Page 80 of Last Christmas in London

‘Get her to come backstage,’ Pim suggested, trying to appear blasé. ‘You might as well get the full experience. Have you ever seen an “in conversation” live? Or a theatre show come to that?’

‘I’ve attended the opera and the ballet, but I will admit that theatre was never my favourite,’ Alison said, never once slipping into being sheepish as she stirred her Earl Grey. I poured out Pim’s jasmine tea, filling the cup to the brim as per her preference, before nudging over the saucer to the edge of the table. Alison’s eyes were keen and watching everything. I saw her make a quick shorthand note in her notebook as Pim sipped the boiling tea.

‘I’m surprised you would want this job,’ Pim began shortly after. ‘Not having been to the theatre. Never seeing a production of mine until recently.’

Here we go. The first of probably many nit-picking complaints of Pim’s against Alison.

‘I thought it better to hire a person who would perform the role of your PA without pandering to your…’ I stopped myself short of saying ‘ego’. ‘Past successes. We all know – you especially – that you’re a wonderful actress, Pim, but that doesn’t mean the production value is always of the highest quality. Alison here can ensure that level of quality.’

Alison beamed at me. Pim took another sip of tea.

‘What are your credentials?’

‘I’ve been in personal administration for over twelve years, across multiple firms dealing with high-end, white-collar clients across the media and advertising sectors.’ Alison was fluent in speaking ‘impressive’.

Pim still refused to even look at Alison as she stared ahead at a lovely display of winter roses. ‘Any firms I’d be aware of?’

‘Plenty. I worked for a CEO of a media agency that handled VOD advertising and worked very closely with a recent client of yours to produce the trailers of your latest show.’

Pim said nothing. ‘And you handled their diaries, travel arrangements, and finances?’ I added instead.

‘Anything that they needed me to handle,’ Alison finished expertly, sipping her Earl Grey calmly as I held my breath.

‘Hmm,’ Pim said, finally looking away from the display. ‘Where is my scone?’

‘Alison is very qualified and very discreet,’ I said, glancing at Alison, who nodded. ‘Not to mention, a fast learner.’

‘I like to think so.’ Alison laughed.

Pim said nothing but tapped her ring-adorned finger against the handle of her teacup. For one moment she looked at me, holding my gaze for a few seconds before sighing with defeat.

Placing down her teacup, she turned to face Alison.

‘I’m thinking of spending January in New Mexico. What do you think about that?’

Alison took a second to pull back her grin. ‘Which airline would you like to fly? I’ll book a first-class ticket for you and economy for me.’

With urgency Pim shook her head and placed her hand warmly over Alison’s.

‘No dear, two first-class flights.’

Knowingly, I looked to Alison to see the confusion and slight excitement appear.

Wait for it, I thought.

‘I need a seat for Gerald,’ Pim finished.

Chapter 23

The hotel was quiet, save for the low hum of the TV and the occasional crinkle of wrapping paper, as I folded and taped the last of my Christmas presents.

For once everything felt… still. My to-do list was getting shorter – Pim had met and liked Alison, which meant I could mentally tick that off. Josh and I were speaking again. Actually, speaking was an understatement, he wouldn’t stop sending me photos of outfits for Christmas Day, asking for my opinion on everything from ties to socks, like we were suddenly the kind of siblings who coordinated wardrobes.

It was nice, though.

I glanced at my phone, absently tapping the screen. My TikTok was still going strong – over 120,000 views now. A little montage of my time in London, set to a soft, nostalgic track. Shots of the Thames at sunset, the Christmas lights on Regent Street, steaming cups of coffee in tiny cafés, the ice rink at Somerset House…

The ice rink. Simon’s and my hands linked as we skated – or fell, in his case – his cheeks flushed from the cold as mine flushed with more.