Page 13 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Fran laughed right back. “I promise, no signing talk tonight, okay? My compliments are just that.”
“I’ll believe you this once.”
“Good.” Fran let her shoulders drop. She breathed out. Could she almost relax in the presence of Ruby O’Connell? It would be a first.
“Have you been back to Mistletoe since we were there last?”
Ruby shook her head. “I’ve had a lot on. But I’m going back in two weeks. It’ll be December 1st by then, and that’s when things really hot up there. Then, I’ll be back for the season.”
Fran’s parents had asked if she was coming to see them for a weekend before Christmas, particularly as she wasn’t going to be there for the big day.
“I was planning on going back around then, too.” Fran paused. “Where do you live?”
“West Ham,” Ruby replied.
“Pretty close to me. I’m in Stratford. I could give you a lift home. Unless you were planning on driving?”
Ruby shook her head. “Tom and I share a van, but he needs it. I was going to get the train.”
Fran splayed her hands. “The offer’s there. I promise, I won’t bring a contract, either.”
She had Ruby’s interest. A lift home was like a golden ticket in London. But would it be enough to tempt her?
“I don’t know. I don’t want to put you out.” Ruby put a hand to her perfectly oval lips.
Fran followed it with interest.
“Although, I do have a lot of presents to bring back.”
Fran shrugged. “There you go, then. No schlepping them on the tube and train. It’s really no bother.”
Ruby took a deep breath, sizing Fran up. “I didn’t think we were going to be friends after our first two meetings.”
“Just being a good neighbour. You can buy me a coffee on the way if it makes you feel better.”
Why was she trying to persuade Ruby? Fran normally loved the solitude when she drove. Just her and her Spotify playlist, and the ability to belt out her favourites at the top of her voice. She wouldn’t be able to do that with Ruby O’Connell in the car.
“You’re on. I’ll buy you a coffeeanda sandwich. Perhaps even a bag of crisps.”
“A meal deal.”
“Now we’re talking.” Ruby pulled out her phone. “Should we exchange numbers?”
Ruby plugged in the number Fran recited. “This is not just another step in your stalking plan, is it?”
Fran gave her a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile. “You fell right into my evil trap.”
Chapter 6
“Good thingyou don’t have as many gifts as me, or we might be struggling for space.” Ruby glanced at Fran’s backseat, then turned around, giving Fran what she hoped was an apologetic look. Spits of rain were visible on the windscreen. Or was it snow?
“I go a bit overboard at Christmas. It’s a family trait. Plus, when I knew I had a lift, all bets were off. I like to get everyone I love in the village a gift. Most of them are just fancy biscuits in posh tins, but they’re exotic as they’re from London. Audrey, for instance, would kill me if I didn’t come back with some for her.”
Fran laughed. “She was one of the more interesting characters I met at The Bar.”
“Audrey doesn’t hold back, but she means well. She played cards with me when I was a kid. You don’t forget things like that.” Ruby did up her seatbelt with a click. “By the way, I was expecting you to have a bit more of a fancy car than this.”
“Creative industries don’t pay well.” Fran gave Ruby ayou-know-that’s-truelook. “This is my dad’s old car, actually.” She patted the dashboard softly, as if it had to be handled with care. “My trusty Honda might be old, but she’s never given me a moment of pain.” Fran started the car and pulled out onto the road.
