With a shock of red curls, she really was. ‘I’ve no idea. And stop looking at me funny,’ she whispered back. The woman was still cuddling up to Nathan.
‘You’re jealous,’ Cleo whispered.
‘Am not.’
‘Are so,’ Cleo giggled.
She opened her mouth to deny it again but Cleo would see right through her. Whoever the woman was, Nathan looked pretty pleased to see her. He hadn’t mentioned anyone this morning at the Wollman Rink, when they’d skated around together, as he’d held on to her, as she found herself wanting more of his company. Then again, she hadn’t mentioned Paul either.
Kyle and Scarlett turned up next, cheeks rosy from the cold, smiles on their faces despite everything that had been going on. They were spending all day together. Mitch had understood when Cleo called and explained Kyle might need to stay away from the market today given what was going on in his personal life, and according to Mitch today would be very quiet anyway given most people already had a tree, so he’d manage just fine.
Kyle was rifling through the table at the front. ‘I want to take Mum home an extra present.’
Cleo asked her colouring, recommended a few items, and it gave Amelia the chance to talk to Scarlett. ‘How is he?’
‘Dad?’ She seemed hopeful this was about Nathan.
Amelia smiled. ‘No, I mean Kyle.’
‘Oh, sorry. He’s good. He was a bit upset this morning when we left the rink but he keeps saying his mum will beat this.’
‘It’s a good attitude. And I’m glad he’s got you.’
She blushed under the scrutiny of a parent-figure.
‘Is your dad’s friend coming to the party tonight?’ She asked Scarlett the question as she adjusted the scarves on the table closest to her, although they were already neatly arranged and hadn’t had a chance to be mussed.
‘Friend?’
‘The woman with the red hair.’
‘Ah,’ she smiled, ‘You must mean Valerie. I’ve no idea, why?’
‘Just wondering, that’s all.’ She pounced on a glove that had fallen to the floor to hide her awkwardness at asking such a juvenile question. She couldn’t help it though. Was she going to be one of the only people there tonight who didn’t have a date?
She waved Kyle and Scarlett off, Scarlett still smiling and watching her, probably likely to report Amelia’s interest in her dad back to Nathan himself. Talk about awkward.
‘What are you wearing to the party tonight?’ Cleo asked.
Thank goodness Cleo hadn’t heard her quizzing Scarlett about her dad. Amelia pulled her scarf a little tighter as the wind whipped around the chalet. ‘I’ve got a woollen dress I can wear, which is warm. Although I have brought a party dress with me, and heels, just in case.’ She looked up at the skies, felt the icy nip on her face. ‘The pavements were really slippery this morning, I’m not sure heels are the best idea.’
‘So get a cab from the apartment.’
‘I doubt I’ll get one, it’s Christmas Eve.’
‘Order one.’
‘I guess I could try.’
‘That’s the spirit. So come on, tell me about this dress.’
*
Amelia had taken Cleo’s advice and ordered a cab. And now here she was, sitting in the back seat wearing an ebony vintage swing dress that hugged her around the bust and her rib cage, flared flatteringly across her hips. She had on gold rhinestone open-backed strappy heels she’d worn only once and which made her feel confident. She’d been looking forward to tonight’s party before, but now, as they made their way slowly through the traffic across town to the Inglenook Inn, she felt a sense of excitement that took her by surprise. Out in New York City, dressed up, going to a party, single and happy.
She wasn’t quite so happy when she walked through the door and Nathan was already there, the same redhead at his side, laughing away.
Nobody had spotted her as she stood conspicuously in the hallway of the brownstone, but the second she stepped out of the shadows minus the coat that Rupert, who was acting as chef plus helper tonight, hung on the hook, all heads turned, including Nathan’s.
