The Perfect Christmas (3 page)

‘Holly has done a great job of welcoming us to your beautiful hotel,’ said Maggie as Holly’s blush deepened.

‘That’s excellent,’ said Jack and even Zoe noticed the way he looked at the young woman.

‘Can I do anything for you this evening?’ Holly asked.

Maggie smiled. ‘Maybe you can come and draw a bath for me? I’m jet-lagged, I think.’

‘Of course,’ said Holly.

Maggie and Zoe went on up to their suite.

‘Draw you a bath?’ laughed Zoe as they got into the elevator. ‘Since when do you use the term “draw a bath”, and why can’t you turn on your own taps?’

‘I want to speak to her and find out more about her and the handsome Mister Frost; there was definitely something going on.’

‘Stay out of it, Maggie,’ warned Zoe. ‘You don’t even know these people.’

‘I know love when I see it,’ said Maggie, ‘Besides, what do you care, you’re always looking at your phone or laptop.’

‘Snark much?’ retorted Zoe as the elevator opened and they went into the suite.

Before Maggie could reply, their doorbell rang and Maggie opened it.

‘Holly, come in,’ she said.

Holly went to the bathroom and started to run a bath in the marble tub. Maggie followed her.

‘Jack Frost is very handsome,’ she said, as she sat on the chaise longue.

‘Is he?’ asked Holly as she held out two bottles, ‘Vanilla or citrus bubbles?’

‘Citrus please, vanilla gives me a headache,’ said Maggie.

‘Me too,’ said Holly as she poured a liberal amount of the liquid into the bath. Maggie watched Holly as she laid out the bathmat, lit a few candles and placed them around the tub.

‘What made you want to do this job?’ she asked, intrigued by the care Holly gave even the smallest task.

‘I like to look after people, but I can’t stand the sight of blood so nursing was out,’ said Holly cheerfully. ‘I like this job, I love working here. I’d take every shift if I could.’

‘Because of Jack?’ teased Maggie, half seriously.

The flush went up Holly’s neck and then to her cheeks.

‘Is it that obvious?’ she blurted out.

Maggie arched an eyebrow. ‘I watch people for a living, then I copy them, make movies, and get people to draw me baths with all the money I make from being so good at copying them,’ she laughed and Holly joined in.

‘I’ve worked with Jack for over a year and sometimes I think he does like me and then he acts like I’m nothing,’ said Holly, as she ran her hand through the water to test the temperature.

‘Working with people you have a crush on can be hard, I see it happen all the time on film sets. You never know though, maybe he’s just waiting for the right time to tell you.’

Holly wiped her hands on a small hand towel, turned off the taps and went to the door.

‘He’s had a year, I don’t think it will happen,’ she said, and Maggie saw the flash of disappointment in her face.

‘You never know, it is Christmas,’ said Maggie.

‘Goodnight, Ms Hall, please let me know if you need anything else before I leave for the night. I will be back at seven in the morning, but there will be another concierge on duty in the meantime, should you require anything tonight.’

Maggie smiled.

‘Call me Maggie, please, and thanks for everything, Holly, you’re a star.’

***

When Maggie emerged from the tub, wrapped in a soft robe, Zoe was talking on the phone again, laptop on her knees and a Diet Coke beside her.

Maggie sat opposite her and stared at her until Zoe got the message. ‘Hey, I have to go, I’ll call you back,’ she said and finished the call.

‘What? Don’t look at me like that, you were in the bath. I had things to do.’

Maggie ignored her, ‘Holly is in love with Jack Frost!’

‘What? Is this a code for something I don’t know about?’

‘Holly, the concierge, told me in the bathroom that she has liked him for a year, but I think it’s love even though she didn’t say that specifically.’

Maggie curled her feet beneath her in the armchair.

‘And?’ asked Zoe. ‘What’s it to do with us?’

Maggie gasped at her, ‘What do you mean? We have to get them together, it’s Christmas; love needs to reign.’

Zoe shook her head, ‘No, no, no. You are not interfering in that girl’s life because you’re not happy in your own. She’s not an extra, Maggie, she has a real life and real feelings.’

‘How would you know? You’ve barely spoken to her,’ snapped Maggie in return.

Sighing, Zoe put her laptop on the table. ‘I get that you love to talk to people, Mags, and I get that you want everyone to be happy, but there are boundaries and even you need to recognize them.’

Maggie screwed her nose up at Zoe. ‘You’re no fun,’ she said.

‘I promise, tomorrow when we wake up, we will have the most fun ever in the history of girls’ trips.’

‘You’ll leave your phone here?’ challenged Maggie.

