James returns with a tray, setting it on the table. “Who’s for coffee?”

Richard shudders. “Not for me James.”

“You can share mine,” offers Mitch, reaching for her teapot.

Richard scowls at the peppermint-scented steam.

James pours into a cup and saucer then offers it up. “Ryan?”

“Thank you, yes.” Ryan sips at the coffee then freezes, staring at the tablecloth. “Fuck me. Is this what he drinks?”

“’fraid so.”

He glares. “You could have warned me. It’s like fucking refrigerator coolant.”

Across the table, Mitch looks up to the mistletoe above the hearth. “Larry?”

“Yes?” He looks in the right general direction, but nothing registers in his expression.

Clueless…

She casts eyes upward again, this time definitely eye-pointing.

He shuffles in his seat. “Mitch, this isn't really...”

Mitch stands, placing herself squarely under the mistletoe, pats her lips with a forefinger. “I'm going to insist.”

Larry’s mouth works and a flush rises up his neck…

Way outside his comfort zone…

… nonetheless, he stands, loops an arm around the lovely woman and kisses her lightly on the lips…

then grunts as she latches on like a limpet and

over hers in a real kiss.

kisses… Rhett and Scarlet… Kate

They had nothing.

them,

I slip fingers into his. “It’s something

He’s holding something in his other hand, turning it over and over in

him. “Sorry, what

outstretched hand is the ring from Mitch’s cracker. “I’ll get you a real one, but for

I swallow hard.

take it.” He offers the ring to

has fallen. Every face

get

I… think about

from his face. “Of course, you can.” He presses the ring into my palm, curling my fingers around it. “I’m sorry. I

and liqueurs?” It’s James voice, bright and cheerful. Gratefully, I turn to him. “Kirstie, what would you

*****

but it sounds forced. “I don’t see any new jewellery. I don’t smell perfume and you don’t have your nose

everything that happened, I don’t

forefinger. “I thought we would come to that fairly soon. Charlotte, if you would like to release your death-grip on Cara for five minutes, Michael and I will show you your

Her forehead crinkles.

Babe. Go put on some warm clothes. And boots

widen.

thick woollens, scarf and gloves and a warm jacket,” says

“But Cara…”

take her,” she says. She grins

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I would prefer that Elizabeth stay warm and quiet

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