Page 80 of Christmas in Mistletoe
“I dunno what to think. She sent me a few messages and a couple of voicemails saying she’s sorry, but they petered out when she realised I wasn’t going to call back. I should hate her. But I can’t believe she meant it. But why say it in the first place?”
Damian tilted his head. “We’ve all said things we didn’t mean in the heat of the moment. Plus, you look pretty sad for someone who’s thinking of giving her up.”
“Is there a future if she doesn’t trust me? If she always thinks I’m out for myself? She has a paranoid hatred of the music business.”
“She’s been burned before. You happen to be the one in the firing line. It was the same when my older brother met his wife. He thought she was going to do the dirty on him because that was his experience with women. When she turned out to be a lovely person, he wasn’t quite sure whether to believe it or not. It took her threatening to leave and my mum telling him to stop being such a twit for him to wake up. But he nearly lost her. They’ve got three kids together now and everything’s fine.”
“I don’t want three kids.”
“Just have two and a dog, then.” Damian grinned at her. “The key thing is, Ruby is reacting because of past experience and fear. You’re in a position to help her. Don’t give up on her. I don’t think you want to, either.” He paused. “Plus, you’re going home to Mistletoe today. Isn’t it against the law to be unhappy there at Christmas?”
Damian had a point.
“Would you like another random Mistletoe fact?”
Fran smiled. “I would love one.”
Damian held up his hand. All of his fingers had far too much hair on them. “Mistletoe has been associated with kissing since the 1500s. If that’s not a sign that you need to kiss someone when you get back there, I don’t know what is. Also, the berries on it are toxic to humans, so don’t eat them.”
“Do some snogging, don’t eat the berries. Got it. Are you going to your parents?” Fran had been so preoccupied with her own disaster week, she hadn’t asked Damian yet.
He nodded. “We’re driving over for lunch on Christmas Day, then we’re going to Isla’s parents for the evening. By Boxing Day, I will be the size of a cow.”
“A lovely, wise cow.” Fran sighed. “I thought my parents moving to Mistletoe would mean an idyllic Christmas with lashings of snow and no drama.”
“You’ve got the snow.” Damian pointed out the window where snowflakes were falling. “And you might still get a drama-free Christmas. Although, drama-free Christmases are over-rated if you ask me.” He paused. “Have you checked the trains, by the way? The snow’s affecting them.”
Fran clicked her jaw left, then right. She hadn’t. When she did, there were a raft of cancellations on her line.Of course there were.She had to get home or her parents would be crushed.
“How you feeling, Delilah?” shouted someone in the office.
Fran sat up, her gaze scanning the space until it fell on her ex walking towards her.
“Better than Tuesday!” Delilah shouted back, and the whole office laughed. Delilah was getting good at laughing at herself. Wonders would never cease.
“Hey, Damian,” Delilah said, giving him a wave.
Damian waved back.
When she got to Fran, Delilah held out some keys. “I come bearing gifts. A grovelling gift to say sorry again for Tuesday’s fuck-up. I’ve been given another car, and I know you need one over Christmas. So here are the keys to the Porsche.” She held up a finger. “No arguments, I know the trains are shit.” She paused. “Think of it as an indefinite loan.” She leaned in and whispered in Fran’s ear. “Let’s just say it’s yours if you want it. But if it causes issues with your new girlfriend, you don’t have to keep it.” She pulled back. “Will it at least help you out today?”
Fran looked down at the bags of presents at her feet, and her suitcase. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Good.” Delilah pursed her lips. “Can I have a ‘you’re forgiven’ hug? Even if it’s half-hearted?”
Fran smiled. Ruby’s reaction wasn’t Delilah’s fault. She hadn’t committed the crime of the century. If Ruby couldn’t see that, then fuck her. Although, Christmas was going to be all sorts of awkward.
Fran got up and gave Delilah a hug. She held on longer than necessary, squeezing Delilah tight. It was good to have her as a friend again.
When they broke apart, Delilah eyed her. “Everything okay?”
Fran nodded. “All good.” She hadn’t said anything to Delilah about Ruby. Fran was too embarrassed at love failing again.
Delilah quirked an eyebrow, but let it go. “Also, and I know you probably won’t take me up. But if Ruby needs someone to talk to — someone who’s been there and knows what it’s like to overcome stage fear — call me.”
Fran snorted. “You’re right, she probably won’t, but thanks.” She paused. “Are you leaving for home soon?”
Delilah nodded. “Into the lion’s den. Wish me luck heading to my worst Christmas yet.”
