Page 42 of The Christmas Catch
Morgan nodded. “That would be great.”
* * *
Moments later,Ali swung their Ford Focus down a sweeping dirt drive up towards a castle that looked like something out of a fairy tale. It had turrets on either side of the main door, and someone had been busy maintaining the exterior of the building. The stonework glinted in the demi-snow shine. The snow had stopped for the moment. To the left of the main building was an enormous Christmas tree. They passed a sign for a Christmas market and ice rink, which Morgan guessed was round the back and out of view. If they had more time, she’d love to stay, have a look around and go for a skate, but time was not on their side.
“Wow.” Ali cut the engine and peered out of the windscreen. She unclicked her seat belt. “There’s a gift shop, so come find me when you’ve been to the loo. I’m going to see if they have any tops I can buy that aren’t covered in oil.”
Five minutes later, Morgan walked into the gift shop, which was a sensory overload. Flashing lights, Santa hats, fluffy reindeer and, in the corner, Ali riffling through a rail of Christmas jumpers. When she saw Morgan, she grabbed two hangers and held the first one up to her chest.
“What do you think? Jaunty, jingling reindeer?” Ali shook the jumper, and the bells on Rudolph’s antlers jingled. “Or Santa himself?” She held up the second option, which was sadly bell-free.
Morgan gave her a shrug, like the choice was obvious. “The reindeer. Duh! Take a leaf out of Imogen’s book. Jingle all the way.”
Ali put the Santa jumper back. “Jingle it is.” She pointed towards the hats. “You could use one of those, too.”
Morgan glanced at the hats on the rack, then selected one that resembled a Christmas pudding. She put it on and puckered her lips. “What do you think? Does it make me irresistible?”
Ali gave her a grin. “Its powers are magical. I feel weirdly drawn to you. But that could be because I’m hungry.” She moved towards Morgan. “Wait until you see me in my jumper for real. We’re going to be a festive force to be reckoned with.” Her gaze dropped to Morgan’s lips and lingered there before lifting her face.
An arrow of desire landed in Morgan’s chest.
It had happened again, hadn’t it? Just like it had last night when she saw Ali in her bra. She was no longer little Ali. She was now a real-life adult, and one that Morgan wanted to kiss. That knowledge flickered in her chest like a pilot light trying to ignite.
She glanced up at Ali, who was giving her an intense stare. What was she thinking and feeling? This entire trip was turning into something Morgan had never expected in so many ways.
“Shall we pay for these gorgeous bits of fashion?”
Morgan blinked. “I don’t even like Christmas pudding.”
“But it likes you,” Ali replied.
They paid, then left the gift shop. Morgan picked up a couple of tuna sandwiches, salt and vinegar crisps, and a box of Celebrations just because, while Ali got them both a coffee. Then she walked back to the car while Ali went to the loo to change her top. Morgan replayed Ali stepping out of their bed & breakfast bathroom in nothing but a bra, her taut stomach and shapely breasts on show.
That might be the last time she saw Ali semi-naked.
She wished she’d paid more attention.
Moments later, Ali hurried across the car park, coat in hand. She flung it in the backseat, then slotted herself back into the driver’s seat. Her every move jingled. She frowned.
“Is this jumper already annoying? Would the more sensible choice have been Santa?” She jingled one of her four tiny bells. “Also, it’s only when I put it on I realised the top two bells are positioned right over my nipples.”
Morgan’s laughter caught in her throat. “Santa would have been the glass-half-empty jumper choice.” She tilted her head. “But you went for the festive choice, and I’m proud of you. As for the nipple bells—isn’t lifealwaysbetter with nipple bells?” That wasn’t a sentence Morgan ever thought she’d utter in her life.
Ali glanced down, then shimmied like she was a Brazilian samba dancer. “I guess you’re right,” she replied with a jingle. “The bells have it.”
Morgan tried her hardest not to focus on Ali’s nipple bells.Really hard.She pointed at the drinks’ holder. “Your coffee’s there if you want it.”
“Thanks.” Ali took a sip, then gulped down some air. “It’s still pretty hot.”
She jangled her bells one more time, then hit the ignition.
Nothing.
“Holy fucking Santa Claus. Seriously?” Ali tried again. Same result. She took a deep breath in, then released it. “Okay, I’m not getting another jumper dirty, and my mechanic skills only extend so far.” She grabbed her phone from the centre console.
Morgan tapped her fluffy Christmas dice. A little like those, they were both hanging on to their Christmas spirit by a single thread.
“Who are you ringing?”
