A Holly Jolly Christmas: A Second Chance Lesbian Romance, page 7
“Oh, no. I’m sorry, ladies. Those are reserved.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Reserved? For who?”
His eyes lit up. “The Joneses.”
“Who?” I glanced at Vicky, but she looked away, a strange expression on her face. Weird.
“You don’t know the Joneses? That’s who’s been building on those fields behind your estate. The ones that’ve bought the cinema and who are renovating the village. They’re millionaires.”
Ah, so they’re Mr and Mrs Moneybags, then. Mum had mentioned the amount of changes proposed at the village meeting.
“Maybe I could speak with them,” Vicky offered. “I’m sure they’d understand.”
“Sorry, girls.” Harry held up his big meaty hands, knocking a pencil from his top breast pocket. “I’m not allowed to give out their personal information. They’d shut me down faster than you can say Vogue.”
Vogue? “Well, maybe I could tweet them or something?” I suggested. “Millionaires like Twitter...erm, X, right?”
He quirked his thick, ginger eyebrows. “Oh, do you know bird calls? Those damn pesky pigeons keep trying to nest in my roof. And dropping special parcels all over the place.” He scowled at a few nearby pigeons as they pecked stray bits of gravel.
That wasn’t quite what I meant—but still. “I know, right? I hate those birds. Stupid flying turdbags.” Both of them looked at me, surprised by my outburst. “What? I do. I hate them.”
“Well, if you can get rid of my pest problem, maybe we could work something out.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“You want us to get rid of the pigeons for you?” I asked.
Vicky swatted my arm. “Hey, don’t rope me into this.”
I grimaced, pain shooting down my side. Vicky apologised, but I waved off her concern. Damn ribs. “How do you expect me to do that, exactly?”
Harry shrugged. “Beats me.”
“Wait.” Vicky grabbed my shoulder. “Doesn’t Pertoni Clark have a bird repellent device? I’ve seen it on TV.”
“The walking scarecrow thing?” I tried to recall exactly how useful the device had been during testing. “From what I remember, they had some problems with it. Recalled some devices because of malfunctions.”
“How so?”
“The robots were embedded with AI, and they were coming out with all sorts of things. Plus the usual fire hazards.”
“Could you get one?”
I bit my lip. Products that were pre-release should be stored in the warehouse. But I wasn’t sure if there were any near here. It was possible. “Maybe.”
“Really?” Harry asked.
“She works for Pertoni Clark.”
“No way! I’m such a huge fan of his. The chainsaw gloves changed my life.” He jumped up, beaming like a schoolgirl meeting their crush. The idea of the large and clumsy Harry wielding chainsaw gloves made me swallow. How had he not cut off any limbs yet? My gaze dropped to his hands. He did actually have the end digit of his ring finger missing. All things considered, I’d say that was a win for him.
“I could make a few calls.” Dani sure owed me a couple of favours. Using my car as a secret chocolate spot was one of them.
Harry smiled, showing his gap-toothed grin. “That would be great. You do that and the tree is yours.”
I pulled my phone from my jeans pocket and dialled Dani’s number. It turned out there was a warehouse in Frostchester, just an hour away, so Vicky and I could pick it up on the way to the Christmas Fair tonight.
“How’s it going with Bedroom Girl?” Dani asked.
“That’s the least catchy nickname ever.”
I could practically hear her roll her eyes down the phone. “Whatever. You know who I mean. Stop deflecting. How’s it going with her?”
I glanced over at Vicky, who was having an animated exchange with Harry over by the main building. Her blonde curls framed her face perfectly. The sweet sound of her laugh carried over their conversation, squeezing something in my chest.
“She’s good. It’s going good.”
“Good, huh? Sounds exhilarating. If I didn’t know better, your good is someone else’s amazingly perfect head-over-heels in love.”
I shook my head. “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know everything. Remember: don’t count the days, make the days count.”
“What bus advertisement have you stolen that from?”
