‘I’m really sorry for messing up your Christmas,’ Holly said.
‘There was no Christmas to mess up.’
‘Oh, that’s right, it’s just another day.’
She simply could not get how she could be so crazy about someone who cared so little about the things that mattered to her and she actually told him so.
‘I’m glad that we’re not going anywhere,’ Holly said.
‘It might start moving.’
‘I’m not talking about the traffic,’ Holly admitted, and raised the awkward subject in the hope of clearing the air. ‘I’m talking about my mythical us.’
Daniel smiled.
‘You’d buy me shoes or something for Christmas.’
‘I would,’ Daniel said, and then frowned. ‘Don’t women like shoes?’
‘Not the flat work ones that you’d get for me. No, it would be a combined Christmas and birthday present that I’d get from you and one of those horrible cheap cards.’
‘I don’t do cards.’
‘Exactly!’ Holly said, and then she sighed. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t stick to my end of the deal. I always knew I’d be lousy at one-night stands. I really need to loosen up.’
‘Then do.’
‘It’s easier said than done.’
‘It is easy, though,’ Daniel told her. ‘Just think of sex as fun.’
He’d used the F-word again but now it made her smile.
‘How?’
‘You just don’t go looking for a deeper meaning in everything, just, as they say, enjoy the ride.’
‘Ha-ha.’
‘So what did you get me for Christmas?’ Daniel asked, because he really was curious to know.
‘Didn’t you even open it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Then you can find out tomorrow. What did you get for Maddie?’
‘The necklace you didn’t like,’ Daniel said.
‘I didn’t know then that she was five! She’ll love it.’
‘I hope so. And she’ll find out tomorrow that she’s adopted an elephant.’
‘What did you get for your father?’
‘A book.’
‘Amelia?’
‘A diary.’
Holly screwed up her nose.
‘We don’t get on.’
‘Have you ever tried?’
‘Once,’ Daniel said. ‘Not at first, though. My father and I fell out when he started dating Amelia. I didn’t approve of the age difference. I found it embarrassing actually, and it was clear to me she was just there for the money. Still, once Maddie was born I decided to make more effort...’
‘Because you realised they were in love?’
‘No, Polly,’ Daniel said, and turned and smiled. ‘Because Amelia is as shallow as my father is distant and I wanted someone to actually be present for the child.’
The traffic was at a complete standstill. She could see the red brake lights snaking for miles into the distance and the car moved forward about a hand space every five minutes or so.
‘I worry about Maddie,’ he admitted. ‘She’s being raised by nannies and neither of them could be bothered to show up for her nativity play.’ Daniel gripped the wheel. ‘He just doesn’t get it.’
‘Have you spoken to him?’
Daniel said nothing.
Well, he had been about to give a derisive laugh and say something like ‘As if that’s going to change anything,’ but instead he stayed silent as he thought some more about doing just that.
Again.
‘I tried to when she was born,’ Daniel admitted. ‘It probably wasn’t the best time. I had just turned down a surgical position in favour of Emergency. He told me that just as I clearly didn’t want career advice from him, likewise he didn’t need parenting advice.’
‘It sounds like he does.’
The Christmas carols were still playing on the radio, all happy and jolly, and it was Holly who turned it off.
‘Thanks.’
Daniel actually appreciated it.
‘Why are you leaving?’ Holly asked. ‘It sounds like you want to be there for your sister.’
‘I do,’ he agreed. ‘But I can’t be.’
He knew she didn’t understand so he decided to explain. After all, there was no chance of her ever meeting Amelia. ‘I really tried to put aside my doubts about the marriage. Last year my father was working and I took Maddie and Amelia to a pantomime and I did all the big-brother stuff. Then Amelia said she wanted to decorate Maddie’s room as a surprise and could I help pick out some paper...’
‘What did you say?’ Holly asked, and her antennae were up.
He could almost see them rising out of her fluffy dark hair and homing in, and, Daniel thought, for someone so sweet she was also rather shrewd.
‘I said, no, that there were interior designers for all that and I chalked it up as odd but...’ He held out his hand and made a wavy sign that said that the jury had remained out about the small incident but it had seemed odd at the time.
Holly nodded to show she agreed with his take on things.
‘Then last Christmas I was invited over, as I have been for the past couple of years. I generally go for dinner, and for Maddie’s birthdays and things. Her family were there and Amelia was a bit tense and hitting the mulled wine and then brandy, and then...’
‘What happened?’
‘I fell asleep on the sofa and while I was gone her family went home, Maddie went for a sleep and my father went to his club. I woke up and she was sitting beside where I lay and she said she was miserable and that though the money was lovely and everything he was old and she wanted young and, well, he’d never have to find out...’
Oh! She wanted to open the car door and get out onto the freezing motorway just to cool her cheeks.
‘We didn’t do anything.’
‘I never asked.’
