Page 145 of Make You Mine This Christmas

‘Thank you. Both of you,’ she murmurs.

‘You’re welcome. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages,’ laughs Laurel, whipping out the door into the icy night air.

‘Enjoy the mansion,’ Haf whispers to Ambrose.

‘Oh, you bet I’m making her take me horse riding in the morning.’ They lean over and kiss her on the forehead. ‘Proud of you.’

This is the thing that tips her over to tears, and she grabs Ambrose for another quick hug before they leave. ‘See you tomorrow,’ she wobbles.

Next to disappear are Otto and Esther, who leave with a slightly drunk goodnight, and a gentle urge to not stay up too late.

Once they leave, Christopher stretches out in the armchair Otto usually occupies, his long legs resting on the coffee table, while Kit and Haf stretch out to fill the whole couch together. Stella and Luna snore by the fire, and everything feels right.

‘Do we still have to share a bed now the truth is out?’ asks Christopher with a smile.

‘Oh, you’re going to miss me teasing you.’

‘You’re only across the hall. I’m sure you could shout loud enough for me to hear.’

‘Oi, oi,’ laughs Haf, which makes both of the siblings groan.

‘I’m never touching you again,’ Kit jabs at her with a socked foot.

‘That’s fair. I’ll sleep down here with the dogs.’

Luckily, it doesn’t come to that, and a soon she is curled up in Kit’s bed. Part of her can’t quite believe that after all this, she’s actually here.

She stretches out her tired body, thankful for the heated under-sheet blanket Kit has on her bed. Dressed in adorable button-up pyjamas, Kit climbs into bed, resting her head on Haf’s chest. Lazily, Haf strokes her hair, and a mixture of the warm blanket, relief and sheer happiness drag her towards sleep.

There are so many things still to work out – where will she work? Will she move to London to be with Kit? Or will Kit move wherever she is and find a job at a different firm? But, for once, all that unknown doesn’t feel scary. Not with Kit in her arms, and all the other people who love her in her life. It feels exciting, like there’s a future out there just waiting for her to grab.

‘I love you,’ she whispers.

‘I love you too,’ Kit replies sleepily. ‘Let’s hope next Christmas is less eventful.’

‘Oh, I don’t know, I quite enjoyed some parts of it.’ Haf smiles. ‘Even if there’s no fake dating, I’m sure we can think of some chaos.’

‘Can it at least be minor chaos? Contained minor chaos,’ murmurs Kit, her voice thick with sleep.

‘For you, anything.’

The curtains aren’t pulled completely across the window, and Haf can see a bright slither of moon in the dark velvet sky. As her eyes adjust, she spies stars.

‘Hey,’ she whispers. ‘Did you even get to make your Christmas wish?’

‘Of course I did,’ Kit yawns.

‘What did you wish for? Or would it jinx it? Or is that only if it hasn’t happened yet?’

‘That would be telling.’ Kit nuzzles into her side. ‘That’s against the rules.’

‘You haven’t told me what the rules are.’

‘Rule one: no telling. That’s it. Hmm, I guess it’s just one rule.’

‘Was it about me?’ Haf says, which turns into a squeak as Kit pokes her.

‘You’re not taking this very seriously,’ Kit laughs, sitting up and clambering on top of her. ‘But on this occasion, I suppose I can bend the rules slightly.’

Kit’s hair falls over Haf’s face, her eyes twinkling in the low light.

‘You’re my Christmas wish, Haf Hughes. You’re always going to be my Christmas wish.’

‘Notjustfor Christmas?’

‘After all the chaos we went through to get here?’ Kit says and leans down to give her the sweetest promise of a kiss. ‘I’m never letting you go.’