A Mistletoe Proposal Read Free Page A

’
    â€˜Do you know them?’
    â€˜Quite well. I’ve used them in the past. They’ve got a big reputation. You must be impressive if they’ve taken you on. Aren’t we nearing Crimea Street now?’
    â€˜Next one on the left.’
    They saw the garage as soon as they turned into the street. The little business that Pippa’s great-grandfather, Joe Parsons, had set up ninety years earlier had flourished and grown. It was now three times the size, and her brothers, Brian and Frank, had bought houses on the same street so that they could live close to their work.
    They were just preparing to shut up shop when the little convoy rolled into view. At once they came out onto the pavement and stood watching with brotherly irony.
    â€˜Again!’ Frank declared. ‘Why aren’t I surprised?’
    â€˜Because you’re an old stick-in-the-mud,’ Pippa informed him, kissing his cheek, then Brian’s. ‘And clearly you didn’t mend it properly. This is Roscoe Havering, who came to my rescue.’
    â€˜Good of you,’ Brian said, shaking Roscoe’s hand. ‘Ofcourse a better idea would have been to dump her in the nearest river, but I dare say that didn’t occur to you.’
    â€˜Actually, it did,’ Roscoe observed. ‘But I resisted the temptation.’
    The brothers laughed genially. They were both in their forties, heavily built and cheerful.
    A few moments under the bonnet was enough to make Frank say, ‘This’ll take until tomorrow. And look, I’m afraid we can’t invite you in. The family’s away and we’ve sort of planned…well…’
    â€˜A night on the tiles,’ Pippa chuckled. ‘You devils! I’ll bet Crimea Street is going to rock.’
    â€˜You’d better believe it!’
    â€˜OK, I’ll come back tomorrow.’
    â€˜Don’t you live here?’ Roscoe asked.
    â€˜No, I’ve got my own little place a few miles away.’
    â€˜Where exactly?’
    She gave him the address in the heart of London.
    â€˜I’ll take you,’ he said. ‘Get in.’
    Relieved, she did so, first retrieving two heavy bags from the back of her car.
    â€˜Thanks,’ she said as she clicked the seat belt and slammed the door. ‘I’ve got a heavy night’s work ahead of me and I’ve got to give it everything.’
    â€˜No hungry man wanting his supper cooked?’
    â€˜Nope. I live alone. Free, independent, no distractions.’
    â€˜Except visiting your friends,’ he observed.
    â€˜They’re my brothers—oh, you mean in the graveyard. I suppose you thought I looked very odd.’
    â€˜No, you looked as if you were enjoying the company. It was nice.’
    â€˜I always did enjoy my grandparents’ company. I adored them both. Especially Gran. I loved talking to her, and I guess I just can’t stop.’
    â€˜Why should you want to?’
    â€˜Most people would say because she’s dead.’
    â€˜But she isn’t dead to you, and that’s what matters. Besides, I don’t think you worry too much about what other people say.’
    â€˜Well, I ought to. I’m a lawyer.’
    â€˜Ah, yes. Staid and serious.’
    She made a comical face. ‘I do my best.’
    Outwardly, he showed nothing, but inside his expression was wry. Twenty-seven. Was he expected to believe that? Twenty-four, tops. And even that was stretching it. If she really worked for Farley she was probably little more than a pupil, but that was fine. She could still be useful to him.
    A plan was forming in his mind. The details had to be fine-tuned but meeting her was like the working out of destiny. Somewhere, a kindly fate had planned this meeting and he was going to make the most of it.
    â€˜It’s just there,’ Pippa said, pointing through the window to a tall, expensive-looking apartment block.
    â€˜There doesn’t seem