Read Online Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Abby Clements - Free Book Online
Authors: Abby Clements
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now. Wouldn’t take back a step. But the arguing? That wasn’t for me. Me and Jimmy were too young then, or maybe –’ she shrugged – ‘well, maybe I’m just not the settling kind.’
CHAPTER 6
Monday 27th November
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Hi Carter,
How are things? So it looks like I’m not going to be able to meet up with you after all. Long story, but I’m going to London for a couple of weeks with my family. Bad, because I’m missing out on stuff here – but good, because I’ve always wanted to see London, and I get a bit of time off school.
We can stay in touch though – if you want?
Mx
‘So it’s two weeks you’ll be gone?’ Diana asked.
Rachel was sitting in her neighbour Diana’s living room, on the sofa. Diana’s small dog Alfie was dozing on the window seat in a patch of winter sun. The cushions were perfectly plumped, the coffee table was polished to a shine and the air carried a whiff of vanilla air freshener. Diana herself was as neatly presented as her cottage, her blonde hair wound back into a French pleat, her slightly creased eyelids dusted with pale blue shadow, and her nails painted dusky pink. Rachel, in her jeans and woolly jumper, felt like a blot on her neighbour’s pristine landscape.
‘It all depends how quickly they find out what’s wrong with Bea. That’s how long Laurie will be up here, though.’
Diana looked unsettled by the news. ‘And are the kids OK?’
‘Yes. Zak’s absolutely fine – disappointed about missing his nativity play, but excited about our big adventure. It’s absolute packing chaos at home, though, he’s campaigning to take his bike.’ Rachel smiled. ‘And Milly – she’s come round. She was reluctant at first, said something about missing out on a party or something – but she’s always wanted to go to London.’
‘I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.’ Diana said.
‘It’s hard to tell sometimes,’ Rachel said, contemplatively. ‘I used to know exactly what Milly liked, but it seems to be changing so quickly. She’s at a mixed school now, of course, and I get this feeling that boys are rapidly taking over from horses.’
‘Anyone in particular?’
‘I don’t know,’ Rachel said. ‘Maybe. I’ve spoken to her about relationships and she’s told me in no uncertain terms that she won’t get “knocked up at nineteen” like I did.’ Rachel laughed. ‘Perhaps I should be grateful for that. She’s more ambitious than I ever was, that’s for sure.’
‘She’s a sensible girl,’ Diana said. ‘Well, anyway, I’ll miss you all. And of course I’ll be thinking of Bea.’
‘Hopefully they’ll get to the bottom of it soon. I’ve never seen her like this before, Diana. Aiden is stressed about it – and then he’s got a lot on at work at the moment too. He’ll be around for a couple of days still. But could you check in on Laurie? She’s not really … how can I put this … she’s not exactly much of a country girl.’
‘Of course. I’ll pop in. Let her know I’m only next door, if she needs anything. So you say the two of you went to school together?’
‘Yes. We’ve known each other for years. Met at secondary school back in Kent. But then, I don’t know. We drifted apart somehow – you know how it is. I moved here, had the kids, her career took off in London.’ Months seemed to speed past in a blur these days. ‘We’ve stayed in touch, the odd email here and there, though. Laurie’s Milly’s godmother actually.’
‘I’m surprised I haven’t met her before, then.’
‘It’s a long way to travel.’ Rachel defended her old friend. ‘I understand that it’s hard to get here. She’s really busy, works in fashion and always has these glamorous events to attend. But it sounds like she’s ready for a break now.’
‘Well, I look forward to meeting her,’ Diana said, cutting two slices of cake and passing one to Rachel.
‘You OK?’ Rachel
CHAPTER 6
Monday 27th November
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Hi Carter,
How are things? So it looks like I’m not going to be able to meet up with you after all. Long story, but I’m going to London for a couple of weeks with my family. Bad, because I’m missing out on stuff here – but good, because I’ve always wanted to see London, and I get a bit of time off school.
We can stay in touch though – if you want?
Mx
‘So it’s two weeks you’ll be gone?’ Diana asked.
Rachel was sitting in her neighbour Diana’s living room, on the sofa. Diana’s small dog Alfie was dozing on the window seat in a patch of winter sun. The cushions were perfectly plumped, the coffee table was polished to a shine and the air carried a whiff of vanilla air freshener. Diana herself was as neatly presented as her cottage, her blonde hair wound back into a French pleat, her slightly creased eyelids dusted with pale blue shadow, and her nails painted dusky pink. Rachel, in her jeans and woolly jumper, felt like a blot on her neighbour’s pristine landscape.
‘It all depends how quickly they find out what’s wrong with Bea. That’s how long Laurie will be up here, though.’
Diana looked unsettled by the news. ‘And are the kids OK?’
‘Yes. Zak’s absolutely fine – disappointed about missing his nativity play, but excited about our big adventure. It’s absolute packing chaos at home, though, he’s campaigning to take his bike.’ Rachel smiled. ‘And Milly – she’s come round. She was reluctant at first, said something about missing out on a party or something – but she’s always wanted to go to London.’
‘I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.’ Diana said.
‘It’s hard to tell sometimes,’ Rachel said, contemplatively. ‘I used to know exactly what Milly liked, but it seems to be changing so quickly. She’s at a mixed school now, of course, and I get this feeling that boys are rapidly taking over from horses.’
‘Anyone in particular?’
‘I don’t know,’ Rachel said. ‘Maybe. I’ve spoken to her about relationships and she’s told me in no uncertain terms that she won’t get “knocked up at nineteen” like I did.’ Rachel laughed. ‘Perhaps I should be grateful for that. She’s more ambitious than I ever was, that’s for sure.’
‘She’s a sensible girl,’ Diana said. ‘Well, anyway, I’ll miss you all. And of course I’ll be thinking of Bea.’
‘Hopefully they’ll get to the bottom of it soon. I’ve never seen her like this before, Diana. Aiden is stressed about it – and then he’s got a lot on at work at the moment too. He’ll be around for a couple of days still. But could you check in on Laurie? She’s not really … how can I put this … she’s not exactly much of a country girl.’
‘Of course. I’ll pop in. Let her know I’m only next door, if she needs anything. So you say the two of you went to school together?’
‘Yes. We’ve known each other for years. Met at secondary school back in Kent. But then, I don’t know. We drifted apart somehow – you know how it is. I moved here, had the kids, her career took off in London.’ Months seemed to speed past in a blur these days. ‘We’ve stayed in touch, the odd email here and there, though. Laurie’s Milly’s godmother actually.’
‘I’m surprised I haven’t met her before, then.’
‘It’s a long way to travel.’ Rachel defended her old friend. ‘I understand that it’s hard to get here. She’s really busy, works in fashion and always has these glamorous events to attend. But it sounds like she’s ready for a break now.’
‘Well, I look forward to meeting her,’ Diana said, cutting two slices of cake and passing one to Rachel.
‘You OK?’ Rachel
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