She laughed. “It was a quote my dad had up in his gym. It used to motivate him to train, but it works for life too.”
After a few more teasing jokes at my expense, Dani hung up the phone, agreeing to organise with the Frostchester warehouse, even though she was on her Christmas break. Promising her some more KitKats seemed to do the trick.
I walked back down the gravel path to join the others. Vicky looked up at me when I approached, her eyes sparkling. I’d never seen such light in someone’s eyes before. I wanted her to always look at me like that.
This was my chance to make up for it. Small steps, just like Dad said.
“All sorted?” she asked, squeezing my arm.
“Yep.” It seemed a lot of effort to get Mr Simon the tree of his dreams, but if it meant spending more time with Vicky, it was worth it. Getting revenge on the pigeons was an unexpected Christmas present.
“You know, we could run past the ice-cream place on the way back, get a scoop each.” She nudged my shoulder. “Just like old times?”
We’d done that together with Cameron a lot. I grinned at the memory. “Ice cream? In the dead of winter?” I teased.
She winked. “Never a bad time for ice cream, Hol.”
I felt another tugging in my abdomen. Ice cream in the winter. Bantering with Vicky. Being back home. It almost felt like I could reclaim parts of what I’d lost.
“Let’s go then.” I smiled at her, feeling more like myself than I had in a long time.
Fourteen
It took us an hour, but with the robot scarecrow safely in the car, Vicky and I arrived at the City Hall to set up for the Christmas Fair. The collection of the robot had gone better than expected; the only downside was the assembly process, which we’d have to brave tomorrow. Constructing a robot scarecrow with Vicky Castleton was not what I’d expected to be doing on Christmas Eve Eve. Oddly, I was excited by it.
The Christmas market was easily ten times bigger than our little village fair. The city had provided their own tables for the sellers, making it less cumbersome than before for us to set up. The permanent craftspeople and food sellers were stationed in mini wooden cabins, with fairy lights, and Christmas greetings sprayed on the sides. The combined scents of spiced mulled wine and sweet cinnamon made me salivate as we found our table. A huge Ferris wheel sat beside City Hall, sparkling and flashing with red and green lights. Joyful Christmas music drifted through meticulously placed speakers. I felt like I was stepping right into a cheesy Christmas movie.
I wasn’t quite sure why Vicky had needed my help. My bruised rib was healing but rendered me pretty useless with carrying anything of real weight. It did give me the opportunity to admire her strong biceps, though, while I followed behind with a light box of stuffed toys.
We set up stall next to a lovely Asian woman called Nadia, who was selling handcrafted dreamcatchers, colourful crystals and delicate wooden ornaments. She welcomed us both with a hug and took a genuine interest in what we were selling.
The city was heaving. People were either dashing about purchasing last-minute Christmas gifts or else spending the evening browsing with friends and warm wine. The two groups were easily categorised by the speed of movement and the level of panic on their faces. Luckily, I’d sorted all my presents a month in advance. All except for one. I needed to get Vicky something.
Normally, I’d jump to buy something expensive. A ring or a necklace or something sparkly. But it felt wrong for Vicky. It needed to be personal.
We barely had a chance to talk because it was so busy. The embroidered journals, in particular, were a hit, along with the knitted stuffed animals. The terrible cow bag Vicky had stitched herself remained untouched, something I teased her about whenever I got the chance.
It surprised me how much I enjoyed chatting with the customers. In my job, I was heavily involved behind the scenes, so it made a nice change. Where I could be a little stilted, Vicky was a natural. I thought she’d be very successful in advertising. The idea of Vicky working with me at Pertoni Clark made me feel all flustered. It was a possibility, and it made a future with her plausible—if she was interested, of course. If only Mr Clark could make a mind-reading device that wasn’t likely to catch fire, that would be great.
The evening grew colder and darker, but the crowd’s spirits never waned. Children scampered by with candyfloss and chocolate Santas, adults with steaming mulled wine or brandy hot chocolates. The atmosphere stayed electric, and we’d almost sold out of all our stock.
