Page 45 of The Secret Holiday Kiss

‘Because we have to stand firm. We have to focus on our Christmas events. We can’t let the villagers down.’

‘Of course not. So let’s just …’

‘Keep things like this.’

‘Exactly,’ he said, then he was making good on her suggestion, kissing her again, in this corridor where anyone could walk in at any moment; where Mary or Winnie could discover their hired contractor making out with their possibly hired interior designer. Where Harry could walk in, or—

‘Enough,’ she murmured, when there was a break in their kissing. ‘Enough for now.’

Avery moved back. ‘Of course. But you don’t—’

‘I want to do it again.’ She surprised herself with how sure she was. She was always so cautious, weighing up the pros and cons of everything she did. But there was none of that hesitancy with Avery. ‘But I think we should … pace ourselves.’

‘I should probably get back to site,’ Avery said, and she was pleased that he looked slightly dazed, that his lips were kiss-bitten. ‘But I agree. Let’s have clandestine meetings with lots more of this.’

‘And your music,’ Daisy said.

Avery laughed. ‘Sure. Text me your favourites. I’ll make us a mix tape.’

Daisy grinned. ‘I will.’ She smoothed her hand along his shoulder, because she could do that now; she could touch him, if she wanted to. And she did want to. ‘Have you started on your sculptures yet?’

‘Wouldn’t you like to know? What did you and Sophie get for the ball?’

‘Glitter paper to make paper chains, some fancy card stock and ribbon for dance cards. Sophie’s notebook expertise means she is all over everything, and I’m thinking about the decor. I want some sort of lighting that goes beyond normal Christmas lights, but I haven’t worked out what yet. I’m looking into a live band, because that always makes a difference, and there has to be a centrepiece – you know like they had mad themes at Regency balls? Anyway. That’s where I’m up to.’

Avery rubbed a hand over his stubble. ‘I’ve started one sculpture. May’s going to help with the clues – Fiona too, I think.’

‘May’s going to be exhausted working for both teams.’

‘She loves it. She pretends to be quiet and reserved, but she’s not. She flies under the radar, has her fingers in all the pies. You want to know something about Mistingham, or anyone in it, then May’s your woman.’

‘This is good information to have. And one sculpture is more than no sculptures.’

‘I don’t need you patronizing me, Daisy Anderly.’

‘You just need my lips.’ She leaned up, pressed the aforementioned lips to his for a final kiss, then opened the door and stepped out into the rain. She felt Avery behind her.

‘Hey,’ he said, and she turned. ‘Your sultry exit would have been a lot smoother if you hadn’t left your coat and bag in my van.’

Daisy swore, then laughed. ‘Fine,’ she said, as she went with him to get them. ‘I’ll work on it for next time.’

The manor was quiet when she got back, and she was glad she could make a cup of tea, settle herself in front of the fire and get the rest of Lars’s contractor options whittled down. Before she had a chance to do any of that, her phone rang.

‘Mo,’ she said, when she answered. ‘How are you? How’s it going? Has the entire building collapsed?’

Mo chuckled. ‘You’re sounding upbeat.’

Daisy flushed. Things were not good if Mo could tell, over the phone, that she’d spent some of her day having a mind-blowing make-out session. ‘I’m not dealing with what you’re dealing with,’ she decided on.

‘Fair enough. It’s all progressing as planned. The structural repairs are done, so now it’s all the re-plastering, the cosmetic stuff, which sounds like we’re near the end, but there’s a lot of it. And we need the structural work inspected before that can start. So we’re heading down the right road, but a long way off the finish line.’ He left a gap, and Daisy failed to fill it. ‘OK? I know that’s not what you were hoping for.’

‘Oh, Mo – no! It’s brilliant, thank you. You’re working so hard while I’m here, and I’m so relieved. I thought each problem you unearthed would lead to more – your dominoes, remember? So this is great news.’

‘You OK up there?’

Daisy sat back on the sofa. ‘A lot better than I thought I’d be. Send me your invoice, I’ll get your work to date paid up.’

‘I can wait until the insurance claim has been settled.’