Love Happens Here

by Clare Lydon

  “Because then it wouldn’t have been a surprise, would it?” Holly grinned at me. “Plus, I still had to go home for this morning. But this was the perfect solution, so well done to your mum.”

  “She’s a sly one, I’ll give her that.”

  Holly laughed. “She’s a good one,” she said, kissing me again. “Then I just had to work on my mum. But when I told her she didn’t have to cook and that she’d have her own room for the night, she was surprisingly okay with it. Especially when I reminded her she liked your mum. It was almost like what I wanted on my birthday counted for something. Wonders will never cease.”

  I pursed my lips. “And how was she about us?”

  Holly let out a bark of laughter. “Pretty much like everyone else — at last, etc.”

  “Wow, we were really slow to catch on, weren’t we?”

  Holly moved her head side to side. “Some were a little slower than others,” she said, her voice sing-song.

  I poked her in the ribs. “Alright smart-arse.” Then I kissed her again, long and slow. When I pulled back, she had her lopsided grin pasted on her face.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of kissing your lips,” she said, before pausing. “And no, I can’t believe these things are coming out of my mouth either.”

  I smiled. “Don’t worry, I was just thinking the same thing.” I paused. “Happy birthday, by the way.”

  “Thanks, gorgeous,” Holly said, before kissing me again.

  And then my mum walked in, clapping her hands to announce her arrival. “Okay lovebirds, enough of that!”

  We untangled ourselves and turned to see Mum and Gina smiling at us, dressed in identical grey jumpers.

  “Why are you dressed the same?” Holly asked, before covering her mouth. “Shit, those are our presents, aren’t they?”

  “Not that they’re not lovely, but was it buy one, get one free by any chance?” Mum was smiling as she said it. “They’re ever so soft though, aren’t they Gina?”

  Gina put her sleeve to her face. “Like a baby’s bum,” she confirmed.

  I started to laugh, as did Holly.

  “Okay, in our defence, these were bought weeks ago and I never expected you to be opening them together. They were bought before we were even together,” I said.

  “We believe you, thousands wouldn’t,” Gina replied.

  “They look great on you both, though,” Holly said, styling it out.

  I nodded to back her up. “Really good.”

  Mum gave Gina a nod. “Okay, we can take them off now. I think we’ve embarrassed our daughters enough.” They chuckled as they took the jumpers off and put them on the sideboard.

  Mum clapped her hands again to grab our attention. “Right, this is now officially operation Christmas and I need turkey carvers, vegetable carriers, potato wenches and all sorts of other jobs that I can’t think of funny names for right at this moment. You in?”

  I gave Mum a salute. “At your service, captain.”

  Christmas dinner was delicious, with Mum working her magic as she always did. As for Gina, well she really came out of her shell after her third glass of wine, telling us this was the best Christmas she’d had in years, and Holly agreed. When Mum invited them again for the following year, I thought Gina might sob with happiness.

  And now Mum, Gina, Gran and Ellen were in the lounge watching Love Actually, while Holly and I had just finished clearing up the kitchen. Now she was pulling me up the stairs, into my bedroom, the one where we’d shared so many times as teenagers.

  Only now, things were slightly different.

  Holly sat me on the bed and then presented me with my present — it was a beautiful watch from Michael Kors.

  “I love it,” I told her, turning it over in my hand before putting it on my wrist. “Thank you.” I tilted my head upwards and she leaned down and kissed me. “Is this what you bought me that day in town?”

  Holly’s cheeks coloured red. “I might have gone back and exchanged it for something a little more extravagant after what happened,” she said.

  “That’s not in the rules,” I replied, smiling. “And there was me, thinking I’d fallen for someone who could be trusted.”

  “You didn’t change yours?”

  I shook my head. “No, but I did buy you a bigger birthday present instead.”

  Holly rubbed her hands together and sat down beside me. “And have I told you, I can’t wait to make some new Christmas memories in this bed tonight,” she whispered in my ear.

  I laughed as my ears turned red. “With both our mums in the house — ideal.”

