The Mills & Boon Sparkling Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

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СКАЧАТЬ heels for a pair of Eva’s wellies before they left the house.

      The water was cold and choppy-looking and the sky overcast. Eva let Hamish off his lead and they watched him gallop to the water’s edge. Eva inhaled deeply, glad to be in the fresh air. Yesterday had been a long, strange day. Last night she and Sarah had talked some more although at times it felt as if they were treading carefully around each other, neither wanting to say the wrong thing.

      Discovering a forgotten bottle of wine in the kitchen and a Sandra Bullock film on TV had gone a long way to helping them pass the evening before tiredness had finally kicked in and they had headed to bed.

      But Eva had tossed and turned, going over the day’s events in her mind. She could hardly believe she had started the day waking next to Ben and when she finally fell asleep, it was with her head resting on the pillow where he had slept. When she’d woken this morning there was a text from him saying he’d had to fly to London unexpectedly.

      Eva had bit down a surge of disappointment. She didn’t know what she had hoped for after their night together but a short text message from the other end of the country felt a long way off it. She started a reply, trying to sound casual and flirty but worried it came over as needy and then gave up, not really knowing what she wanted to say or how to say it.

      She had woken Sarah this morning, grateful they seemed to have turned a corner in their relationship. Eva had seen glimpses of her old sister and realized they had both made mistakes. They had stopped communicating but now they were talking again, which was the most important thing. Eva knew it would take more than this weekend. They couldn’t wipe away all the hurt in one clean sweep but they had made a good start.

      ‘The bedroom was really comfortable,’ Sarah commented now as they continued along the beach.

      ‘Thanks,’ Eva replied.

      ‘You know, Mum is proud of you.’

      Eva gave a small huff. ‘You think?’

      ‘I’ve heard her telling her friends about your business.’

      ‘Really? I wonder why she can’t just say it to my face then.’

      ‘You know what she’s like: she’s always been a bit of a snob.’

      ‘Suppose.’ Eva sniggered, throwing a stick for Hamish, and they watched him sprint after it.

      ‘You always did want a dog,’ Sarah recalled. ‘You asked Mum over and over but there was no way she was ever going to get one.’

      Eva smiled at the memory. ‘I gave up asking eventually. Now I’m beginning to think Mum had the right idea.’

      ‘What made you get a dog now then?’

      ‘Jamie,’ Eva replied simply. ‘During summer we can’t go on holiday because of the business and most of his friends have brothers or sisters, so I suppose I thought it would be good for him – a companion of sorts.’

      Sarah regarded her, a frown appearing on her smooth forehead. ‘You’ve don’t have holidays?’

      ‘We’ve had the odd night away but apart from that, no.’

      Sarah’s head was down as they continued to walk, appearing deep in thought. ‘I’ve been a crap aunt, haven’t I?’ she suddenly announced.

      The odd expensive present aside, Eva thought it was a pretty fair assessment but not wanting to rock their fragile truce she tried to sound supportive.

      ‘Your career is very demanding – I understand that you don’t have lots of free time.’

      Sarah gave her head a little shake, frowning. ‘Where did you say he was?’

      ‘An activity weekend with his football team.’ Eva felt a rush of joy thinking he’d be home soon. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to come and collect him with me? I’m sure he would love to see you.’

      ‘No, I’d better get back but I’ll see him another time soon.’

      ‘So, what will you do now – about Jon and everything?’

      ‘I don’t know.’ Sarah shrugged. ‘Talk to Mum first I guess.’

      Eva was tempted to share her own situation with Ben – whatever that might be – but Sarah clearly had enough to deal with for now. They continued along the beach for a few more minutes before deciding to turn back.

      Eva called to Hamish, now in full flight racing along the water’s edge with another dog, and waved to the dog owner whom she recognized. She turned to Sarah who was walking with her head down and Eva was filled with a sudden urgency for her sister to seize her opportunity of happiness.

      ‘I really hope you can make this work, Sarah. If there’s a chance for you to be happy, to have a life with someone, then I hope you take it. It’s too precious to throw away.’ Eva swallowed, surprised by the strength of emotion in her voice. ‘Whatever you decide, I’m here for you,’ she finished with a small smile. Her sister’s expression gave nothing away and Eva could only hope her words might help in some way.

      When Hamish finally returned they headed home. Eva glanced over at Ben’s empty driveway, shrugging off the irrational niggle she felt. Instead, she thought of Jamie coming home.

       Chapter Thirteen

      Jamie appeared at the kitchen door with a look of hunger that Eva could spot at ten paces. ‘Dinner’s almost ready,’ she told him before he started to raid the fridge. The cheese sauce was finished and now she was mixing it into the pasta. Apparently the food at the centre had been all right but what Jamie really wanted was his mum’s home-made macaroni. Scattering some breadcrumbs and grated cheese on top Eva put the dish under the grill for a few minutes.

      Jamie ambled over to the table with Hamish close by his side. After their enthusiastic reunion last night the two of them had been inseparable apart from when Jamie had to go to school this morning. ‘You know, I’m sure you’ve grown,’ Eva said tilting her head to the side.

      ‘I was only away for two days, Mum, not two years.’

      ‘Well, it felt like two years to me.’ She smiled going over to him.

      ‘Mum,’ Jamie groaned, managing to dodge Eva’s arms as she came over for yet another hug. She couldn’t help it – she was so happy to have him home she felt like squeezing him every time she saw him.

      Stepping off the bus last night, Jamie had looked somewhat bedraggled but Eva had been ecstatic to see him. Despite all her fretting, she could see how much he’d enjoyed himself. He’d been hyper on the drive home, describing in detail the thrills of his weekend. ‘Honest – it was amazing, Mum. We did waterfall jumps and boulder hopping. But the abseiling was best.’

      Eva had winced as he recounted being harnessed up and tipped backwards over the drop to descend the cliff face. Seeing his mother’s face Jamie had reassured her. ‘It was fine, Mum, there was a safety rope and the instructor watched me the whole time.’

      When they’d arrived home, Jamie had taken a much-needed hot bath. СКАЧАТЬ