Read Online One Wish In Manhattan (A Christmas Story) by Mandy Baggot - Free Book Online

yet?’
    Tony’s Italian-Brooklyn accent managed to get a smile from him.
    ‘Has papa started serving fries with those pizzas?’
    ‘That’s low, man.’
    ‘You started it.’ He looked out at the lights of the city, finally feeling an internal thaw.
    ‘Listen, you up for something tonight? I’m cooling my heels and fancy heating them up a little.’
    ‘Things not go so well with the Pole?’
    ‘Tonight’s a brand new adventure just waiting to happen, man.’
    Oliver smiled, loosening off his tie. ‘Give me an hour.’
----
    Brooklyn Bridge, New York
    ‘Can we stop? Please! Can we stop, Uncle Dean?’
    Angel had had her face pressed against the darkened windows of the limo since they’d left JFK Airport. As predicted, Rita had called Dean, probably in the advert breaks of The Chase , and given him all the details of their flight. They’d been made to feel like felons having their photos and fingerprints taken before they were allowed into the country, then Dean had been waiting in the arrivals lounge, their names in Sharpie on a cardboard sign bordered in red tinsel. Why he’d thought he needed a sign Hayley didn’t know but it had made Angel squeal with excitement and Hayley’s stomach had fluttered with a mix of longing and love for her brother as he’d gathered her up in a hug befitting of a missing relative found on Surprise Surprise . After an almost eight hour flight and looking rough, the last thing she wanted was to be stood next to Holly Willoughby.
    Angel had been wrestled up onto Dean’s shoulders only until he realised just how much she’d grown since his last visit home. He’d dropped her down to the ground, clasped her hand instead and led the way outside. A sea of yellow taxis had greeted them and a line of weary travellers waiting their turn for a ride. The limousine waiting for the Walker party was a welcome sight although Hayley was never going to admit that to her mother.
    ‘Gabe, can you pull over?’ Dean called to the driver. ‘My niece wants to stop.’
    ‘Sir, I wouldn’t recommend doing that. Some of the other drivers told me the cops are getting hot on cars that pull over on the bridge.’
    ‘It’s OK, Dean. She doesn’t need to see everything this second. We can walk the bridge tomorrow or something,’ Hayley said.
    ‘No, Mum. I want to see it now. Please, Uncle Dean!’
    ‘Pull it over, Gabe. We see a cop car, we’ll jump back in and outrun them like an episode of Blue Bloods . How does that sound?’ He grinned at Angel and offered his hand for a high five.
    Hayley watched their hands connect, the utter joy taking over her daughter’s features. This was all so exciting for her. Seeing New York for the very first time was special. It was Angel’s first moments here, ones she would remember forever. Just like she had. The smell of the city – it’s living, breathing heart, its electricity – the feeling that you were right in the midst of something that was constantly evolving. She’d stood on the Brooklyn Bridge at eighteen with her whole life stretching out before her. Wishes, dreams, a blank canvas to fill up any way she chose. She remembered stretching her arms above her head and feeling the breeze filter through each finger. Freedom, a foreign country, dollars in her pocket and a few weeks of indulgence before she knuckled down to college. And then there was that one night, way too much vodka and a Belgian called Michel.
    The car pulling to a stop made Hayley come to. Angel was already tugging at the door handle before the brakes had fully engaged.
    ‘Wait, Angel. You have to be careful.’ She had visions of Angel stepping into traffic and being mown down. ‘There are a lot more cars here than at home.’
    Angel let out a hiss of annoyance. ‘I’m not sure that’s actually true. Most people here use the subway.’
    ‘OK, Miss Smarty Pants, have it your way. Fly out of there, but be prepared to get up close and personal with a van load of Krispy