Page 102 of The Merry Christmas Project

He shook his head. ‘No idea, read it out to me.’

I took off my gloves and dug my phone out of my pocket. On the screen was a notification of a voicemail message.

‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘I should probably listen to this ; it could be an order.’

I pressed play and held it out in front of me so we could both hear it.

‘Hey, this is Conan O’Regan, the producer of The Retail Therapy Show. Hester has told me all about your candle company and the new range for the New Year. The line I think you used was something along the lines if Marie Kondo did candles ?’ He reeled off his number and requested a call back before ten p.m.

That must be Hester’s surprise. I was stunned. I stared at Cole, hardly daring to believe what I just heard. ‘Does that mean … ?’

‘It means you’re going to be on TV ! Congratulations !’ With a whoop, he swept me up off my feet and swung me around in the air. ‘This is brilliant news, Merry ! You’re going to go national, maybe even global !’

Merry and Bright candles on TV. I could hardly breathe or think or speak. This was beyond my wildest dreams ! I couldn’t wait to tell Nell. My insides were fizzing excitement as he lowered me back down. ‘Wow.’ I smiled at him ; my eyes wide in disbelief. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘You, lost for words !’ Cole laughed. ‘I’m going to have to take a picture of that. Come here.’

He pulled me in close and we pressed our faces together for a selfie. Our first photo together. I made him send the picture to me so I could look at it later. My heart was full to bursting with happiness and hope for the future.

‘Come and see all the Christmas trees,’ I said, conscious of the time. I took his hand and together we walked back towards the stage ; it was almost four-thirty and the mulled wine would be arriving as well as the children’s choir, and I really wanted to catch up with Pam Dunford to see what she thought of what we’d done.

We crossed the cobbled street and entered the market square. Even though I’d seen it already, the sight of all those trees lighting up the darkness took my breath away. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Cole laughed under his breath.

‘This is magical,’ he breathed, gazing at our forest of Christmas trees. ‘Even better than I imagined from your description.’ He turned to me and shook his head in wonder. ‘Merry, you should be really proud of this.’

The pride in his voice made my heart soar. ‘I am,’ I admitted. ‘I resisted doing it at first because it was so far out of my comfort zone.’

‘And now ?’ He brought my gloved hand to his lips and kissed it.

‘I guess my comfort zone has grown. And in future I’ll be less worried about doing things that scare me. In fact, bring it on.’

He grinned. ‘In that case, are you up for spending Christmas Day knocking seven bells out of the kitchen in the old bank with me ?’

It was the ‘with me’ that swung it, but I pretended to consider it.

‘I suppose so, as long as you promise to watch Home Alone 2 with me.’ I smiled wickedly at him. ‘But I have to warn you, I will be watching it in bed, it’s tradition.’

He let out a warm laugh that set my heart aflutter and bent to kiss me but before his lips met mine, we were interrupted by Nigel tactfully coughing to attract my attention.

‘Sorry to interrupt, chaps.’ Nigel gave us a wink. ‘The guy from the newspaper is here and wants a word with the boss. That’s you.’

‘And Mrs Flowers needs to know where you want the children to start their procession from,’ Sally piped up. ‘The singers are here, and she wants to get them in position now.’

Tom thrust a steaming cup into my face. ‘Sadie’s mulled wine – I got you some before it disappears.’

I pulled away from Cole and smiled regretfully. ‘Sorry.’

‘I’ll leave you to it.’ He pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. ‘A council van has just gone past ; I’ll go and see if it’s the electricians. See you in a while.’

For the next twenty minutes I scarcely had time to catch my breath : I briefed the journalist, Robin Barker, sorted a few last-minute problems and walked around the Christmas forest with Pam and Jim Dunford, who both agreed that Benny would have absolutely loved what we’d created in his honour. Then at five minutes to five I took my place on the stage beside the other members of my team.

‘This is amazing,’ Nell whispered in my ear.

‘It really is.’ I squeezed her arm, desperate to tell her about the TV show, but knowing I didn’t have time.

‘Remember, I’m expecting you for lunch tomorrow, Cole too, if he’d like to come.’

‘Thanks.’ I felt a rush of warmth knowing that I had a plus one and not just any plus-one, but someone who made me feel like the very best version of myself.