“Do you think it will snow in New York?” Lucie asked Dale as they fastened their seatbelts.
He leaned over and checked that she’d done hers properly.
“Who knows? They do get snow in December, and sometimes there are dreadful blizzards. Why, are you hopeful?”
Lucie nodded. She really was. She’d seen cards of famous New York landmarks in the snow and spent the days before their departure browsing similar images online. “I’d like to walk through Central Park as the snow falls. It’s just one of those things I’ve always wanted to do, you know?”
Dale smiled, his brown eyes warm with anticipation. “I do. I’d like that too. I packed my hat, scarf and gloves just in case. And we can go ice skating in Central Park or at the Rockefeller Centre.”
“I’d like to see the Statue of Liberty.”
“And the Museum of Natural History.”
“And Macy’s.”
“Thank you, Dale.”
He frowned. “Why’re you thanking me, Luce?”
“Oh you know… for coming away with me. For always supporting me. For being my best friend my whole life.”
He shook his head. “That’s always been a pleasure. No need for thanks. Besides, I couldn’t let you go alone, could I? I doubt you’d even have got on the flight in time.”
Lucie playfully punched him in the shoulder. “I’m not that much of an idiot.”
He leaned over her to peer out of the window. “Can’t see much right now.”
Lucie followed his gaze. “Just clouds. Hope it’s clearer when we’re above the USA.”
“Me too. But then if I’m right, we won’t see much except for a bit of New England.”
The flight passed quickly, the time broken up with two meals, inflight movies and Dale’s frequent interruptions to deliver facts about New York. Lucie couldn’t help feeling excited. Her stomach fizzed with the thought that in just a few hours she would be in one of the most exciting cities in the world, a city she’d seen numerous times on television and in films, yet never had the chance to visit before. She might not have been able to afford to go there for a few years yet, had it not been for this opportunity. Petra’s parents had covered the flights and accommodation, insisting that none of the bridesmaids would be inconvenienced in any way. Of course, the Christmas Eve wedding meant that many of the guests and wedding party would be away from their own homes and families for Christmas, so the Barnsleys’ generosity was, in some way, Lucie suspected, also a form of compensation.
As the plane began to descend, Lucie slipped her hand into Dale’s. She didn’t mind flying, but takeoff and landing always filled her with a sense of unease. Dale squeezed her hand tight.
“You know, I’m really looking forward to spending Christmas in New York with you. Even though we’ve had to fib to my family about our relationship being something more than it is. The idea of a luxury hotel suite all to myself, with a view of Central Park and room service. Well, who wouldn’t be happy at the thought of that?”
Lucie met his eyes. “Me too. I mean, being in Manhattan will be great. And again, I am sorry about your parents. But… uh… Dale. There’s something I haven’t told you yet, and I’m hoping you’re going to be okay with it.” She chewed her bottom lip.
“Don’t tell me you’ve lost your passport already, Luce?” He rolled his eyes.
“No. It’s not that. It’s more to do with fibs. I should have told you sooner but we’ve been so busy.”
“Right…” He sat up straighter, adjusting his position as if to prepare for bad news. “Go on then.”
“You won’t actually have a room to yourself.”
A tiny line appeared between his eyebrows. “I’m not sharing with someone I don’t know, Luce.”
“It’s someone you know very well.”
“Not Harry?”
“You don’t know Harry well, idiot.”
Understanding dawned on his face. “You?”
She nodded.
“That’s a bit… unconventional, isn’t it? So Petra’s daddy isn’t so generous as to pay for two rooms, eh?”
“I said he didn’t need to.”
“But why?”
“Dale, don’t you get it?”
His eyes widened. “They think we’re a couple too, don’t they?”
“Yes.”
“You told them that we’re together.”
“Yes.” She didn’t plan on explaining that she’d been defending him to Petra. She wouldn’t want to hurt him like that. Lucie knew that Dale wasn’t exactly Petra’s number one fan, but she couldn’t bear the thought of him feeling even more out of place than he already would. She wanted him to have a good time, to enjoy New York. It was his Christmas too and he deserved to have a good one.
“Fair enough.” He shrugged.
“Are you all right with that?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Everyone else we know thinks we’re together.”
Just then the plane bounced and Lucie yelped.
“It’s okay. Just a spot of turbulence,” Dale soothed.
She inclined her head. “Of course.” She could cope with turbulence in the air, as long as Dale was there to hold her hand. In fact, she could cope with turbulence over the next week – because no doubt there would be some bumps along the way, if what Tania had told her about Petra and Harry was true – because she’d have her best friend by her side. As always.
“Wow!” Dale stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the incredible view.
“Dale!” Lucie squealed, jumping up and down. “It’s amazing!” She flung herself into his arms and squeezed.
“I know. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
A throat clearing from the door alerted them to the fact that the porter was still in the room.
“Sorry.” Dale crossed the room and tucked a note into the young man’s hand then closed the door behind him. “I keep forgetting about the tipping thing.”
“How much did you give him?”
Dale tapped his nose. “That’s for me to deal with. You sorted the taxi.”
“But you gave the doorman something as well.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, we’ll have to share the tipping or you’ll end up broke.”
He smiled.
“Dale, this is just the best. Even without snow.”
He watched her turn back to the window and stare out at the Manhattan skyline. It really was incredible. They’d had a good flight and made it through JFK smoothly, even locating their baggage immediately. They’d both been silent as their cab made its way towards Manhattan. Dale had to keep reminding himself to close his mouth; he didn’t want to look like a fool and embarrass Lucie. She was so upbeat right now, even though the anniversary of her mother’s death was just days away. It had always been a difficult time for her, and some years she’d descended into a state of despair, but this year he was hoping that a change of scenery would break the pattern and help her to heal.
“Shall we check out the rest of the suite?”
“Sure!” She bounced over to him, her cheeks slightly flushed, and grabbed his hand again. She’d been doing that a lot lately, taking his hand, tucking hers into the crook of his arm, hugging him. She was tactile, he’d known her for long enough not to be surprised when she touched him, but something seemed different now. Perhaps it was just him. After all, they’d told his parents they were a couple, and his mother had been so pleased. It could just be in his head. They’d been on a long flight, there was a time difference to take into account and they were both thrilled to be in Manhattan. It was probably just that, and nothing more. He’d sworn to himself years ago that he’d buried any romantic feelings for Lucie after that summer before she went to university. It had been intense, something he’d thought he’d never get over, but he had, and he knew he didn’t ever want to feel like that again. Losing her had been a mountain to climb, one he’d managed, but only just.
How good it had been to know that Lucie was his, even though they’d been so young and innocent back then. Dale couldn’t risk losing her again. Being her friend was the safest way for them to be together. He couldn’t be with Lucie if she didn’t want him as much as he would her.