Page 43 of The Merry Christmas Project

He coughed into his elbow, although I had a sneaking suspicion that he was hiding a smile at the fact that I couldn’t have looked less merry if I tried. He handed me my coffee ; I hugged it to me, relishing the warmth while he stoked the fire Daniel had started. The coffee was so hot that it brought tears to my eyes. I blinked them back but they kept on coming.

‘There we go, at least the fire still works, and I’ll drop round with some more wood, next time I’m—’ He noticed my tears and his voice faded.

‘I’m fine,’ I insisted, brushing at my eyes. ‘Honestly. It’s just, you know, everything.’

He sat on the sofa, keeping a respectful distance.

‘Merry, I’m not going to poke my nose in where it’s not wanted, but in my experience the people who say I’m fine are usually the ones who definitely aren’t,’ he said staring down at his socks.

I stared at them too. They were black with coloured toes and the days of the week written on them. According to his left foot it was Wednesday, whereas his right declared it to be Friday.

He caught me looking. ‘Now that might look like an accident to you, but in fact, I’ve got one foot in tomorrow and the other still stuck in the past, so it’s actually quite an accurate representation of my life.’

‘I’m just glad you’re wearing socks,’ I said. ‘In case you’re overdue a visit to the farrier.’

He laughed softly. ‘So? Are you really fine?’

I shook my head. ‘Not really. I’d only just started to make the cottage feel like mine. And home, well, it’s very important to me.’

Cole nodded. ‘I do know what you mean. And I’m very sorry about all this.’

‘This couldn’t have come at a worse time,’ I continued. ‘I’ve got bills coming in and I need to work to pay them. I work from home and I can’t do that until the house is dry. And I’ve got the bloody Christmas Eve celebrations to organise too. If it was left up to me, Christmas would be cancelled this year.’

‘I hear you.’ He raised an amused eyebrow. ‘But as a concept, I don’t think it’ll catch on.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’ I felt my eyelids growing heavy with the heat from the fire. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed with someone I didn’t know. ‘I can’t imagine you’d be very popular with your children if you told them you were cancelling Christmas.’

Cole drained his coffee and got to his feet. ‘OK. Time to get cracking.’

‘Bloody idiot builders,’ I said, getting cross again. ‘Did you know it’s their fault the cottage is flooded because they’ve dumped debris in the river ? It’s an absolute disgrace. I was planning on heading round to the site and kicking up a fuss until someone came and admitted liability. I might even call the press and tell them what’s happened once I know the name of the company.’

‘Robinson Developments,’ Cole supplied, grimly.

‘Thanks. Well, Robinson Developments are going to feel the full force of my wrath.’ I stood up and marched back through to the kitchen. ‘And presumably the landlord will want compensation from them.’

Cole slipped his feet back into his boots and followed me. ‘Merry, this is awkward. I’m Cole Robinson of Robinson Developments.’

‘You’re … ?’ My eyes widened. ‘All this time I’ve been sitting here pouring my heart out and you’re the man responsible for this fiasco.’

‘Well, I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’ He raked a hand through his hair again. This time I had no desire to smooth his tufty bits.

‘I think you should leave.’ I folded my arms. ‘You have entered my home under false pretences, which if not illegal is certainly … immoral.’

‘I don’t think I did; I came in to assess the damage,’ he said, looking uncomfortable.

‘I thought you were the landlord or the maintenance man or something,’ I said crossly.

‘I am.’

‘What ?’ I glared at him. ‘Stop talking in riddles, I’m not in the mood.’

‘I am the builder,’ he explained lifting up his hands in defence. ‘But I’m also the owner of this house, or rather my kids are, it’s in a trust for them. So, I’m on both sides of the fence in this situation.’

I pressed my hands to my face. ‘Look, I’m too tired for this. I need … I need …’

The lump in my throat prevented me from finishing my sentence. I felt Cole’s hands, one on each of my shoulders.

‘I think,’ he said quietly, ‘that you need a hug. But as your landlord and the man behind your current situation, I’m sure I wouldn’t be your first choice to provide it. So, I’m going to leave my hands here for a bit of support in case it helps.’