‘Well, just so you know. Anyway, I don’t really need you to believe me.’ Actually, he did. ‘Even if I’d wanted to, which I didn’t, there would have been serious technical issues.’
‘So, what did you say to her?’
‘Not much.’ Daniel sat silent for a moment as he recalled it. ‘I told her it wouldn’t be happening and got my jacket and went home. Since then I do my best to stay away.’
‘I see.’
‘Until September this year I worked at the same hospital as my father so it was pretty easy to find out what was going on and to only go over if Amelia was away. She goes on a lot of trips,’ Daniel explained. ‘I actually hadn’t seen her since that day until the department store.’
‘Okay, you’re forgiven for not introducing me.’
He turned and she was wearing a smile, though not a nervous one.
‘Embarrassing, isn’t it?’ he said.
‘For her, I guess,’ Holly said. ‘Did you tell your father?’
‘Good God, no!’ Daniel sounded shocked at the very thought. ‘I think I have to just accept that I’m not very good at family Christmases.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Holly said. ‘You didn’t do anything wrong, your father doesn’t know and your little sister’s none the wiser. I’d say you handled it all rather well.’
Daniel gave a small laugh.
No one knew, and certainly he hadn’t envisaged telling anyone, but now that he had he felt lighter.
Holly, though, was grumbling as she again checked her phone for a traffic report.
‘I’m starting to think I wasn’t meant to get home for Christmas.’
‘So is everyone else who is stuck in the jam,’ Daniel said, and then he was practical, ‘We can get off the motorway at the next available exit and try and find somewhere to stay the night or we can pre
ss on.’
It was long after ten p.m. A three-hour trip had already turned into six.
‘I don’t want to ruin your Christmas,’ Holly started, and then thought about the long drive home he would have tomorrow. ‘I’ve already ruined it.’
‘Holly.’ Daniel looked over and but Holly didn’t look back, she was till reading the road report on her phone as if staring at it might make things change.
Her Christmas earrings had almost stopped flashing. Like the black box missing in a plane they still emitted the occasional hopeful bleep that Christmas cheer could still be found.
And they were right to hope, for Daniel found himself telling her something truly real...
‘This is the nicest Christmas I’ve ever had.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘I NEED TO go to the loo.’
He had guessed she might because she’d kept crossing and uncrossing her legs.
‘You went at the service station.’
‘And then I drank both of the coffees.’
People were actually pulling over to sort out the essentials but there was no way Holly would be joining them.
Tonight, when she looked back on it, would be embarrassing enough as it was, without her pale moon rising.
‘I think it’s time we gave in,’ Daniel conceded.
Another exit was coming up and it was now or never.
As they inched towards the exit Holly started ringing around local motels and bed and breakfasts from the list that came up on her phone.
‘No room at the inn.’ She sighed, because it would seem half of their fellow commuters had beaten them to it.
‘No rooms,’ Daniel pointed out, because Holly was trying to find two. ‘The first one said that they had a double room.’ He saw her jaw tense at the prospect of the two of them and one double bed. ‘I’ve been driving for six hours, having worked all day,’ Daniel said. ‘I’m tired and I’m hungry. I can assure you that you could get up and pole dance and I wouldn’t notice. Still, if you want, you can have the sofa.’
‘What if there isn’t one?’
‘Then you can have the floor.’
‘You’re such a gentleman.’
‘No, Holly, I’m not.’
With little choice Holly rang back and secured the room and a short while later the car pulled into a bed and breakfast. By now she was past caring if the presents got pinched and so thankfully didn’t suggest they haul everything inside.
And he was very pleased that the snowman bag remained safely locked in the car.
Daniel did the checking in and Holly dashed to the loo and then returned to his side, pleased to find that the formalities were over. Daniel was talking to a woman whom he introduced as Mrs Barrett.
No, the formalities were not over!
She proceeded to repeat to Holly all the rules she had just told Daniel.
‘No noise after midnight.’
‘We really just want to crash...’ Holly agreed.
‘No parties in the room.’
‘Honestly,’ Holly said.
‘Just let her finish,’ Daniel broke in, and it became clear he had tried to hurry Mrs Barrett along a few moments before but to no avail.
There were to be no showers after midnight, clothes were to be worn between the bathroom and bedroom, and shoes were to be taken off and carried up the stairs and not left in the hall and...
‘You need to sign the register every time you enter and leave,’ Mrs Barrett informed Holly as she handed her a pen.
They took off their shoes and were led up some very creaky stairs.
‘Breakfast is between seven and nine, no latecomers.’
‘We’ll be gone by seven,’ Daniel said. ‘Is there anywhere we can call to get pizza or...?’
‘No.’ Mrs Barrett shook her head and no helpful suggestions ensued.
‘I’m starving,’ Daniel mouthed to Holly, and she laughed.
‘Here...’ Mrs Barrett inserted a key and pushed open a door, and it was like entering a time slip because nothing in this room could have changed in thirty or so years. It was all crinoline and purple and there were little doilies on every available surface.
