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‘It will only take a moment,’ he says.

Brandon, whom I thought I could count on to protect me, doesn’t move. Alex opens the door to let me pass through into the little vestibule beyond. I turn to face him, shivering a little. After the warmth of the hall, it’s chilly out here. Not as cold as it will be outside. It’s a sort of no man’s land between the warmth of the inside and the cold of the outside. It feels curiously familiar. It’s the same space I’ve occupied in regards to Alex for years.

I turn to face him. ‘What do you want to say?’

He looks taken aback. ‘Nothing in particular. I mean, quite a lot of things. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a long time,’ he adds with a smile.

I don’t trust my voice to speak. For some bizarre reason, I feel perilously close to tears, which is ridiculous. I find him annoying and persistent, and I have absolutely no interest in him or his stupid life. Which is hardly a reason to suddenly feel I want to burst into tears and howl on his shoulder.

‘If you’ve wanted to talk for me for so long,’ I say, swallowing hard, ‘you must surely know what you want to say. Can you move it along a bit, please? I’m getting cold.’

‘Are you sure about going home with this guy?’ he says abruptly.

‘If it were any of your business –’ I say curtly.

‘I’m perfectly aware that your life has nothing to do with me,’ he says. ‘If I didn’t know it before, you’ve made it very clear again today.’

He looks down at me, and his voice softens. ‘I’m trying to look out for you, Annie. You’ve had quite a bit to drink, and so has he. He isn’t driving, is he?’

I feel a wave of cold anger, which helps me to keep my voice steady. ‘How much I have to drink is absolutely none of your business, Alex Fielding. What are you planning to do – call my parents and tell on me? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m over eighteen and perfectly able to make my own choices.’

He looks as though I’ve hit him. ‘I’m not saying you aren’t.’

I carry on, using my anger as fuel. ‘Let’s get this straight, shall we? I’ll drink as much as I choose, and I’ll go home with anyone I want to. Are we clear on that?’

‘Crystal clear,’ he says, his face closing.

I feel a wave of compunction. ‘I don’t mean –’

Before I can finish this sentence, the door bangs open, catching me on the elbow. I turn to see Suzy standing there.

‘I’m not interrupting anything, am I?’ she says, giving us both a keen look.

Alex doesn’t speak. I rub my elbow. ‘Nothing in the world. Is Brandon ready? He and I were about to leave.’

‘I think I saw him getting his coat,’ says Suzy. She holds out a hand to Alex. ‘What I really came out for was to fetch this man. I want to dance with him. As soon as I heard what they were playing, I couldn’t resist. Do you remember this one, Alex?’

Alex doesn’t seem to have heard her. He’s still staring at me as though he wants to say something but can’t quite find the words.

The door opens again, and Brandon appears, pulling on his coat. Above the noise and chatter of the crowd inside the hall, I hear the faint strains ofLast Christmas. So what? It’s just a stupid song.

Suzy grabs Alex’s hand. ‘Come on, you, for old times’ sake!’

‘Do you fancy a dance before we go?’ Brandon asks me.

‘No, let’s get going. Lovely to see you again, Suzy. Give me a call. Have fun!’

I turn abruptly, feeling Brandon’s arm slide protectively around my shoulders, and we’re out into the cold night air.

Chapter Twenty-Two

We arrive home just as my parents are setting out for midnight mass. I say goodnight to Brandon and walk up the path in the dark, wondering why it isn’t snowing properly. It’s certainly cold enough.

Mum gives me a sharp look. ‘Why have you left the party so early? Are you on your own?’

‘Brandon walked me home. He’s leaving his car here tonight and taking a taxi home.’

She looks annoyed. ‘There was no reason for you to leave just because he did. You should have stayed and talked to … everyone.’


Tags: Rosemary Whittaker Romance