Page 87 of The Merry Christmas Project

‘Thanks.’ A shiver of apprehension ran through me as I dashed forward to the stage to meet them.

Cole’s face lit up when he spotted me at the steps to the stage. He bent to Hester’s ear and whispered something and then guided her towards me. As she got closer I could see the rest of her outfit : tight-fitting leather trousers and spiky-heeled boots. She looked warm and oozed glamour ; I’d managed the warm bit but my look was more Paddington Bear.

‘Hey,’ I said, unable to hide my pleasure at seeing him. Them, obviously. ‘You made it.’

‘We did,’ he said, his smile mirroring mine. ‘Merry, I’d like you to meet my sister, Hester,’ he said proudly. ‘And Dad’s around here somewhere too. Hester, this is Merry, who—’

‘I know who Merry is, you goon, you’ve been going on about her for weeks,’ his sister teased, punching his arm. ‘Hello, Merry.’

My heart twanged as I listened to their banter ; it was so natural and playful and made me miss the siblings I had never had. I thought briefly of the two sisters I’d met today and wondered whether I should mention anything to Cole. No, I decided, I didn’t want to get his hopes up, and if they did decide to buy, he’d know soon enough.

‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that,’ Cole gave a long-suffering sigh and then addressed me. ‘Hester knows that Holly Cottage was unfortunately flooded and that you’ve been working in the old bank for the last few weeks.’

I nodded. ‘It’s been quite an adventure.’

‘Yeah, so I’ve heard.’ She raised a knowing eyebrow and I felt heat rise to my face, wondering how much Cole had told her.

‘Hester,’ Cole warned. ‘Behave.’

‘Don’t worry, Mr Grinch.’ She winked at me. ‘So, Merry, I know that you make candles and that you don’t like the dark or Christmas or mulled wine but that you’re exceptionally good at wrapping presents.’

‘Sounds like he’s been giving away all my secrets.’ I twinkled my eyes at Cole.

‘I should have warned you what a terrible gossip my sister is,’ he said, with a bark of laughter. ‘You can see why she’s the perfect host for live TV – she leaves no conversational stone unturned.’

‘At least one of us doesn’t get struck dumb under pressure,’ she said, raising her neat eyebrows at her brother.

‘I haven’t said how grateful we are that you can spare us the time, Hester,’ I said. ‘So thank you.’

‘Oh goodness, don’t mention it !’ Hester pulled me close to her and kissed both my cheeks. ‘I’m glad to. I mean, obviously I feel as if I know you already,’ her eyes slid to her brother. ‘But it’s lovely to finally put a face to a name.’

My cheeks burned as I tried to interpret her coded comments. Was it too much to hope that Cole had really been talking about me that much, or was she referring to the phone conversations she had had with me over the last weeks ?

‘Likewise,’ I said. ‘Although in your case I’ve seen your face on TV, but it’s not the same, is it, until you meet someone in the flesh ? And in real life you’re even prettier than on screen. Much prettier. I love your cape by the way and so does my friend, Nell.’

That speech had all come out in a rush and I realised I was a bit starstruck. But Hester didn’t appear to notice.

She leaned forward and whispered in my ear. ‘Bought it in a thrift store in New York for twenty-five dollars and had it jazzed up with some faux fur around the hem. Don’t tell anyone.’

‘My lips are sealed,’ I said, and then for added effect I mimed zipping them, feeling disloyal to Nell because I couldn’t possibly spill the beans after promising not to.

‘I like her,’ Hester said to her brother, flashing her teeth at him in a wide smile. ‘Well done.’

‘I thought you might,’ Cole replied quietly in a tone which sent warmth flooding through me.

Hester clapped her hands together. ‘Now, Merry, what’s the score then, what’s the plan ?’

‘Um, well, there’s the stage, and we’ve got a microphone,’ I said, pointing out the obvious. ‘The man who always used to turn the lights on passed away this year, but his widow, Pam will be here. No one knows if she’s planning on saying anything because she only got back from her holiday a few days ago, so we’re playing that one by ear. Then after that if you don’t mind saying a few words and we’ll do a countdown from ten to one then you press the plunger and um, that’s pretty much it.’

‘Cool,’ said Hester.

I shivered again as another draught managed to slither down the back of my coat. ‘Very cool,’ I agreed.

‘She’s chilly, Cole,’ Hester nudged her brother. ‘Offer her your scarf.’

‘Of course.’ Cole instantly started to unravel the charcoal-grey scarf from around his neck.

‘There’s no need, really,’ I protested.