AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Uhhh… Would it matter if I was?’ Leo asked.
‘Of course it would. I want my best mate here with me to parrrr-taaay.’ Paul swayed slightly and Leo took his arm to steady him.
‘Well, look, I’ll get some air then come back.’
‘Promise?’ Paul held out his hand with his little finger wiggling.
‘Yeah… promise.’
‘Pinkie promise?’ Paul giggled then hiccupped.
‘Pinkie promise,’ Leo said grudgingly as he wrapped his little finger around Paul’s and shook it.
‘Excellent!’ Paul nodded then patted Leo hard on the back. ‘I’ll get a round in.’
As Leo hurried away, he sighed inwardly. It seemed that he had no chance of getting an early night and that he’d have to come back and probably see Paul home safely. He wanted to be there for his friend but he was also thinking about his warm bed and escaping into sleep. They were going to Wisteria Hollow the next day and he didn’t fancy having a hangover, especially seeing as how he hadn’t even packed yet.
But Paul was his friend and so Leo would be there for him, even if getting into bed and sleeping all night seemed a preferable way to spend his time. He’d just slip outside and get some cold air into his lungs then come back and try to get into the Christmas spirit. Even if he currently felt like sayingBah Humbug!
Chapter8
Erin
Erin dusted off her hands then carried the tray of mince pies to the oven and set it on the middle shelf. She closed the oven door and checked the time before starting to tidy up. The kitchen in her parents’ home was gorgeous with dark green cabinets and oak worktops. There was an island at the centre and it had a deep sink set into it with one of those fancy taps that provided instant boiling water. There were stools at the end of the island and part of the surface allowed for sitting, a bit like a breakfast bar, and Zara was currently perched on a stool there holding up her smartphone.
‘Smile!’ Zara said.
‘Oh no. Don’t take photos of me. I look terrible.’ Erin pushed a hand over her brow then realised she’d just spread flour in her hair. ‘Damn it!’
‘You look super cute!’ Zara laughed as she scrolled through the photos she’d just taken.
‘Yeah, right.’ Erin shook her head. ‘Just don’t post them anywhere.’
‘So… are you looking forward to meeting Paul’s new girlfriend?’ Zara asked.
Erin scrunched up her nose. ‘Not particularly. I kind of liked the last one.’
‘And the one before that,’ Zara sighed. ‘I don’t see why he has to keep changing who he’s dating. It’s too confusing. I bet Dad will get this one’s name wrong and call her Ulrika or Davinia.’
‘He probably will and then she’ll be offended and Paul will have to spend Christmas consoling her only to end up breaking up with her in January.’
‘Yeah, sounds about right. He gets bored so easily.’
They stared at each other for a few quiet moments, lips twitching, then burst into laughter.
‘Remember the one who got a fake engagement ring in her Christmas cracker?’
Erin shuddered. ‘She thought Paul had put it in there to surprise her and she was furious.’
‘That’s right. She was some kind of high-powered business executive and she was about to head off to Hong Kong for a year, wasn’t she?’
Erin nodded. ‘She thought he was trying to thwart her plans so she dumped him on Boxing Day and we never saw her again.’
‘I think he genuinely liked her though. He might well be trying to make up for that by not settling down with anyone else.’ Zara raised her eyebrows.
‘Perhaps. But you never know, perhaps this latest lady friend will be the one.’
‘I hope so because at least then one of us will be getting married soon.’ Zara shrugged.
