Santa Baby (38 page)

She pretended to yawn. ‘Yes, I’m exhausted. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.’

Jez arched an eyebrow. ‘Sean could always come with us.’

‘I was kidnapped, you know, Jez, I need him with me.’

‘You win,’ Jez conceded. ‘But don’t think you’re getting out of charades.’

They giggled all the way upstairs to the guest bedroom, where Sean shut and locked the door. ‘Now get into bed, you look like you need a good rest.’

She grinned. ‘Yes, I need a really good rest.’

Tiffany trailed her fingers over the dragon tattoo. Making love to Sean, she had felt she was banishing the terrifying experiences of the night before.

‘Are you happy to be with me?’ he asked.

‘I’m
so
happy!’ Tiffany replied. ‘So deliriously, wonderfully happy! I couldn’t be happier! What about you?’

‘Very.’

‘That’s it? I’ve opened my heart to you and told you how I feel – and I just get back “very”! Could do better, Agent Murphy!’ She made to get up.

‘Where are you going?’

‘To get my tee-shirt.’

‘No way. I want to see your beautiful body.’ Sean propped himself up on one elbow and considered her, where she lay on the pillow, her hair fanned out behind her. ‘I’m not as good at expressing myself as you. I know I keep things inside, locked away. But it doesn’t
mean
I don’t feel them. And last night, when those men had taken you … oh God, Tiffany. I felt like I was being ripped up inside. And there’s something else I have to tell you.’ A beat. She waited, almost holding her breath. Would this be the moment that he told her he loved her?

‘Maybe it’s too soon to be telling you this, but I don’t care, I can’t wait. I love you, Tiffany. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone before.’

Wow! He loved her! Sean loved her! Tiffany wanted to jump up and down with delight, wanted to cartwheel across the room, wanted to shout out with happiness; she settled for, ‘I love you too.’

‘I know,’ he whispered. ‘You told me that night. It’s what kept me going.’

They curled up together, needing to be close, reluctant to get up. But by seven o’clock Jez had clearly decided that they’d had a good enough rest. He knocked on the door.

‘Champagne and canapés are now being served in the living room.’

‘We’ll come in a while, Jez,’ Sean called back.

‘Haven’t you had a good
rest
by now?’ Judging by his tone of voice, Jez had seen straight through Sean’s pretence that Tiffany was tired.

‘You can never have too much!’ Tiffany shouted.

‘I’m coming in!’ Jez opened the door, while Tiffany shrieked and pulled the duvet over her and Sean.

Jez stood in the doorway, hands on hips. ‘You two have got to come downstairs and thank me and Angel for getting you together! We were like Santa’s little helpers. God knows when the pair of you would have got round to revealing your true feelings otherwise.’

Sean sat up. ‘Do you seriously think I wouldn’t have got together with the woman I love? It might have taken me a little longer, but I would have got there.’

Tiffany waited for Jez to come back with one of his put-downs. Instead he got that dreamy look in his eyes at the sight of Sean’s muscular chest, and said, ‘He is
so
manly!’

‘He is, isn’t he?’ Tiffany replied, pulling Sean back down beside her. ‘Shut the door behind you.’

TIFFANY SNUGGLED UP
to a sleeping Sean. It was Christmas Eve morning and she couldn’t quite believe that she was here, lying next to the man she was in love with. She’d thought this would never happen.

Last night they’d drunk champagne and Cal and Rufus had cooked a delicious lasagne; both men were great cooks. They had thwarted Jez’s charades plans because everyone wanted to talk, but had promised him they would play on Christmas Day instead. In spite of what had happened to Tiffany it had been such a joyful time. She’d had a shocking, terrifying experience, but she didn’t want to let it overwhelm her, didn’t want to feel like a victim … And all the time she felt an inner glow of happiness because Sean loved her!

He stirred next to her. She kissed his shoulder, trailed her fingers over his rock-hard abs. She was still getting to know his body. She couldn’t get enough of him. Last night they had made love again, but she was ready for more …

‘What’s the time?’ he said sleepily.

‘Nine. We don’t have to be anywhere yet according to Jez’s schedule.’ She carried on caressing him, enjoying the knowledge that she was turning him on.

But Sean was sitting up. ‘I’ve got to get something!’
He
leaped out of bed, scrambling for his clothes.

