Christmas

by Emily Harvale

  He stared into his glass.

  'No. It looked … nice.'

  'Nice?'

  'Yes. Gentle. I don't know.'

  'It didn't look as if they were about to rip each other's clothes off?'

  'No.'

  'Then what on earth is the problem? Apart from her breaking her promise not to kiss anyone. Which is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. And you only said that to be facetious. You didn't really mean it.'

  'But I did hope she wouldn't.'

  'And at any other time of year, she might not have. It's up to you. As I said, I do think she's treated you badly but I'm not going to tar and feather her just yet.'

  Amias grinned. 'You did that to the turkey.'

  'Yay! You're getting your sense of humour back.'

  'Who said I was joking? Pass the whisky, Dad. I need a top up.'

  'You need a lobotomy, son, if you're even considering for one second giving a Devon woman yet another chance to break your heart.'

  'I'm not. I can't do this anymore. I watched her fall in love with Kyle right before my eyes. Their kisses looked 'nice'. I'm not going to watch her fall in love with this Ben guy. Well, not up close, anyway. I'm going to make myself get over her if it's the last thing I do. That's going to be my New Year resolution.'

  'I'll drink to that,' Alwick said, raising his glass.

  'We'll all drink to that,' Josh added.

  'You won't, darling. Not until your head is better. But I will. Here's to you getting over Cat Devon, Amias. It's only taken eighteen years. Well, eighteen years and counting.'

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Christmas had not been the wonderfully cosy, joyful time Cat and Kyra had hoped it would. Cat had imagined sitting by the fire on Christmas Eve, opening presents with her mum and Kyra. And even Jeremy.

  They had always opened their presents on Christmas Eve. At least they had eighteen years ago when Cat had spent her last Christmas in Merriment Bay.

  It was a tradition Cat had continued when she ran away and moved into Bonniemount Cottage, although as Isla Presley preferred presents on Christmas morning, they had changed the tradition to only open two on Christmas Eve and to save the rest for Christmas Day.

  Now that Cat was back in Merriment Bay, she had assumed they would open them on Christmas Eve.

  But that was before Bailey Mitchell's arrival, his stroke and Granny Viola's signs of improvement. And before that conman and grinch, Jeremy Stone stole all their presents.

  Well, not all their presents. They did have the ones that Amias had given them.

  'Apart from the presents from Amias, this has been our worst Christmas ever,' Cat said, when she, Kyra and Mary sat around Granny Viola's bed on Christmas night.

  'I wholeheartedly agree with you, Catherine.'

  Mary had hardly said a word all day. In fact, she'd hardly spoken since the policeman brought her back from Devon Villa on Christmas Eve, apart from saying that yes, Jeremy had stolen some of the silver, some cash from an ornate box in her bedroom, and a few rather valuable ornaments. But all of the items were marked with some special pen that the insurance company had told her about several years ago, so Jeremy might have trouble selling them. The policeman didn't seem to hold out much hope of Jeremy being apprehended though, and Mary couldn't seem to decide whether she was glad about that or not.

  She had said a few words when Cat handed her the present to her from Amias on Christmas morning.

  'Why has he bought me a present? I certainly haven't got one for him. Well, none of us has any presents for anyone, but what I meant was–'

  'We know what you meant, Mum. He's given us each a present, and more than one to me and Kyra, so that we have something to open on Christmas morning. It's a kind and thoughtful gesture. Don't make it unpleasant for us. I've done that, myself.'

  'Why?'

  'I really don't want to discuss it now,' Cat had said.

  At the time, Cat couldn't face explaining about the kiss with Ben and the fact that Amias had seen it.

  'It hasn't been that bad for me,' Kyra said, smiling as crimson flushed her cheeks.

  'That's right, sweetheart, rub it in that Mum and I are alone while you have the gorgeous Lucas driving all the way over here in awful conditions to pick you up and take you back to his parents' house for Christmas lunch.'

  'You and Gran were invited too.'

  'I know. I was teasing.'

  'I'm surprised Amias didn't invite you to join his family, Catherine, especially after coming all this way last night to bring us those presents.'

  Cat sighed. Now she had to explain about Ben and the kiss, which had resulted in Amias refusing to talk to her.

  'And don't you dare say it's not the first time he's refused to talk to me because we both know that isn't true. When we've all recovered from the shock of Jeremy, we need to have a talk about that.'

  'Why wait? We may as well get all the unpleasantness out in the open now. Maybe then we can start next year afresh.'

  'Oh God,' Kyra said. 'Does this mean more rows?'

  'No, sweetheart. It's too late to have a row about something that happened eighteen years ago. Although I'm cross, I'll admit that. But it won't change anything. I just want to know the truth, that's all.'

  'I'll tell you the truth, Catherine.' Mary sat upright and met Cat's stare from the other side of Granny Viola's bed. 'The truth is, you were far too young to have a baby and settle down with Kyle, but you did what you did and we couldn't change that. When he died, we thought you would have a new start but you refused to give Kyra up, which I fully understand, although I tried to make you see that my life would've been easier if I'd given you up.'