“This is amazing,” Vicky said. “Mum is going to be so pleased.”
“You’re quite the salesperson. Who’d have thought?”
She turned to me and raised an eyebrow. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
I looked at her—really looked at her—seeing both versions of the Vicky Castleton I adored. The quieter, caring Vicky still lived on behind the surface of the confident and sexy woman she’d grown into. Emotions stirred in my chest, and I shook my head. “Nothing. You’re just very...you.”
She snorted. “You work in advertising and that’s the best you can come up with?” she teased. “I’m surprised Pertoni Clark hasn’t gone under.”
I picked up the sad cow bag. “You’re a better salesperson than you are at knitting.”
Vicky jabbed me, and I grimaced. Her face immediately crumpled. “I’m sorry, Hol. I keep forgetting about your ribs.” The corner of her mouth twitched. “Although you are annoying and probably deserve it.”
“Charming.”
She burst into laughter. “I’ve missed this,” she said, shooting me a smile that flew straight into my heart.
“Me too.” Everything felt easy with Vicky. It was almost as if the last two years hadn’t happened. In order to move forward, though, I needed to put all my cards on the table. Unless...I glanced at the other stalls, searching for a sprig of mistletoe. That’d certainly be the easier option. She couldn’t misunderstand that gesture.
And I really wanted to kiss her.
“You want to have a look around?” Vicky asked. “We’ve more than exceeded what I thought we’d sell, and the food smells bloody amazing.”
“Sure, that sounds nice.” She started to pack away, but I held a hand up. “But first—I’d like to do something.”
I handed the cow bag to her, and she frowned. “I’m not going to bin it.”
I laughed. “No! We couldn’t bin such a masterpiece. It’s an original Vicky Castleton, after all.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“I’m not sure why you think so poorly of me. I’d just like to give him a home.”
“You want to buy it?”
“I do.”
She broke into a smile. “But I thought you hated it.”
“How could I hate something that’s so characteristically you?”
“I don’t know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment, so I’m just going to say...SOLD! To the lady with the fancy coat and the bruised rib.”
We packed up and loaded the car before heading back into the market, re-energised and feeling lighter than air. We browsed some of the stalls. Vicky picked up a cute reindeer hat and a handmade bookmark, while I tried to find something I could gift her for Christmas. I considered getting her some of the handmade jewellery, but it didn’t feel quite right. Also, where is that damn mistletoe?
After buying two freshly made crêpes, sugar for me, and chocolate and strawberry for Vicky, we strolled down the market towards the big Ferris wheel, Vicky linking her arm with mine. Warmth spread through me at the touch; it was a small gesture that echoed another time, as though the years that had passed and distanced us had shrunk and fallen away.
We sat on a wooden bench beside a young dad and a son, who was wielding a flashing lightsabre like a young Jedi.
“So your mum’s pretty good at crafting, and you’re pretty good at selling,” I said. “Have you thought about turning it into a proper business?”
She nodded, still chewing. “It’s definitely crossed my mind a few times. I just...I don’t know.”
“What is it?”
She sighed, wiping her mouth on a napkin. “It’s just different doing it in the holidays and doing it full-time. It’s...scary. What if it tanks? I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“Any change is scary. But you’ve got a good chance. Mr Clark always enthuses about the importance of a product that will sell. And from what I’ve seen, you’ve already got that. Next step is doing a business plan. If it’s what you want to do, you should go for it.”
“It’s not that simple. There’s other people that I need to think about. It’s...complicated.” She seemed to consider it. “Plus, I don’t know if Mum would even want to do it full-time...but I will think about it, thanks.”
“No problem.”
“What about you? You think you’ll ever move back to Mistleberry?”
The thought had been playing on my mind for the last few days. I’d felt less lonely and more myself, and spending time with my family was helping heal the spaces in my chest.
I pursed my lips, making a show of thinking. “Never say never.”
