‘Aww, look at her,’ Liz said, fondly. ‘She says he reminds her of you two when you were little. She’d love to have more, Anthony.’
Anthony laughed. ‘Don’t look at me. She’ll have to make do with her dogs. Who’s looking after them, by the way?’
‘Arthur. I’m sure they’re shagging, you know.’
‘Oh my Lord! Don’t say that!’ Anthony put his hands over his ears. ‘Lalalalalalalala I can’t hear you. I’m not listening. Lalalalalalalala!’ Getting up, he went to join his mum on the dance floor.
Julian rolled his eyes at Liz and then looked at me. ‘Ever get the feeling your new boyfriend might need a bit of therapy?’
I winced. ‘What do you mean?’
‘He can’t let go of our dad’s memory.’ He got up and went to join everyone on the dance floor. Liz glanced at me and then, seeing my eyes had filled with tears, reached over and squeezed my hand. ‘Julian’s probably wrong. After all, who wants to imagine their sixty-five-year-old mother having a sexual relationship with the old gardener?’
I laughed, feeling better immediately. Anthony and Julian seemed to be having some kind of dance off with each other where they were both shaking their hips frantically from side to side. Liz turned to watch and shook her head. ‘Julian will put his back out if he’s not careful.’
I laughed. Anthony and Julian were funny. It was a shame they didn’t see more of each other.
More people came over to chat to me and Liz disappeared to put the children to bed. Anthony and Julian sat together, talking intently while their mum watched fondly from the seat opposite. A few couples got up to dance.
It was such a lovely evening. I couldn’t believe Anthony had ever described it as a ‘hideous family thing’.
Liz came back from their room with a baby monitor, which she placed on the table in front of Julian. He looked up at her and smiled, then took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. It was plain for everyone to see how much in love they were.
‘They make a lovely couple,’ Judy’s sister, Ruth, said to me. ‘I was at their wedding, you know. It was beautiful. They got married in the local church and then had the reception in a big marquee in the field at home. Lovely it was. They should hire it out as a wedding venue but Cath won’t.’ She shook her head sadly, then leaned across to talk to someone else before I could ask what she meant. Maybe she meant they’d got married here, in the castle. It would make a lovely wedding venue.
Anthony was dancing with his mother now. They were laughing together and I thought again how lovely he was. He twirled her around and she squealed and smacked him before pulling away, laughing, and going to sit down. Spotting me watching, he pointed at me and beckoned me over.
‘Come on, Miss Jones. You don’t get away that easily.’
He didn’t need to ask me twice. Putting his hands on my waist, he pulled me close against his body. Being so close to him made my head spin. He looked down into my eyes.
‘Are you having a nice time?’ he asked after a moment.
‘Yes, it’s lovely. Are you enjoying it?’
‘Yes, it is nice to catch up with people.’
‘Everybody loves you.’
‘Of course they do! I am me, after all.’ He smiled down at me. ‘Everybody loves you, too. Nobody can believe I’ve pulled such a fit bird. People have been asking me about you all night.’
‘Fit bird? Is that really how people are describing me?’ I arched an eyebrow at him.
‘Well, they actually used words like beautiful, graceful and elegant. They’re all really impressed that you’re a florist, too. Apparently, that’s like a superpower to these old ladies. Me? I’m just PC Boring. No use to anybody. They don’t even acknowledge I’m a detective. I’ve just had a twenty-minute conversation with someone about a parking ticket.’
I laughed. ‘They told me about that, too, so I don’t think it’s because you’re in the police. Anyway, floristry is a superpower. Our creations get used at all the important moments in life. Celebrations, proposals, weddings, births, deaths. Flowers make people happy. It’s a proven fact.’
‘And policemen don’t?’ His eyes twinkled as he looked down at me
‘You make me happy.’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘I do? How on earth do I do that?’
