Page 81 of The Life Makeover Club

‘Sorry I’m a bit late, I had to talk to my boss.’

‘Did you get in trouble?’ He flashed a cheeky grin.

‘Nope, I actually resigned!’

‘Really?’

‘Yep, I’m starting a new job at the hotel beauty salon in January.’

‘Congratulations! Are you excited?’

‘Very much. It’s exactly the sort of place I wanted to work at.’ Miranda smiled.

‘I’m very happy for you, it’s so important to be in a job you love.’

His eyes. Oh, his eyes.‘Definitely. How’s your job, are you working today?’

‘It’s great, although I’m on night shift tonight.’

‘Oh, shouldn’t you be at home sleeping in preparation?’

‘I can never sleep in the middle of the day before the first night shift, I’ll wait till later this afternoon to try fora bit of shut-eye, then catch up tomorrow.’ He took a swig of water, and Miranda found herself hypnotised by the movement of his Adam’s apple.

‘Ah, the joys of shift work. You’d think the patients could look after themselves for a night so the nurses can sleep, huh?’

‘I know! How rude of them.’ Matt shared a laugh with Miranda, as the waitress came over.

After ordering, eating, and sharing stories of their night shift adventures, Miranda, despite the bubbles of nerves inside, summoned the courage to ask Matt a question. ‘Matt, there’s this ball that the hotel’s hosting, it’s an annual charity fundraiser, and a whole lot of fun, and ... I have a spare ticket and wondered if you’d like to go?’

‘Oh, when is it?’ He raised his eyebrows.

‘It’s a New Year’s Eve ball, so if I’m correct that would make it on the ... um...’ Miranda tapped at her temple. ‘...thirty-first of December!’

Matt chuckled at her little joke, then his smile flattened out. ‘Unfortunately, I can’t. I have to work that night. But thanks for asking, it sounds like it would be a great night.’

Damn!‘No problem, if you’ve gotta work – you’ve gotta work.’ Miranda drowned her disappointment with a sip of water, and changed the subject. ‘So, have you cut off anyone else’s expensive dress lately?’

Oh God. Did I really just say that?

‘Deck the hallswith boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la!’ Miranda swayed as the Christmas carollers sang to anadmiring audience in the hotel lobby. Pedro placed a friendly arm around her and joined in the swaying.

‘Make sure you come visit us at reception next year, don’t be a stranger.’ Pedro wagged his finger at Miranda.

‘Of course I’ll visit, as long as you sneak me a chocolate or two from Linda’s stash when she’s not looking, like the good old times.’

‘You got it.’ Pedro raised his hand and Miranda high-fived it.

‘Miranda, before you go...’ Linda scurried out from behind the reception desk with a Christmas cracker in her hand, holding one end out to her.

‘Oh, I love these things!’ Miranda pulled it, a rewarding snap sounding.

‘Must be your lucky day,’ Linda said, Miranda holding the long end of the cracker. ‘What did you get?’

She tipped the cracker over and a plastic whistle popped out. ‘Goodie, now I can whistle from level two when I need you guys.’ Closing her lips around it, she gave a little blow, hardly noticeable for the volume of the carollers.

‘Keep it in your pocket. If David winks at you when you walk past, go up to him and blow it in his ear.’ Linda chuckled.

‘Good idea! Anyway, I’m officially finished here, so I best be on my way. Have a great Christmas, you guys, I’ll see you at the ball?’