Page 43 of The Christmas Catch
Ali tipped her head back. “I’m not sure.” She shook her head and jingled again.
That broke the mood, and they exchanged rueful smiles.
“Can we make a pact? Yes, this trip is proving difficult, but let’s look on it as an adventure. Stay upbeat. You with me?”
Ali blew a raspberry. “I’m not going anywhere else, am I?”
CHAPTER14
Ali squinted at the sticker on the windscreen, then dialled the number for the rental company. The woman on the other end of the line was very apologetic, but told her all their cars were booked, and their normal breakdown service was swamped with calls from cars stuck in the snow.
“I’ll log you, dear, but it might not be until later tonight or even tomorrow that we can get someone to you. Tell me exactly where you are and I’ll keep you posted.”
Ali took a breath. Hadn’t she just agreed to stay upbeat? Plus, she didn’t want to prove Morgan right with her glass-half-empty summation. Ali wasn’t a pessimist. She was just logical. A realist. Whereas Morgan was an upbeat problem-solver. Morgan was the kind of person Ali would normally avoid.
But that didn’t factor in the star power of Morgan Fucking Scott.
Who was currently busy trying on her Christmas pudding hat. She pouted into her sun visor mirror, then turned to Ali. “What do you think?”
Ali smiled. “Gorgeous.” She might not be presenting as the epitome of metropolitan cool, but she was still Morgan. Still Ali’s version of perfection.
“What did the rental company say?”
“They don’t know when they can come, but it might not be until tomorrow.”
Morgan stilled at the news. “Okaaaaay.” She took off her hat. Then quickly put it back on. “This is not me losing my Christmas spirit.”
Ali pointed at the stiff grin glued to her own face. “Me neither,” she said through gritted teeth.
That made Morgan smile.
“But I’m going to look up where I think my cousin lives. It’s called Lower Greeton or something like that. Let me message my mum to get her address and number.”
“Didn’t you say she’s always full at this time of year?”
Ali nodded. “Yes, but she has a spare room in her actual house. We’re family, not paying clients. And then we just need to see if we can get a cab there.” She glanced around the half-empty car park. “Although I don’t think this is Uber territory.”
“I’m guessing not.” Morgan stroked her chin. “I like your plan, although I’m less enthused about not getting home again tonight.” She held up a hand. “But I’m staying upbeat, don’t worry. Ho, ho, bloody ho and all that.”
“We will get you home to decorate that gingerbread house if it’s the last thing we do. Maybe not tonight, but we will. Even if we have to hire a sleigh.”
“At least it wouldn’t break down like our plane, train and now car.”
“Knowing our luck, the reindeer would probably go lame as soon as we set off.” Ali clapped her hands. “Shall we see if we can book a cab or a sleigh, or whatever other form of transport we haven’t tried yet?”
Ali slammed the car door, then pulled her jacket tight. Something wet hit her nose.
“It’s snowing again,” Morgan said, holding out her hands.
“I can see.”
“Which is magical, apart from when you’re trying to get home, right?”
Ali quirked an eyebrow. “Upbeat!”
They walked over to the court’s large main entrance, two huge wooden doors festooned with Christmas wreaths. The smells of orange, cinnamon and nutmeg caressed her senses, reminding Ali of her family pub. A wave of homesickness washed over her. Yes, she was worried about what might be waiting for her, but she was excited to see her family, too.
Ali nodded at the woman on the door, then walked up to the reception desk. A fat Santa statue grinned at her.