‘Just by being you.’ Heat flooded my body and I blushed red. I couldn’t express how alive he made me feel. Every moment I was with him felt special. It wasn’t just the fact that he looked and smelt divine, it was the way I felt connected to him. It sounded ridiculous when I considered the short time we’d known each other, but each time I tried to dismiss it, I felt it tugging at me like an invisible thread. And he was such a good person; so kind and honest and funny. I felt comfortable with him. He only had to brush past me and my head would spin. Even a casual touch of his hand made me tingle all over. He was magnetic and every cell in my body was attracted to him. ‘I’ve actually enjoyed living with you, you know. You’re surprisingly easy to be around.’
He smiled down at me, slightly bemused. ‘Why, thank you, Miss Jones.’
‘You’re welcome, Detective Inspector Bascombe.’
‘You don’t have to call me that. Remember, Sir will do.’ He whirled me around, laughing, and I found myself wishing this night could last for ever.
‘You make a lovely couple,’ Julian said, leaning over as he danced past with Liz. ‘Come on, Ant, pop the question. We need another wedding in the family.’
‘There will be no wedding, Jules. Now bugger off and dance with your wife.’ He gave his brother a playful shove and danced me away. ‘I can only apologise for my mad little brother. He’s obviously drunk.’
He started dancing me around and around so that I had to cling to him and keep my eyes on his to stay upright. I could feel his warm breath in my hair and the length of his body pressed against mine. It felt so incredibly intimate that I forgot about the rest of the room and all the other people around us. There was just us. Me and him. And it felt so right that I wished we could stay like this for ever.
Later on, after lots of drunken hugs and fond goodnights, we stole up the stone staircase to our turret bedroom.
Moonlight spilled in through the windows and neither of us switched on the light as the door closed softly behind us. Time seemed to stand still as I turned to look at him. His eyes fixed on mine as he leaned back against the door and casually pulled off his bow tie. Throwing it onto a chair, he pushed off from the door and walked slowly towards me until he was standing just a few inches away. I was almost as tall as him in my heels, our eyes on a level. He was careful not to touch me as he reached around and undid the back of my dress. Gently, he pulled the loosened material down my arms and body until the dress slipped to the floor, pooling around my feet. My pulse raced, and the only sound in the room was that of my ragged breathing as he kissed me tenderly on the lips before tracing a path down my throat with his hot breath and kissing my collarbone. I put my hands out to remove his jacket, but he pushed my hands away gently, smiling as he kissed my mouth again and undid my bra. My nipples puckered and tingled in the cool air and Anthony looked down, lips parted as he circled them with his thumb. Desire ripped through me and I reached for him again, this time succeeding in pushing his jacket from his shoulders as he bent to suck and lick a nipple. He walked me backwards to the bed and I felt the edge of it behind my thighs before I was suddenly lying on it in just my lacy pants. I gazed up at Anthony as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it behind him. His broad chest was pale in the moonlight and I was impatient to run my hands over it, to feel his skin against mine for the first time. Before I had time to reach for him, he grabbed my hips and pulled me to the edge of the bed, removing my pants with one fluid movement. His trousers dropped to the floor and then he was inside me, kissing my legs as he hooked them over his shoulders. I gasped with pleasure at the depth of penetration, gold stilettos bobbing as he thrust into me over and over. My whole body wa
s rigid and shaking as he got faster and faster. The sensation was almost unbearable and I let out a scream as a massive orgasm ripped through me.
‘No one’s ever made me scream before, Bascombe,’ I said afterwards, as he lay panting and breathless next to me on the bed. I stared up at the canopy above my head, still trembling slightly. ‘That was amazing.’
He rolled onto his side and grinned. ‘I liked that you kept your shoes on.’
‘You didn’t really give me chance to take them off. Is that your particular brand of kink? Shoes on during sex?’ Extending a leg, I rotated my ankle in the air.
He laughed. ‘I’ve never tried it before, but I did like your shoes. Not sure it would work with any others.’
‘Not wellies or fluffy slippers?’
‘We could try.’ He dropped a kiss on my shoulder before reaching for some water off the bedside table. I slipped off my shoes and climbed up the bed and beneath the sheets. I didn’t quite know what to expect next. The sex had been physically satisfying, but not very affectionate, and now I longed to be held. Maybe that was too much to ask, though? Maybe he didn’t do hugging and holding and romantic stuff like that.
