All I Want For Christmas by Julie Coffin Read Free Book Online

face glowing with delight. ‘We haven’t got any shiny ones like those,’ she told Lauren, tugging at the zip of her anorak. ‘Daddy did hang my paper chains in the dining-room but they didn’t reach all the way, did they, Daddy?’
    He ducked his head as he came inside and lowered the rucksack to the floor. ‘I hope everything’s in there,’ he said, giving it a doubtful look. ‘Zoe helped me pack it, and wanted her entire wardrobe included.’
    â€˜Shall we take it upstairs, Zoe? See where you’re going to sleep?’
    Lauren expected Dr Trevissick to say goodbye, but when he didn’t she led the way up the stairs, with him following closely.
    â€˜Look, Daddy! There’s flowers on my duvet,’ the little girl shrieked. ‘Lots and lots of flowers. And a really, really grown-up bed, too.’ She skipped round the room, examining everything. ‘And really, really grown-up curtains. And a grown-up cupboard with dangly golden handles.’ She sat on the dressing-table stool and gazed in the mirror. ‘My bedroom at home has all baby things, hasn’t it, Daddy?’ She frowned at her reflection. ‘With pink rabbits on. I like these flowers best.’
    Her father looked ruefully at Lauren. ‘I hadn’t thought to change anything. It’s the same as when she was born. Anna chose it all.’
    His face became more angular when he said his wife’s name.
    â€˜Will you stay for tea, Dr Trevissick?’ Lauren asked quickly. ‘Or are you due at the hospital?’
    â€˜Not until eight.’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘And don’t you think it’s time we dropped the Dr Trevissick bit, Lauren? My name is Matthew.’

CHAPTER FOUR
    Lauren repeated the name in her head.
Matthew.
It suited him. She realised he was looking at her intently, one eyebrow raised, in a way she was beginning to recognise.
    â€˜I think we can drop the formalities away from work, if that’s okay?’
    Lauren smiled. ‘Of course, Dr Trevissick,’ she said, and saw his mouth curve upwards.
    Zoe was already leading the way downstairs, eager to discover more about her temporary home. Her mouth widened with pleasure when she opened the door and went into the decorated lounge.
    â€˜Shall we make the tea now, Lauren? Daddy’s very hungry.’
    â€˜Just what I was going to suggest. Do you like mince pies?’
    â€˜Do I, Daddy?’
    â€˜Probably,’ Matthew replied, his gaze travelling the room, taking in the sweet- smelling little tree with its twinkling lights and glittering glass baubles, the holly-wreathed pictures, and mantelpiece hung with swathes of pine and red ribbons. ‘Everything looks very festive,’ he commented, sinking down into one of the comfortable armchairs.
    â€˜You can have a little sleep, Daddy, while Lauren and me’s getting tea. Come on, Lauren.’
    Matthew threw Lauren a despairing look, which she countered with a grin and, taking Zoe with her, went into the kitchen.
    â€˜Right, Zoe,’ she said, rapidly undoing plastic containers and setting some large plates on the kitchen table. ‘Will you put these mince pies and sausage rolls out for me, while I make the sandwiches?’
    Keeping a wary eye on the little girl, she buttered slices of bread and filled some with ham and tomato and the rest with cheese and pickle.
    â€˜Do you think Daddy will like these?’ Lauren asked.
    Engrossed in carefully arranging sausage rolls round the edge of a plate, Zoe nodded. ‘My Daddy likes everything. So do I. The sausage has fallen out of this roll. Can I eat it?’
    With everything loaded onto a tea trolley—her grandmother had always insisted on using it for visitors—Lauren wheeled it, rattling, along the uneven boards of the hall and into the lounge to find Matthew, head leaning back against the chair, eyes closed. All lines of tension were smoothed away from