Wickham Hall: Part Four - White Christmas Read Free

bonfire meeting.’ He sighed. ‘I’m ashamed of it now, but I felt so humiliated. Everything I said was dismissed and everything you suggested everyone was like: “Oh, yes, Holly, a Guy Fawkes competition, fabulous idea.” And then when Benedict turned up after being away in the Orkneys for weeks, I was so pleased to see him and he only had eyes for you.’
    â€˜Me! Really?’ My voice went a bit wobbly and I turned away before Andy noticed my secret smile. That was lovely to hear, especially as I’d really missed Ben since he’d left in November and I was tempted to press Andy for more.
    â€˜Yes. And when I tried to compliment him on his art, all he did was order me to clear up the rubbish. It was the final straw.’
    â€˜So you hid the packaging rubbish on the bonfire?’
    â€˜I cleared it away from the store room, as Ben asked, but there was no bin collection for weeks and rather than dispose of it properly, I hid it in one of the old sheds. That was back in September. By the time I came across it again, Jim had started to build the bonfire.’ He shrugged weakly. ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time.’
    I frowned. ‘That explains the smoke, but why have you been so against me ever since I arrived?’
    â€˜I’ve always wanted to work in a creative environment.’ He sighed. ‘And when the job came up in the events department as Pippa’s assistant, I thought it was meant for me. And Pippa was going to give it to me, I was sure. Until she interviewed you and then my dreams went up in smoke.’
    â€˜But isn’t your job in the gift shop creative?’ I frowned, setting a mug in front of him.
    â€˜Huh,’ he grunted. ‘Lady F is so controlling; other than a free rein with the window displays, my hands are tied. And I never get to choose stock.’
    â€˜Well, my job is ninety-nine per cent organization,’ I argued. ‘Only the initial ideas for events and marketing campaigns are creative. I spend a lot of my time writing copy for press releases and leaflets.’
    Andy blinked at me. ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that. I’d be rubbish at that, I’m a bit dyslexic. I have to get Edith to check anything I’ve written.’
    â€˜There you go, then!’ I attempted a smile and sat at my desk. Inside I was gritting my teeth. All this childish behaviour for a job he’d probably have hated anyway.
    â€˜You still get to work with Benedict, though,’ he muttered. ‘I’d love to be in your shoes.’
    â€˜But you do know that Benedict is unlikely to . . . you know,’ I waved my hands awkwardly, ‘reciprocate?’
    â€˜I know,’ admitted Andy, twirling his diamond earring distractedly. ‘As soon as you came on the scene, that was it.’ He mimed a knife across his own throat.
    I blinked at him. ‘But . . . Oh, never mind.’
    â€˜Anyway, Holly, other than stealing my thunder, my job and my prince, you’ve really done nothing wrong,’ Andy said with a rueful smile. ‘So I apologize wholeheartedly and I promise not to be such a bitch in future, starting with running the Christmas craft workshops for you.’
    He stood up and walked over to me, holding his arms out. ‘Hug it out?’
    I suppressed a snort and submitted to his dainty hug. ‘Yes, sure.’
    â€˜Now I really must dash,’ gasped Andy, ‘or poor Edith will have disappeared under a sea of wicker hampers. Laters.’
    He blew me a kiss and dashed out, leaving me bemused by the whole experience.
    I didn’t have long to dwell on it, though, as my desk phone rang its special internal ring and I swooped to answer it. ‘Events department, Holly speaking.’
    â€˜Holly, sorry to bother you, but could you join me in the library?’
    I jumped to my feet.
    â€˜Of course, Lord Fortescue. I’m on my way.’
    I skipped down the stairs as quickly