Christmas by the Coast by Mandy Baggot

Author:Mandy Baggot [Baggot, Mandy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800243101
Publisher: Head of Zeus

Thirty-Six

She hadn’t seen the conga line of skaters approaching from behind until it was too late. Now it was Mack reacting to Joe’s wailing, willing his legs to hold up as he hurried towards Harriet’s still form, lying unmoving on the ice.

She had to be OK, right? It was just a bump. She was winded.

He had no idea how to properly stop himself or how to get down to her without looking like a very awkward camel but who cared about how things looked when she needed him? He reached her, bending and sliding until he was sat on his ass next to her, everything jarring with the action. Her eyes were open but she looked a little in shock.

‘Hey, Cookson, stop playing for sympathy.’ He put a hand to her hat and then his gloved fingers found her blonde hair underneath.

She groaned a little but began to move, then talk. ‘Did I save you from killing yourself?’

He grinned. ‘Oh, OK, I see you. Playing the hero.’ He smiled. ‘You do know this is the second time you’ve fallen at my feet since you arrived in Montauk.’

She was starting to sit up now but still appeared a little disorientated. ‘Where’s my grandpa?’

‘He’s good,’ Mack told her, assisting her rise from the ground. ‘But he will have my ass if I take you back over there in more than one piece. How many legs am I holding up?’ He lifted his good leg and waved it a little.

‘That’s not even funny,’ Harriet responded, scowling.

‘See, you’re good. Humour and humerus intact. Come on, let’s get you up.’ And then he thought about that sentence. He was on the floor, with skates on his feet and this ice – despite his gloves – was far too cold for any kind of handstand exit. He might even have to ask her for help. No, he was not even going to consider that.

Harri was up on her knees now, making good progress at getting herself off the ground. He had to do this on his own. Without her watching.

Harriet dusted herself off and put a hand to the back of her head. It felt a tiny bit tender, but her woollen hat had sucked up most of the force. She turned around and Mack was back on his feet. How had he managed that?

‘Everything OK over here?’ It was her grandpa and he had definitely found his feet, or should that be skates. There was no hint of tremor in any of his limbs. ‘You OK, Joanna? That was quite a tumble.’

‘We’re good,’ Harriet said, nodding. She looked to Mack. ‘You’re OK, right?’

He nodded. ‘Yup.’

‘Oh, this is one of your nana’s favourites,’ Joe said as Doris Day’s version of ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ started to play over the sound system.

‘Shall we skate to it then?’ Harriet asked him.

‘If you think you can keep up with me,’ Joe said, chuckling, eyes bright.

‘Think waltz tempo, not quickstep,’ Harriet answered. ‘You coming, Mack?’

‘I’ll be right behind you. I just need a second.

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