Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence
Page 9
‘No,’ Joss said solemnly. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’
She took the final few steps and reached up to touch the soft hair of his beard. ‘You wouldn’t be unbearably smug?’
‘I wouldn’t.’
‘And you won’t do anything stupid like falling in love with me, will you?’ she murmured, pulling his face towards hers. ‘We’re just two adults having a bit of fun, right?’
His answer was lost in the kiss, which went on and on until Sam lost all track of who and where she was. When they finally broke apart, it was with a gasp. Sam took a step back, her lips still tingling, and cleared her throat. ‘I want you to know I’m still your employer. We have to be professional about this.’
He smiled gently. ‘Yes, boss.’
Sam glanced over her shoulder. ‘I don’t want to be the talk of the village.’
‘Whatever you say.’
Sam bit her lip. Already she wanted to kiss him again, to see if it was even better second time around. ‘We should get back upstairs, it’s almost midnight.’ Reluctantly, she stepped back. ‘And I didn’t hear you answer my last question.’
Joss pulled her close and lowered his mouth again. ‘Oh, we’re definitely going to have fun,’ he whispered and kissed her again.
Chapter Thirteen
It was five minutes to midnight. Unable to see either Sam or Joss, Nessie invited everyone to take a glass of champagne and gather on the green to start the countdown. In the distance, she could make out the shadowy shapes of Martha’s husband, Rob, and a couple of other men as they made sure the fireworks were ready. Someone else was handing out sparklers and Father Goodluck was lighting them. Nessie watched as Owen instructed Luke on how to hold the shimmering stick and she smiled as he twirled it against the dark.
‘Want one?’ Owen asked.
Nessie shook her head. ‘No, let the kids have them.’
He gazed at her for a moment, then disappeared into the crowd. When he returned, he was holding two twinkling sparklers. ‘You’re never too old for these. Look, I can write my name.’
She laughed. ‘And I can draw a star, to go with all the others up there.’
Once the sparklers died, they put them into the bucket of sand. It was a clear night, cold without being bitterly so, and the air was filled with chatter and laughter. Above their heads, the blue-black sky glittered with an infinite number of diamonds. Nessie shivered, not because she was cold but more because of the sense of anticipation that was running through her. At midnight it would be a brand new year, full of possibility and hope, and she was looking forward to it more than she could say. Owen saw her shiver and wordlessly draped his scarf over her shoulders. She smiled her thanks and held his gaze for longer than she should, ignoring the flutter it caused in her stomach. Midnight was magical any time, she thought, regardless of whether it was the turn of the year.
‘Thirty seconds!’ someone shouted nearby.
It occurred to Nessie that she still hadn’t seen Sam. Twisting around, she peered into the crowd but couldn’t find her in the semi-darkness. Where was she? Nessie wondered. Had something gone wrong in the cellar? She was about to make her excuses to Owen and go to look but another shout rang out. ‘Fifteen seconds!’
As the countdown from ten began, a movement caught her eye and she saw Sam hurry into view. Joss was right behind her, laughing at something she’d said. Nessie let out a silent sigh of relief and relaxed.
‘Five, four, three . . .’
She felt a fumbling at her side and realised someone was trying to take her hand. A moment later, her fingers were entwined with Owen’s.
‘Two, one . . . Happy New Year!’
The first fireworks boomed overhead in a riot of red and green sparks. Now that she came to think about it, perhaps it hadn’t been the best idea to stand so close to Owen – all around her, people were hugging and kissing each other – but it was too late now. She felt her cheeks flame as she turned to Owen. ‘Happy New Year!’
He smiled. ‘Happy New Year to you too, Nessie. I hope it brings you your heart’s desire.’
His dark eyes glittered by the light of the fireworks as he gazed at her and Nessie felt a thudding in her chest. If she moved just a tiny bit closer now, his mouth would be almost within kissing distance. He’d noticed too, she was sure. All she had to do was edge forwards and close her eyes. All she had to do was—
‘Happy New Year, Dad!’ Luke shouted, bursting onto Owen with an enthusiastic cuddle. ‘Happy New Year, Nessie!’
Another round of screeches and bangs exploded overhead and the moment vanished. Owen held her gaze for a fraction of a second then lifted his son into his arms. ‘The same to you, you little scallywag.’
Nessie stepped back, laughing. ‘Happy New Year, Luke.’
The crowd broke into ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Grinning, Luke raced off, bellowing good wishes at everyone he bumped into. Owen smiled wryly and opened his mouth to speak but Nessie felt a hand touch her shoulder.
‘Happy New Year, Ness,’ Sam said, pulling her into a hug. ‘Let’s hope it’s going to be a good one.’
Nessie hugged her back, then turned to gaze at The Star and Sixpence, crowned by the radiance of the fireworks. It lit up the darkness in a way that was only partly due to the glow from its windows and it seemed to Nessie as though the pub’s blood was pumping for the first time since they’d come. Nessie felt a spark of contentment warm her inside. It felt like more than just a place she and Sam had run to when they’d needed somewhere to go. It felt like home.
‘Are you kidding?’ she said, glancing at her sister with a grin of anticipation. ‘It’s going to be an amazing year!’
Acknowledgements
Thanks as always to my husband, Lee, for everything you do to give me time, and to my children for tolerating a mother who is usually in another world. Huge thanks to Special Agent Williamson for being my champion and to Clare Hey, SJ Virtue and Emma Capron, plus everyone at Simon and Schuster, for making The Star and Sixpence shine. I am very lucky to have so many fabulous friends but a special mention to Kate Harrison for being my cocktail guru, and to my other Boudoir/CAN buddies – you girls keep me going. Lastly, thanks to you, the reader. The Silver Sixpences are on me.
Valentine’s at The Star and Sixpence
Little Monkham
Gloucestershire
Sam Chapman and Nessie Blake are proud to invite you to a one night only
Pop-up dining experience on
Sunday 14th February
Featuring an exclusive menu from Superchef winner
Alyssa di Campo
and drinks designed by London Cocktail Connoisseur
Tom Collins
Tickets cost £40 and include a three course meal plus welcome drink.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Join us for the next round at The Star and Sixpence
Available in eBook 8th February 2016