Chapter 43


    James returns with a tray, setting it on the table. “Who’s for coffee?”


    Richard shudders. “Not for me James.”


    “You can share mine,” offers Mitch, reaching for her teapot.


    Richard scowls at the peppermint-scented steam.


    James pours into a cup and saucer then offers it up. “Ryan?”


    “Thank you, yes.” Ryan sips at the coffee then freezes, staring at the tablecloth. “Fuck me. Is this what


    he drinks?”


    “’fraid so.”


    He res. “You could have warned me. It’s like fucking refrigerator cont.”


    Across the table, Mitch looks up to the mistletoe above the hearth. “Larry?”


    “Yes?” He looks in the right general direction, but nothing registers in his expression.


    Clueless…


    She casts eyes upward again, this time definitely eye-pointing.


    He shuffles in his seat. “Mitch, this isn''t really...”


    Mitch stands, cing herself squarely under the mistletoe, pats her lips with a forefinger. “I''m going to


    insist.”


    Larry’s mouth works and a flush rises up his neck…


    Way outside hisfort zone…


    … nheless, he stands, loops an arm around the lovely woman and kisses her lightly on the lips…


    … then grunts as shetches on like a limpet and pulls him in.


    Finally, he surrenders to the inevitable, and opens his mouth over hers in a real kiss. His embrace


    around her tightens…


    Famous film kisses… Rhett and Scarlet… Kate and Leonardo…


    They had nothing.


    Ryan watches them, his face indecipherable.


    Under the table, I slip fingers into his. “It’s something special they have, isn’t it.”


    Ryan nods slowly. He’s holding something in his other hand, turning it over and over in his fingers.


    “Marry me.”


    I must have misheard him. “Sorry, what was that?”


    He turns, his face alight, offering the something. “Marry me.” In his outstretched hand is the ring from


    Mitch’s cracker. “I’ll get you a real one, but for now…”


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    I swallow hard.


    “Kirstie, please take it.” He offers the ring to my left hand.


    All around me, silence has fallen. Every face is staring my way.


    I can’t get enough air.


    “Can I… think about it?”


    The light fades from his face. “Of course, you can.” He presses the ring into my palm, curling my


    fingers around it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to rush you.”


    “Who’s for cheese and liqueurs?” It’s James voice, bright and cheerful. Gratefully, I turn to him. “Kirstie,


    what would you like?” He holds up a bottle in either hand. “Brandy? Or port perhaps?”


    *****


    Ryan swishes brandy in his ss. “So, what has Santa brought you, Charlotte?” He speaks cheerfully,


    but it sounds forced. “I don’t see any new jewellery. I don’t smell perfume and you don’t have your nose


    stuck in a book.”


    Charlotte picks at a fingernail. “Um, with everything that happened, I don’t think…” But she’s cut short


    by Michael’s grin. Her lips part.


    James raises a forefinger. “I thought we woulde to that fairly soon. Charlotte, if you would like to


    release your death-grip on Cara for five minutes, Michael and I will show you your Christmas present.


    Your present from Richard and Beth too.”


    Her forehead crinkles.


    Michael kisses the top of her head. “It’s from all of us, Babe. Go put on some warm clothes. And boots


    and socks. Get yourself well wrapped.”


    Her eyes widen. “My boots?”


    “Plus thick woollens, scarf and gloves and a warm jacket,” says James.


    “But Cara…”


    Beth offers out her arms. “I’ll take her,” she says. She grins too, impishly. “It will be good practice for


    me.”


    “Aren’t youing?”


    Richardys a hand on Beth’s thigh. “I would prefer that Elizabeth stay warm and quiet indoors.”


    Charlotte’s head swings. “Is everyone in on the secret but me?”


    Her father shakes his head. “Not me. I’ll admit, I’m intrigued to know what you have given Jenny for


    Christmas.”


    Michael’s smile widens. “Come and see, then. Ryan? Kirstie?”


    Ryan knocks back his ss and stands. “Wouldn’t miss it.” He strides out to the hall, returning a


    momentter shrugging on his coat and carrying mine. “Get your jacket on, Kirstie.”


    He helps me on with it, offering it up from behind, and as I button up tightly, I slip the ring, still clutched


    in my hand, into my pocket.


    *****


    We make our way to the courtyard at the back of the house. A path cuts through, shovelled and cleared


    from the first fall of snow. Nheless, there is still a covering of a couple of inches over the ground


    and snowkes fall around us, brushing my nose like iced feathers.


    Michael grumbles, “I’m going to have to bloody well do this again, aren’t I…”


    “Yes, you are,” says James blithely. “But you opted for that instead of peeling vegetables, didn’t you.”


    Michael tugs his jacket around himself, scowling.


    We follow the path to an outbuilding. Mitch’s ‘apartment’ is next door, but this is…


    Charlotte’s face lights up. “The stable?” She spins on her two husbands, mittened palms raised to her


    cheeks. “Oh… You haven’t…”


    Richard clicks his tongue. “Oh, yes, they have.”


    From beyond the stable doores a nicker. I’ve never had much to do with horses, but I know


    animals well enough to recognise the sound of wee when I hear it. Charlotte dashes for the


    doorway, flinging back the bolts, hurling the top half-door back on its hinges.


    The horse inside pushes forward, shoving her head out and nosing against Charlotte.


    “Charlie! Oh, it''s Charlie! I thought she wasn''ting until the Spring.” Charlotte’s eyes are alight.


    “Thank you. Thank you!”


    James’ eyes are soft in a way I know is only for her. “We thought we''d move things up a bit for you.


    Merry Christmas, Green Eyes.”


    “Merry Christmas, Babe.”


    Larry sniffs, muttering. “Riding? Just after she''s had a baby?”