he was washing up.
‘Mum. Hi.’
‘Olivia, darling. Happy Christmas.’
‘Happy Christmas. Are you both okay?’
‘We’re fine. Having the most marvellous time. In port, so taking advantage of a phone line and wanted to wish you season’s greetings.’
‘That’s lovely. You worried me. I thought something was wrong.’
‘I’m sorry, darling. There’s really absolutely nothing to worry about. We’re both fighting fit and enjoying ourselves. I just wanted to talk to you about something. How’s everything at The George?’
Livvy gave a short laugh. ‘Eventful but I’ll fill you in when we have more time to talk.’
‘Are you all right?’
‘All good here. In fact,’ Livvy paused as she listened to Mark cooing over Angel, ‘everything is perfect. Better than perfect.’
‘How very intriguing. I sincerely hope the better than perfect involves a man called Mark?’
