Read My Big Fat Christmas Wedding for Free Online Page B

his lap. I mean, what was that all about? As he tickled behind its ears, the cat even purred.
    ‘Funny you should say that, Pips, because…’ Henrik looked up from the furry head. ‘I’d like you – and Niko, of course – to come over to our engagement party. It’s on Friday the twenty-second.’
    ‘Oh…thanks. Of which month?’
    ‘This one. In a couple of weeks.’
    ‘Are you mad?’ I shook my head. ‘Henrik. I am getting married a few days after that, then there’s the Christmas fair and we’d never get a flight booked in time, plus—’
    He held up his hand and laughed. ‘Where’s that positive, no-such-word-as-can’t woman I used to know, who never turns down a challenge – like transforming Taxos’ prospects? Look, I’ve got friends in the airline industry – with all the business ThinkBig sends their way, I’m sure we could work something out. And you only need fly out for two days.’
    ‘But—’
    ‘Don’t you miss the city lights?’ he said, and gave me a piercing stare. ‘I know how much you love the capital at Christmas – the intricate shop window decorations and illuminated London Eye. You should see the range of festive food already out in Selfridges – remember that toffee coal they sold last year? Worst of all…’ A smile flickered across his face. ‘You’ll miss the final of that god-awful Celebrity Jungle TV show you secretly watch every December.’
    ‘I do not!’
    We both grinned.
    ‘In fact, talking of Christmas…’ Henrik opened his briefcase and pulled out a large red envelope. He handed it to me.
    A surge of warmth ran through my veins. ‘Is this what I think it is?’
    He raised an eyebrow.
    ‘You remembered?’ I mumbled.
    ‘How could I forget?’ he said softly, slate eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘I didn’t know whether they were a tradition out here.’
    I slid the Advent calendar out of the envelope, admiring the specks of glitter on the quaint scene. When we’d first got together, I’d joked with Henrik that no one bought me Advent calendars any more. I loved the traditional ones, not those with cartoon characters in front of chocolates.
    ‘Although I still think you are too old to have one,’ he said and ran a hand through his slicked-back hair.
    I got up and went to kiss his cheek, my lips almost landing on his nose instead, before sitting down again.
    ‘Come on, Pips – don’t you fancy a break from weather-beaten Taxos, its continual economic struggle and the distasteful refugee problem?’ He raised his eyebrows.
    ‘I’d have thought you’d be more sympathetic, now you’re engaged to a charity worker,’ I said, and playfully shook a finger. Clearly some things about him hadn’t changed.
    ‘I have a degree of sympathy, but wouldn’t want people migrating onto my doorstep.’
    ‘Henrik! Their situation is critical,’ I said and shrugged. ‘We have homeless in London.’
    ‘Yeah, a different class of homeless, if you ask me,’ he muttered. ‘Come on, Pippa. I know you’ve committed to living in this one-eyed place, but surely you could do with a break?’
    ‘It’s not one-eyed. There’s a lot going on here,’ I said, rambling.
    Henrik folded his arms.
    ‘Anyway, I don’t think Niko would be happy at the prospect of leaving Taxos right now, you see there will be a lot of preparation for—’
    ‘Since when is Pippa Pattinson told what to do?’
    I glanced away. ‘It’s not like that.’
    ‘But you want to come, don’t you?’
    I looked back at him and opened my mouth but shut it with speed.
    My mind, however, had no restrictions. London. Its diversity. The parks. Crossing the Thames at night. That ever-changing skyline. The frenetic pace of the rush-hour. And Henrik. Okay I admit it. He was good company, we had common interests. Love-stuff aside, I missed our friendship. That’s probably why the news of his engagement had unsteadied me for a while. I was probably the last, not the first, to know. It was a done