Chapter Twenty-Six
December 2014, London, England
‘Where are we going?’ Molly asked Saskia as she carefully applied a flick of black eyeliner to Molly’s eyes. ‘You know I don’t like surprises.’
‘Do you trust me?’ Saskia asked, cocking her head to the side.
‘Uh…’ Molly said with a smirk. ‘OK, fine I trust you. Whatever you’ve got planned tonight, I’m sure it will be brilliant.’
‘That’s the spirit,’ Saskia replied. ‘It’s New Year’s Eve. We’re going to kick this year firmly in the arse, send it on its way and embrace whatever next year has in store for us.’
Molly laughed. ‘You have such a way with words. If you don’t get the next audition, you should think about stand up.’
‘Funnily enough, Caro and I are considering doing it,’ Saskia replied. ‘If you think I’m funny, you need to spend an evening with her.’
‘I’d love to,’ Molly said. ‘Add it to the list of things we’re going to do this year.’
‘I love this new, confident Molly,’ Saskia said, dusting blusher across Molly’s cheeks. ‘You’re good to go. What are you going to wear?’
‘I have no idea, because I don’t even know where we’re going,’ Molly said.
‘We’re going to a party,’ Saskia replied. ‘Dress like you’re a Bond girl in a casino.’
Molly wrinkled her nose. ‘I don’t think I have anything like that.’
Saskia jumped off Molly’s bed. ‘Hold on, I’ll be right back.’ She disappeared out of the room and returned holding their mum’s navy blue jumpsuit. ‘I think you should wear this.’
Molly stood up and took the hanger from Saskia, running her fingers over the navy-blue velvet of the jumpsuit. ‘It does need some new memories.’
‘Exactly,’ Saskia replied, ‘Put it on and I’ll fix your hair.’
The taxi arrived outside just as Molly had put on the glittery high heels that she’d borrowed from Saskia. She checked her reflection in the mirror. The jumpsuit wrapped across her chest, revealing a hint of cleavage, and clung tightly to her waist and hips before the trousers tapered to her ankles.
‘Does it suit me?’ she asked.
‘It does. Like it was made for you. Are you ready for this?’ A huge smile spread across Saskia’s face.
‘I have no idea, but I’m going to trust you,’ Molly replied, running her eyes over Saskia, who was wearing a silver, Grecian style dress, her hair swept dramatically to one side. ‘You look stunning as always.’
‘I haven’t decided if I’m Bond villain, or Bond girl yet, though.’ Saskia raised an eyebrow and opened the front door, ushering Molly out.
The taxi drove out of the city and into the darkness of the countryside. The further they went, the more confused Molly got. Eventually they came to a long drive, which led to a car park. As the taxi parked, Molly gasped at the stunning stately home in front of them.
‘Where are we?’ she asked.
‘Come with me,’ Saskia replied, climbing out of the taxi, and taking Molly’s hand. She paid the driver and waved him off, before slipping her arm into Molly’s. ‘Mind your heels on the gravel.’
They joined a path, which led to the front door, which Saskia confidently pulled open.
Molly could hear voices and glasses clinking as they walked down a long hallway. Saskia opened the glass door at the end of the hall, and Molly’s eyes widened as she walked into the upmarket bar,
with velvet upholstered furniture, and Victorian tiled floors. On one side of the bar, a band were setting up.
Alex, dressed in a tuxedo, appeared, handing them both a glass of Champagne. ‘Welcome to the Woodlands Hotel. I hope you enjoy tonight.’
‘Alex?’ Molly frowned, puzzled. ‘This is the hotel you and your mum own.’
‘That’s right,’ he replied. ‘It was our family home, but we converted it a few years ago.’
‘This place is incredible,’ Saskia said. ‘I can’t believe we haven’t been here before.’
‘I think you’ll be back,’ Alex replied. ‘Most of the people here tonight were here for our first New Year’s Eve party two years ago.’
