Page 55 of Christmas, Actually

He took a step closer. ‘I need my Mrs Christmas in my life. I need you. I want you exactly as you are. Living with me, loving me, eating trifle, spending time with my son. Being a part of my family. I love you, Clara.’

‘You do?’ No man had said that to her before and she felt the words hit, felt the warmth of them to her toes.

‘I love you too, actually,’ she rasped, dropping the handle of her bag and leaping into his arms.

She felt Liam stagger even as he wrapped himself around her, scooping his palms under her legs so he could tug her close. She could feel his heart racing and wanted to cheer. ‘I don’t want to leave,’ she gasped, scattering kisses over his cheeks as his arms tightened and he began to kiss her back.

They bumped noses and teeth, both grinning like idiots and she began to laugh as joy bubbled up her throat. Then Liam leaned closer and caught her mouth in a long, slow kiss.

Clara shut her eyes and lost herself as her whole body fizzed with excitement and the knowledge that she was finally home. Then she heard someone start to clap, heard others join in until all she could hear was the roar of applause.

Liam pulled away, still clutching her tightly, and Clara glanced around and her eyes widened.

They were completely surrounded. There were people everywhere; so many people beaming at them. ‘What are they doing?’ she whispered as Liam pressed his lips to her cheek.

He grinned, his eyes sparkling. ‘I think they’re just happy for us.’

‘Because?’ She looked back at the sea of faces, at the pure joy she could see in their expressions.

‘Perhaps because it’s Christmas? The perfect time to see love in action.’

She let out a soft sigh. ‘I think you might be right, actually.’ Then she leaned in and caught his mouth in another slow kiss as the crowd surrounding them began to cheer…

25

CLARA

Almost Christmas, Actually

‘Are you ready?’ Eleanor asked Clara, taking her arm and guiding her out of the warmth of The Cosy Christmas Shop onto Hollythorpe’s main high street. Clara took a moment to breathe in the scent of pine needles and roasting chestnuts and focused on the dozens of pop-up shops that had already been set up along the meandering cobbled pavement.

Visitors were just beginning to arrive at the Christmas fayre, and some were already huddled around the stacked stalls, checking out the handmade wooden toys, trying on woolly hats, gloves and festive scarves or tasting locally made cheese and chutneys. She could smell hot chocolate and saw Hazel from Sugarplum Cakes & Bakes in the distance carrying a loaded tray of drinks.

‘Take one,’ she said to Clara as they approached, winking at Eleanor as she grabbed a steaming marshmallow-filled mug too. ‘I’ve left Danny and Sam inside.’ Hazel nodded at the window of her café where a queue of customers weaved around the busy counter. ‘They’re making some last-minute changes to their Christmas treats.’ She frowned. ‘I wish they’d put half that much energy into school. I hope Kiera appreciates the effort they’ve gone to – although she’s got no idea how much is riding on her selection.’ She grimaced.

‘When’s the big moment?’ Eleanor asked.

‘Around the Christmas tree, when we’re all singing carols. They’re going to offer a selection of treats to the spectators, starting with her.’ She leaned forward winking conspiratorially. ‘There are a couple of chocolate biscuits from the bakery included in the mix, but they’re both absolutely convinced she’s going to choose theirs. I hope this goes the way I want it to. With my sons making up.’

‘I’m sure it’ll work out.’ Eleanor patted her sister’s shoulder as a couple of children rushed past, heading for Joe’s magic stall which he was in the process of illuminating with his wand. ‘It is Christmas, after all.’

‘I hope you’re right,’ Hazel said thoughtfully. ‘See you by the Christmas tree in a minute.’ She directed her gaze to Clara. ‘Where’s Liam?’

Just the sound of his name had Clara’s whole body heating. Since he’d found her in the airport, they’d been inseparable. Not having him with her now felt odd.

‘He said he’ll meet us by the tree. The thrones are already set up,’ Eleanor said, as her eyes honed in on the bookshop a few metres ahead. ‘Excuse us. I’ve got something to pick up on the way.’

‘Is it a handsome bookshop owner by chance?’ her sister chuckled.

Eleanor flushed and tugged Clara further down the cobbled high street as flakes of snow began to flutter from the sky. Everything looked so festive and she felt her heart fill as she glanced around, taking in the glittering surroundings, the warm lights, excited huddles of visitors, the tinsel and baubles, incredible smells and sounds. She couldn’t believe how much had changed in the last month. How much happier she was since coming to Hollythorpe. She no longer questioned every word she said, and for the first time in her life she was happy with the person she was.

They stopped outside The Reading Room Bookshop and Clara noticed Ezra had added tinsel and dozens of elves-on-the-shelves into the shop window. Some of the toys were hugging baubles, others read large hardbacks, while a few were feasting their way through piles of mini marshmallows and mince pies.

‘Looks like the bookshop has finally embraced Christmas,’ Clara observed as music began to play further up the high street, signalling the carollers were starting to warm up. Her cheeks tingled as a gust of snowflakes swept into her face bringing with them the scent of gingerbread. She tugged her coat tighter.

‘We’ve been working on his festive spirit,’ Eleanor said warmly, as the door swung open and the man in question came out clutching a handful of elves. His cheeks pinked when he spotted Eleanor and he offered them to her.

‘I found these guys eating trifle in my shower this morning,’ he said sternly, his mouth twitching at the corners.