Page 15 of A Christmas Celebration
I closed my eyes and tried to swallow.
‘Paige?’ His voice came again, this time full of concern.
‘I’m all right,’ I said shakily as I tried to lever myself into a sitting position, even though I wasn’t.
‘Stay where you are,’ said Molly, sitting herself down next to me. ‘Just give yourself a minute.’
I felt like such a fool and I knew everyone’s eyes were on me.
‘Honestly, I’m all right,’ I said, shifting again so I was kneeling next to her.
She took my hands in hers.
‘It’s a standard reflex reaction to loud noises,’ I told the assembled group with what I hoped was a nonchalant shrug. ‘Old habits and all that.’ I smiled, trying to make light of what I’d done.
‘I’m not sure I believe that,’ said Angus, his brows knitted together and his kind face peering down at mine.
‘Me neither,’ said Archie.
Molly squeezed my hands.
‘It’s true,’ I told them.
‘I daresay it’s part of your training, isn’t it?’ she asked.
‘Exactly,’ I said, gratefully squeezing back. ‘Absolutely standard practice.’
‘If you’re in the military, I would imagine it is…’ Archie started but a look from Molly quieted him.
‘Your phone’s ringing, Archie,’ I said, nodding at his shirt pocket.
He pulled it out, still watching me as Molly tenderly helped me to my feet. My legs felt like jelly and I was grateful she didn’t let go of my hand while I took a minute to regain my balance.
‘Thank you,’ I said to my friend, as Archie strode purposefully across the room.
‘You know I’m always here if you want to talk,’ she softly said.
‘I do,’ I whispered back.
‘That was Hayley,’ Archie announced. ‘She realized she’d forgotten to tell Dad where the drawer is. It’s here somewhere, apparently.’
He fiddled about under the desk for a few seconds and then there was a click and he pulled out a packed A4 envelope with a flourish.
‘Thank goodness for that,’ he said, letting out a breath.
We all applauded and I sent up a silent prayer of thanks for Hayley and her timely intervention.
Chapter 6
‘I can take them to town, if you like,’ I offered, once we’d established that even though delivering the designs was a priority, everyone else was pushed for time. ‘I can practise driving on the tricky Fenland terrain.’
‘Ha, ha,’ said Archie, handing the envelope over. ‘You’ll have to take the Land Rover then,’ he added, with a nod at Bran who was once again welded to my side. ‘You’ll never get the hound in the Fiat.’
‘What is that dog’s obsession with you, I wonder, Paige?’ asked Angus.
‘He goes where he’s most needed…’ Molly dreamily said.
Her words came to an abrupt end as she realized she’d put her dainty foot in it and I took the opportunity to quickly head outside, with said dog hot on my heels.