‘Including me,’ Kate said, appearing by Alex’s side. ‘Wow, Molly I love your jumpsuit; is that vintage Biba?’
‘It is,’ Molly replied. ‘It was my mum’s. I’m giving it a new lease of life. It can’t stay shut in the wardrobe forever.’
Just like she had been. Stuck. Afraid to say what she thought; afraid to walk away from situations which were no good for her. It was time for change and tonight was the perfect opportunity.
Kate smiled at Molly and Saskia. ‘I’m so sorry about your mum. Alex told me that she passed away a few years ago. It’s wonderful that you’re keeping her memory alive.’
‘Thank you,’ Molly said, biting her lip. ‘Thank you for inviting us tonight, I mean I assume we’re invited and not just gatecrashing.’ She flicked her eyes to Saskia.
‘You were definitely invited,’ Alex replied. ‘We’ll catch up with you later.’
‘Sure, thank you,’ Saskia said.
As Kate and Alex left, Molly’s chest tightened, her heart pounding in her chest, and she turned to Saskia. ‘Is he here? You told me that he was DJing at an exclusive party!’
‘Yes,’ Saskia replied. ‘This one.’ She took a glug of her Champagne, then slipped her arm into Molly’s and led them towards an empty table. ‘Do you want something to eat?’
‘No, I’m too nervous,’ Molly said. ‘I can’t decide if I’m annoyed with you, or whether you’re a genius.’
‘Probably both,’ Saskia replied. ‘I know you said you were going to talk to Chris, but knowing you, you would overthink it and drag it out for months. I’m just speeding up the process.’
‘And you chose to do this on New Year’s Eve, where I could make an idiot of myself in front of all of his family and friends?’ Molly took a deep breath, thankful for the stretchy velvet fabric of her jumpsuit.
‘Let’s get something to eat; it’ll help with the nerves,’ Saskia said standing up and smoothing out her dress.
‘You’re right,’ Molly said as they walked over to a large table spread out with charcuterie, bread and cheeses. ‘I need to stop overthinking it. I just have to tell him that I love him.’ She ignored the nausea swirling in her stomach.
‘Exactly,’ Saskia said, handing Molly a plate. ‘Now, get some food in you. You need fuelling up before you do this.’
They filled their plates and returned to their table. Molly kept scanning the room for Chris. Despite her nerves, she devoured her food, as did Saskia, who always ate like she hadn’t been fed for weeks.
Once they’d eaten, Saskia pulled her phone out of her clutch bag and unlocked it, her face lighting up. ‘I’ve just had a message from Scott. He and Chris got held up at Mimosa, but they’ve just arrived.’
The butterflies in Molly’s stomach fluttered even harder. ‘He’s here?’ she whispered.
‘Yep.’ Saskia nodded. ‘It’s going to be OK. You got this.’
***
Chris walked into the bar, spotting Alex, and pulling him in for a hug. ‘Hello mate, looking sharp as usual.’
‘Thank you,’ Alex replied. ‘Nice tux.’ He smirked.
Chris shook his head. ‘I knew the blue velvet was a mistake.’
‘Oh no,’ Alex said, ‘it definitely wasn’t a mistake.’ He smiled knowingly, then turned to Scott and high fived him. ‘Hey man, how are you doing? Love the tux. Velvet not your thing?’
Scott shook his head. ‘I prefer to stick with the classics.’ He smoothed down the jacket of his black tuxedo.
‘Well grab a drink,’ Alex said, patting Scott on the back. ‘I’ll catch up with you later.’
‘Sure,’ Scott replied. He turned to Chris. ‘Come on, let me get you a beer.’
As they walked over to the bar, Chris’s heart leapt into his mouth. Walking towards him was Molly, wearing a navy-blue jumpsuit. Saskia was by her side, and she flew over to Scott, wrapping her arms around him.
‘Chris,’ Molly breathed. ‘Wow. I love your tux.’