  “It’ll test your stealth powers,” she replied, nibbling my earlobe.

  “Anyway,” I said, standing up and brushing Holly off. “Your presents. Here’s what I bought in Selfridges that day.” I put the present in her hands.

  Holly ripped it open and gave me a broad smile when she uncovered her new bag. “Just what I wanted. How did you know?”

  I laughed. “I’ve no idea, apart from all those hints you kept dropping.”

  She reached out and grabbed my hand. “I love it, it’s so soft.” She stroked the leather. “Nearly as soft as your bum.”

  “That’s the criteria I gave to the salesperson, so I’m glad you think so.”

  Then I leaned down with the jewellery box in my hand. “And this is for your birthday. I was going to drive over to yours tomorrow and surprise you, but no need for that now.” I was inches from her face, looking into her deep green eyes. “Happy birthday.” I kissed her and waited for her to open the gift.

  This time, she was slow and considered, carefully undoing the Sellotape and then opening the box. When she saw the silver key necklace, she drew in a huge breath. Then she looked up at me, an epic smile splitting her face.

  “It’s perfect,” she said. “Thank you.” She put the necklace on straight away, then stood up and pressed her lips to mine. It was a wordless kiss, but it communicated the promise of so much more.

  “Happy birthday, baby,” I said. “And can I say, I’m so glad you’re my Christmas girlfriend.”

  Holly smiled. “You do know that a girlfriend is for life though, right? Not just for Christmas? You can’t leave me on the street in a month when you get bored of me.”

  “You better find a way to keep me interested then.”

  “I’ve got some ideas,” she said, raising one eyebrow before pressing her hand between my legs.

  I jolted in surprise.

  “Girls, are you coming down?”

  We both jolted this time. It was my mum, shouting up the stairs.

  I rolled my eyes. “Be there in a minute!” I shouted. “And why does being in my room make me feel like we’re 15 again? Tonight is going to be very weird.”

  “I can do weird too, if you want,” Holly said, laughing.

  I pulled her out on to the landing and she followed me down the stairs. I’d had a cheesy grin on my face most of the day and it was still there because today had been perfect, a Christmas surrounded by everyone I really loved. As we walked down the stairs, I could see flakes of snow falling outside the window.

  “It’s snowing!” I shrieked, rushing to the door and flinging it open. “It’s snowing!” I repeated over my shoulder to Holly.

  She walked up behind me, peered outside and then shut the door. “Yes, and it’s freezing,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the lounge.

  We pushed open the door to be greeted by Mum, Gran and Ellen letting off party poppers, and standing in front of them was Gina. She was holding a chocolate sponge birthday cake for Holly, lit with 28 candles. They began a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ and Holly looked bashful, all 6-foot-2 of her. When the song was done, she blew out the candles and we all clapped.

  “Speech!” Gran said, wolf-whistling through her teeth.

  Holly gave me an alarmed look.

  “What?” I asked. “Whistling is one of Gran’s super-powers.”

  “Very handy in a street f
ight too,” Gran added helpfully.

  Holly let out a nervous laugh.

  “If you’re not going to do a speech, I hope you at least made a wish before blowing out all of those candles,” Gran continued.

  “I hope you did too, love,” Gina said, smiling at her daughter.

  Holly’s gaze, however, wasn’t on Gran or her mum, but rather it was focused on me. She walked over to me and put an arm around my shoulders.

  “So did you make a wish?” I asked.

  Holly shook her head, before putting her mouth to my ear. “No need, they already came true.”

  I spluttered before looking up at her. “What did I say about you and your sweet talk?”

  “That I’m the best at it?” she asked.

  “You’re a world beater,” I replied.

  * * *

  THE END

  * * *

  Want more Tori & Holly? There’s a six-part All I Want series. Read All I Want For Valentine’s today!

  Chapter 1

  Caitlin knocked on the shiny blue door.

  Her heart covered its eyes.

  Defeat reclined on her tongue.