‘Hey!’ Tiffany said, sitting up herself. ‘I need you here!’

He blew her a kiss. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

Tiffany felt as sulky as Jez when he didn’t get his own way.

Downstairs Angel was already dressed and having breakfast with Honey. ‘Sleep OK?’ she asked with a smile.

Tiffany had hardly slept at all, not that she was complaining.

‘Hmm,’ she replied, sitting at the table and helping herself to a slice of toast. Outside the snow hadn’t yet melted and she could see the snowman that Cal and Honey had built, wearing Jez’s Cossack hat. She doubted that was part of his plan …

‘I’m going to get some last-minute presents in Brighton, if you want to come with me.’ Angel smiled. ‘I thought you might want to get something for Sean?’

Tiffany had completely forgotten that she didn’t have a present for him. ‘God, yes! Let me get dressed and I’ll be right with you.’

What to get Sean? She agonised over her decision as she quickly showered and got dressed. And then just as they were driving into Brighton, it came to her. A new leather jacket. She’d noticed that the one he owned had a rip under the arm. And she quite wanted his old leather jacket for herself …

‘Did you send Tanya a present?’ Angel asked unexpectedly. She hadn’t mentioned their mother at all for the last couple of months.

Tiffany hesitated, wondering if Angel would give her a hard time when she admitted that she had. ‘I gave her an iPod. She really likes listening to music.’

She waited for Angel to snap back that Tanya would
probably
end up selling it. But no, instead there was another question. ‘What does she like listening to?’

‘A mix, I think. Kylie, Adele, The Feeling, U2.’

‘And how’s she getting on in rehab?’

‘Really well. She’s got two more months and after that I’m hoping she’ll live somewhere near her sister in Guildford. She’s talking about going to college, getting some qualifications.’

‘That’s great.’ Angel paused. ‘I’m really glad you helped her, Tiff. I know I didn’t have it in me.’

‘I’m sure you could have.’

But Angel shook her head. ‘No, I didn’t. So all credit to you.’

They arranged to meet in an hour’s time after their shopping. Tiffany headed straight for a men’s designer boutique recommended by Angel, who naturally knew all the boutiques in Brighton. And there she found the perfect gift – a gorgeous chocolate-brown distressed leather jacket. She had never spent so much money on a present before, never spent so much money on anything for herself! But she figured, what was the point of earning money if she couldn’t treat the people she loved? And she knew it was going to look so sexy on Sean.

Her sister seemed a little distracted when she met up with Tiffany again, but she put that down to it being Christmas Eve and all the last-minute arrangements there were to make. And Tiffany was more than happy not to talk, just be lost in her own thoughts about Sean. They were some ten miles away from the house when Angel suddenly took an unexpected turning, taking them in a different direction.

‘Have you got to do something else?’ Tiffany asked.

‘I thought we could call in and see Tanya. I’ve got a present for her.’

‘Really? I mean, is that a good idea?’

‘I called the clinic and they’re OK about it. They’ve told her to expect us. I know I said I didn’t want anything to do with her, but I have been thinking about her. It’s funny, I thought I could shut down all my feelings for her, but I can’t. You’re been such an inspiration to me, Tiff. I’ve seen from you that it is possible to forgive. I do want to forgive her.’

‘I think it would be so good if you could,’ Tiffany said quietly.

The clinic was an imposing grey-stone country house, set in several acres of garden. ‘Seems OK, doesn’t it?’ Angel said as they got out of the car. Tiffany could tell that her sister was very nervous, and linked arms with her as they approached the building.

Inside, a friendly male nurse signed them in and showed them to a cosy café that looked out over the gardens, telling them that he would let Tanya know they had arrived. Angel fumbled in her bag and pulled out a gift-wrapped box from Links the jeweller’s. ‘I got her a necklace. It’s very simple … I didn’t know what else to choose.’

Tiffany had never seen her sister seem so unsure of herself.

The male nurse returned with a slim woman who was unrecognisable from the Tanya Tiffany had first met. Gone were the gaunt cheeks and glazed expression, the lank hair. The woman standing before them, in jeans and a red jumper, was thin but pretty. Her hair looked freshly washed. She also looked very nervous and tugged the sleeves of her jumper over her hands, a habit both Tiffany and Angel shared.

