Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

you never thought of getting another? I mean, you’re at home most of the time? And there are doggy day-care places if you needed to go out for longer than you’d want to leave him.’

      He peered down at me. ‘Doggy day-care?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘Do I really look like someone who would use the phrase “doggy day-care”?’

      I rolled my eyes at him. ‘Call it what you like then, but I’m just saying maybe getting another dog would be something to think about.’

      ‘I have thought about it, and I thought no.’

      ‘Oh.’

      Michael replaced the photograph. ‘This looks really nice. Thank you,’ he said, standing back from the dresser to study it better.

      ‘I’m glad you’re pleased. Lots more to do yet though.’

      We stood in silence for a moment.

      ‘But going back to the dog thing,’ I said, immediately hearing Michael sigh, ‘it would be great company for you. This is a big house and I think it could be nice for you to have another being here. I volunteer at a rescue centre just outside London. I could get them to keep an eye out for you, if you wanted?’

      ‘Kate It’s very kind of you, but I am not interested in getting another dog, OK?’

      ‘OK,’ I said, chewing the inside of my mouth as my thoughts wandered off in another direction. ‘I’d better be off then. You could take some more painkillers now if you wanted,’ I told him, glancing at my watch, ‘it’s been over the time.’

      ‘You’re leaving?’

      ‘Yes. Why?’

      ‘Do you have another appointment?’

      ‘No. Not this evening, thank goodness.’

      ‘Meeting the boyfriend?’ He raised an eyebrow.

      I raised my own in reply.

      A smile flickered. ‘Point taken. It’s just the Janey and the crew are coming over. I texted my brother-in-law about not going to rugby training. The daft sod told Janey I’d come off my bike so now she’s insisting on coming over to make sure I’m still in one piece and it’s turned into a family expedition.’ The smile on his face when he said this showed just how much this meant to him. It was the same joyous smile they all wore in the photographs I’d been arranging so carefully earlier.

      ‘Oh that’s lovely. It’ll be nice for you to have them here, and there’s even space of a sort now too.’

      ‘I know. They won’t believe it. They’ll have you up on sorcery charges.’

      ‘Hardly. Well, I’d better get going then. I don’t want to interrupt your family time.’

      I made to leave but Michael caught my arm.

      ‘I…Janey and I thought you might be able to stay. They’re bringing fish and chips, and I have to say, they’re the best you’ll ever have. I’d hate for you to miss out on such an amazing culinary experience.’

      I smiled. ‘That’s quite a claim.’

      ‘All true.’

      I was tempted. I’d been so busy with everyone having last-minute panics before Christmas and arranging bookings for a raft of New Year resolution clients that Janey and I hadn’t had a chance to catch up as much as we usually liked to. It would be lovely to see them all.

      ‘Go on. You know you want to.’

      I did want to. The thought of going back to my tiny flat and working late into the night, accompanied only by a microwave meal for one had so much less appeal than staying a little longer here in this beautiful house sharing a meal with people I cared about. And Michael, of course.

      ‘Janey will be upset if she finds out you left just before they got here.’

      ‘Emotional blackmail? That’s a low blow.’

      ‘Did it work?’

      I fiddled with one of the photo frames, moving it a miniscule amount, then moving it the same amount back.

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘Then I’m unrepentant.’

      I tilted my head back so that I could meet his gaze. ‘Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?’

      The doorbell rang and Michael turned.

      ‘Wait,’ I said, putting a hand out to stop him, ‘let me go. I can try to reassure Janey a little that I’ve been keeping an eye on you this afternoon and you’re OK.’

      Michael looked down. My hand was resting on his chest. Suddenly, my brain acknowledged the hard muscle, the warmth, the definition of his pecs through the fabric of his T-shirt. I snatched my hand back.

      ‘Sorry.’

      ‘No problem.’

      The doorbell rang again and I scooted out the living room door to answer it.

      ‘Katie! Is he all right? That bloody motorbike! If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times. Honest to God, in this weather too. I – ’

      ‘Janey he’s fine,’ I said, giving her a hug and taking her coat as they all piled through the door.

      ‘Are you sure?’ she asked quietly.

      ‘Yes. I’ve been here for most of the afternoon and I kept an eye on him. He’s pretty bruised and bumped but of course being stubborn about it. His ribs are pretty sore, but hopefully they’re just bruised rather than anything else. I gave him some painkillers earlier and eventually got him to rest most of the afternoon. He’s due some more pain relief about now if he wants them. They seem to have helped take the edge off things.’

      ‘If you’re finished discussing me out there, I’m starving!’ Michael emerged from the living room and although he was smiling, I could see the tightness in his face from the pain.

      ‘Stop whingeing you big wuss,’ Patrick, Janey’s husband laughed. ‘We’re coming,’ he said as he gave me a hug and unbundled the children from their coats, hats and mittens.

      ‘Uncle Mikey!’ they cheered as they careered across the hallway, making enough noise to rival a baby hippo.

      ‘Hiya squirts!’

      ‘Uncle Mikey pick me up, pick me up!’ the younger one chanted, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, her arms stretching up towards him.

      Michael hesitated a moment, clearly unwilling to disappoint his niece, and then began to bend towards her.

      ‘Michael Francis O’Farrell don’t you dare.’ Janey was marching towards her brother.

      He halted mid motion.

      ‘Lily. Uncle Mikey fell off his motorbike today and hurt himself so he can’t pick you up. Besides, you’re getting too big to be picked up these days.’

      ‘She’s never too big,’ Michael countered.

      Janey ignored him, ushering the children into the dining room. ‘Patrick, could you bring the food in please?’

      ‘Coming.’

      Chatting happily, Patrick and I diverted off into the kitchen.

      ‘Shall I get some plates?’ I asked.

      ‘Let’s be reckless and eat out of the paper, shall we?’ Patrick grinned at me.

      I returned it. ‘Why not?’

      We moved around the kitchen, hunting and gathering the rest of the supplies amongst the still-to-be-sorted chaos of the room. Soon we had everything we needed – Patrick brought the various packets of food and I carried the cutlery, tomato sauce, salt