Page 16 of The Christmas Catch
She made a good point.
CHAPTER6
Ali couldn’t wait to get out of the car. This was possibly the worst road trip she’d ever had the misfortune to fall into. She’d done one with her ex when she was in her late 20s, and that had been a disaster as soon as they hit France and her ex began kissing boys on the sly. Or should that be, on the not-so-sly, because Ali kept seeing her do it. However, she still wasn’t sure which was worse. Being cooped up with the woman she’d been in love with her entire teenage years. Or spending her days driving with her cheating, conniving ex.
Maybe she’d call it a draw.
“It’s just intense, though, isn’t it? First crushes and first loves?”
But apparently, it was all Imogen wanted to talk about.
Thankfully, Morgan had shut up in the front. Maybe she didn’t want to think back on hers, for whatever reason.
Ali desperately wanted to look up Sarah Kelly, but she’d probably changed her name by now. Most women she knew had.
They passed a sign for a services where Burger King was the star attraction. Everyone knew an M&S Food outlet always trumped that, but they didn’t get a choice. After half an hour, the snow had almost stopped, but the traffic was still slow.
“I need the loo, so I’m getting off here,” Imogen said. “Maybe we can get a coffee to warm us up for the rest of the trip, too?”
Morgan rubbed her hands together and blew on them. “Good plan. My treat for driving us. Might even get some gingerbread biscuits, too. Something festive and sweet.” She turned around. “Fancy a coffee and a gingerbread, Ali?”
Morgan was oblivious to the effect she had on her, wasn’t she?
“Sounds good. I need the loo, too.”
Imogen flicked on her indicator, then pressed the accelerator to get past two cars on her inside. The obvious thing to do, rather than slowing down.
Ali clamped her eyes shut, so she didn’t witness their certain death. However, when she reopened them, their car sped up the slip road and squealed around the bend too fast. She’d be glad to get out of this car alive. The bad news was she had to get back in.
Imogen parked up, and the three of them rugged up and walked cautiously across the car park to the main doors. A sign to the right of the entrance announced ‘Christmas Trees For Sale: Free Local Delivery!’, with an arrow pointing to a path beyond. As soon as they walked through the main door, Christmas music filled their ears again. This time, it was East 17 and their festive tune, ‘Stay Another Day’.
Next to her, Morgan threw up her hands. “This is not a Christmas song, by the way. It’s just a song that got released at Christmas and they added jingly bells. Why don’t people realise that?”
Ali gave her a weird look. “But it’s always played at Christmas.”
“It’s one of my mum’s favourites.” Imogen jingled for added effect.
Morgan rolled her eyes. “It’s a deception. Even their lead singer, Tony Mortimer, admitted it.”
“Okaaaay,” Ali replied. Morgan flipping out about a song was not optimal right now.
Morgan sighed. “We’ve got bigger things to worry about, I know. It just winds me up every year.”
Ali was getting that.
“Anyway, I’ll get the coffees,” Morgan said, taking charge.
She did that a lot.
“Maybe we can drink them inside while I use the Wi-Fi to see if I can book a hire car for tomorrow? My reception has been patchy so far.” She’d been trying ever since they began.
Morgan nodded. “Grab a table and I’ll find you.”
“I’m going to the loo before I do anything else.” Imogen jingled as she walked away.
Ali found a spare table and sat down. She unwound her thick mustard scarf, specially knitted by Tobias’s fair hands, then got out her phone and texted him. She had to talk to someone.
Plane grounded. Now hitching a lift to Manchester. With Morgan Scott. Don’t ask.