‘Hi,’ she said shyly. ‘Nice to see you both.’

‘Hi, Tanya,’ Tiffany said, getting up and giving her a quick hug.

Angel didn’t say anything and didn’t move.

Tanya sat down at the table. ‘Would you like anything to drink? There’s a self-service machine, the coffee isn’t too bad.’

‘I’ll get them,’ Tiffany said, figuring her sister might need some time alone with Tanya. ‘Coffees all round?’

By the time she returned Angel was showing Tiffany pictures of Honey on her phone.

‘She’s beautiful. Just her like her mum.’ Tanya smiled shyly at Angel. It was only when she did that you realised what kind of life she’d led as her teeth were badly discoloured.

‘Just like her dad,’ Angel replied.

‘And when’s the baby due? I read about it in the paper. I’m very happy for you.’

‘May, just before my birthday.’

‘Lovely time of year to have a baby,’ Tanya said brightly, but Tiffany could see she was struggling to contain her emotions. ‘I’m glad you’ve come. I wanted to say sorry … for everything really. For not being a mum to you when you were kids, and then when you came and found me, not being a mum then either. I’ll never forgive myself, but I am trying to change. I wanted to for such a long time, but I could never do it.’

She looked over at Tiffany. ‘And then, when you sent me that letter, I thought, this is it, this is my last chance and I’ve got to take it.’ She paused and continued, ‘Thank you, Tiffany.’

Angel put her arm round her sister. ‘She’s pretty special, isn’t she? I thought I had it all sussed out … that I never wanted to see you, that I hated you. And it’s taken Tiffany to make me realise that I don’t hate you. I hate what you did, but I don’t hate you.’

By now all three women were in tears. They talked for a while longer about how Tanya was getting on in rehab and her plans for the future.

‘I could help get you set up in your own place,’ Angel suggested. She was full of surprises today. But Tanya shook her head.

‘No, I’m going to do this myself. But just to have seen you both has meant so much to me.’

‘And we’ll see you again,’ Angel said quietly.

Tanya nodded, too overcome to speak.

Back at the house everyone was in the kitchen drinking hot chocolate. Sean came straight over to Tiffany and hugged her. She very much liked this new side of him, where he wasn’t afraid to show his feelings.

‘Cal told me where you both went. Are you OK?’

She nodded and leaned against him. She thought she’d had a roller-coaster year, but the last three days had given her some of the greatest highs and lows of her life.

Jez waved his phone around. ‘We are so off my schedule! First of all Tiff goes and gets kidnapped, which definitely wasn’t part of my festive plans, then you guys go off for this emotional family reunion. In fact, the only thing that’s gone according to plan is Tiff and Sean finally getting together.’

‘We should have a toast,’ Cal declared. ‘Let’s open the champagne.’

‘It’s supposed to be mulled wine and mince pies time! Champagne is for Christmas morning!’ Jez protested. But he was overruled as Cal cracked open the champagne and everyone went into the living room and curled up by the fire. No one felt like playing charades. As Jez was forced to admit, ‘Who needs the drama? We’ve had enough already!’

Honey put out a glass of wine and a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph, after being assured by Angel that even though the fire was burning now, by the time Santa came down the chimney it
would
have gone out. And if it hadn’t, well, he would use his magic powers to put it out …

By midnight Tiffany and Sean were in bed. It felt like the most perfect Christmas present ever to be lying next to him.

‘You do know that I’ll never be able to afford a house like this?’ Sean said.

He was so paranoid! Tiffany shook her head at him. ‘I’m not with you because of how much money you have. And who says I even want a house like this? There’s such a thing as too big! I love you, remember. And everything doesn’t have to be perfect. We’re together, that’s what matters.’

She was rewarded with a smile. ‘OK, sorry, I suppose I still can’t believe you would want to be with me.’

‘Believe it,’ Tiffany replied. And then she showed him exactly how much she wanted to be with him …

In the morning, before they went downstairs and joined everyone, they exchanged presents. Sean handed her a blue Tiffany bag, and she was overwhelmed when she opened it and discovered a charm bracelet, exactly like the one which had been stolen but with one addition, a diamond love heart charm. ‘How did you know which ones to get?’

‘I spoke to your dad. I wanted to give it to you even before we met up here. I bought the love heart charm yesterday in London.’