As if reading my mind, Anthony got into bed and wrapped his arm around me. He kissed my ear and traced a hand over my breast, pinching my nipple. I squirmed against him. ‘Aren’t you tired?’
‘No. Are you?’ He pulled me closer into his body, nuzzling my hair.
I laughed and turned towards him. ‘Not at all.’
Chapter Sixteen
It was a strange journey home. It started off fine, but the closer we got to Chester, the more distant Anthony seemed to become. He wasn’t unpleasant or rude; it was subtler than that. More of a quiet withdrawal into his own head. I noticed little things, like less eye contact, longer silences, and a tense set to his jaw. Last night had been intense, and although he’d shown no signs of backing off this morning, I wondered if I’d been too affectionate and touchy-feely with him. Had I been too full-on? But then, he’d been affectionate with me, too. Lingering looks, an arm around my shoulder, a kiss on the cheek. He’d even held my hand when we walked in the garden with his mum.
Maybe I’d got on too well with his family. Julian and Liz had invited us up to visit in the New Year. Perhaps that had upset him?
I stayed quiet and watched the landscape from the car window, quietly building barriers around my heart to protect myself from the rejection that was sure to be coming my way. The trouble was, I knew it was too late. I’d fallen for him. Heartbreak was inevitable now.
We reached Chester at last and Anthony pulled into his parking spot. Covering his face with his hands, he groaned loudly before undoing his seatbelt.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Just tired.’ He inhaled deeply before climbing out and getting our bags from the boot. I felt a bit forlorn as we went up the steps to the front door and stepped inside.
‘Ah, here we are,’ I said. ‘Back to the no-dating zone.’
‘I don’t like your chances, Jones,’ Anthony yawned as he shut the door behind us. ‘I’m going to go to sleep for a bit. Are you coming?’
‘Oh, er… I should…I need to…’ He took my hand and pulled me to him, looking down into my eyes with an intensity that left me breathless. ‘Yes.’
He led me into his bedroom. The blinds were still drawn and the room was shadowy and dark. Kicking off his shoes, he sat down on his blue duvet and pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around my legs and kissing my stomach. I stroked his hair, feeling emotional as he blinked up at me, his blue eyes glistening in the darkness.
‘I like you, Jones.’
‘That’s good to hear, Bascombe.’
His hands moved down my legs and up beneath my skirt. I drew in a long breath as his fingers traced the lace outline of my pants. ‘Now, let’s get rid of these knickers, shall we?’
***
‘Did you have a nice weekend?’
‘Lovely, thank you.’ I smiled happily as I refilled the water in the buckets for the flowers.
Bobbi eyed me suspiciously as she took off her coat, and then she stopped and gasped. ‘You didn’t?’
‘I didn’t what?’ I turned to look at her in confusion.
‘You did, didn’t you!’ A delighted smile spread across her face. ‘You dirty dog!’
‘Dirty dog? Excuse me!’
Bobbi laughed loudly. ‘Tell me, tell me, tell me!’
‘What? There’s nothing to tell!’ I started to laugh.
‘Oh yes, there is! I can see it on your face. You’re all glowy and excited. Rachel’s in love, Rachel’s in love!’
‘Shhhh!’ I looked around, embarrassed by her outburst. ‘I am not in love!’ I lied. ‘We’re taking things slowly.’
‘How slowly?’
I flushed, thinking about how deliciously slowly he’d taken things last night, before forcing my mind down a less X-rated path. ‘Listen, I met his family, okay, at the ball he took me too, and they were all really lovely. The whole thing was pretty amazing. We danced and kissed and stuff, but it’s no big deal.’
‘How can you say that?’ Bobbi squealed. ‘This is a huge deal!’
Laughing, I shook my head and tried not to agree with her. ‘We’re adults. It’s Christmas. We’re having fun. Oh, and that reminds me, are you sure you’re not coming for Christmas dinner? There will be huge amounts of food and we’d love it if you and your family would join us.’
‘Oh no! We couldn’t, but thank you.’
