Read Online A Vintage Christmas by Ali Harris - Free Book Online

asks.
    ‘With an affordable factory-made diffusion line...’ I smile.
    ‘Oh yes?’ Rupert says, sitting back in his chair and finally looking relatively relaxed. ‘Tell me more Evie...’

Chapter 5
    ‘... And that’s when I knew he was going to say yes!’ I finish my story and smile gleefully at my friends as I take a celebratory bite of a delicate pastry and a sip of tea.
    ‘You said yes?!’ shouts Iris (she’s going a bit deaf). ‘Evie, that’s fabulous news!’ Felix nudges her and shakes his head.
    ‘Not me, Iris,’ I explain slowly. ‘David. The shoe guy? He said yes to letting me take the vintage shoe! And now Rupert has just said yes to us stocking a collection of his. Isn’t that fantastic news?’
    I’m in Hardy’s quaint tearoom, with its deep burgundy walls that are covered in a cavalcade of signed black and whites of famous old movie stars who used to shop here, and dotted with pretty, vintage crystal wall lights. The floor is a chess board of original tiles, dark mahogany wood tables are scattered around the centre of the room as well as in the corners and beamed enclaves. Each one has a little table lamp that shines out a cheery welcome as soon as you walk in to the tea room. As does the vast array of pastries and cakes on the original 1930s counter – and of course, the smiles of Lily and Iris, the wonderful patrons of the tearoom. It has recently-and deservedly – been voted one of the best places for a traditional afternoon tea in London.
    I’ve just told Lily, Felix and Iris about my thrilling weekend away and exciting find but I seem to be getting a rather low watt response. I take another bite of my pastry before realising that no one has spoken yet. I look at my friends and inwardly groan as I see inquisitive smiles are being directed from their faces to mine – and then towards my (bare) wedding ring finger and I realise what the problem is. Ever since Sam and I got together Lily, Felix and Iris have been trying on hats from the Accessories department. They keep presuming each weekend or date night will precipitate the ‘big moment’, that he will ask me ‘The Question’. Their expectation is exhausting. They say they’re just excited because it’s rare for them to have an event other than a funeral to look forward to.
    ‘Well, that’s jolly good darling,’ Lily says at last, patting her chignon and then clasping her hands and laying them on her lap. She looks sideways at Felix and frowns at him before smiling back at me – slightly manically.
    I take a sip of tea. I thought they’d be more excited, especially Lily. She loves shoes. I lean down to my bag that’s sitting on the floor. I want to see if Sam has replied to the text I sent him earlier, telling him about my successful meeting. But the screen is blank. I sigh. I’m not going to see much of him this week because he’s shooting nights. I miss him already and am regretting how little time we actually spent together this weekend. Not that he minded, I know he was fine about it all. It’s just, well... I miss him. I slip my phone back into my bag. Around me I can sense much gesticulating of arms and mouthing of words, like a silent re-enactment of that old Typhoo advert – but with OAPs instead of apes.
    I hear more whispering, which stops as soon as I look up.
    ‘I for one can’t wait to see the shoes!’ Lily says carefully. ‘But you haven’t told us darling – did you and dear Sam have a relaxing weekend as well? I mean–’ a quick glance at her two chums ‘–it sounds like you were working for most of it! Was there any chance for any, you know, private moments, chats, declarations, any, you know, questions?’ I raise my eyebrow at her and she looks at me angelically – pale blue eyes an ocean of calm and innocence.
    ‘Plenty,’ I smile brightly. Lily raises her pencilled eyebrows. I can never pull the wool over her eyes. ‘Well, a few. Ok, work did take over somewhat, but Sam was fine, he