Free The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan

seemed OK, but then Rebecca
noticed an odd smell. As she sat on the sofa, she noticed something flutter
past her feet. A moth? She couldn’t stand moths. Hannah lifted up one of the
sofa cushions. It was riddled with dead moths. Rebecca ran out of the house.
Hannah found her throwing up into a patch of snow.
    ‘How can these properties be so misrepresented online? Not
one of them is habitable.’
    ‘Well, the one before the moth-infested one was OK.’ Hannah
tried to be fair.
    ‘Don’t. Don’t mention this visit again, ever, or I might be
sick again.’
    The next property was in the centre of town, so Rebecca
parked her Citroen Saxo, and she and Hannah climbed the stairs to the second
floor flat. It was a new build, higher in price than she had hoped to go, but
after this morning’s nightmares, Rebecca was prepared to view anything, even
stately homes and castles.
    The rooms were small, but clean and brand new. Rebecca
couldn’t say she’d warmed to the place the way she had her own flat. It was
neutral, so she’d be able to put her own stamp on it, although if she did go
ahead with renting it, she’d have to ask in advance if she’d be allowed to
modify anything. Most landlords, she understood, were happy to let you decorate
or remodel as long as you put things back the way they were originally, before
you moved out, or if you were improving the property.
    Deciding she had had enough for one morning and since they
were in the centre of town anyway, Rebecca suggested to Hannah that they nip
into Sugar and Spice to try one of the cakes.
    ‘Seriously, they’re to die for and there’s a sweet guy
there, who’s right up your street.’
    ‘Sweet,’ said the unattached Hannah, ‘Does that mean he’s as
ugly as sin?’
    ‘Not at all, the exact opposite, quite a hunk.’
    ‘Lead the way.’ Hannah pushed her friend forwards, promise
of a good-looking man apparently reason enough for her.
    As they entered the bakery, Rebecca saw that it was much
busier than during the week, the café was full, not a single free table. Just
as she turned to head back out, wondering where else they could go that wasn’t
too far a walk, she heard a voice say, ‘Table number five’s free now,’ and turning,
she saw the boy from the other day smiling at her.
    ‘Thanks,’ she grinned at him. ‘Hannah, over by the window.
That couple’s just leaving.’
    Hannah nabbed the table, whilst Rebecca headed over to grab
a menu, as she saw that the one on their table was missing.
    ‘Do you have a menu?’ she asked Jacob.
    ‘Sure. So you live and work round here?’ he asked.
    ‘Yes, well, for now,’ she said ruefully. Who knew what would
happen once she had to sell her share of the flat to Ethan? He’d texted her the
other night asking how the flat hunting was going. Giving me
plenty of time to move, my arse .
    ‘Ah, it’s just I’ve noticed the Saturday crowd is different
to the people we see during the week.’
    ‘Right,’ said Rebecca, unsure where this was heading. ‘We’ll
just have a quick look at the menu and we’ll be ready to order soon.’
    ‘No problem. Take your time.’
    The longer she stays in the café the
better , thought Jacob. She looked different today, not dressed for work,
but still very elegant in slim black trousers, a white fluffy jumper and black
ankle boots. This trend of oversized boots costing hundreds of pounds, which
had cropped up in the past few years, had never appealed to him, plus Jacob
thought it made all the girls look the same. Rebecca’s style was original and
he liked it.
    ‘Here’s the menu. There are loads of cakes listed on it, but
to be honest, you’re better just to go up and see for yourself,’ Rebecca told
Hannah, as she swept her hair back from her face, where it had fallen over her
eyes when she bent down to pick up her bag.
    They chose their drinks and Rebecca told Hannah she wanted
an Empire biscuit, ‘Makes me feel like I’m back at school, but these