Darcy clinked a knife against her champagne glass and almost lost her footing but Myles held her steady.
‘That was close,’ Darcy laughed. ‘Right, now I have everyone’s attention, it seems like a very good time to make this announcement. As some of you know, Sofia intended to sell this wonderful inn, and I’m not sure how many of you know that Myles and I have been doing our best this past year to get our finances in order so we might be in a position to buy it.’ She quelled any enthusiasm. ‘Sofia has since decided she can’t bear to part with this place, and I for one am glad, because I think we’ll all agree, it’s gorgeous.’
‘Hear, hear!’ someone hollered.
‘I was worried someone would buy this place and make so many changes it would lose its character, but that won’t happen now.’ More cheers, but Darcy hadn’t finished. ‘I was disappointed that I wouldn’t get my hands on it, but financially it was never going to be for us without a lot of stress and sacrifice.’ She reached a hand out and Myles took hold of it. ‘Myles and I were both in agreement on that. But, we do have another announcement.’
‘Out with it,’ Holly begged. ‘I’m dying to know!’
‘Myles and I have bought another inn, one that needs a bit of TLC.’ They were both smiling and Darcy held her glass aloft. ‘You’re looking at the new owners of The Chestnut Lodge, in Inglenook Falls.’
The crowd of people in the communal lounge erupted with whoops of joy and congratulations, there were hugs all round, questions fired their way, and all the magic of another Christmas Eve party at the Inglenook Inn.
Cleo rushed to Darcy’s side. ‘This is brilliant news. You’ll be near me, I can’t believe it.’
Holly was next. ‘The owners never said a word about you being the buyer.’
Myles brought Amelia up to speed. Holly knew the owners already and had been staying at The Chestnut Lodge around the time she’d fallen into Mitch’s life.
‘I wanted to wait until it was all definite before I said anything to anyone,’ Darcy confided. ‘I wanted all the paperwork out of the way and then I decided tonight would be the perfect time for the announcement. It’s a nice way to start Christmas, dreaming of our plans.’ She had hold of Myles’s hand and pulled him to her side. ‘And this one is finally getting out of the rat race. Finances are all lined up, we’ll be partners.’
‘Are you sure you’re ready?’ Dylan teased Myles.
‘Ask me again in a few months’ time.’
‘You fully deserve it,’ said Cleo. ‘I assume this is why Myles has been working such long hours again?’ she asked Darcy. ‘You had me worried for a while there.’
‘I apologise. And hey, we should be fully renovated by spring so spread the word.’ Darcy was beaming. The decision was so right for them.
Amelia and Nathan, finding themselves back together again by the Christmas tree, hung back from the crowd. ‘There you go, accommodation sorted for you next year,’ he said.
‘Sounds like it.’
The redhead came over and planted a smacker on Nathan’s cheek, staking her claim with the red lipstick mark she left behind. She extended a hand in Amelia’s direction. ‘I’m Valerie, lovely to meet you.’
‘Good to meet you too.’
But before the conversation could go any further, Mitch ushered Amelia and Nathan to one side. ‘It’s Scarlett and Kyle.’
‘What about them?’ Amelia had a bad feeling now.
‘They’re at the markets. I had Kyle double-check I’d locked my chalet, but he just messaged me. There’s some kind of trouble down there.’
‘What kind of trouble?’ Nathan put his beer bottle down. ‘Is Scarlett OK?’
‘I don’t know, but you’d better go, both of you. And quick.’
Neither Amelia nor Nathan needed any persuasion. Amelia grabbed her coat, Darcy found a pair of trainers and gave them to her to replace the heels, and she kept up with Nathan as they hurtled towards the Garland Street winter markets, which resembled a ghost town now that they were closed and people had moved to where the festivities still continued.
‘Where are they?’ Her breath came out cold, the icy wind lifted her dress and she pushed it down again as they walked on.
‘I’ve no idea, there doesn’t seem to be anyone around.’ Mitch had sounded so dramatic back at the inn, but Garland street was quieter than she’d ever seen it.
They kept on going, moonlight guiding them on the way past all the other chalets, now closed up for Christmas. On all the nights they could get into trouble, did it really have to be Christmas Eve? And when everything had been going so well too.
They reached the chalet but there was still no sign of them and already the snow had started to fall. It would be magical if Amelia wasn’t worrying herself sick right now. ‘Where the hell are they?’ She looked around them. Nathan was hovering by the door to the chalet, which no longer had trees surrounding it although the scent of pine still drifted in the air along with feathery flakes that landed on her coat and the bare parts of her legs.
Kyle stepped out from the shadows and made them both jump. ‘Kyle, what’s going on?’ she demanded. He didn’t look as though he was hurt or bleeding, and Scarlett was next to come out from hiding.