  'Yes. I remember. You said that more than once.' Cat glared at her.

  'But like you, I couldn't give my baby up once I'd held you in my arms. But this isn't about me. We're discussing you.'

  'Wait. Do you mean you had the chance? To give me up, that is?'

  Mary nodded. 'Yes. I was told arrangements could be made, but like you, that was one thing I refused to go along with. I fully admit that Mother and I signed the agreement concerning your father, and yes, we were amply rewarded for doing so, but I flatly refused to part with you for any sum. And we were offered rather a lot.'

  'You've never told me that before. You've only ever said how different your life would've been without me and how having me was a huge mistake.'

  'Having you wasn't the mistake. Having a relationship with your father was the mistake. But maybe I did say you were too. I say things I shouldn't when I'm cross. And also things I don't mean. It's one of my faults.'

  'I do the same,' Cat said. 'Though I try not to be mean. You were mean with words, sometimes, and with actions too, it seems.'

  'I'm sorry if I was. I never meant to hurt you. I think I meant to hurt myself. But anyway. We hoped that, if you weren't prepared to give Kyra up, you might at least be persuaded to pursue your art studies. We would've found a nanny and arranged everything. But we could see the way things were going. Amias was visiting you at the hospital and you were always pleased to see him. We dreaded you telling us that you had fallen in love with him. I know you'll say we were wrong because he's successful, wealthy and clearly a man of integrity, but the nineteen-year-old Amias didn't appear to be many of those things. None of them as far as Mother and I could tell. Although you obviously knew him better than we did. We made a decision to do everything we could to keep you apart. We changed your phone and the number but we blocked his number on your phone without your knowledge. You never were very technologically minded. Nor were we, but we knew a man who was. When Amias sent notes and letters, we returned them. When he called at the house demanding to see you, we told him you didn't want to see him and that you had asked us to contact the police if he continued to call. It took a long time but he eventually stopped. And we lied to you about him. He did want to see you and Kyra. He wasn't seeing other girls, as far as we knew, but we lied and said he was. We did what we thought would be
best for your future. And for Kyra's. We were wrong. But in a way, perhaps, we were right. You have had a good life, and you did continue with your art.'

  'Bloody hell, Mum. I've had a good life in spite of what you did. Not because of it. Kyra and I have had a good life because of Isla Presley and because my car broke down outside her cottage. Things could've turned out very differently. And if what you're saying about Amias is true, then perhaps we could've had a good life here. In Merriment Bay. With him. And also with you and Granny Viola.'

  'I know. I realise that now. I'm sorry. There's nothing else I can say but that.'

  'Wow,' Kyra said. 'This is so messed up.'

  'I need some air.' Cat got to her feet. 'I'm going for a walk. Kyra, you're welcome to join me or you can stay here. It's up to you.'

  'I'll stay here if that's OK. I think you need some time alone to process what Gran has just told you. It doesn't really affect me in the way it has obviously affected you.'

  Cat smiled. 'I'll see you in a bit then. And Mum. Thank you, at least, for finally telling me the truth. And for actually admitting that you were wrong.'

  'As I have said before. It seems I've been wrong about a great many things in my life. I am truly sorry, Catherine.'

  'I believe you. But that doesn't make it any easier.'

  She walked from the room and ambled along the corridor, glancing into Bailey's room as she passed.

  Ben spotted her and came into the corridor.

  'Want some company? You're looking a little out of it, if you don't mind me saying.'

  'I've just been told something and I need to think it through. I don't want to be rude, Ben but I really need some time alone.'

  'That's fine. You know where I am if you change your mind. Grandfather's asleep and Diana and I are going to go back to the hotel for the night. If you want to share our cab, you're more than welcome. Perhaps we could have dinner together later? Or a drink, maybe?'

  'I'm not sure what Kyra and Mum want to do but I'll ask.'

  'Cat? I meant you and me having dinner together. Or a drink. Just the two of us.'

  'Oh. I see. Er. Can we discuss it later? I really need to get some air and clear my head.'

  'No problem. Come and find me when you're ready.'

  Cat gave him a grateful smile and turned away.

  Why hadn't Amias said that? Why hadn't he asked her to dinner or for a drink? Why had he said they needed to talk?

  Perhaps she had got the wrong end of the stick, after all. Perhaps Amias was going to say that he thought they should be friends and nothing more. Because now she thought about it, if he'd wanted to ask her on a date, surely he simply would've done that? Surely he would've suggested dinner or a drink? Not a talk.

  He may have been interested in her eighteen years ago, if what her mum had said was true. And now she had no reason to doubt that. But perhaps he didn't feel anything more than friendship for her now. Perhaps that kiss had just been the way he kissed every woman, as she had thought it might. Maybe all her frantic messages and texts yesterday fell on deaf ears because those ears didn't want to hear what she had to say.

