Last Christmas Read Online Free Page B

Haired man is called Fergus and he seems to be mocking the way I introduced myself . Great start , Ella , Ella Moore ..
    Ella wanted to strike up a normal conversation with him but all she could think about was how her body felt after he had touched her arm. Just as Fergus started to raise his hand and speak again, the front door burst open in front of them.
    “There you are! I thought I saw you from the window!” Libby was panting excitedly and Ella could see from the twinkle in her eye that she was a little drunk.
    “Come in now, both of you. It’s freezing out here. I see you’ve met already and I don’t need to bother with introductions.” Libby kissed both of them on each cheek and then proceeded to bark her orders.
    “Ell, I need you. Fergus, Toby’s in the kitchen!”
    Fergus nodded and gestured to Ella to follow Libby through the front door first. Ella walked over the threshold, her cheeks now blushing after the abrupt interruption and stopped in the hallway. As Libby closed the door behind them, Fergus brushed past Ella. As he did so, he lightly placed his hand on her hip so that he could pass through the narrow hallway and into the kitchen without bumping into her. Her skin tingled. She watched him go and thought about what Libby had just said.
    So Fergus is a friend of Libby’s brother, Toby?
    Ella turned to Libby who was shaking her mane of golden hair from side to side trying to add volume to it.
    “How has it been so far? Is he here?” Ella asked.
    “Yes, and the new girlfriend Jessica is so beautiful and so frickin’ nice, I can’t actually hate the bloody girl.”
    Ella chuckled. “Oh Libby, it’s always hard seeing your ex with someone new. At least you look incredible.” Libby was dressed in a short black velvet dress that showed off her long legs. Libby had sun-kissed skin all year round and adorable freckles which clustered around her nose. She flashed Ella a smile with her naturally red lips.
    “Thanks darling!”
    “Pleasure. Now I know you don’t want to like her, but it will be much easier for you if she is nice.” Libby frowned but Ella continued. “You and Marcus were best friends for years before you dated and your families are good friends, so you want to keep a great friendship with him. If he is happy with someone who is genuinely nice then you can all be friends.”
    “Eugh, I guess you’re right Ell.”
    “And it must have taken real guts for her to come here and meet all his friends and his stunning ex-girlfriend at her house; I admire her. Also, Marcus must have told her how important you are to him if she has agreed to coming here and walking straight into the lion’s den!”
    “Haha. I guess she is pretty brave to come here. She’s also not really a threat because Marcus and I left it on good terms and we broke up because we grew apart not because one of us hurt each other. But it will just take time to get used to seeing him with someone else.” Libby paused to think. “As much as I want to despise her, she really is lovely! She’s a microbiologist or something sickeningly clever! Ha! I just hope she’s good enough for him,” she smirked.
    “Haha, that’s the spirit Libs! Could you imagine if she was a real terror? It would ruin your friendship and be a disaster. Now, introduce me to her and give me some of your Champagne.”
    Libby was in a brighter mood as she linked arms with her best friend and reentered the party. As soon as Ella stepped into the kitchen she was hit by the familiar smell of mulled wine. The room was filled with clusters of overexcited people, the clinking of glasses and wafts of cinnamon. The two girls sauntered to the kitchen table dodging festively plump individuals who stood in their paths. They poured themselves a drink and toasted to new beginnings. Ella spotted Libby’s mother standing by the Aga and gestured to Libby she was going to say hello. Libby nodded and moved off to greet new guests arriving at the front