And there was no sofa!
‘How much do I owe you?’ Holly asked once they were alone.
‘It’s my treat,’ Daniel said, and smiled a black smile because, really, this was far from the Ritz. ‘Holly, I have to eat something.’
‘I’ve got some cheeses in the car in a cool bag,’ Holly said. ‘And some chocolate...’
‘We can have a picnic.’
‘Oh, and I got my father some Scotch for Christmas, I’m sure he won’t mind. I’ll go,’ Holly said, ‘I know where everything is.’
‘No, I’ll go,’ Daniel said, and picked up his keys. There was no way he wanted her going through the bags.
Daniel went back down and spoke with Mrs Barrett and he even managed a wry smile as she asked him to sign out.
He went to the car and found the cool bag and a present that was clearly a bottle of Scotch and then went back up to the room, threw himself on the bed and stretched out.
‘Finally.’
Clearly he would not be giving up the bed!
‘I had to sign in and out just to go to the car.’
There were two glasses on a little table with a jug of water and Holly poured them both a measure of Scotch and started to plate up the cheese.
Daniel headed off and had a shower and came back wearing only his underwear.
‘You’re supposed to be dressed when you come out of the bathroom,’ Holly reminded him.
‘Well, I would have had I had a change of clothes.’
Soon she was sitting on the floor as Daniel hung off the bed and they ate and drank and chatted and laughed.
It was nice.
More than that, it was the nicest Christmas Eve she had ever spent because, cheese and Scotch aside, Daniel was one of her favourite things, especially when he was half-naked.
He asked a bit about her family.
‘Do you get on with your brother?’ Daniel asked, and Holly nodded. ‘Stupid question—you get on with everyone.’
‘Not everyone.’ And because he’d asked about her family, now she asked about his. ‘Do you remember your mum?’
‘A bit.’ He nodded. ‘She was the one who always made the effort at Christmas and things...’
‘What was it like after she died?’
‘I went to boarding school,’ Daniel said. ‘And, to be honest, I preferred being there than at home. It was miserable.’
‘Maybe he was grieving?’
‘Maybe,’ Daniel said. He’d never really thought of it like that. ‘I went to Rupert’s one Christmas.’
‘The one you were best man for?’ Holly asked, and Daniel nodded.
‘He’s a good friend. When I was all set to boycott my father’s wedding he talked me round. I guess that I went helps keep things, at least outwardly, civilised.’
‘What was Christmas like at Rupert’s?’
He shrugged. ‘They were all really into Christmas, a bit like your family, I guess.’
‘Did you enjoy it?’
‘Not really,’ Daniel admitted. ‘I guess it just showed more clearly all that was missing in mine. I think things are very different for Maddie, though. Not perfect, of course, but a lot better.’
And he knew too that things were better still for Maddie when he was around.
‘If you want a shower then you’d better go now,’ Daniel glanced at the time. ‘It’s close to midnight.’
Holly headed out to the shower and had a very quick one and then realised she’d forgotten her pyjamas. She got exactly what Daniel meant about putting on old clothes so s
he wrapped herself in a towel and legged it back to the bedroom, but as she stepped in she saw that it was in darkness except for a candle.
‘Happy birthday, Holly.’
‘You remembered!’
‘I did.’
‘I’d actually forgotten that it was my birthday.’
‘No, you hadn’t.’
‘I honestly had,’ Holly said. ‘Aren’t you going to sing?’
‘Nope.’
She knelt down and blew out her candle and found out that it was held in a little piece of carrot cake with orange and cream cheese frosting.
‘I got it from Mrs Barrett when I went down for the cheese,’ Daniel explained. ‘She warned me again that there were to be no parties after midnight.’
‘We’ll be quiet, then.’
‘You can eat the frosting.’
Holly did and Daniel knelt down too and he had the cake, but one wasn’t the same without the other and for that reason only they shared a little kiss.
They both tasted perfect.
It was just a simple kiss but both fought the urge to rip off each other’s towel.
‘Thank you,’ Holly said, trying to pretend she wasn’t turned on, ‘for making it such a lovely birthday.’
‘I haven’t finished yet.’ He got up and turned on the bedside light. ‘You’ve got to open your present.’
‘Present?’
‘Yes.’
Her present was on the bed and wrapped in lilac tissues from a box that, incidentally, had a purple knitted cover over it.
The bedroom really was a treasure trove of nylon and knits.
‘Oh, my!’ Holly said when she opened it. Her present was a lovely leather wallet. A little used perhaps, but, actually, it was something of his, and while Holly was a little confused, she still said the right thing for appearances’ sake.
‘I can’t take your wallet.’
‘It’s more what’s inside that is yours,’ he told her. ‘Open it up.’
There was some cash.
‘Count it.’
There wasn’t very much, a couple of notes and some coins, and he made a little pile on the bedside table.
Playboy On Her Christmas List Page 12
