Page 49 of A Billionaire for Christmas

‘Why does that not surprise me? How are you so nice?’ As the wheels touched down on the tarmac and the jet came to a halt, Levi unbuckled his seatbelt and held out his hand to her. ‘Come on. Let’s get your business back.’

* * *

After a twenty-minute dash from the airport in a shiny, black, expensive-looking chauffeur-driven car, Molly and Levi stood outside Barrowfield, Fournier & Fils Solicitors.

The street was dark, save for a few streetlamps.

It was deserted. All of the lights in the building were out.

Levi rapped forcefully on the door. Molly checked the time.

They had ten minutes left to reach Monsieur Fournier.

No answer.

Levi tried again while Molly rang his number.

No answer.

Molly felt crushed, especially after the magnificent rush and excitement of the journey with Levi. He had been positively heroic. She grabbed his arm. ‘I’m so sorry. You went to all this trouble for me, and he’s not even here. I’m so, so sorry.’

Levi lifted her chin. ‘Don’t be. Whatever happens you’ll be fine.

You’ll start a new business. You’ll find a new place to live.

You’ll live the happy and adventurous life that your friend wanted you to.

And you’ll do it because of who you already are.

Not because of someone you think you should be. ’

Molly felt her body glow from within as she gazed at him. He reached out to wipe a single tear from her cheek, leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips. It was a kiss so tender, so soft, that Molly wasn’t sure if it was really happening.

The sound of a door being unbolted interrupted the moment. It creaked open to reveal an old man. ‘Miss Johnson, I presume?’

Molly nodded. ‘Monsieur Fournier?’

The man before her wore a crumpled brown suit. He looked old and tired. And grumpy. Molly wanted to assert herself but something about the man appealed to her better nature. He looked worn and lonely.

‘Thank you for staying late. I appreciate you might have family waiting for you.’

A sorrowful look crossed his face. ‘ Non .’

‘Erm, well, here are the documents you requested. And the photos. And a signed affidavit from Levi, erm, my lawyer, Monsieur LeRoux, to confirm the bucket list has been completed.’

Levi straightened and took his arm from around her shoulders but not without the sharp eyes of Monsieur Fournier catching the movement. Levi cleared his throat. ‘Yes. I am representing Miss Johnson’s case.’

Monsieur Fournier let out a tired grumble.

‘What case?’ He ushered them both inside out of the cold with a confused expression.

He led them down a musty hallway, into his office.

It looked straight out of the 1950s. He went over to a large wooden desk piled high with files and papers and lifted a folded cardboard wallet off the top.

‘Here are all the necessary documents, deeds, keys and a copy of the will. Sign here, please.’

Molly took the papers. ‘Is that it? Aren’t you going to check that I’ve done everything?

’ She pulled Ava’s journal from her pocket and flipped it open.

‘I mean, look, here’s a photo of me riding the camel dressed in burlesque.

Well, no. Don’t look at that one. Here’s me covered in sausage.

And look, here’s me wearing a blindfold and…

Let me find the videos on my phone of me barking. ’

‘You have been busy, haven’t you?’ Monsieur Fournier looked disbelievingly at her. ‘But why? As I tried to explain to you, multiple times, I might add, the will stipulates that you only have to try to finish the bucket list.’

Molly traded a confused glance with Levi.

‘Do you mean to say that Molly – Miss Johnson – only had to try to complete the list? As in, if she’d tried only one thing on the list then that would have been enough to satisfy the terms?’

Monsieur Fournier tutted. ‘At last. Someone is listening to me. You’ll make a good lawyer someday.’

Molly was glad that Levi chose to ignore the undercurrent of sarcasm.

‘But… but why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?’ Molly was astounded. Had all of this been for nothing? It couldn’t be possible.

‘I did. And I kept writing to you. Several times.’ He handed Molly a copy of the letter.

She quickly scanned it. Now that he had pointed it out, it was as though the wording was changing before her very eyes.

‘Blah, blah, blah,’ murmured Levi, reading over her shoulder.

‘The recipient, Molly Johnson, must try to complete everything remaining on the bucket list before Christmas Eve at 6p.m. of the following year otherwise blah, blah, blah… all of the assets pertaining to Ava’s estate will go to her next of kin.

