How to be Angry at Christmas by Rain Beth

Author:Rain, Beth [Rain, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-23T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

ANGER MANAGEMENT TIP: IF YOU CAN'T BEAT ‘EM, AT LEAST TRY ANNOYING THEM UNTIL THEY GIVE UP

I’m just closing the door of the cottage behind me when the landline starts to ring. My heart promptly sinks right into my boots. I’m freezing from standing around talking to Eileen for too long, and I’m desperate for that bath and hot chocolate. I mean… I have serious plans to do some damage to a mound of squirty cream and mini marshmallows. I might even add a splash of Bailey’s in there for good measure.

I sigh as I dash through to the living room and my X-rated hot-chocolate dream starts to fade. I’ve got a horrible feeling I know exactly who this is going to be… and it’s the last person on earth I want to talk to right now. It’s like I’ve somehow managed to summon the Grinch of Christmas Past just by talking about him too much today.

My hand hovers over the receiver. I could just ignore it, couldn’t I? But then - if I’m right and it is Colin, I really don’t want him turning up at the cottage again. Of course… there’s a slim chance it could be someone else less obnoxious…

Yeah right! I know how Colin operates - and this is almost guaranteed to be him. He’ll be calling the landline instead of my mobile because he knows if I see his name flashing up on the screen, there’s a good chance I’ll just ignore it. Sadly, as cool as my ancient rotary phone is, it doesn’t have anything as handy as caller ID!

Right… well… time to revert to type and answer the bloody thing, I guess!

‘Holly Billingham!’ I say, injecting as much cheerfulness into my voice as humanly possible - just to upset him.

‘What’s got into you?’ he grumbles.

Point one to me!

I roll my eyes but then I grin to myself. I don’t need to let him drag me down, do I? His perma-grouchiness has nothing to do with me anymore.

‘I’m sorry… who is this?’ I say lightly, the smile still in my voice.

‘Oh for fu-’

‘Sorry, I’m not buying anything today!’ I say merrily, and replace the receiver, letting out a ridiculous giggle the minute it lands in its cradle.

That felt so good! I know, I know… I shouldn’t be playing games - but that was stupidly satisfying.

I start counting and only get to three before the phone rings again.

‘Holly, it’s Colin.’

‘Colin? Hi!’ I say cheerfully. ‘You’re lucky to reach me - I just got the weirdest phone call!’

‘That was me!’ he growls.

‘It was?’ I fake gasp. ‘Why didn’t you say so?’

‘Whatever,’ he huffs, and I have to quickly cover the mouthpiece to hide my snort of amusement. ‘Your bloody neighbour needs putting into an old peoples’ home,’ he adds.

That makes me bristle, and the smile slides from my face. See, this is the problem - the man is just a solid-gold bottom-dweller.

‘You still there?’ he grumbles.

‘Yes,’ I say. Unfortunately, I add inside my own head.

‘Don’t say “yes” like that,’ he starts.

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