Zoe swallowed and then nodded. ‘I will.’

‘Good,’ said Maggie as she stood up. ‘Now, I’m going to bed. Goodnight.’

‘Night,’ said Zoe. As Maggie closed her bedroom door, she could see the glow of the laptop screen as Zoe went back to work.

***

When Maggie woke the next morning, she was surprised to see it was after nine o’clock. She rarely slept in back in LA; admittedly it was hard to sleep in when Will was bellowing around the house. At first his loudness had been funny, now it was just annoying and the peace of the hotel suite sounded like music.

Getting up, she saw Zoe at the table, eating eggs and bacon and reading the paper.

‘How quaint,’ said Maggie. ‘Eggs, bacon, a real-life newspaper and tea for breakfast. You’re adapting to life here, it seems.’ She sat down at the table.

‘Do you want something to eat?’ asked Zoe. Maggie shook her head.

‘No thanks, I’ll order some coffee.’

‘No need,’ said Zoe. ‘Holly’s onto it.’

‘She’s so great,’ said Maggie.

‘It’s her job,’ said Zoe, as she mopped up the last of the egg yolk with her toast.

A knock at the door. ‘Good morning, Maggie,’ said Holly.

‘Good morning,’ replied Maggie.

The next minute, she was serving perfectly brewed coffee and an exotic fruit salad, adjusting the plate so that it was perfectly positioned in front of Maggie.

‘What are your plans today? Can I organize anything for you?’

Maggie shrugged as she popped a blueberry into her mouth. She’d been tossing and turning all night thinking about Will and Eliot.

‘I don’t know. Zoe? What do you think?’

Zoe looked up from the paper. ‘What do you suggest, Holly? What’s a nice, festive idea?’

Holly’s face lit up. ‘Gosh, the options are endless! I’m sure you’ll want to do some shopping while you’re here?’

‘Of course,’ said Maggie.

‘Well, because it’s two days till Christmas, I suggest you head to Harrods today, they really go all out for Christmas. Then why not come back to the hotel to put your feet up, and then have a high tea with us this afternoon. It’s a tradition to come into London for shopping and high tea, and The Dorchester’s is the best.’

Zoe laughed, ‘Of course, not that you’re biased or anything!’

Holly giggled and Maggie saw how pretty she was. She had no doubt Jack Frost had feelings for her, how could he not with her pretty hazel eyes and perfect skin?

‘Then, tonight, I can organize for you to see the Regent Street lights; they’re so special.’

‘That sounds amazing,’ said Maggie and Zoe nodded in agreement.

‘Shall I book you a personal shopper at Harrods?’

‘Please. I can’t wait,’ said Maggie.

Holly left them and Maggie finished her breakfast.

‘I’m going to shower, get dressed and then we’ll go, yes?’

‘It’s a plan,’ said Zoe.

***

Half an hour later, the women were downstairs in the lobby as Holly waited with them for their car.

‘Please call me if you need anything,’ she said, and then Maggie saw her face turn red.

‘Good morning, Ms Hall, Ms Greene, I trust Holly is looking after you.’ Jack smiled at them all.

‘Everything is wonderful, thank you,’ said Maggie with a smile. ‘Holly has done a great job of recommending things to see and do, we’re in very capable hands.’

‘Indeed you are,’ said Jack.

‘What are your plans for Christmas, Jack? Family, or your wife or girlfriend’s house?’ Maggie asked innocently.

Zoe looked down at the ground and Maggie could see she was trying not to laugh at Maggie’s brazenness.

Holly, however, was puce in the face and her eyes were wide open in shock.

Jack didn’t seem alarmed by Maggie’s question.

‘No wife or girlfriend, it’s hard to find someone who understands the hours a place like this demands,’ he said. ‘I’ll be spending it with my family.’

‘You need to date someone from the hotel,’ said Maggie as Zoe’s head shot up. Maggie smiled innocently.

‘I’m afraid work relationships are frowned upon,’ Jack said and Maggie saw it was his turn to redden.

‘So you’re working Christmas Day?’ probed Maggie.

‘I am,’ said Jack, and he paused. ‘In fact, it will be my last day here.’

Holly stole a look at him. ‘Your last day?’ she squeaked.

He nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve been given the opportunity to become a general manager at a boutique hotel.’

‘Congratulations,’ said Zoe and, before Maggie could say a word, they were outside in the cold air, walking towards Harrods.

‘I should have bought a warmer coat,’ said Maggie, pulling her trench coat around her.’

‘It’s a two-minute walk to Harrods,’ said Zoe, ‘You can buy one there.’

