Page 97 of A Merry Little Christmas

‘Until I turned into a Momzilla, as Freya called me?’ Merry finished for her.

Nell sniggered. ‘Possibly a bit.’

‘Is it too late?’ Merry held her breath. ‘Because I’d really love you to come back.’

‘Um.’ Nell touched her finger to her lips and waggled her head from side to side, considering her offer. ‘I’ve had another thought. Woody. He’s between jobs at the moment, and he’s been a real star at Merry and Bright.’

Merry’s spirits sank; so she had left it too late. ‘True. Yes, of course, he’d be a good replacement.’

‘Not a replacement for me!’ Nell gave a hoot of laughter. ‘Maternity cover for you. The business needs two people, and before you jump down my throat and tell me that you’ll be bringing the baby in with you and that maternity leave is for wimps—’

‘So just back up a bit,’ Merry held up a hand. ‘Does this mean you’re coming back?’

‘Yes please.’ Nell gave her a sheepish smile. ‘I regret resigning. I acted impulsively and would really love to come back.’

‘Thank God.’ Merry groaned. ‘Because I don’t want to do this without you.’

‘And Woody?’

‘I’ve been a bit blinkered where maternity leave is concerned, worried what would happen in my absence. But when you left, and Dad died, I had no choice but to step away, and surprise, surprise, Woody has coped just fine without either of us.’

Nell grinned. ‘Hallelujah! She’s seen the light.’

Merry laughed. ‘And more than that, I think I owe it to the baby and to myself to focus on being a mum when this little one finally arrives. So, if it’s all right with you, I’ll definitely be taking some time off.’

‘Phew.’ Nell flopped back on the sofa, pretending to faint, making Merry laugh again. ‘Let’s try to find some signal and call him before you change your mind.’

‘OK, as long as we don’t have to go out there,’ said Merry, glancing outside at the gardens through the window. The snow hadn’t let up and everything as far as the eye could see was covered in a white layer.

‘Agreed, it doesn’t look very pregnancy friendly.’

‘I don’t even fancy crossing the car park when we leave.’

‘I’ve got an idea.’ Nell’s eyes narrowed mischievously.

Merry shook her head fondly. ‘When haven’t you? Can I just say that us being friends again was my Christmas wish.’ She took hold of Nell’s hand. ‘So I’ve already got all I wanted and it’s only Christmas Eve Eve. Thank you for making it come true.’

Nell wrapped her arms around her. ‘Friends forever?’

‘You bet.’ Merry closed her eyes and savoured the moment. Husbands were great, but there was simply nothing like a hug from your best friend.

Chapter 41

Merry

It was just Braxton Hicks.

Merry breathed through the pain the way she’d been shown in antenatal class, trying to distract herself with thoughts of food. She was starving and breakfast couldn’t come soon enough. She was going to have Greek yoghurt and berries and then possibly pancakes. The fluffy American ones with crispy bacon and maple syrup. If she had room – she wouldn’t, she knew that – but if she did, she’d have smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel. She was eating for two, so it was allowed. She wouldn’t be able to get away with that line for much longer, so it was important to make the most of it.

In the bed beside her, Nell’s breathing was soft and light, interrupted every so often with a snore which roused her momentarily and occasionally a little noise which sounded like a giggle.

Merry smiled to herself. It was Christmas Eve. Her first wedding anniversary. Instead of waking up with her husband, she was with her best friend in a Superior King room at the Enchanted Spa.

The idea Nell had had was to book a room. They’d gone to reception together to check the availability. The snow had been coming down fast at the time and although it had stopped before they went to bed, Merry had been quite relieved to stay cosy and snug at the spa. There hadn’t been any twin-bed rooms left, but it hadn’t mattered. They’d shared a bed many a time over the years and the size of Merry now had made her think that she might have rolled out of a single bed anyway. She’d called Cole to make sure he didn’t mind her extending her stay.

‘Not at all!’ He’d said it with such gusto that she wasn’t sure whether to be a bit offended. ‘That’s a great idea and it’ll give me time to, er …’

She’d gasped. ‘Cole! You hadn’t forgotten it was our anniversary by any chance, had you?’