Page 28 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Fran nodded. “Have another beer.” She should go, but she was having a good time. Plus, her dads didn’t have to rush home for anything. This was what they’d moved for. Community and a more relaxed way of life.
“Two more beers for Michael and Dale, please Eric!” Sue shouted over to the bar.
Plus, Fran was sat next to Ruby, with the warmth of Ruby’s thigh seeping through Fran’s jeans.
Fran glanced down the bench, checking the space available. Yes, there were four of them sitting on it, but it was plenty big enough. Ruby didn’t have to sit this close to her, but she chose to.
Her proximity made Fran’s stomach tighten. She had no desire to stop this night, or this whole weekend. She wanted to stretch it out like a hot marshmallow. Tomorrow she had to go back to London. She didn’t want to think about it.
“Did everyone get their crackers this weekend, too? Because we sold out, did we tell you? All that slave labour from your children paid off, didn’t it, parents?” Victoria took a slug of her lager and lime.
“It did.” Paul raised his pint of Guinness to her. “I hope you’re looking forward to making more.”
“I got my crackers,” Audrey said. “I hope there are some good gifts in there. Not just a nail file or a pack of tiny cards. I want a mini vibrator or a glittery pan scourer. Something practical I can truly use.”
Ruby spluttered into her wine.
“Don’t get those two mixed up, Audrey,” Mary said. “Could lead to all sorts of injuries.”
Ruby got her breath back. “Stop it, you two. I needed to swallow, not spit.”
Now the whole table collapsed in giggles.
“Honestly.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “You’re all terrible.” She gestured towards Dad. “Michael bought two packs of crackers, along with a gargantuan tree. Looks like you’re going all out for Christmas.”
Dad nodded, making room for Eric to put their beers on the table. “We are. My sister might be coming with her two daughters, but she’s still in two minds. Now, if we could just persuade Fran to be there, too, it would be complete.”
Fran wriggled in her seat. “It’s why I’m here this weekend, because I said I’d work through Christmas. You said you were fine with me not being there.”
Mary was having none of it. “Francesca.” She turned to her dads. “Do you call her Francesca when she really needs to listen to you?”
They both nodded.
“In that case, I’ll carry on. Francesca.” She reached over and took Fran’s hands in hers. “I know we had this chat once before. But that was when you first arrived. Now, I hope you understand Mistletoe that little bit more. We’re about sharing Christmas. About everyone mucking in and helping out. Family and friends. It’s not just another day. It’s a time when we all get together to celebrate our year and feel the love in the room. You should come home. We’ve only known you for a couple of months, but it won’t be the same without you.”
Fran gulped, as eight pairs of eyes fixed on her.
She took her hands back as Mary released them. A flush started in her core, and worked its way up her body. Fran chewed on the inside of her cheek.
The problem was, her new friends didn’t know her work commitments. She had so much to get through before Christmas and beyond. Plus, she’d promised her boss she’d make a start on next year’s plans over the festive break. She couldn’t change now even if she wanted to. From the mix of emotions churning through Fran’s body, part of her clearly did. This village dream wasn’t only pulling at her parents’ heart strings.
Fran was about to reply when a warm hand took hers under the table and squeezed.
She froze, her neck rigid.
The hand was attached to the person on Fran’s left.
Either that, or Audrey has freakishly long arms.
But no. The hand was Ruby’s.
Ruby was telling her it was okay. That she understood.
In that moment, it meant so much.
Fran gulped again before she spoke, keeping hold of Ruby’s hand. It was a welcome anchor in a choppy moment.
“I do understand what Christmas means around here. I can feel it, too. But I’ve got a lot of work to get through right up until the day and beyond.”
