Free An Aussie Christmas Angel by Clare Revell Page A

hundred and nineteen. Figure we read alternate sections? I’ll start. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless… ”
     
    ****
     
    Jo hung up and looked up at the ceiling. They had spent the last forty minutes reading and praying together and it was awesome. She wanted to see him again, so very much. And the last thing she wanted was to be alone over Christmas. But Christmas was for families, and she didn’t want to impose on his. Or not see hers, even if that would only be for a few short hours because she was dividing the day between two houses.
    But... Could she do this? Would they mind? The irony wasn’t lost on her. It was the situation in reverse. She’d look at flights, and if she managed to get one, then would be the time to ask.
    She pulled over the laptop and searched flights to the UK. Her first search came up trumps. There was one seat left on the same flight as Pip. She could hardly believe it. A little more than she’d imagined, price wise, but she had enough saved up and some for spending too. Deciding on the spur of the moment that God was telling her to do this, otherwise there would be no spare seats on the plane, she booked it.
    Now all she had to do was find somewhere to stay. And it just so happened she knew this Christian bloke through a friend of a friend of a friend…
     
    ****
     
    “You are mad, you know that.” Pip’s voice echoed in her ear, along with her loud laugh. “Absolutely certifiable.”
    Jo grinned. “Probably.” She picked up the phone and dialed.
    “Hello?”
    Jo didn’t recognize the voice, but put two and two together. “Mrs. Connington?”
    “Yes. Who’s speaking?”
    “It’s Jo, from Australia. John’s friend.”
    “Hello, dear. John’s at work right now, I’m afraid.”
    “I hoped he would be. I wanted to speak to you. It’s kind of awkward, actually. You know my housemate, Pip, is coming to stay next week?”
    “Yes.”
    A sudden wave of nerves assailed her. What if she said no? “I’ve managed to get a seat on the same flight, and I was wondering if I could stay with you as well. Without John knowing. I want to surprise him.”
    “Of course, you can stay here. You’re both welcome to stay for as long as you like.”
    Jo smiled and gave Pip a thumbs-up. Her smile turned into a grin at the small jump of joy that Pip did. “Thank you. The flight lands on the fifteenth at eleven in the morning.”
    “John will be there. He was collecting Pip. When do you fly home?”
    “January third. I hope it won’t be a problem...”
    “Nonsense. You’re more than welcome to stay.” The joy in her voice echoed down the phone.
    Jo’s heart sang. “Thank you so much. And please, don’t say anything to John.”
    “I won’t.”
     
    ****
     
    For the next week, John raced home from work to check his e-mail, eager to read what Jo had planned for the day. In the mornings when he woke, there was one telling him what she’d done and whether things had gone as she’d planned. She detailed Pip packing and making the final preparations for her trip.
    The morning of the flight, her e-mail sounded quiet and depressed. Knowing he had a few minutes to spare before he had to leave for work, John rang. Hopefully he would catch her before she left for the airport.
    “Hello?” Pip’s bubbly voice sang down the phone.
    “Hi, Pip, it’s John. Is Jo there?”
    “She sure is.” Her voice increased in volume. “Hey, Jo, the phone’s for you.”
    Clattering footsteps echoed in the background, and then Jo’s breathless voice followed. “Hello.”
    “Hey, beautiful, it’s John. You sounded kind of down in your e-mail. So I thought I’d give you a quick ring, and make sure you’re OK.”
    “Yeah. Rushing around packing the car. Missing Pip already, and she hasn’t gone yet. How are you?”
    “I’m OK. About ready to leave for work. Another fun day of testing samples when I’d far rather be talking to you. Oh, I’m going to pick up a webcam for the computer