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But she hadn’t been Not for the last fewit had been in these last five years But Christmas time was a little different It seeht ofon just a little more tricky

A little girl walked into hi horse He bent down to speak to her She was like so from a chocolate box A red double-breasted wool coat, a little worn but clearly loved, dark curls poking out from under a black hat She hadn’t even realised she’d walked into hi h

‘Co, Molly,’ said a harassed voice ‘We just cao’

He lifted his head instantly The woman looked tired—her clothes evena few buttons and the scarf she had wrapped around her neck looked almost as old as she was But it was her accent that drew his attention

He straightened up and held out his hand ‘Hi, Finlay Ar What part of Scotland are you from?’

She was startled by his question and took a few seconds to answer He could alnition of his own accent before she finally reached over and shook his hand ‘Hi, I’m Karen I’m from Ayrshire’

There was so in the wistful way she said it that made him realise this wasn’t a visit

He kept hold of her hand ‘Have you been in London long?’

She sighed ‘Three years I had to move for work’

He nodded his head towards the rocking horse ‘Your little girl was ad horse’

Karen winced ‘I know I asked for one every year too as a child’ She glanced down at her child again then aze ‘But we can all dream’

He sucked in a breath When was the last tiood? He’d been so wrapped in his ownfor the last five years he hadn’t really stopped to draw breath Even when it caave his PA a list and told her what kind of things his family preferred That was as much input as he’d had

He thought about the prettily wrapped present that Mrs Archer had left for him at reception He hadn’t even opened it yet

He kept his voice low ‘How about Molly gets what she wants for Christmas?’

Karen looked shocked, then offended He knew exactly how this worked He shook his head ‘I work for a big coood deeds A few things that no one else finds out about’ He pulled the card out of his pocket, still keeping his voice low ‘There’s no catch I proirl at the desk an address and time for delivery That’s all’

Karen sucked in a breath ‘I don’t want to be soood deed’ He could see her bristle