Page 17 of Christmas All the Way

‘Oh, does he? Ivy says he’s very busy and not really around much, which makes sense because he doesn’t actually work there. I didn’t see him today, anyway.’

Grace stopped talking and took a gulp of Nosecco, looking anywhere but at Keeley, who was eyeing the growing pinkness of her cheeks with sudden understanding. ‘Was he there on Thursday, then?’

‘Yes,’ Grace admitted. ‘He, um, escorted me from my car into the barn.’

Ah, Keeley thought, and tried not to grin. She hadn’t expected Grace’s fleeting glimpse of Raff the previous weekend would have been enough to entice her extremely level-headed friend to apply for the job at Santa’s Secret but perhaps she’d underestimated his appeal. Her second encounter with him had clearly made an impact. ‘Did he now?’ she said, her tone mildly inquisitive. ‘Well, he can be quite gentlemanly. What did you think of him?’

Still Grace did not meet her gaze. ‘He was very polite,’ she said, straightening the cutlery on its white napkin and brushing a crumb of bread away. ‘I was early so I waited in the car park outside Santa’s Secret. He thought I might be lost, or having car trouble, and asked if he could help.’

That sounded very much like Raff, Keeley had to concede. Small talk was not his strong point but there wasn’t much that escaped his notice and he had a good heart. Grace was now blushing furiously, leaving Keeley with the distinct sense that her friend had noticed him too. ‘Did I mention he’s single?’ she asked. ‘He was married but they split up a few years ago, all fairly amicable as I recall. No children – she got the horses and he kept the Labrador, who is utterly gorgeous if completely brainless.’

‘Oh,’ Grace replied, and cleared her throat. ‘Well, as I said, he was just making sure I was okay. I don’t imagine I’ll run into him often.’

But you’d like to, Keeley thought but did not say. Perhaps this new part-time job was going to be good for Grace in more ways than as a simple distraction from the ache of missing Jack. ‘Was the shop busy?’ she asked, steering the conversation back to safer waters.

‘Busy enough,’ Grace said. ‘But nowhere near as bad as it will be from September onwards, Ivy says. I helped on the tills in the afternoon, mostly watching how Misha and April did things. I wrapped some of the more fragile items, though, and helped a few customers out to their cars with their bags. I’m back in on Tuesday – Ivy wants to tidy the aisles to make sure they’re wide enough for trolleys to navigate.’

‘Sounds like a good plan,’ Keeley said, envisaging the organised chaos of the overflowing tables and boxes stored beneath. ‘No regrets about plunging yourself into the madness of Christmas Central, then?’

‘None. I loved it and I can’t wait to go back. Who wouldn’t love being surrounded by all things festive?’

Keeley smiled. ‘I’m glad you feel that way because I have a favour to ask. What are you doing on Monday afternoon?’

Briefly, she outlined her visit to Delores Semple’s house and described Xander’s suggestion of introducing an immersive tour at Juniper Cottage. ‘So I need to decorate part of the house in the style of a Victorian Christmas, and Xander will create some social media content to promote the tours. And I can’t think of anyone better to help me transform the cottage than someone who knows Eliza’s work almost as well as I do. What do you think?’

Grace looked flattered and doubtful at the same time. ‘Me? I wouldn’t say I’ve read her books anywhere near as much as you. You’re the expert, after all.’

Keeley shrugged. ‘We took the same module on Female Trailblazers in Victorian Literature, and I seem to recall you got a higher mark on the paper we turned in at the end. And we’ll be deciding where to put the garlands and wreaths, not answering questions on Mastermind. It’s your decorative brilliance I need most, with a sprinkling of specialist Eliza knowledge on top.’

‘Is that why you messaged to ask how big my Christmas tree is?’ Grace asked, her forehead crinkling. ‘I got it down from the loft to check – it’s just under eight feet.’

‘Perfect,’ Keeley said, as the waiter arrived with their food. ‘Do you mind if I borrow it? Just for a day or two. I can come over and collect it if you’re not free on Monday.’

Now it was Grace’s turn to look amused. ‘Oh, I’m coming to help. Apart from anything else, I want to meet your new creative director for myself. Every time you mention his name, you look as though you can’t decide if you want to set fire to him or kiss him.’

‘I do not!’ Keeley protested, as heat flamed in her cheeks. ‘Okay, so maybe I do find him infuriating at times but that’s only because he is. I’m definitely not attracted to him.’

Lifting her knife and fork, Grace speared a chip. ‘So he doesn’t look like he’s just stepped out of a superhero film, then? Because that’s how you described him last week. All blond hair and twinkling blue—’

Keeley raised a hand. ‘I know how I described him and yes, he does look like that. But it doesn’t mean I’ve thought about kissing him. He’s at least ten years too young, for a start.’

Grace chewed for a moment. ‘How do you know? Have you asked him how old he is?’

‘No, but I don’t need to. He’s too young – too enthusiastic.’

‘A man who loves his job,’ Grace said gravely. ‘I can see how that would be annoying.’

‘Exactly,’ Keeley snapped. Her eyes narrowed as she took in her friend’s mischievous expression. ‘Wait a minute, you were being sarcastic. You’re enjoying this.’

‘Of course I am,’ Grace replied. ‘Just like you enjoyed teasing me about Raff. Fair’s fair.’

She had a point, Keeley had to admit. ‘But you don’t work with Raff – he’s fair game. Whereas Xander is a colleague – maybe even a senior colleague, although Malcolm insists we’re equals – and therefore off limits. Even if I was interested, which I’m not.’ She paused, took a calming sip of water and fixed Grace with a level stare. ‘So let’s leave it there.’

Grace’s grin was unrepentant. ‘Okay.’

‘Good.’ Keeley filled her fork with ravioli, then eyed her friend again. ‘And don’t even think about matchmaking on Monday evening. I’ll introduce you, we do the job and then we clear up. Agreed?’

‘Agreed. As long as you promise not to try to set me up with Raff.’ Grace lifted her eyebrows. ‘And don’t try to tell me you weren’t going to. I know you, Keeley Cotterill, and you’ve definitely got that look in your eyes.’