Page 41 of Under the Mistletoe with You

‘Okay, but who is going to break into a truck that’s on its knees, especially when we’re the only people out here?’

Nash has a point, but still.Some habits can’t be broken.He’s only been out of London for six months, after all.

The doorbell chimes out a sweet little song, and after it ends they hear a distant ‘I’m coming, just a minute!’

Christopher flips open the letterbox in the door.‘Take your time, Myffy.’He doesn’t want her falling overinthe house when they’re this close to helping.

When the door eventually opens, they’re greeted by a rosy-cheeked woman with wild curls of brown hair and the biggest smile in the world, standing with the assistance of a bright pink rollator.‘Did you bring the goods?’she asks, dropping her smile and raising her eyebrows conspiratorially.

‘We’ve got your drugs, ma’am,’ says Nash cheerily.

‘Shh, they’ll hear you,’ she giggles and steps back to let them in.‘What handsome rescuers.At least I hope that’s who you are, or this day is about to take a really interesting turn.’

‘We’re the rescuers, I promise,’ Christopher says with a smile, hoping it reads as non-threatening rather than strange.He’s not particularly good at this bit with new people.

‘Come through and warm up, duckies.’They follow her through her blessedly warm house to the kitchen at the back, where Nash places the paper prescription bag on the centre of the dining table.

‘Diolch, darling.Paned?’Myffy asks.

‘Allow me,’ says Christopher, filling the kettle, and taking three clean mugs from the drainer on the side.

‘I’ll get us the biscuits then,’ she insists, but Nash reaches over and grabs the obvious biscuit tin from a counter just out of her reach, setting them on the table too.

‘Please, allow us,’ he says, holding out a chair for her.

‘Crikey.What a delightful day this is to have two strapping young men waiting on me.A girl could get used to this.’

She sits down at the kitchen table and opens the bag to check her medicines.‘All present and correct.And what a relief, to be honest with you.Thank you ever so much for bringing this up to me.This cold is a nightmare for my joints, and I wasn’t fancying going cold turkey.’

Nash sits down next to her, while Christopher finishes making the teas.‘We’re happy to help.Is there anything else we can do while we’re here?’

‘Ah, let’s get a hot drink in you first before I start ordering you around.’

It appears that Myffy’s mug collection is somewhat eccentric.It’s only as Christopher pours water into the mugs that he notices the decorations.All the mugs must be part of a set, as they all feature people in rather rudeposes that seem to be gettingruderas the mug heats up.Christopher can’t help but blush a little as he sets the cups down on the table.

‘Diolch, love,’ Myffy says.

Nash inspects his mug, only to burst out laughing as he realises what he’s looking at.‘My, my.’

Myffy grins.‘A good lark, aren’t they?’

‘I’m guessing “paned” means tea?’

‘You got it in one, sugar.So, I suppose you are Christopher, and that means you must be Nash, am I right?’

‘How did you guess?’

‘Shaz told me to expect an English one and an American.’

‘I’m Canadian,’ mutters Nash into his tea.

‘Really?You’ve never mentioned it,’ says Christopher, blowing on his tea.

‘I told you like half an hour ago.’

‘And since then you’ve told me three more times.’

Nash huffs and folds his arms, much to the delight of Myffy.‘Look at you two.Such a funny pair.’