‘How about we check into a hotel?’ I tried. ‘How about we go to a nice hotel in Peterborough for the weekend and make the most of the next couple of days.’

‘I suppose we could,’ he shrugged, looking about him. ‘Anything would be better than staying here.’

I bit my lip and nodded.

‘It would be cramped in here with the three of us,’ I said tightly.

Four if Beamish turned up. Even just the thought of Beamish turning up made my stomach roll again, but not in a good way. I hoped there were enough trees in town to keep him occupied until his rugby match. The last thing I needed was him and Jonathan running into each other. Then I really would have some explaining to do.

‘I’ll get changed and grab a few things,’ I said quickly. ‘Then I’ll go and tell Dolly what’s happening and we can leave right away.’

Jonathan pulled his phone out of his pocket.

‘I’ll see if I can get us a room somewhere,’ he said, still sounding a little sulky.

‘You won’t get a signal in here,’ I reminded him, ‘best wait until we’re on our way.’

He threw his phone down on the table and huffed.

‘I really don’t understand what you see in this place,’ he scowled. ‘I just don’t get it at all.’

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

‘Here you are, at last,’ said Dolly, as soon as she caught sight of me. ‘I’d all but given up on you. Did you get waylaid? I hope Beamish hasn’t been making a nuisance of himself with the mistletoe.’

I wished she wouldn’t keep mentioning Beamish and mistletoe in the same sentence.

‘Is it busy out there?’ she asked, tossing me a snowman patterned apron.

The town was busy and full of music and laughter. As I had rushed through the market square it had looked every bit as Hallmark Christmas Channel perfect as I had imagined it would, but I hadn’t had the chance to take it all in or linger around the auction which I could hear was well underway.

Dolly looked up at me and took in my expression.

‘What on earth’s the matter?’ she demanded, when I made no attempt to answer her questions or put the apron on. ‘Are you all right? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’

‘It’s Jonathan,’ I said huskily.

‘What about him?’ she asked as she lined up more cups and saucers.

I cleared my throat.

‘He’s here, in Wynbridge. He turned up on your doorstep just as I was about to come and find you.’

I supposed I should have been grateful that I had still been at the cottage. I could only imagine how much he would have hated having to try and find me amongst the throng of yokels he so clearly had no time for.