‘Well, if you change your mind, even on Christmas morning, just turn up. I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow already.’
‘I know, it’s flown by.’ Bobbi looked glum. ‘I know it’s sad, but I’ll miss coming in to work. This is what keeps me going.’
‘It is?’ I was ridiculously touched until I realised it shouldn’t be like that for her. Home should be a refuge, not somewhere you escape from. ‘How’s your mum?’
‘Not good.’
‘And your brother?’
‘He’s okay, I think.’ She bit her lip and blushed. ‘Er, Rachel. I checked my bank account and there’s too much money in there. I think you must have overpaid me.’
‘No, I haven’t,’ I said, cheerfully. I’d been wondering when she was going to ask me about the money. ‘I told you it was your Christmas bonus.’
Bobbi laughed. ‘Well, I think there’s been a mistake somewhere and you’ve put a couple of extra noughts on the amount you transferred. You gave me a thousand pounds, Rachel! I was only expecting a tenner.’
I turned to look at her and smiled. ‘Yes, a thousand’s right. I came into a bit of money recently so you get some, too. Like I said, it’s your Christmas bonus, but don’t expect that amount every year because I probably won’t have it again!’
Bobbi stared at me for a moment and then burst into tears. I blinked in surprise. ‘Don’t cry!’ I said, shoving a box of tissues into her hand. ‘What’s the matter/’
‘I’m sorry,’ she snuffled. ‘It’s just so kind. And it’s such a relief. Thank you so much. I saw it in my account and I thought I’d have to give it back, and then I started thinking about having that much money and what it would mean. I never expected to be able to keep it. Are you sure, Rachel? Are you really sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure. It’s yours and I don’t want to hear another word about it. On one condition, though.’
‘What’s that?’
‘That you go back to college in the New Year. Is the foodbank open on another day?’
‘Well, yes, but only when I’m at work. Besides, I’ve got this money now. That will help.’
I nodded. ‘Well, it won’t last for ever. And if you do find you still need the foodbank, you can have time off to go. I think Mum’s going to buy you a rail pass to get to and from college, too, so that should help.’
‘I can’t believe you’re being so kind to me.’ More tears welled in Bobbi’s
eyes and I had to swallow hard not to cry too.
‘Why? Because I’m usually so horrible?’
‘No!’ Bobbi laughed. ‘But you don’t have to do this for me! You’ve already given me a job that means the world to me.’
‘Come here.’ I gave her a hug. ‘You’re not just an employee. You’re my friend, too, and I hate to see you struggle with all this on your own. I know this doesn’t fix everything, but if it helps a little bit then that makes me happy. And if you need anything else, just ask, okay?’
It was a bitterly cold day. Mum came in to help prepare the flowers for Emily’s wedding and we all huddled inside the shop in our Christmas jumpers and cardigans, singing along to Christmas carols on the CD player.
Customers were in and out all day, and when we weren’t serving, we were in the back making up Emily’s wedding flowers. Mum had taken a real shine to Pamela and was taking an extra-special interest in the flowers to make sure they were perfect. And they did look beautiful when they were done. The roses were a deep, rich shade of burgundy and looked breathtaking against the white lisianthus and green foliage. I found a tiny red bud and bound it to a small green sprig as a tiny buttonhole for baby Ava. They didn’t have to use it if they didn’t want to, but it did look super-cute. I really wished I could be at this wedding, watching the bride walk up the aisle, but there was no chance I’d be able catch a glimpse this time. Dave had hired another van, so he’d be delivering the wedding flowers the next morning.
Christmas Eve seemed to flash by. We closed the shop at one and went out for lunch. Then Bobbi went home on the bus and Mum went back to Dad. Anthony was working all day, so I baked some chocolate muffins and decorated them with Rudolph noses and pretzel antlers before laying the table for the following day. I put the presents under the tree and watched a Christmas film, all while willing Anthony to come back from work. He didn’t come back until late, though, tired from watching hours of CCTV footage. He seemed stressed about the case he was working on at the moment. I made his tea and massaged his shoulders as he lay on the sofa.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Page 21