As Mum went into it all, my mind was officially blown. TOO many revelations.

So many that I needed some fresh air to sort my head out. And to try and stop myself freaking out that there was still no sign of Woody. At least I knew Ruby was going to die when I told her the Elle news.

But as I walked, I had to face up to two things. The news about Elle wasn’t making me feel happy like I should.

And I’d left my phone back in the fridge.

And both were Woody’s fault. He’d made me feel rubbish. Again. And I hated myself for letting it happen. But my feet were feeling sappy and walked down the path toward the village hall. The spot where we had our first kiss. Our magical mistletoe moment.

But wait.

In the total dark of the cut-through, big walls either side, I could hear someone moving about. There was a shape in the shadow… A person-shaped shape. I stopped to be certain…but…yes! There was definitely something strung up over the little wire that hung all year ’round.

Mistletoe?!

Someone had put some up extra early!

All my peering out of the window had trained me for this moment. I’d recognize that jacket anywhere.

It had to be Woody!

Yes! Well done, feet! I take it all back. Maybe he’d seen the FOR SALE sign and wanted to go extra big?

I put my finger to my lips, shushing Colin, and stepped forward as quietly as I could, fishing out some emergency chewing gum.

My heart was pounding. Was I going to be able to act the right level of surprised? Was I going to be any good at kissing after so long? Was I just going to faint and potentially squash Colin?!

Every bit of me was on hyperalert—even my knees knew something massive was about to happen.

At least I’d planned out some pretty excellent and exciting conversation topics.

But, no.

What was that?

Another figure had just turned into the alleyway.

I froze. Should I hang back until they’d gone? I didn’t want anything ruining this moment.

But as they got nearer, Woody stepped back.

A slither of the streetlight lit up his face—he was smiling.

And right where I’d had the best kiss of my life, they started to have theirs.

With every second, my heart broke even more. “Holly?”

That’s all he said. Like I was the one in the wrong for being here.

Colin had barked at the exact wrong moment.

And even though they’d both turned around, I couldn’t do anything other than stand and stare.

I’d honestly thought we were getting back together. I’d thought today would be the day.

“What are you doing here?” Woody looked shocked to see me. The girl just looked confused. Gorgeous and confused.