Page 18 of The Perfect Gift

‘I’m fine, you can go.’ Her voice was stronger now, but still carried more than a hint of a wobble.

‘I can’t though,’ Ed said, with a rueful laugh. ‘Do you know what Kat will do to me if I go back to the flat and tell her I left you in tears? She’s already on the warpath for the way I scared you last night. And after she’s finished with me then Issy, Chloe and Anya will be lining up to rip chunks out of me. No, the only thing for it is either for you to open the door or I’ll just sit here and freeze to death because that’ll be an easier fate.’

Frankie gave a half-snort, half-laugh. ‘You’re an idiot.’

‘I am, it’s true.’

Her laugh was a little stronger this time and Ed let a little glimmer of hope rise in him. The cold and damp were soaking through his jeans where he knelt on the step, but he ignored them. ‘Please, Frankie.’

The letterbox on the other side popped opened and he found himself staring into a pair of blue eyes, their beauty only slightly marred by the bloodshot veins he’d caused. ‘You’re not going to go away, are you?’ she asked.

‘I will as soon as I know you’re okay,’ he promised.

The flap snapped shut and he thought for a moment she was going to leave him there on his knees, but then he heard the slide of metal against metal and he pushed to his feet with a relieved groan. The door opened a few inches, just enough to show her face peeking around the side of it. ‘See, I’m fine.’

Her nose was red and her eyes were swollen. She looked tiny and fragile and afraid.

‘I didn’t know that roses would upset you – they just looked the most Christmassy colours.’ He paused then decided he should be completely honest with her. ‘I googled you just now and saw the video.’

Frankie’s eyes closed briefly as she heaved a sigh. ‘That bloody video is going to haunt me forever.’

That grubby, intrusive feeling twisted in Ed’s gut again. ‘I’m sorry for prying. I wanted to understand why you were so upset. I’m not a weird fan or anything, just a run-of-the-mill idiot.’

She huffed out a laugh and her grip on the door relaxed. ‘That’s something we can both agree on.’

Ed grinned. ‘You, me and pretty much every member of my family. Right, I’ve checked on you so now I’d better head back to Harry and Kat’s and see if I can sneak past to the shower before they ask why I stink of wine. Next time I see you, I’ll try not to do anything that compels you to spray me or soak me.’

He’d meant to make her laugh again, but she winced instead. ‘I’m really sorry about the wine. Come in a moment and let me find you a towel.’ She stepped back, pulling the door wider in invitation.

Ed hesitated. It would be good to dry off a bit. The wind was biting cold as it was, without wandering around with wet hair. Plus he wouldn’t mind hanging around a few minutes more to make sure she really was okay. ‘I don’t want to intrude.’ He laughed at the ridiculousness of the words the moment they were out. ‘Again, I mean.’

‘It’s fine, please, come in.’

Ed stepped inside. It was weird to enter a space that was his and yet very much not any more. He moved away from the door so Frankie could shut it and he watched as she slid the shiny bolt closed. ‘That’s new.’

She turned and faced him with a smile. ‘Matt fitted it for me earlier today. He thought I’d feel more comfortable with a bit of extra security.’

Ed nodded. Trust Matt to think of something useful, not pointless and showy like a bunch of flowers. Ed had loved sharing the cottage with his quiet, practical cousin, but he hadn’t loved how useless Matt could make him feel without even trying. He felt like he should apologise again for being the reason she needed to feel safer, but he didn’t really want to wade back into last night’s drama again. An awkward silence stretched between them until Ed decided the best thing he could do was get out of there and leave her alone.

‘I’m going to go⁠—’

‘I’ll get you that towel⁠—’

They stared at each other for a moment, then laughed and the tension was broken. Frankie gestured towards the kitchen. ‘Come through and you can wash your face at the sink as well.’

‘Thanks.’ He ran the tap to warm the water then quickly splashed his face.

‘Here you go.’ He turned to find Frankie holding out a fluffy cream hand towel.

‘Thanks.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘Again.’ He reached for the towel, freezing at her soft gasp.

‘Oh, your hands!’

Ed stared down at them. His palms still carried the pinky-red stain from the security dye and he permitted himself an ironic smile. ‘Caught red-handed, as they say.’ The box dye from the chemist had done a decent job of fixing his hair, but the witch hazel Sheila had recommended to clean off the dye on his hands had done nothing other than make them sting. He was just going to have to wait for it to fade.

He looked up, expecting a smile, but her eyes were wide with horror.

‘I’m really sorry.’