The women walked, Maggie’s woolen hat pulled down, hiding her hair and giving her anonymity.

‘You know you’re terrible,’ admonished Zoe as they walked. ‘Asking Jack about his wife and girlfriend.’

‘Of which he has neither,’ said Maggie happily and then her face dropped. ‘But he’s leaving, poor Holly.’

They pushed open the front doors of Harrods, where an older woman, immaculately groomed, stood discreetly by the door.

‘Welcome to Harrods, I’m Delia,’ she said. ‘Holly from The Dorchester has asked me to look after you this morning.’

‘Hi,’ said Maggie and Zoe in unison, as their eyes were drawn to the ornate Christmas decorations.

‘It’s so beautiful!’ said Zoe in wonder.

‘Christmas is a very special time for us at Harrods,’ said the woman warmly.

‘Not just Harrods,’ said Maggie, ‘It seems the whole city is alive with lights and excitement.’

Delia laughed and nodded. ‘We do Christmas better than any other city in the world.’

‘You’d better not let New York hear you say that,’ laughed Zoe as they walked through the store with Delia, occasionally stopping to touch or look at an item.

‘If you tell me who you are buying for, I can suggest a few departments or brands,’ said Delia.

Maggie shook her head. ‘I don’t need any help, thanks. I’m a seasoned shopper! To be honest, I’d love to just wander around and explore. I hope that’s not too rude?’

Delia smiled, ‘Of course,’ she said and turned to Zoe.

‘I need all the help I can get,’ said Zoe. ‘I get flustered whether shopping for myself or anyone else.’

The women separated, agreeing to meet back in two hours at the sushi bar in the store.

Maggie took off her hat and shoved it into her handbag, shaking out her hair.

Shopping was something she was very good at, and she glanced at the map of the store that Delia had given her.

First stop, Womenswear for Zoe, Beauty for her assistant, Menswear and Technology for Elliot and, finally, the shoe department for herself.

Two hours later, all her shopping had been sent back to the hotel to the care of Holly and she was sitting in the sushi bar, waiting for Zoe.

Maggie couldn’t forget Holly’s look of horror when Jack announced he was leaving.

Love was cruel, she thought as she sipped her Perrier. Then it occurred to her that this was actually a blessing. Now Jack could reveal his true feelings to Holly or, at the very least, ask her out.

Zoe slipped into the seat next to her.

‘You look happy,’ she said. ‘Did you get some amazing things?’

‘I did, thanks, and I’ve had a brilliant realization about Jack and Holly,’ she said, grabbing Zoe’s arm.

‘Ow! Stay out of their business,’ moaned Zoe, rubbing her arm.

A waiter poured Zoe a glass of mineral water.

‘I can’t, I need to have some happiness this Christmas,’ said Maggie melodramatically.

‘Then buy a puppy,’ said Zoe as she scanned the sushi coming round on the conveyor belt.

‘A puppy is for life, not just for Christmas,’ said Maggie. ‘And so is their love.’

‘You’re insane,’ said Zoe.

‘You’re cynical,’ answered Maggie.

They ordered, sushi for Zoe, sashimi for Maggie, and chatted about their day so far.

‘You know, I haven’t seen you on your phone once today,’ said Maggie as they finished their meal.

‘I didn’t bring it,’ said Zoe.

‘Oh my god!’ cried Maggie. ‘It’s a Christmas miracle.’

‘You asked me to leave it in the hotel and I said yes, I always honor my promises.’ Zoe shrugged.

‘I know,’ smiled Maggie. ‘I forget sometimes that you’re the only person in the world I can truly rely on.’

Zoe reached out and hugged her friend. ‘You have to do something for me though.’

‘What?’ asked Maggie, as she pulled away and eyed Zoe suspiciously.

‘Stay out of the Jack and Holly drama.’

Maggie pouted, ‘I don’t want to, I want them to fall in love and live happily ever after and make this a perfect Christmas.’

‘Seriously, stop it!’ said Zoe.

Maggie sighed. ‘Okay, but I’m not happy about it,’ she said as they walked back through the shop. A luxurious red coat caught her eye and she pulled it on.

‘Oooh, lovely,’ said Zoe, touching the cashmere.

‘And warm,’ said Maggie as she buttoned it up around her.

They strolled down Sloane Street and looked at the windows, each one more Christmassy than the last, and Maggie slipped her arm through Zoe’s.

This was what she had wanted, she thought, as she laughed and chatted.

Time with her friend and time away from her situation. But her marriage and its problems was waiting upon her return and just thinking about seeing Will made her feel sick.