‘I love your jumpsuit,’ he replied nervously. ‘We match.’ He took a second to catch his breath. ‘I didn’t know you were coming tonight. Scott told me that you and Saskia were still in London. I thought you might need some space, you know, after everything.’
Molly smiled. ‘Saskia told me you and Alex were DJing at an exclusive party, and that Scott was working.’
He laughed. ‘They’re so devious. I’m glad you’re here,’ he said.
‘Me too,’ she replied. ‘You’re right. I did need some time to process…everything. You know me so well.’
‘I hope so,’ he said. He wanted to tell her how much he’d missed her, but he nodded to the back of the room as the band started playing. ‘We got here just in time. Want to dance?’ He offered her his hand.
‘Sure,’ Molly replied, taking his hand, and letting him lead her to the dance floor.
The music was too loud to talk, which Chris was grateful for. After tonight, everything would change. She would know how he felt about her. He breathed in her coconut perfume and held her close.
When the band’s set finished, he let go of her. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’ he asked.
‘I’m having the best time,’ she replied as they walked towards the bar. ‘I don’t even care about all the people and the darkness. I love it.’
He nodded. ‘I need to talk to you. Privately. Is that alright?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, and her brow furrowed. ‘Where do you want to go?’
‘Come with me.’ He offered her his hand and led her out of the bar, and along the corridor.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘You’ll see,’ he replied.
He pushed open a door next to the grand staircase and flicked the lights on, ushering Molly inside. The far wall of the room was lined with bookcases, the shelves full of leather-bound classics, paperbacks, and reference books.
‘I thought you might like it in here,’ he said.
‘I’ve never seen so many books,’ she replied.
‘They’re all my aunt and uncle’s books,’ he said. ‘Kate helped Alex renovate it. You need to see the library at her house. It’s probably five times the size of this.’
‘I…’ she said.
‘So,’ he said at the same time.
‘No, you go first,’ she said, her cheeks colouring.
His throat felt tight, and he pulled at the collar of his shirt. ‘No, after you,’ he said. ‘Ladies first, remember.’ He needed to hear what she had to say before he spoke.
She nodded. ‘I need to tell you something. I should have told you sooner, but I couldn’t, and I didn’t. It could change everything and I’m scared.’
‘Hey.’ He reached out and took her hands in his. ‘It’s me. You can tell me anything.’
She nodded. ‘I know. But this is big.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I broke up with Mark because he wasn’t right for me, and I would never have the kind of relationship I wanted with him. The kind of relationship I didn’t even know that I wanted…until I met you.’
He bit his lip. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘I know, and I was too emotional to tell you at the time.’ She moved closer to him. ‘I didn’t realise it, and then I did, and I tried to pretend that I didn’t.’ She paused. ‘Chris, I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time.’
He swallowed hard as a rush of excitement flooded through him. ‘You love me?’
She nodded. ‘I love you, Cute Train Dude.’
He smiled so hard his face hurt. ‘I love you too, Cute Train Girl.’ He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. ‘I’ve tried so hard to be your friend, but instead I fell in love with you.’
‘You are the best friend,’ she said, her eyes filling with tears. ‘That’s why I was so scared to tell you. I didn’t want to lose you. It hit me the night that Kate told me she was engaged. I knew then that I wanted to be with you, and I’ve been hoping and praying ever since that you felt the same way.’
‘My feelings haven’t changed,’ he replied. ‘I just hid them as best as I could and tried to be the friend that you needed me to be.’
‘So, how would you feel about not being friends?’ she asked, and put her hands on his chest, sliding her fingers over his lapels.
‘I would love to not be friends with you,’ he said, tipping her chin up towards him and kissing her, pulling her tightly towards him.
She loves you, he thought to himself, as a rush of pure happiness surged through his body.
‘Are you sure this is what you want?’he asked.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Absolutely. I don’t just need you. I’m strong enough to stand up for myself now. I want you. I want to fall asleep in your arms. I want to wake up in the morning next to you; and as much as I love that tuxedo, I want to see what’s underneath it.’
