The Christmas Party (47 page)

‘It won’t always be like this,’ I say and tears spring to my eyes.

Jim takes my hand. ‘Do you think I’ll love you any more if we have steak for dinner every night?’

‘Yes.’

‘Mmm. Maybe you’re right.’

I kick him under the table and he laughs. After he’s said, ‘Ouch.’

The flat’s OK really. The block’s a bit tired. Built with all the style the 1970s could muster, it looks like the sort of square, grey lump that you’d imagine more akin to Stalingrad or somewhere Communist and depressing. The windows need replacing as a howling gale comes in around the edges and our communal stairwell could best be described as functional. I’m sure we could make a bit on the side by renting it out as a set for slasher movies. It would be perfect.

We’ve lived here for two years now. The landlord’s a bit of a twat too and, as is the way, we have to make two dozen phone calls before he’ll deign to come out and fix anything. Usually, Jim just ends up doing it. We try to make the best of it and have the place as nice as we can. But it’s not home, is it? Not when you’re renting. It’s still always like living somewhere you don’t really belong. I didn’t think this was where I’d be at this stage in my life. I thought I’d be happily married, have my own home, maybe even a couple of kids. I didn’t think that I’d still be scratching an existence in rented accommodation with a baby about as distant a prospect as a trip to the moon. I want to marry Jim. I want to marry him on a tropical beach with colourful flowers in my hair and white sand and waving palm trees. That’s my dream. I don’t want a massive church bash with three hundred guests and a disco. I just want me and Jim and the sand beneath our feet. But how am I ever going to achieve that if I can’t even get a job as a secretary? Which turns me back to the plan in hand.

‘So, do you think I should give this business a go?’ I desperately need Jim’s approval, otherwise it’s dead in the water. I don’t have the nerve to do this without his backing.

He plays with his fork in the risotto. Today he seems more wound up than normal when he comes home from work, as if he could do with a good glass of red. But, for reasons that you’re now well aware of, there won’t be one. ‘We’ve nothing put away now, Cassie. It’s all gone and the credit cards are maxed out.’

‘I’m well aware of that, Jim,’ I say more crisply than I mean to. ‘Surely that makes it even more critical that I do something? I’d try to keep the outgoings to a bare minimum. A lot of the services I’m going to offer won’t need any outlay at all.’

He doesn’t look convinced. ‘Even if it takes off, it would more than likely stop dead in January.’

‘I know. But if it goes
really
well, then maybe I could carry on doing a similar sort of thing for the rest of the year. Event planning or something. There’s always Valentine’s Day and Easter. Mother’s Day too. It’s just that Christmas is The Big One.’ I touch his hand. ‘I feel that I have to try. It would get me out of the house. Get me involved in life again. I’m going mad being at home all the time. I feel worse than useless.’

‘I can tell that it’s got you all fired up again.’ He smiles at me. ‘That’s good to see.’

‘Can I go for it? Will you support me?’

‘Of course I will. You know that I’ll do all I can. Whatever you do, you’ll be brilliant at it.’

‘I love you.’ I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. ‘Thank you for your faith in me.’

‘So,’ he says, ‘have you got a name for your brilliant new venture?’

‘Yes, I have,’ I say proudly. ‘Calling Mrs Christmas!’

You can buy
Calling Mrs Christmas
now on Amazon to find out what happens next...

About the author

Carole Matthews is a
USA Today
and
Sunday Times
Top Ten bestselling author whose unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim internationally. Her book
For Better. For Worse
was a Reading with Ripa book club choice on
Live with Regis and Kelly
. She’s published in over 30 countries and received an award for her Outstanding Contribution to Romantic Fiction from the Festival of Romance.
Welcome to the Real World
and
Wrapped Up in You
were both short-listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Previously very unlucky in love, she now lives happily ever after with her partner, Lovely Kev, in Milton Keynes, England. She likes to drink champagne, eat chocolate and spends too much time on Facebook and Twitter.

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Praise for Carole’s novels from authors and the media

‘My favourite book.’ Kelly Ripa

‘Carole Matthews writes of the travails of romance, relationships and motherhood with hilarity, tenderness and despair. It’s a story loaded with laughter, tears and hope.’ Adriana Trigiani

‘A wonderful story of friendship, intrigue and romance.’ Katie Fforde

‘Full of joy and laughter.’ Trisha Ashley

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‘Think Marian Keyes with a splash of Jane Green. If you’ve never read any of Carole’s books, you are definitely missing out.’
Vito Magazine

‘A treat that’s sure to entertain.’
Romantic Reviews Today

‘Lots of fun.’
Closer Magazine

‘Hilarious … Saucy, but nice.’
Daily Express

‘This novel has all the warmth and wit we expect from Carole Matthews. Perfect.’
Bella

‘Funny, pacy and heart-warming.’
U Magazine

‘Will have you giggling from the start.’
OK! Magazine

Also by Carole Matthews

Let's Meet on Platform 8
A Whiff of Scandal
More To Life Than This
For Better, For Worse
A Minor Indiscretion
A Compromising Position
The Sweetest Taboo
With or Without You
You Drive Me Crazy
Welcome To The Real World
The Chocolate Lovers' Club
The Chocolate Lovers' Diet
It's a Kind of Magic
All you Need is Love
The Difference a Day Makes
That Loving Feeling
It's Now or Never
The Only Way is Up
Wrapped up in You
Summer Daydreams
With Love at Christmas
A Cottage by the Sea
Calling Mrs Christmas
A Place to Call Home