“Of January?” Annie asked, in the same way I’d done.
Much to Annie’s horror, I shook my head. “December.”
Her face fell even further.
32
It was late afternoon and already going dark by the time Annie and I wished each other a merry Christmas and bade farewell. We promised to meet up before the New Year, not least because the romantic in Annie wanted to see the “two love birds” together before “fate tore us apart”. I shook my head as I recalled her melodrama. When it came to matters of the heart, Annie couldn’t seem to help herself.
As I drove out of town, shoppers still milled around, although they were less in number. Most of them, I assumed, had wanted to get home to start their celebrations. My phone began to ring and, rather than pull over to answer, I decided to ignore it. I wanted to get home and out of the cold; if the call was important, whoever it was would leave a message or try again later.
After a few fun hours, laughing, joking and commiserating with Annie, I found myself wondering what Fin had been up to. I couldn’t help but think he seemed keen to see me off earlier. Then again, I supposed we had been in each other’s pockets those last few days. He probably needed the time to sort out his upcoming travel arrangements and work commitments. Which, considering our agreement not to talk about his departure, he couldn’t do with me hanging around the place. With the 31st fast approaching he had to organise himself sooner rather than later.
While I didn’t want Fin to leave, no way could I have asked him to stay. Like I’d said, he had a life that the rest of us only dreamed about. There he was, sharing his love of food, brightening up everyone’s TV screens, and travelling the world along the way. I couldn’t expect him to give that up, especially to live in the quaint yet staid Yorkshire Dales. I scoffed. Fin probably couldn’t imagine anything more boring. And even if he wanted to give things a go, I knew he’d only end up resenting me for it.
A part of me envied Fin’s achievements. Not that I had any right to. Whereas he’d given his career the level of dedication it needed to succeed, all I’d done since leaving university was plod along in a bookshop. Of course, I enjoyed my job, but it could never be described as high flying. Nor was it living out my childhood dream. My crap existence was one of the reasons why my holiday had felt so important. It would have taken me out of my comfort zone and given me the shake-up I needed. Then again, as I thought about what had happened over the last eight days, wasn’t that what Fin had done?
As I pulled up at home, I told myself not to be so miserable. Christmas Eve was no time to be thinking about regrets or what ifs. Grabbing my bag and climbing out of the car, I reminded myself it was a time of fun and celebration.
Carols played as I entered the house, while whatever Fin was cooking smelt delicious as usual. “Only me,” I called out, letting him know I was back.
He appeared in the kitchen doorway at the end of the hall. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said.
I smiled, knowing I would miss him and his welcome home greetings after he’d gone.
He stepped forward, before pulling the door to behind him and like the gentleman he’d proved himself to be, he approached to relieve me of my scarf and coat.
My mobile began to ring once more, but as I took it out of my bag and saw the caller was Mum, Fin’s eager expression told me she could wait and I put it away again, happy to give the man my full attention.
“Close your eyes,” Fin said, his face full of excitement.
I recalled the last time Fin had made such a request. On that occasion he’d surprised me with the most randomly yet beautifully decorated Christmas tree and safe in that knowledge, unlike then, I was more than happy to play along. “Okay,” I said, looking forward to seeing what delights were to come.
Fin took my arm and led me to the kitchen, before pushing the door open so we could enter. A few steps in he brought me to a standstill. “Open,” he said.
My eyes lit up. “You’ve done all this for me?” I asked.
My table, covered with a white cloth, had been laid for two. In the middle sat a centrepiece made from a masonry jar half-filled with water and cranberries, and trimmed with green leaves and ferns. Lit candles sat in sconces at either side, while two white plates sat on red chargers, each setting finished off with a pale green napkin that had been gathered and tied with red ribbon. Fin had tucked sprigs of greenery into the ribbon to match the centrepiece. The whole ensemble was simple yet pretty and romantic. “But how?” I said, wondering where everything had come from.
“You can probably guess I made a couple of things, like the centrepiece and makeshift napkin holders. But most of it I borrowed from Annie.”
“She was in on this?”
Fin laughed. “How else could I get you out of the way? Josh dropped what I needed round while Annie kept you busy.”
I tried to work out when they could have possibly arranged everything. Aside of his trip to Leeds, Fin and I had been together twenty-four seven for days. “This morning’s phone call,” I said, realisation dawning. I playfully tapped his chest. “I thought you wanted rid of me for some reason.”
Fin put his arms around my waist and pulled me close. “And I thought seeing as we’re at your parents’ tomorrow, we could enjoy a little Christmas celebration of our own tonight. Just the two of us.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” I replied, stretching up for a lingering kiss.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said.
“I’m famished.”
Releasing his hold, Fin headed for the kitchen area. “How does a three-cheese fondue with cable knit breadsticks to start sound? Followed by filet mignon with shallot butter, home-made oven fries and cream spinach? And because Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of tradition, fruit and nut trifle to finish?”
“Absolutely wonderful,” I said, my stomach and I both in agreement.
I watched him start to gather some of his ingredients together. “Anything I can do to help?” I asked.
“Yes. You can grab this…” He poured me a glass of wine. “And go and read one of those books of yours.”
I grinned, telling myself I could get used to being ordered out of the kitchen. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay here forever?” I asked.
Handing me my drink, Fin appeared surprised by my question.
“That was a joke,” I said. “Of course I don’t expect you to give up your hard-earned career.” My mobile began to ring again. “I’m going to have to get that,” I said. “It’ll be Mum. She’s already tried twice. If I keep ignoring her she’ll be straight round to check we haven’t been murdered in our beds. You don’t mind, do you?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Fin replied. “Go. Relax. Say hello from me.”
I retrieved my phone from my bag and taking my wine with me headed through to the lounge. “Hi, Mum,” I said, taking a seat on the sofa as I answered her call.
“Holly! Where have you been?”
“Whoah!” Forced to pull the handset away from my ear to stop my eardrum from bursting, Mum sounded way more excited than was good for her.