A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle_A heartwarming, feel good romance by Liz Eeles

Author:Liz Eeles [Eeles, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786816726
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2019-11-06T18:30:00+00:00

Fourteen

Seven hours later, and I’m glad to be home. I spent half the afternoon un-decorating the Cosy Kettle Christmas tree, so it’s ready for the new decorations I’ve ordered, and the rest running around making coffees and selling cake. We had so many customers at one point, a couple of the hardier ones braved the freezing garden. They said they didn’t mind, and at least it gave me a chance to test out the hired patio heaters which arrived just after lunch.

‘What do you reckon, then?’ asks Zac, stepping into the kitchen where I’m refilling our tiny dishwasher after his earlier efforts. He’s pretty good at vacuuming and cleaning the bath, but his dishwasher-filling technique leaves a lot to be desired.

I look up from a muddle of crockery and gasp. I can’t help it. Zac looks… amazing!

I’ve never seen Zac in a dinner suit before. He’s got a cheap suit that he drags out of the wardrobe for interviews and meetings with new clients – it’s slightly too big and hangs on his frame. But the rented black dinner suit he’s currently wearing fits him like a glove. He looks like James Bond… with curling hair and horn-rimmed glasses.

He runs his finger under the collar of his snow-white shirt and stretches his neck from side to side. ‘Tell me the truth, Becca. Do I look like a total muppet?’

‘No, that really suits you. You still look like a muppet, obviously, but not a total muppet.’

I duck as Zac picks up a handful of potato peelings that are sitting on the counter and chucks them in my direction.

‘Missed! What time will Jasmine be here?’

Zac shoots his cuffs and glances at his watch. ‘In about ten minutes.’ He breathes out in a loud oof! ‘I’m not sure about this evening, Beccs. It feels strange going to some posh do with your sister. Are you sure you don’t mind?’

He twists his mouth and chews the inside of his cheek, suddenly resembling a child playing dress-up in his dad’s clothes.

‘Of course not. Why would I mind?’ I swallow hard and slot a greasy knife into the cutlery tray.

‘I just thought that maybe…’ Zac studies his polished black shoes. ‘… maybe you…’

‘Good grief!’ The spoon I’m holding falls onto a plate with a clatter as the doorbell rings. ‘That bell is stupidly loud! You’d better let Jasmine in and I hope the two of you have a lovely evening. I’m so happy you’re going out together.’

Why did I say that last bit? In reality, the whole thing feels a bit wrong. Zac catches my eye and holds my gaze until the doorbell rings again and I look away. ‘Yeah, thanks. I’m not sure posh dos are my thing but it’ll be different. Suppose I better had let her in ’cos it’s freezing out there.’

I hear him opening the front door and a murmur of conversation as I close the dishwasher and wipe my hands down my dress. Catching sight of myself in the shiny chrome of the kettle, I realise that I look flushed and untidy, but it can’t be helped.

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