’ Levi’s head jerked up. ‘He’s right. He’s rude but he’s right. ’

Monsieur Fournier coughed. ‘Apologies. My manner is not what it was. Ever since I lost my wife, I have been a cantankerous old buffoon. All those years spent slaving away at work instead of making the most of my time with her. In fact, Ms Johnson, you are my very last client. Well, strictly speaking Ava is my last client. And for what it is worth, I would have waited for you.’ Monsieur Fournier smiled forlornly at Molly.

‘She was my goddaughter, you see.’ His eyes misted over.

‘Her dear parents are my oldest friends.’

‘You were at the funeral,’ gasped Molly, squinting at him.

‘You gave a wonderfully heartfelt speech,’ said Monsieur Fournier. ‘I know how well you took care of her. And I know how much she wanted to help you rebuild your life afterwards.’

Molly had broken down halfway through her speech and she would never forget how kind and patient the congregation had been, sitting quietly while she gathered the strength to do her best friend proud.

They’d shared a whole life. And when it came towards the end, Molly chose to walk together in the darkness with Ava than alone in the light.

There was nothing she wouldn’t have done for her.

‘When she came here to draw up her will, you were all she could talk about. You were her best friend, her soulmate.’

Molly was embarrassed to find tears once again pooling in her eyes. ‘That’s very kind. We did everything together.’ Her voice caught in her throat. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to live without her.’

Levi put his arm around her shoulder. A comforting, caring gesture.

Monsieur Fournier watched them, his voice wavering.

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my seventy-six years, it’s that friendship is at the heart of everything meaningful.

It’s the most powerful energy there is. But Ava was very clear about one thing.

She wanted you to embrace life and all it has to offer.

’ He glanced at Levi and gave him a brief nod.

‘Make new friends. Live life. Don’t spend it hidden away in the kitchen working.

’ He leaned towards Molly, his voice soft as a feather.

‘Have fun. Shine brightly. Be bold. Fall dangerously in love.’ He flicked his eyes back to Levi.

‘Because some people leave it too late. Never put these things off.’

* * *

After they said their goodbyes to Monsieur Fournier, and he’d rejected their offer to spend Christmas with them, Molly and Levi got back in the car. Levi held her while she cried.

‘Will I ever stop crying?’ she asked him.

‘Even if you don’t, there’s a continuous drought in parts of Africa where you could do some good. Water the plants, fill reservoirs with your well of endless tears.’

Molly let out a half chuckle, sniffing as she sat up straight.

‘You’re right. It’s time to stop crying and start doing.

Although, speaking of the future, now that I have my business back and I’m no longer your chalet chef and you don’t have time for a relationship – which, by the way, you mentioned on many, many occasions – where does that leave us?

’ She took a deep breath. Now was the time to be bold.

She locked eyes with Levi. ‘Is this goodbye for us?’ Because she knew without a doubt that if this was goodbye, she would cry until she became nothing but a shrivelled husk and died of dehydration.

Africa would have to find someone else to fill their wells.

Levi held her hand. ‘Weren’t you listening to a word that poor man just said? Ava is clearly counting on you to live a full and adventurous life. And here you are. With a billionaire to play with for Christmas. You can literally do whatever your heart desires.’

‘Really? Because my heart only desires one thing.’

‘I hope you’re talking about committing to a relationship. Because, like me, you did mention it on many, many occasions.’

‘Yes. Yes, I am.’ Molly leaned in to kiss him. A warm, loving, soulful kiss that would have stretched on forever if the chauffeur wasn’t doing his job properly.

‘Sorry to interrupt,’ he announced over the car speaker. ‘Your jet is ready for take-off, sir.’

Levi murmured against Molly’s lips. ‘Please say you’ll protect me from my dysfunctional family.’

‘Not a chance. We’re spending every minute with them. Playing games. Bickering. Listening to them go on and on. Your siblings have many issues between them. It’s going to be great.’

Levi gave her a soft look. ‘Can’t wait.’

They boarded the luxury private jet for the second time within as many hours. As soon as they took off, Levi looked up from his phone. He had developed a dangerous glint in his eye.

Molly felt a surge of butterflies in her stomach. ‘What is it?’

‘The pass has reopened. Lucca, Toby and Freda have taken the minibus down to the resort. They’re spending the night at the Cigar Lounge Christmas Eve party. They’ll see us for Christmas dinner tomorrow, back at the lodge.’

‘How nice for them.’ Molly’s pulse raced. She and Levi would be alone at the lodge.

Alone.

Totally alone.