AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think I’m ready.” I studied my reflection in the hand-held mirror that was propped up on my boss, Ethan’s, desk. His fiancée, Avery, had sweet-talked him into letting us use his large office to get ready for the party in. Me, Avery, Olivia, my colleague Lisa, and Ethan’s secretary, Delia, were all in the room. Ethan’s desk had been completely cleared of anything business-related, and instead it was covered in makeup, hair curlers and straighteners, and open bottles of Prosecco and glasses. Delia bustled around, adjusting dresses, smoothing hair, advising on which shoes looked best with our outfits; smiling widely the entire time.
“I still can’t get over the fact you’re engaged,” Lisa swooned.
Avery grinned at her, flashing her sparkling engagement ring. “I know, me neither. I guess I haven’t had much time to get used to it, yet. We haven’t even thought about the wedding. We’ll decide what we’re doing after we get back from the ski resort.”
She pouted her lips, applying a coat of ruby lipstick, then placed the tube back in her makeup bag and continued. “I can’t believe I get to spend Christmas with my fiancé in Switzerland. I’m planning on making the most of the hot tub and spa, and no doubt Ethan will spend most of the time skiing. It’s going to be so much fun!” Picking up her champagne flute, she took a sip of Prosecco and eyed her best friend over the rim of the glass. “As for engagements—I predict Liv and Luke will be next.”
Olivia gave her a dreamy smile. “One day. No rush. I’ve barely even moved in with Luke yet. You know what, though, I’m so excited about us having our first Christmas together. We’re going to wake up in our apartment, have breakfast and open our presents to each other. Just me and him. Then we’re going to drive down to my mum and dad’s house for a family dinner, and stay the night there, along with my brother. I can’t wait.”
“That sounds perfect,” I said. “How about you guys? Lisa? Delia?”
“Oh, I’ve got all the family coming to me,” Delia beamed. “Kids and grandkids. We’ll have a whole houseful.”
“And I’ll be having Christmas with my boyfriend’s family, then we’ll go to my family on Boxing Day,” Lisa told us. “What are you doing, Ashley?”
I smiled. “My parents are away in Tasmania visiting my sister for Christmas this year, so I’m going to have a day to myself. My housemates are all going to be away visiting their families, so I’ll have the run of the house without being disturbed. I’ve planned on a lazy day of festive pyjamas, hot chocolate, and Christmas movies, and I honestly can’t wait.”
“Oh.” The women all stared at me, unsure of what to say.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I scolded. “Do you know how often I get a day to myself, a whole day where I can just do what I want? I’m really looking forward to it.”
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters, dear.” Delia patted my hand gently. “Now, what do you say we join the others?”
We filed out into the main office, which, thanks to mine, Olivia’s and Eddie’s efforts, looked festive and inviting. Colourful fairy lights winked around the edges of the room and around the desks, and a large tree stood in one corner, with the Secret Santa presents piled underneath. Mistletoe hung in the doorway (and in a few other places, apparently), and the sound system was belting out “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. At the far side of the office I could see the table covered in plates of food, and a selection of drinks clustered at one end.
The room was full already. We’d taken a long time to get ready, to be fair. I smoothed down my short black flared skirt, and made sure my red cami top was tucked in. I had red, green and white striped thigh high socks and shiny black chunky heels to complete the look. It was over the top, and, yeah, probably a little silly, especially for an o
ffice party, but if anyone was going to go overboard for Christmas, it would be me.
“Ashley,” Olivia hissed. “Don’t forget your hat.” She handed me a red velvet Santa hat and I pulled it on with a smile.
“Thanks. Wouldn’t want to forget that.” I shook my head, fluffing my hair out, and the bell earrings I was wearing jingled merrily.
As I danced, drank, and ate, I was constantly on the move, flitting between my colleagues, trying to take the time to talk to everyone. I somehow ended up judging a dance off between Eddie and George, which left the whole room in stitches. When I’d declared George the winner, we decided to do the Secret Santa gifts.
Ethan had been volunteered by his staff to give out the gifts, since he was the boss. He handed a gift to everyone with a smile and a kind word. When he got to me, he gave me a small square box. “Merry Christmas, Ashley. Thanks for all your hard work this year. I want you to know that we all appreciate you. You’re the first and last person our clients see when they visit Barrett London, and I’ve been told on more than one occasion how impressed they’ve been by your warmth and professionalism.” He squeezed my arm. “You’re an important part of this team.
“Thanks.” My cheeks heated at the praise, but I smiled, happy to be a part of this company, where everyone was made to feel important and included. Honestly, it might have sounded cliché, but it really was like a family.
He nodded and moved on, and once we all had our gifts, we opened them.
I gasped aloud when I saw mine.
It was a plastic snowglobe, one of those widely available in every single tourist shop in London. This one, though, had a scene of Trafalgar Square, complete with the giant Christmas tree that I made a wish on every year. It couldn’t have been more perfect for me. I’d been wishing under that tree ever since I was a little girl, and it was my one tradition that I’d never veered from.
I got a bit of a lump in my throat, and couldn’t help wondering who my Secret Santa had been. Hopping off the desk I’d been sitting on, I went into Ethan’s office to stash the snowglobe safely in my bag.
When I returned to the main office, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was playing, and I watched as everyone began coupling up. I saw Olivia and Luke, standing with their arms round each other, totally oblivious to the rest of the room. Luke gently grasped Olivia’s chin and tipped her head up to meet his eyes, then lowered his head, meeting hers for a long, slow kiss. Ethan took Avery’s hand, kissed it, then none-too-subtly gestured towards the corridor that led to the conference room, and led her away from the others, sliding his arms around her as they went. Eddie and George swayed to the music, and Delia’s husband, Bertie, paraded her around the office with a twinkle in his eye, both of them beaming.
I was happy, I really was, but I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of loneliness. Even Ethan and Luke’s best friend Alex, who normally flirted with anyone single, was here with a date. Although, having said that, Olivia had mentioned something him having lost a bet to his housemates and been forced to bring her. So, maybe ‘date’ wasn’t the right word. Neither of them looked particularly pleased to be with each other, standing with their arms folded, their postures tense. Frankly, if it was to do with Alex and women, I’d learned it was best not to get involved.
As I glanced over at Alex, I accidentally caught his eye, and a huge grin appeared on his formerly impassive face, his dimples popping out. In a few short strides, he was standing in front of me, blue eyes sparkling under the strings of fairy lights.
“Ashley, babe, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He grabbed me and spun me around in a circle, making me laugh despite myself. He was a massive flirt, but so likeable that his flirtation attempts didn’t annoy me. Usually.
“Having fun, Alex?” I raised a brow at him and subtly indicated towards the woman he’d been standing with, who was now tapping on her phone screen, a bored expression on her face.
“Don’t even ask,” he sighed, his grin disappearing as he followed my gaze.