  In an ideal world, she wouldn’t be anywhere near her old flat. However, ideal had long since left the building.

  Footsteps stomped down the stairs.

  Caitlin pushed her shoulders back and stood as tall as she could.

  The door swung open.

  Dot’s frame slumped, her lips parted. She swept some hair from her eyes. “What the?” were her ex’s first two words. Followed by a shake of her head, then a slam of the door.

  Caitlin hitched her bag higher up her shoulder.

  That went well.

  She knocked again.

  “Fuck off, Cait.” Dot’s tone was razor sharp, not blunted by the two inches of wood between them.

  “Dot.”

  “You’re supposed to be on a plane to Mexico according to social media.”

  Caitlin was all too aware. “I know. But the flight got cancelled, and they’ve told us to turn around and wait for further instructions. I can’t go back to Sasha’s, so I hoped you’d let me stay for a few days.” She raised her voice, hoping it would reach through the door. “I’m throwing myself on your mercy.” The reality of that sank in. Caitlin truly was desperate. It was Dot or bust. “I’m literally begging you. I get that this is as far from ideal as we could possibly wish for. But you’re my last hope. Plus, you’re the nicest person I know. You always were.”

  Caitlin started counting to ten. Dot always needed time to process.

  When Caitlin hit eight, the door opened slowly. This time, it stayed open.

  Dot was wearing a violet T-shirt Caitlin didn’t recognise. Her arms were folded.

  Caitlin didn’t blame her. If the situation was reversed, hers would be, too.

  “I am nicer than you. You’re damn right. But there’s no reason to be nice to you. You don’t deserve it.” Dot’s face was set in stone.

  “I know.” Caitlin wasn’t lying. It was the plain truth. “I don’t deserve it. But that was before we started living in a global pandemic.”

  “You really think I should let you stay here? After what happened?”

  Caitlin dropped her head. “I know I don’t have a leg to stand on, but there’s a virus on the loose which means I can only be outside for an hour a day. Government orders.” She tried a glimmer of a smile, hoping it wasn’t too soon. “It’ll only be for a few days. Just until my flight gets rescheduled.”

  Dot’s knuckles whitened as she clutched the edge of the door. “I can’t say no, can I? Where would you go? Your mother’s?”

  A shiver ran through Caitlin. “She’s my only other option.” She’d sat on the bench at the airport with phone in hand, staring at her mum’s number. She couldn’t call it. She couldn’t call Dot’s either. Caitlin had figured showing up was her only option.

  Dot dropped her head, then raised it. “Have you eaten?”

  As if on cue, Caitlin’s stomach rumbled. “Nope. Not since,” she checked her phone, “yesterday when I had a shitty prawn sandwich from Boots.”

  Dot gave her a look. “How many times do I have to tell you? Boots is a chemist, not a food shop.” She paused. “I was going to order a curry.”

  Caitlin’s favourite. She smiled. “Does that mean I can stay?”

  Dot scowled. “On the sofa.” She held up a peremptory finger. “Just for a few days.”

  Caitlin nodded, gripping the handle of her suitcase. “Of course.” She picked it up. She wouldn’t have to go to her mum’s. She could kiss Dot, but that would be inappropriate, seeing as they’d split up two months ago. Boundaries were what Dot had accused her of lacking. Caitlin was determined to show she could respect hers.

  “You know what else?” She scanned the top of Dot’s dark, thick head of hair. “I can cut your hair.” Okay, perhaps she needed to work on the boundaries. But Dot’s undercut was half-cut. The rest of her hair was plain drunk.

  “And there was me thinking lockdown couldn’t get worse.”

  “Thank you, again.” Caitlin wanted to press home how much she appreciated this. “Having just spent a month on Sasha’s sofa, I couldn’t go back there. I’d already outstayed my welcome.”

  Dot gave her a knowing smile. “I bet.”

  “I picked up after myself!”

  “For the first two days?”

  Caitlin smiled. “First five at least. I was on my best behaviour.” She sighed. “But there was a deadline, so Sasha put up with it, being my best mate. However, going back might have pushed her and Molly over the edge.” Caitlin took a bite of her rogan josh. It was still the best she’d ever tasted.

