Page 21 of The Christmas Invitation

Katie had barely changed; she was still chic and poised in wide black trousers and a black polo neck. Her dark blonde hair was expertly cut and coloured to cover any grey, and she clearly had a great beauty therapist on speed dial. Her tweakments were subtle but effective. Katie was an entertainment lawyer and loved her job; she earned big money but worked long hours, and after having her now fifteen-year-old twin girls, Florence and Beatrice, her life was a constant juggle.

Harry, her husband, was beside her, the girls following behind. An old schoolfriend of Bill’s, Harry looked like the classic creative type, with his bald head and thick, black-rimmed glasses. After spending an unsatisfying few years in the city, Harry had done a complete U-turn and gone into film producing, eventually segueing into directing, a move which had been incredibly successful and for which he showed prodigious talent. He had directed a number of well-regarded indie movies that had punched well above their weight at the box office, and as he walked into the room now he carried himself with a confidence which was undeniably powerful and attractive.

Bill got up, bro-hugging his old schoolfriend. Kit followed, his welcome reserved to a handshake. Fliss watched, trying to understand what was happening. She knew that Kit had always felt like the odd man out around Bill and Harry, two old friends from privileged backgrounds, but there was something else … the dynamics of the group weren’t quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly why.

Everyone else was chatting and laughing, helping themselves to food, and the atmosphere felt convivial and warm. It reminded Fliss of the first day back at boarding school after the holidays, with everyone eager to catch up and share stories, overjoyed to see one another again.

The group was so wrapped up in greeting one another that no one noticed how Tara and Harry seemed to hone in on each another. No one saw how Tara pressed her body close to his as they hugged hello, lingering a moment too long, as Harry’s eyes darted across to the rest of the group to see if they were being watched.

No one noticed how, amidst all the chatter, Tara kissed Harry on the cheek and murmured into his ear, ‘God, I’ve missed you. You’re all I can think about.’

‘Tara,’ Harry murmured warningly, as he glanced around the room to make sure no one was watching.

‘After brunch, make an excuse and meet me in the old nursery on the third floor. I’m going to blow your mind …’ Tara’s words were lost over the general hubbub of conversation, no one paying attention as she trailed her hand across the back of his trousers and squeezed his perfectly tight gluteus maximus.

Sally broke through their furtive exchange, clearly thrilled to have everyone at Clarendon Hall. ‘Now we’re complete!’ she beamed, looking around the grand dining room at her friends and family, oblivious to the tensions and the undercurrents. ‘The gang’s all back together and this is going to be an unforgettable Christmas!’

Part Two

Chapter 10

London

November, 2005

‘Bloody hell, look at you!’ Fliss exclaimed, as Tara sashayed into the kitchen. Sally wolf-whistled and Tara hammed it up, posing dramatically against the fridge. She was wearing a tiny denim skirt with a silk and lace camisole, her long blonde hair hanging in a shimmering curtain down her back, as she gyrated to ‘Don’t Cha’ by the Pussycat Dolls, that was blasting out of the radio.

‘Do you like it?’ Tara asked coquettishly, knowing that she looked incredible. ‘I nipped into Topshop after rehearsals.’

‘You look seriously foxy,’ Sally confirmed.

‘Trying to impress anyone in particular?’ Fliss teased.

‘Now you come to mention it … You know the guy who’s in the play I’m doing?’

‘The one you’ve been talking about nonstop since you started rehearsals?’

Tara grinned. ‘I asked Sally to add him to the guest list tonight, so …’ She crossed her fingers and held them up, as the girls burst into excited giggles.

‘Speaking of which, I need to get going,’ Sally said, checking the oversized clock in the kitchen, as she hastily ran straighteners through her brunette bob to make it sleek and glossy. ‘I only ran back to get changed, but I need to help finish the setup.’

‘Let’s have a quick drink first,’ Tara cajoled, grabbing the bottle of Grey Goose from the counter, along with three shot glasses.

‘I shouldn’t …’ Sally bit her lip and stared longingly at the bottle. ‘I’m supposed to be working.’

‘This’ll help the night go faster,’ Tara insisted, pouring the glasses full to the rim and handing them round. ‘To Sally,’ Tara toasted. ‘And her fabulous party invites.’

‘To my fabulous friends,’ Sally toasted in return. ‘Who make all my parties go with a bang.’

They were about to down their shots when they heard the front door opening.

‘Katie!’ Tara screeched, and a few seconds later Katie stepped into the kitchen. She was wearing a slightly crumpled formal black suit with a white shirt, her light brown hair tied back in a glossy ponytail; despite her expensive make-up she looked exhausted.

‘Just in time! Quick, pour another!’ Fliss exclaimed. She was dressed less overtly than Tara, in black bootcut trousers and a sheer silver shirt that gave a tantalising glimpse of her black lace bra underneath.

‘Yes please,’ Katie nodded, her eyes lighting up as she saw the vodka bottle. ‘That’s exactly what I need.’

‘Wait, did you even come home last night?’ Sally asked, looking concerned.