Page 71 of A Snowfall of Silver

I shrug. “Go back home with my tail between my legs, I suppose.”

“You can’t go back home!” he exclaims, horrified.

“I don’t think there’s much choice,” I rub my nose. “I can’t just hang around Lou’s house for ever. I’m already feeling like the world’s biggest third wheel, one of those Penny Farthing type ones. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve walked in on Lou and Robert in a clinch. The two of them can’t keep their hands off each other, and all the mistletoe they’ve hung is the perfect excuse,” I finish with a grimace.

Kit wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Mistletoe sounds like an excellent idea,” he murmurs into my hair.

And then, we’re kissing again and it’s bliss and I begin to see the appeal of strewing the house with mistletoe after all.

“It’s snowing again,” I murmur, dazed, when we come up for air. Fat flakes drift in drowsy curlicues to settle in Kit’s hair, on his dark wool coat, to melt against my warm cheeks. In the early evening light, the world around us is fairy-touched, shining silver.

“I hope you’re not feeling so averse to romance any more?” Kit asks.

I laugh. “Now that I know what it really feels like, I’ve decided I’m very much in favour.”

“Good. We had better go back, before we’re caught out in another blizzard.”

I don’t want to let him go. “You can come in for a hot chocolate. Meet my sister.”

“I’d love to. For one thing, I hear the place is covered in mistletoe.”

I shove him gently and we turn back towards Lou’s. “Actually, it’s a good job we’re going back,” I say. “I’m starving. I haven’t eaten for days. Well, I’ve eaten, of course – but not at my normal capacity.”

“I came prepared.” Kit reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bar of chocolate.

“This is why you’re the best person in the world,” I say, taking it.

“I’m only surprised you left the house without a satchel full of sandwiches.”

“That was a good day,” I say, thinking about that magical afternoon at the abbey. Staging Kit’s play, the set coming to life in my mind from the skeleton of a ruined abbey.

“It was a lot of fun,” Kit agrees, and the words ring in my ears.

A thought strikes me then, a thought so wonderful it’s as if lightning parts the sky and shoots right through me. I freeze, glued to the spot, my eyes wide, my breathing suddenly rapid.

“Freya?” Kit turns to me, concern writ large across his face.

“It was fun,” I say. “It was the most fun I ever had. It brought me joy. It felt right.”

“Ye-es.” Kit’s confusion is clear. “That’s good.”

His confusion is not dispelled in the slightest when I begin to laugh manically. I whirl towards him, reaching up on my tiptoes to plant a swift kiss on his lips. “I have to go!” I exclaim. “I’ll explain later, I’m sorry, but … there’s something I need to do.”

“Wha—” Kit starts, but I reach up and kiss him again, because I can, because I want to.

And then, I swirl away and begin to run, leaving him standing in the falling snow.

When I reach the theatre, I head directly to the stage door. They will be preparing for their evening’s performance. The touring company may be finished, but the theatre’s own production of The Nutcracker runs right up to Christmas Day. And I know Mr Cantwell and Miss Meriden have meeting after meeting lined up in the building.

“Hello, Joe!” I call, as I bustle through the door, shaking snow from my boots. “I need to see Mr Cantwell. It’s urgent.”

“Mr Cantwell’s not here, miss,” Joe says, his crumpled face appearing at the window.

My face falls.

“Miss Meriden is in her office, mind,” Joe adds, and I’m already moving, calling my thanks over my shoulder.

I knock on Miss Meriden’s door, my knuckles beating a jittery tattoo.