Page 61 of Christmas in Mistletoe

Ruby sighed. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“No need to sound so surprised.” She stared at Ruby. “Plus, you can’t forget the words to ‘Fairytale Of New York’. It’s like forgetting the words to ‘Last Christmas’. You are doing ‘Last Christmas’, aren’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Victoria squeezed Ruby’s knee. “Are you okay otherwise? Everything good in Ruby Town?”

Ruby ducked her head. “Fine.” When she looked up, Victoria was studying her intently.

“What?”

“This is about a girl, isn’t it? Mum said you crawled in early on Tuesday after spending the night out. I can only assume it was with Fran?”

Ruby’s cheeks flared.

“What happened?”

Ruby slumped again. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not, but it is.”

“You’re not making much sense.” Victoria paused. “Did you sleep with her?”

Ruby hesitated, but knew Victoria would see through the lie.

She nodded.

“I knew it!” She glanced at Eric. “What did I tell you?”

Eric rolled his eyes.

“And what was it like?”

Ruby gave her sister a stern look. “I’m not telling you that!” Ruby glanced at Eric.

Victoria slapped Ruby’s leg. “Eric and I have no secrets. I’ll only fill him in later, so he might as well hear it now.”

Ruby snorted, then relented. “It was great. But now she’s back in London and she might not be able to make it on Saturday because of her work.”

Ruby wasn’t going to mention Delilah.

Victoria made a sad face.

“Plus, she was out for dinner last night with her ex, which isn’t ideal.”

Victoria frowned. “I thought she was out last night with Delilah. At least, that’s what I saw in the papers today.”

Ruby watched as realisation dawned.

“Her ex isDelilah?” Victoria blinked rapidly.

Ruby had vowed not to say anything, but it just slipped out and then Victoria filled in the blanks. Ruby jumped up, waving her arms in a ‘cut!’ motion. “Forget I said that last bit. Forget I saidanything. Delilah isn’t out, and thiscan’tget out. I promised Fran.” Horror thoughts ran through Ruby’s mind. Of all the people to tell, she’d toldVictoria?

“Promise me you won’t say anything to anyone? None of your friends or our family? Swear on Eric’s life.” Ruby gave Victoria her sternest face.

“Of course, I can keep a secret!”

Eric snorted. “She can’t, but I’ll make sure she keeps this one.” He gave Ruby a nod. “Don’t worry.”

It was as good as Ruby could hope for.