Page 2 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
Matt took a deep breath, reached over one brawny arm, and scooped me up against him, wrapping the other one around me as I flopped dejectedly onto his chest.
‘You’re not stuffed. Something will work out. It might not be what you originally hadin mind but it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be just as good. And you’re neither homeless nor jobless. You’ve got a home here – and you always will have. You’re not jobless either. The shop opens at nine tomorrow morning and there’s a tonne of Christmas wreaths that need to be made up. Since we got featured in that fancy magazine, the orders have shot up. We’re all chasing our tails tryingto keep up with the demand and get everything out in time. I know you’re not thrilled to be home, but we’re thrilled you’re here.’
‘Only because you’re short-staffed,’ I grumped.
Matt gave me a squeeze. ‘Don’t be a grouchy arse. You know that’s not the only reason. It’s nice to have you here. We all miss you.’
My eyes started filling again. ‘I missed you all too.’ I shoved myself up and turnedback to face him. ‘And please don’t think I’m not happy to be home. I am. You know I am. I guess it’s just in different circumstances than I thought it might be. I feel a bit like … I’m not sure who I am right now.’
Matt gave a half laugh. ‘Lexi. You are you. You’re not, and never will be, defined by what job you do. You’re fun, intelligent, and apparently some blokes think you’re sort of prettyso –’
I stuffed a cushion over his face and he waggled his arms and legs about comically and I found myself laughing properly for the first time in what felt like months. In fact, it probably was months. I took the cushion down, and Matt took big, dramatic breaths, his eyes wide.
‘You daft sod.’ I leant in on my knees and gave him a big hug. ‘Thanks, big brother. I really missed you.’
Mattdropped a kiss on top of my head. ‘I know you did. I’d miss me too.’
I sat back and shoved the cushion at him. He grabbed his tea and finished the last of it before picking up both the mugs and rinsing them out in the tiny sink.
‘Come on. Mum’s got a lasagne big enough to feed the whole village over there. Everyone else should be here by now too.’
I hesitated in the quick brush I was givingmy hair as part of the attempt I was making to pretend that I was totally put together and hadn’t just been having a blub. Not that it mattered. They’d all see straight through me anyway. Just like Matt was doing now.
‘Whatever it is you’re thinking, don’t,’ Matt said.
‘They’re going to think I’m a failure. That I should have made better decisions.’
‘Lex. They’re not. Not one person thinksthat. At least not one person who matters. You made the only decision you could.’
He was right. Deep down I knew that. Not that it made things any easier.
‘Stop thinking about it now. It’s done. And I’m hungry so stop faffing and come on.’
I tossed the brush onto my bed and headed for the door. ‘Nag, nag, nag,’ I mumbled as I passed him, neither of us bothering to hide the big grins on ourfaces. As much as it was scary in one way, it felt unbelievably good to be home.