“Interesting.” She grinned at me, and my eyes were drawn to her dimple. “Fancy a ride on the wheel?”
A romantic view of the city sounded like a perfect place to make a move.
I paid for two tickets, and we stumbled into the rickety cabin. It swung gently as we got ourselves comfortable, and I tried to squash the fear that shot up my spine. The wheel started moving, carrying us higher above the twinkling lights.
You can do it, Holly.
“This is awesome,” I said, a little breathless, peering through the glass at the bustling city below us.
“Are you still afraid of heights?” Vicky asked, her thigh brushing against mine.
I tried not to think about the heat of our bodies and focused on her question. “I wouldn’t say I’m overjoyed being so high above the ground, but I can overlook it when the view is this beautiful. Just don’t put me on a glass ledge.”
“Is it weird that I’m happy about that?”
I turned to her, surprised by her tone, and found a solemn look on her face. “What do you mean?”
“I’m just happy you’re still in there underneath the expensive clothes and the busy lifestyle.” She nudged me and smiled, but it didn’t quite touch her eyes. “For a while, I didn’t know.”
That wasn’t the first time she’d said something like that. “I’m still me, you know. I think you’d quite like the city. There’s lots going on.”
“I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m a fan of the fast life.”
“You afraid of finally being around more people than cows?” I teased. “I’d like to say the smell is better, but I’d be lying.”
She looked down at the floor, shifting underneath my gaze. “I don’t hate the city. I actually have considered it...It’s just complicated. It’s a big change, a big commitment. I don’t know. It’s probably silly.” She shook her head, her hair falling across her face. “You...you’re just different, but also the same. Do you know what I mean? I know I’ve joked with you about it, but really all this time, I just...missed you.”
My heart thumped faster in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was from the height or from the air thickening in the cabin. When Vicky’s eyes met mine, I knew the answer. Now was my chance. “I missed you too. Vicky...I...” I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to remember the words I wanted to say to her. Small steps, Holly. Just say it.
I looked back at her, into those blue eyes that always seemed to see right into my soul. The same eyes I’d leaned into when we had our very first kiss all those years ago.
“I’m sorry, Vicky. For the way I acted when we were younger.” Now that the first words were out, the rest followed quickly. “I was terrified of my feelings for you. I didn’t know how to deal with them, so I pushed them away and ran, and that meant I pushed you away too. I think in some ways I’ve been running from things for a long time. My feelings for you...what happened with Cameron...and now my family too. But I don’t want to keep running. I can’t.”
Surprise flashed across Vicky’s features, pulling her brows closer together. “Holly, listen—”
“It doesn’t stop me from feeling. It all catches up with me eventually, and it all piles on top of me like a crushing weight. But just because I moved and tried to stay busy, it doesn’t mean I ever stopped feeling things for you. And that kiss...our first kiss. It means a lot to me. So do you. I think about it all the time.”
My stomach twisted with nerves I hadn’t felt since I was a teenager. I willed Vicky to say something, forced myself to look at her, and found sad eyes already watching me. Oh, no. She’s going to reject me.
Vicky swallowed. “You mean a lot to me too, Hol. Something I don’t think any amount of running or distance between us could change.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Of course. You were my first love. Nothing will ever erase that.”
My mind caught on the past tense. Nausea rolled through my belly. “You were mine too. You still are.”
Vicky’s mouth dropped, her gaze flicking over my face. “What?”
The wheel slowed to a stop as our cabin reached the top, gently rocking us back and forth. I glanced out of the window behind Vicky. The city stretched out as far as I could see, twinkling lights covering the darkness like sparkling glitter.
My heart hammered in my chest. “There hasn’t been a day where I didn’t think about you. I was a coward. And I’m still learning to be brave. To own my actions and go after what I want.” I placed my hand on her thigh, and Vicky let out a soft gasp. So much had changed between us, but I felt the electricity in the air. That hadn’t changed. My feelings hadn’t. Had hers?
