Page 105 of Under the Mistletoe with You

Ursula looks about ready to kick off as Tamara, Shaz and Priti are so clearly in the unwilling acceptance stage, so Nash steps in and turns on the golden-boy charm.‘We would really appreciate your help, ma’am,’ he says with a smile.

It is truly amazing how quickly Nash can disarm someone, Christopher thinks, especially when he spends most of his time windinghimup.Perhaps it’s all part of the media training – how to speak to journalists and how to calm a storm before it rises.

Except, this time, it doesn’t seem to work.

‘Please don’t “ma’am” me,’ she sneers in such a way that Christopher is pretty sure he sees Nash shrink.

Just at that moment, Christopher’s phone starts to ring.‘Oh crikey,’ he says, wiggling with his two cups.To his horror, Nash slips his hand into Christopher’s back pocket, answers the phone and holds it against Christopher’s ear for him.

‘Christopher, it’s your mother.’

‘Hi, Mother.’

‘I secured a car for your friend to borrow.’

‘It’s barely been ten minutes, how—’

‘I’m just that impressive.Now, I’ll send through all the details in a moment so that you can pass them on to your friend.It’s one of those 4 x 4s so it should get him through the worst weather.When the snow has cleared, your father and I will drive up to see you, and one of us will drive the car back to London so he doesn’t have to worry about that.’

‘That’s incredibly kind of you.’

‘We do what we can for each other, especially in times of crisis.’

‘You’re right.We’ve been doing the same here.We were just discussing hosting Christmas Day at the bakery for anyone who is home alone.’

‘I’m very proud of you.I always knew you were community-minded like me.Now, let’s not get too mushy on the phone.I’ll send you the details so we can get your chap on the road sooner rather than later.’

That was alarmingly close to a direct compliment.It feels ...nice.‘Thank you, Mother.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Wait.Before you go, do you have any advice for me?’

There’s a distinct pause.‘You’re askingmefor advice?Do I have that right?’

‘Well.Yes.Being with people, managing them.Working together for something.I’ve watched you do that with everyone in Oxlea my whole life and I hadn’t appreciated it before.’

Another pause.‘You’ve never asked me for advice before.’

Generally, that’s because you give it before I can ask for it, he thinks, but makes sure not to say.‘I’m asking now.’

‘Well,’ she begins slowly.‘Firstly, if people offer their help, you have to trust them.Delegate.I can imagine you and I share the same flaw of wanting to oversee everything—’

‘Somewhat.’

‘It’s our cross to bear, and it’s important to work against it, otherwise you end up doing everything.’

‘And that’s bad, yes?’

‘Yes.Secondly, you catch more flies with honey than water.’

He’s not quite sure he wants to catch any flies but resists teasing her when she’s helping.‘How so?’

‘Even if someone is royally ticking you off, find a way to work with them, even if it’s just telling them what they want to hear.Fundamentally, Christopher, people want to be useful and respected, or at least have the impression that they are either.Give them that and you’re on your way to a successful collaboration.’

‘Thank you, Mother.’

‘You’re welcome, Christopher.’