I said my goodbyes to Montpelier that afternoon, and he said that he was looking forward to working with me again.
A taxi drove me to the airport. Alexavier came with me, but we were booked on separate flights. While we drove there I asked him whether he’d ever dated any other women at the department.
‘Once, a long time ago, when I’d first joined the department straight from university,’ he said.
‘What happened?’
‘She decided after working for the department for two years that she wanted to leave. The job wasn’t for her — and neither was I.’
We arrived at the airport and checked in.
He couldn’t tell me where he was going. It was top secret.
We went our separate ways at the airport. ‘I’ll see you when I get back to London,’ he said.
‘Be careful.’
He smiled and kissed me, and then my flight was called. I walked away from him wondering if I’d ever see him again.
The plane flew over Glasgow heading for London, and I gazed down at the snow covered city. It looked quite beautiful. I would miss it.
I missed Alexavier more than I thought I would. I threw myself into my work, learning everything I could. I even began the self defence and martial arts training. I wasn’t very adept at it, but they assured me I’d learn.
It had rained in London on the run–up to Christmas but a few days before Christmas it snowed. It started to really feel festive in the city. I’d put my tree and decorations up, done my Christmas shopping, and hadn’t heard any news about Alexavier. Not a word. This worried me, but I tried to think that he’d be okay, and pushed ahead with my plans to enjoy Christmas.
The shops in London were wonderful, and I still kept fit by shopping for hours, taking in the atmosphere of the festive season. I loved all the fairy lights and Christmas songs that played in the shops and reminded me of Christmases past.
I hadn’t heard a peep from Rupert. I was definitely off his Christmas list, and he was off mine. I didn’t miss him, but the house was quiet living all by myself. I supposed I’d get used to it, and I enjoyed the luxury of having full control over the television remote, sleeping in the middle of the double bed, and eating chocolate for breakfast if I wanted to. And never again would I have to hide any clothes bargains I’d bought. I could hang them at the front of the wardrobe. So stuff Rupert!
Despite all my bravado about going it alone, and learning how to be a better secret agent, I did get a bit teary on Christmas Eve. I’d been curled up by the fire watching a film, one of those favourites that they show every December, and it made me feel sorry that I wasn’t part of a family or part of a couple at this time of year.
The night in the hotel in Glasgow with Alexavier seemed so long ago even though it wasn’t. I thought about what had happened. The kissing rather than climbing out the window.
In the back of my mind I was worried about him. No word. No word at all.
I padded through to the kitchen in my fluffy Santa slippers that I’d succumbed to in a sale, and put the kettle on for a cuppa and some toasted cheese. The cheese had browned nicely when I heard a car pull up outside the house. The headlamps shone through the window.
I turned the grill off and peered out and saw a car parked. Then I saw the tall figure of Alexavier dressed in a dark coat get out and walk up the path. He had some parcels with him and a couple of shopping bags. He’d been shopping?
I ran to the door to welcome him, relieved more than anything that he was back safe.
‘Whoa!’ he said as I threw a hug around him. Whatever wonderful location he’d been to, it must have been hot because he had a golden tan.
He kicked the snow off his shoes and stepped inside. ‘Something smells delicious.’
‘I’ve made toasted cheese,’ I said, feeling that cheese on toast sounded rather tame.
‘I haven’t had that in ages.’ He sounded enthusiastic.
‘I’ll get the tea then. Make yourself at home.’
I rustled up the tea and plenty of toasted cheese and carried it through on a tray to the lounge. I’d add two slices of Christmas cake.
He’d taken his coat and shoes off and was getting a heat by the fire. I put the tray down on the coffee table.
‘I love a real fire.’ He stretched his long legs out in front of it.
‘It was one of the reasons I bought this house. That, and the garden. It’s got a great garden.’
He appeared to be quite at home, though I’d always felt that the house did have a homely atmosphere.
He helped himself to a slice of toasted cheese.
‘Can you tell me where you’ve been? Or what you’ve been up to?’ I said.
He looked exceptionally fit. His dark jumper emphasised his broad shoulders and trim waist. The cheese on toast or the slice of Christmas cake wouldn’t make a dent. Alexavier was stunning.
He finished eating a mouthful of toast, took a sip of his tea and said, ‘I could tell you...but then I’d have to...’
He leaned over and gazed lovingly into my eyes.
‘...kiss you.’
And then he did. He kissed me again and again, and I knew that my wish to enjoy Christmas with Alexavier, snuggled up together, just the two of us, had come true.
Jenny the Jinx had gone. I was now Neve the secret agent, and dating Alexavier.
End
About De-ann Black
De-ann Black is a bestselling author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. Traditionally published for over 15 years.
She has over 40 books published, for adults (romance, crime thrillers, espionage/suspense novels) and children (non-fiction rocket science books, children's fiction and picture books).
Her books include Special Forces and crime thriller books - Electric Shadows, The Strife of Riley, Guile, and Moth to the Flame. Romantic comedies include - The Bitch-Proof Suit, The Bitch-Proof Bride, The Bitch-Proof Romance, The Cure For Love, The Tea Dress Shop At Christmas, Oops! I'm the Paparazzi, Oops! I'm Up To Mischief, Oops! I'm A Secret Agent, Oops! I'm A Hollywood Agent, Shopping For Men At Christmas and Shopping For Men.
De-ann's latest children's fiction books are: Secondhand Spooks - December 32nd, Faeriefied, and School for Aliens.
She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for the press for three years.
She is also a professional artist and illustrator. And photographer. Fabric design, and fashion, are part of her work.
Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years.
De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong, and Jiu Jitsu.
She splits her time between Scotland, Dublin and London.
Find out more at http://www.de-annblack.com
OOPS! I'M A SECRET AGENT (Romance) Page 7