A Christmas Promise. Annie Groves

want him going home to a cold and empty house.

      ‘You won’t want me interrupting all that womanly chatter …’

      ‘She would love to see you, Archie.’ I would love you here with me …

      The last part remained unsaid, and there was more than a hint of disappointment in Olive’s heart when Archie said, ‘If you don’t mind, Olive, I’ll bid you good night. It’s been a long day. Tell Tilly, I’ll want a full report tomorrow morning before her guests arrive.’

      ‘Are you sure, Archie?’ Olive felt as if she had betrayed him in some way; as if she was turning him away in favour of her daughter, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

      ‘You get some rest, Olive, you have a busy day tomorrow.’ His voice was intimate, tender, and as he reached into the dark hallway, he momentarily caught a stray curl of her loosened hair and gently held it in his fingers. Then, letting it go, he caught hold of the door and as he drew it towards him.