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“I don’t disagree,” Lucie said. “But it has to be his decision.”

“I know,” Mandy sighed.

Lucie drained her glass. She was cold to her core, and only a bath would warm her up.

“I’m going to head up. Unless you need help closing?”

“No, we’ve got it. We’re a well-oiled machine.”

“I bet,” Lucie teased, but Mandy’s attention was already back on her dad. She picked up her rucksack and squeezed Mandy’s shoulder as she passed. “Night.”

There was no reply, and Lucie climbed the stairs, chuckling to herself. It would be a shame if her dad and Mandy never quite got there. The pair of them made such a good match, and there was already a deep intimacy between them of a kind, even if neither realised it. They were just missing the last piece.

As she sank into a hot bath, willing the heat back into her frozen limbs, her thoughts drifted to Frances, as they so often did now. She needed to clear the air with her next time they bumped into each other. Her stomach fluttered at the thought.

What if their paths didn’t cross again?

Her chest tightened.

She would have to make sure they did.

With a groan, she ducked under the water. Her head knew exactly how ridiculous it was; her body, apparently, did not.

CHAPTER 10

Frances sat on the bench overlooking Holly Court. Light from inside spilt through the glass in the front door onto the pavement. A cool wind swept in from the stable courtyard, forcing her to zip her coat higher and pull her scarf tighter. It was getting noticeably colder now that December had arrived.

She covered a yawn with her gloved hand. Even working after her mum had gone to bed hadn’t helped her catch up. The more time she spent at home, the less she was able to get done. In some ways, her stress levels were better; in others, worse. It wasn’t the solution she had been hoping for.

A figure entered the courtyard, cutting across towards the side door of the hall. Something about the elf-like shape felt familiar as it was illuminated by moonlight.

“This is a private courtyard,” Frances called.

The figure stopped and turned.

“Oh, hi,” Lucie said, stepping closer through the dim light. “Sorry. It’s a great shortcut.”

“It’s fine. I was only trying to get your attention.”

Why had she said that aloud?

“Oh, really?” Lucie said, removing her elf hat and hooking it onto her belt.

“Yes.” Thinking quickly, she added, “I realised I never apologised for what I said — about making things difficult for you.”

“Oh, you mean when you threatened my job?”

“Yes,” Frances said, lowering her gaze. “I was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” Lucie replied so gently that a flutter took hold beneath Frances’s ribs. “I get it. You’re scared. I’ve been there.”

Frances looked up at her. ‘Scared’ didn’t quite cover it — ‘petrified’ felt more accurate — but at least Lucie understood.

“Anyway, I might not have a job for much longer if I’m ever late for another shift.”

Frances sighed, concerned that it had gone as far as Lucie worrying about her job. “I can speak to Hannah if you like.”

“I’d rather you didn’t. People are already starting to talk. Word has spread about me being here when the smoke alarm went off.”