Hearing Tom’s voice resonate through the hall, Nell jumped and turned to Cat in panic. For some reason, she brushed down her jumper and retied her hair in a ponytail. Pointless really, because Tom had seen her in far worse states than this. ‘Hi,’ she said with a strange little wave, her voice unusually high and squeaky. Seeing his face with fresh eyes and a heart that finally knew itself, she realised just how attractive he was. It was almost as if, because they’d begun as friends, she’d taken his face and personality for granted. Seeing him now sent a shock through her that tingled her fingers.
‘Hey,’ Kieran replied, giving Tom the side eye. The weight of the world seemed to be pressing on Tom’s shoulders and his eyes were tired and dark.
‘Hey, Tom,’ Nell said again. Even saying his name felt different on her tongue. In his arms he carried the beautiful arches he’d created with fir branches, baubles, tinsel and strategically placed bits of holly because they didn’t want to stab anyone.
Finally, Tom realised she’d been speaking to him. ‘Hey, you. You okay? Nervous?’
‘Yeah, really nervous.’ She brushed her hair behind her ear.
She felt like an awkward teenager. Her world had shifted like a tectonic plate causing an earthquake. His face seemed different tonight. She saw his kind eyes that now held her spellbound; hair the colour of wet sand that she’d never thought about running her fingers through and now couldn’t think of anything else; a smile that she’d seen a million times but now started a fire in her belly. How had she not seen him for so long?
‘It’s going to be fine,’ he said, nudging her and together they began to decorate Holly Lodge.
But as the day moved on, even with Christmas bells ringing out through the music, and the taste of sugar and spice to keep them going, something was clearly off. Nell had tried to be normal around Tom and he’d been his usual self, but he’d been overly cheerful and somewhat preoccupied. Once everything was done, the boys used one of the hotel rooms to change in and Nell and Cat used her flat.
‘There,’ Cat said, pinning Nell’s hair up and fiddling with a little bit so it curled down. She stood back and placed her hands on Nell’s shoulders before kissing the top of her head. ‘You look gorgeous.’
Nell had given herself a swipe of red lipstick to go with her silvery, long-sleeved maxi dress and high heels. Standing up, she took a moment to enjoy the feel of the dress as it swished around her ankles. Cat looked super chic in black, wide-legged trousers and a cute, black wrap-top. When she stood back with her hands in her pockets, she looked like a model with her long pastel-pink hair hanging loose about her face. ‘I can’t believe your mum wanted you to wear that awful shapewear stuff. You look amazing just as you are.’
‘Wants, not wanted. She’s still going on about it and the dress she’s hoofed me into isn’t exactly forgiving. But let’s not talk about it tonight, okay? Tom and Kieran are waiting upstairs, and tonight is a special one for you.’
The sudden thump of loud music pounded on the ceiling and the deep base note of a classic Christmas bop-along summoned them upstairs. Nell’s stomach fizzed with excitement. Tonight was definitely the night to tell Tom how she felt. Everything about it felt right and that enchanting Christmas magic was in the air. Mr Scrooge was asleep on her bed having had an extra-large meal of cat food and Nell could hear him purring in his sleep. With a quick tickle behind his ear, she said, ‘Let’s go then. I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited.’
They exited the flat and walked through the kitchen. Niall was there, putting the finishing touches to an array of buffet food and classic Christmas treats. The steel surfaces were covered in all manner of delights: platters of salmon blinis, tiny puff pastry cheese bites, cocktail sausages in different sauces. There were Christmas-tree-shaped cookies, mince pies with pastry snowflakes on top, platters of truffles and piles of profiteroles. He looked up from adding fiddly bits of gold leaf onto some truffles.
‘Ladies, you look gorgeous. I hope you’ll save me a dance later.’ He winked at them, but having worked with him for a while now, Nell knew he was just friendly and not flirting.
‘If you’re lucky,’ Cat replied and stole a truffle from one of the plates giving Niall a wink as she did so. All Nell’s feelings of ease and assurance began to fade. Niall laughed and went back to placing on the gold leaf, while Nell shuffled Cat out of the kitchen. Hopefully, she was just being friendly back.
As they climbed the stairs, Nell saw Tom at the top. He had a suit on, which wasn’t like him at all, but it fitted his tall frame well. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, chatting to Kieran. When his eyes fell on Nell, her heart fluttered like a butterfly fighting a strong breeze as he gave her a comedy double-take. She climbed the last few steps but at the very top the long skirt caught, and she crashed forwards headfirst into Tom’s chest.
‘Ooomph!’ Tom exclaimed as she collided into him. ‘Steady there.’
‘It’s these bloody shoes.’ She righted herself and looked down at the sweet silver T-bar heels she’d chosen. They were striking, but having got used to running around in trainers all the time, she’d forgotten how hard heels were to walk in. Tom laughed and she felt herself blush. ‘Not very elegant, am
