A Very Special Christmas by Anna Jacobs

Author:Anna Jacobs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

‘He’s very good-looking,’ a voice said.

Abigail jerked upright and saw Georgiana standing nearby, looking as beautiful as ever.

‘And you’re still attracted to him.’

She didn’t attempt to deny it. ‘How can you tell?’

Georgiana smiled. ‘I watched you with him years ago. As far as I can see, nothing’s changed about how you feel.’

‘Oh dear! I hope he couldn’t tell that.’

‘He isn’t sure about your feelings because he’s too busy trying to hide his own to see you as clearly as we do.’

‘All that is just, you know, echoes of the past, how things used to be between us. We’ve both moved on.’

A chuckle to her other side heralded the appearance of Juliana. ‘You could easily move back into a relationship again, though, and so could he. There’s no law against it. Why don’t you give him a bit of encouragement? See how it works out. It wouldn’t take much effort to start your relationship moving. He’s still attracted. Take my word for it.’

‘Do you really think so?’

‘Yes, definitely. And he’s been as lonely as you since he moved back here. I’m sure it wouldn’t take much signalling from you to restart it. One small step at a time is all it needs.’

Abigail could feel herself blushing. ‘I couldn’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know how to encourage men. I’ve not had much experience. I’d probably make things worse.’

Her two companions exchanged incredulous glances. She turned to leave and get on with her day.

‘Wait!’

Georgiana drifted round to bar the way out of the library and Abigail stayed where she was, not game to try to walk through her ancestor, even if she was only a phantom.

‘How about we drop you a hint or two when we see a possibility? We could whisper suggestions in your ear.’

Abigail’s cheeks felt even hotter. ‘I’d only mess up whatever you said to do. I’m incredibly stupid about such things.’

‘You’re not stupid, just rather timid and lacking practice.’

She shrugged. It amounted to the same thing in the end.

‘You could at least have a go. Isn’t Lucas even worth a try?’

Abigail couldn’t help remembering her recent vow to be more proactive about life. Was she going to fall at the first hurdle? ‘Um, well, I suppose I could try. If I think of anything, that is.’

‘Good girl. And don’t worry. You’re not on your own in this. We’ll whisper hints if we see even half a chance. Promise you’ll do what we suggest.’

‘Um—’

‘Promise! Beadle’s honour.’

‘Oh, all right. I promise. Beadle’s honour.’

‘We know you won’t break that particular promise.’

And they were gone as abruptly as they’d arrived.

They couldn’t just be figments of her imagination. Apart from the fact that something about them felt so utterly real, her father had seen them too and had told her about them a couple of years before he died. She would have to take great care not to speak to them when anyone else was around, though, or people would think she’d gone mad.

It was a while before she moved, then she muttered, ‘I will try,’ squared her shoulders and gave a nod to emphasise that.

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