  Perhaps it was time she got over Amias Wells. Time to start afresh. Maybe Ben could help her do that.

  What had Amias said the other day? That Fate seemed determined to keep them apart or something along those lines. Or was it that Fate seemed determined to put things in their paths? She couldn't recall exactly.

  But Fate had put Ben in her path.

  Perhaps it had done that for a reason.

  End of Part Three

  Will Cat and Amias ever tell each other how they feel?

  Or is Fate determined to keep them apart?

  Or will Ben convince Cat that nice isn't always bad?

  That sometimes, nice is better than passion and all that other stuff.

  Nice is certainly better than lies and secrets.

  And what of Viola and Bailey?

  Will they get their happy ending?

  Or has life got yet another twist in their love story?

  Find out in the final part of this four-part serial.

  Part Four: Starry Skies

  Coming soon

  Part Four: Starry Skies

  Cat is reeling from the unexpected events of Christmas, and as Merriment Bay toasts in the New Year, she's facing choices she never thought she'd have to make. When distressing events end more than one person's dream, can Cat find the strength to fight for the Love she deserves?

  This is a delightfully heartwarming novel told in four parts

  Available here

  Out now

  Christmas at Wynter House

  Available here

  The Merriment Bay series and the Wyntersleap series are interconnected with several characters appearing in both. However, each series can be read alone.

  A Note from Emily

  Thank you for reading this book. A little piece of my heart goes into all of my books and when I send them on their way, I really hope they bring a smile to someone's face. If this book made you smile, or gave you a few pleasant hours of relaxation, I'd love it if you would tell your friends.

  I'd be really happy if you have a minute or two to post a review. Just a line will do, and a kind review makes such a difference to my day – to any author's day. Huge thanks to those of you who do so, and for your lovely comments and support on social media. Thank you.

  A writer's life can be lonely at times. Sharing a virtual cup of coffee or a glass of wine, or exchanging a few friendly words on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram is so much fun.

  You might like to join my Readers' Club by signing up for my newsletter. It's absolutely free, your email address is safe and won't be shared and I won't bombard you, I promise. You can enter competitions and enjoy some giveaways. In addition to that, there's my author page on Facebook and there's also a Facebook group. You can chat with me and with other fans and get access to my book news, snippets from my daily life, early extracts from my books and lots more. Details are on the 'For You' page of my website. You'll find all my contact links in the Contact section following this.

  I'm working on my next book right now. Let's see where my characters take us this time. Hope to chat with you soon.

  To see details of my other books, please go to the books page on my website, or scan or tap the QR code below to see all my books on Amazon.

  Contact

  If you want to be one of the first to hear Emily's news, find out about book releases, see covers, and enter free competitions, then sign up to her Readers' Club by going to: www.emilyharvale.com

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  Also by Emily Harvale

  Highland Fling

  Lizzie Marshall's Wedding

  The Golf Widows' Club

  Sailing Solo

  Carole Singer's Christmas

  Christmas Wishes

  A Slippery Slope

  The Perfect Christmas Plan

  Be Mine

  It Takes Two

  Bells and Bows on Mistletoe Row

  The Goldebury Bay series:

  Ninety Days of Summer – book 1

  Ninety Steps to Summerhill – book 2

  Ninety Days to Christmas – book 3

  The Hideaway Down series:

  A Christmas Hideaway – book 1

  Catch A Falling Star – book 2

  Walking on Sunshine – book 3

  Dancing in the Rain – book 4

  Hall's Cross series

  De
ck the Halls – book 1

  The Starlight Ball – book 2

  Michaelmas Bay series

  Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove – book 1

  Blame it on the Moonlight – book 2

  Lily Pond Lane series

  The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane – four-part serial

  Part One – New beginnings

  Part Two – Summer secrets

  Part Three – Autumn leaves

  Part Four – Trick or treat

  Christmas on Lily Pond Lane

  Return to Lily Pond Lane

  A Wedding on Lily Pond Lane

  Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane

  Wyntersleap series

  Christmas at Wynter House – Book 1

  Merriment Bay series

  Coming Home to Merriment Bay – four-part serial

  Part One – A Reunion

  Part Two – Sparks Fly

  Part Three – Christmas

  Part Four – Starry Skies

  Acknowledgements

  My grateful thanks go to the following:

  Christina Harkness for her patience and care in editing this book.

  My webmaster, David Cleworth who does so much more than website stuff.

  My cover design team, JR.

  Luke Brabants. Luke is a talented artist and can be found at: www.lukebrabants.com

  My wonderful friends for their friendship and love. You know I love you all.

  All the fabulous members of my Readers' Club. You help and support me in so many ways and I am truly grateful for your ongoing friendship. I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

  My Twitter and Facebook friends, and fans of my Facebook author page. It's great to chat with you. You help to keep me (relatively) sane!

  Thank you for buying this book.