Free Carole Singer's Christmas by Emily Harvale

whereas you on the other hand...’
    He arched his brows. ‘I’m not sure I have that many. But ask me anything and I’ll tell you – with possibly one or two exceptions.’
    She moved away from him, needing to put some space between herself and his undeniably tempting body as the close proximity was doing strange things to her temperature.
    ‘Okay. Well for a start you can tell me your surname.’
    His eyes narrowed and he shifted uncomfortably. ‘Ah. Unfortunately, that’s one of the two things I’m not prepared to tell you – not because I have a dark history or anything but simply because, like yours does for you, my surname causes me great embarrassment. I will promise you this though. I’ll tell you on Christmas Eve.’
    ‘Why on Christmas Eve? Why not now?’
    ‘Two reasons. Firstly, by Christmas Eve we’ll both know one another a lot better and ... I won’t be so concerned about it, I hope. Secondly, that’s my birthday and birthdays are a great time for wishes and revelations.’
    ‘Really? Hmm. I don’t know ...’
    ‘Why? Because you think I’m hatching some sinister plan and by the time you find out my name and Google it, gaining access to my extensive criminal record, it’ll be too late? Let me just say this. Mitsy knows it and she understands. If surnames are really that important, ask her.’
    ‘I will,’ Carole said, sitting back down. ‘Why did you come to Jutsdown and where did you live before that?’
    He slid his hands in his pockets, winced slightly and leant back against the wall.
    ‘God, that still hurts. Okay, I came to Jutsdown because my sister told me about this nursery. She works as a property finder for her and her husband’s TV production company and she happened to be driving through this village, saw the ‘For Sale’ sign and called me. She knew I wanted land to start my own garden centre and this of course, was perfect.’
    ‘You’ve got a sister?’
    ‘Yes. I’m not sure why that should be such a surprise. People do have siblings you know, even possible villains like me.’
    ‘I don’t. For some reason I just thought ... well, it doesn’t matter. Is she older or younger?’
    ‘The same age. Her name’s Mary and we’re twins, although not identical fortunately for her. She takes after Mum and I take after Dad. It’s good it wasn’t the other way around really. Anyway, she and Harry, that’s her husband, live in Epsom in Surrey.’
    ‘And your parents?’
    He shook his head. ‘They’ve reverted to their twenties and are currently travelling the world spending all their retirement money but they too, have a house in Epsom. I’ve got to make a success of this place though because it looks as if Mary and I will be supporting them in their dotage.’ He grinned. ‘Next question.’
    Carole was still getting her head around the fact that he had a family. She had no idea why but for some reason she had assumed that he was on his own and that was why he had latched on to her gran.
    ‘Wow! Um ... oh, you didn’t say where you lived before here.’
    ‘All over the place. I found it difficult to settle – oddly enough until I saw this place. This probably sounds silly but as soon as I set foot on this land, I knew this was where I’d spend the rest of my days. It felt ... as if I’d come home. As if it had been waiting for me. It was apparently for sale for several years until I came along. Another point in its favour – I got it for a good price. But to answer the question, I’ve lived in London, Surrey of course, the United States and Canada. I worked my way around both countries for a few years, oh and Italy many years ago but the less said about that the better.’
    ‘Misspent youth?’
    ‘Unrequited love.’
    ‘Now that I’ve got to hear about.’
    ‘Not much to tell. She was beautiful. I wasn’t. I had spots I seem to recall. Quite a lot of them actually.’
    He shivered for effect and Carole burst out laughing.
    ‘I find that hard to