  “This is like old times, isn’t it?” She glanced up at Dot. When they first moved to this flat, they’d eaten curry every week from the same restaurant round the corner. Always at this table, with a bottle of red. Tonight, Dot had magicked up a Merlot.

  “Almost,” Dot agreed, chewing on a garlic naan. “But we’re not screaming at each other, so it’s a little better.”

  “Really old times.”

  “You’ve got your Valencia filter on.”

  Maybe. But after the 48 hours she’d had, Caitlin was allowing herself the luxury. It was an act of supreme self-care.

  She glanced at her phone. March 22nd. She should be in Mexico, sipping margaritas by the pool, before starting her job in New York as a writer for a TV network. Instead, she was sitting at the table where she and Dot had broken up. She winced as she recalled the volume of that interaction. It had been loud.

  “I was meant to be in Cancun sunning myself right now.” Reality slapped her round the face. “It was meant to be a stepping stone between my old life and my new. A chance to brush away any last-minute doubts. Or submerge myself in them, depending on how many cocktails I drank.”

  Dot knitted her brows together. “You had doubts?”

  “Of course I had doubts.”

  “About the job or about us?”

  Caitlin gulped. “Both.”

  Dot stared at her hard, then shook her head. “Whatever. But you’re not the only one whose plans have been trashed. I was meant to be in Venice, eating delicious pasta and paying a fiver for a coffee.”

  Caitlin raised an eyebrow. Dot had arranged a holiday? That was unlike her since she had only recently started running her own business. Was she going alone? Caitlin’s nerve endings rippled. If she wanted a roof over her head, it wasn’t her place to ask. She chewed a mouthful of curry before she replied, swallowing down all her questions.

  “Who was looking after the business?”

  “Nobody. I was taking a break, like you always told me to.”

  The irony wasn’t lost on Caitlin. Dot would never take a break when they were together. “Things have certainly changed since I left.”

  Dot held her gaze. “Maybe they needed to.” She shook her head. “But I don’t want to talk about us because there isn’t an us anymore.” Dot’s blue eyes gave not
hing away.

  “Right.” Caitlin deserved that. “I know this is weird, me being here. After everything.” She’d rather be in Mexico, but with borders closing and flights grounded, it wasn’t going to be possible. For now, she was stuck here. “But I have an idea.”

  Dot looked sceptical.

  Caitlin clicked her tongue before she spoke. “How about we pretend we’ve just met. A clean slate. We’re just two people spending a few days together. We could see it as an all-inclusive holiday.”

  “With one of those breakfast buffets like we had in Cuba?” They’d gone to an all-inclusive there a year ago. Their last big holiday and it’d been glorious.

  Caitlin shrugged. “If you like.”

  “One problem. We don’t have any staff to wait on us.”

  “Shall we take it in turns? I’ll do tomorrow.” Caitlin checked her watch. “Are the shops still open?”

  Dot frowned. “Maybe the little ones.”

  Caitlin jumped up. The last two months had been one long shit-show. Moving out of here when it had all got too much. Sleeping on Sasha’s lumpy sofa. She didn’t want to spend the next few days treading on egg shells and rehashing the past. She just wanted to relax. She and Dot were meant to be on holiday. They should live like they were.

  “What if I find you really annoying?”

  Caitlin put a hand on her hip. “Turn on your Valencia filter. I know you have it somewhere.” She grabbed her bag. “I’m going to buy more wine. Also, stuff for blueberry and banana pancakes in the morning. We’ll make fresh coffee and drink bad Cava. I know they sell that at the shop.”

  From the look on Dot’s face, she was still processing. Caitlin was used to it. She made a move before Dot came up with reasons this wouldn’t work.

  “Caitlin!”

  She swivelled and walked back to the kitchen. “Yes?” Dot’s cheekbones were still stunning. Could still be used to cut bread.

  “Can you get me a Twix, too?”