The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Lisa Dickenson

Author:Lisa Dickenson [Dickenson, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Chick Lit, Holiday, Winter, Christmas, Romance
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Published: 2014-10-05T23:00:00+00:00

Date Seven

The Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum, Kensington

In a matter of seconds Claudia had wiped clean the shock and painted a thick layer of imaginary cover-up over her guilty face. She dragged on a smile. Nothing will show.

‘Hi Penny,’ she said, and then turned straight to the girl at her friend’s side.

‘Hi, I’m Claudia. I kind of recognise you: do you guys work together?’ she babbled, her heart thudding, desperate to distract Penny from the situation.

‘Yes – I’m a physio at the company. I’m Jada.’

‘Well it’s so good to meet you.’

‘You too, Penny was just telling me that you and I might be working together soon.’

‘I don’t think I need a physio. Because of the Insanity workout? To be honest, I haven’t exactly stuck to the regime …’

‘No, I mean backstage, at the Royal Ballet.’

‘Ah, of course.’ Plonker. ‘Yes, that might happen, maybe … By the way Penny, you look lovely.’

‘Thanks.’ Was Penny looking at her strangely? Did she know something was going on? ‘So what are you guys doing here, all alone?’

‘Well,’ started Nick with a big grin on his face. ‘I was just telling Claud—’

‘We were just having a good catch-up and telling jokes and things,’ Claudia jumped in lamely. ‘But I am full. I think we should get the bill.’ She smiled at Nick who looked baffled, as if he were trying to figure out a difficult answer in a pub quiz.

‘Stay for a little bit. Jada and I are just grabbing a milkshake – they’re so good here. We’ll join you.’ Yeah right, she was totally saying ‘We’ll keep an eye on you’. ‘Hi Nick.’ Penny gave him a warm smile and lashings of eye contact. Claudia’s insides tightened.

‘I remember you from the Christmas party, Claudia, you were pretty hammered,’ Jada teased.

‘Yep, that was me.’

‘Before you fell off that table you were killing it in the dance-off. Sorry, Penny, but I think Claudia won that.’

‘No way, I didn’t win anything, Penny deserved to win,’ Claudia insisted.

‘It’s okay, I accept defeat. I am second best.’

‘No, you’re not, you are not second best. I’m not taking anything away from you.’

‘I believe you.’ Penny looked at her directly, but Claudia couldn’t hold the eye contact.

Saved by the waitress: ‘Can I get you ladies anything?’

‘Yes, please, can we get four chocolate milkshakes?’ Penny grinned at the group.

‘Actually, do you have eggnog?’ Nick asked. The waitress nodded. ‘Get in! Can I have eggnog instead please?’

‘Ooo, me too, I’ve never tried it,’ cried Claudia. ‘No, hang on, I will have a milkshake, if Penny says they’re good. She knows best – this girl has amazing taste,’ she told Jada.

‘Have eggnog, have whatever you want, my treat,’ said Penny.

‘Um … no, I value your opinion and your feelings as a friend.’ Okay, stop it. She was desperately drowning her guilt under a waterfall of gushing hero-worship, and all three of them were starting to look at her strangely.

‘Well, thanks.’ Penny laughed it off. ‘Now come on, what are you two up to? What’s the big secret?’

There was definitely an edge to her voice.

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