‘I think I could get on board with that,’ he replied, a smile creeping across his face. ‘That night in your bedroom…’
‘It was the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life,’ she said. ‘I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.’
‘Well, imagine that, but with less alcohol,’ he said. ‘And this time, I’ll only stop when you tell me to.’
‘I thought you’d be the one in charge,’ she said, brushing her lips over the soft skin of his neck.
He tipped her chin up to face him. ‘I can take charge,’ he said, his other hand gripping her waist tightly. ‘If that’s what you’re into.’
She nodded. ‘I’d do whatever you asked.’
He kissed her again, pressing her against the bookcases, feeling her murmur of pleasure vibrate between them, before pulling away.
‘I guess we should get back to the party.’
‘I like how you always leave me wanting more,’ she said.
‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ he replied, taking her hand in his, and guiding her back down the corridor
into the bar.
***
‘You told him!’ Saskia squealed as Molly and Chris walked back into the bar, hand in hand.
‘I did!’ Molly squealed back at her. Her heart was still racing, and her hand was clasped tightly in his, not because she was scared, but because she was in love.
Scott smiled at Saskia, then patted Chris on the back. ‘You told her?’
Chris nodded. ‘I told her.’
Saskia and Scott exchanged a knowing glance.
‘Yes, we know you set us up,’ Molly said to Saskia and Scott.
‘It worked, didn’t it?’ Scott shrugged.
‘I think we’ve all got something to celebrate,’ Saskia said and handed Molly a glass of Champagne. ‘And you’re just in time.’
The countdown to midnight began and Molly put her arms around Chris’s waist and gazed into his eyes. As everyone around them cheered, welcoming in the New Year, her lips met his. As they parted, breathless, she looked into his eyes, wondering how on earth she’d got so lucky. He loved her.
‘Wow,’ he whispered. ‘That kiss was...phenomenal. ’
‘It was,’ she whispered back. ‘Can we do it again?’ It had been a mixture of their first and last kiss, desperate, urgent, then gentle and loving.
He nodded. ‘I can do this all night.’
‘Me too.’ She smiled and slid her hand up the back of his neck, kissing him.
He brushed her hair away from her face. ‘Then stay,’ he whispered. ‘I’ve got a room here tonight. Stay with me.’
‘I would love that. Hold on a minute.’ She let go of him and walked over to Saskia, who was sat at the bar, with Scott. ‘Can I talk to you for a second?’
Saskia nodded. ‘Sure, Mole, what’s up?’
‘How would you feel about me not coming home with you tonight?’ Molly asked. ‘I want to stay here with Chris, but I also don’t want you to have to get a taxi home on your own.’
‘Oh Mole, you don’t need to take care of me.’ Saskia put her arms around Molly. ‘Put yourself first for once. You’ve waited long enough for this. Go and get your man.’
Molly smiled. ‘Thank you. I love you.’ She squeezed Saskia tightly, and it dawned on her. ‘You knew this would happen, didn’t you?’
‘Kinda,’ Saskia replied, and her eyes lit up. ‘In fact, I was so confident that this would be how it played out tonight, that I dropped an overnight bag with clothes for you and me to Scott and Chris’s flat yesterday. It’s upstairs in Scott’s room.’
Molly burst out laughing. ‘Who are you? What have you done with my sister? That’s so organised.’ She felt a swell of pride for her sister.
Saskia took a bow. ‘I know, brains and beauty, I’ve got it all.’ She flicked her hair dramatically away from her face, and her elbow caught her glass, knocking her drink all over the counter. ‘Maybe not,’ she said, laughing.
Molly grabbed a handful of napkins, but Saskia took them from her hand. ‘I can clear up my own mess. As I said before, go and get your man.’
‘Alright,’ Molly said, a wave of excitement crashing over her. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you more,’ Saskia replied.
Molly walked back over to Chris. ‘So,’ she said. ‘I’m all yours.’
‘I’ve been yours since the moment I met you,’ he replied, and wrapped his arms around her.
The End