Book Extract: The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison

Context: Maya stops off at her friend Kirsty’s festive party on her way home to Glenavie after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job. She doesn’t know anyone at the party except for Kirsty.

*****

‘Have a seat,’ Kirsty said, with a wink. ‘I’ll be back in a sec.’

Maya sat on the massive, soft, grey sofa next to a couple of the other guests. The room was so stylishly decorated that it was difficult to keep her envious eyes off all the furnishings. It was clearly a new build, and Kirsty had the place done out to the nines.

A smiling woman wearing a black jumpsuit shifted over to take Maya’s hand in a shake. ‘I’m Isabelle.’

Maya returned her smile. ‘Maya. Nice to meet you.’

Isabelle sipped her wine as she nodded towards the large living room window. ‘I can’t believe how cold it’s getting.’

‘I know,’ the woman next to Isabelle piped up. ‘I can’t believe that it’s so soon until Christmas.’ She leaned across Isabelle to address Maya, her black tasselled top nearly dangling into Isabelle’s drink. ‘Hi, I’m Una.’

Maya shook Una’s hand across Isabelle’s front, nearly smacking poor Isabelle in the process. ‘Great to meet you.’

Una let out a loud sigh. ‘I haven’t gotten nearly enough Christmas shopping done yet.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Isabelle replied, rolling her eyes. ‘I’m never going to get it done in time.’

Maya’s shoulders relaxed a little. Typical Scottish winter conversation made talking to new people easier. ‘Same. I’ve not even bought one present yet, because I’m in the middle of moving home. Literally. All my stuff is outside in the car.’ She stopped talking, aware that her mouth was running away with her.

‘Really?’ Isabelle asked, raising her eyebrows. ‘You’re moving house tonight?’

‘Yeah,’ Maya replied. She wished she had a drink in order to soothe her feelings of inadequacy – something stronger than the Diet Coke Kirsty was fetching. She cleared her throat. ‘I’m moving home because I lost my job.’

‘Aw,’ Una said, reaching across Isabelle to take Maya’s hand and nearly falling into Isabelle’s lap. ‘Sorry to hear that. Especially at Christmas.’

‘Ah, it’s fine,’ Maya said, waving her other hand and plastering on a grin. ‘Worse things happen at sea.’

Why she was comparing her plight to a maritime incident, she had no idea. Since when did sailors lose their jobs, boyfriends, and flats, plus have to go home with their tails between their legs to face their disappointed fathers? Though granted, Moby Dick probably would be worse. Or Jaws. Or Godzilla.

Isabelle leaned back, shooting Maya a sympathetic look. ‘But still. That must be very stressful. Where’s home?’

‘Glenavie,’ Maya replied, coming out of her sea monster ruminations. ‘Not too far from Glencoe.’

‘Ski country,’ Una said, a dreamy expression on her face. ‘Lovely. At least it’ll be nice and Christmassy.’

The image of her Highland home town entered Maya’s mind, adorned in twinkly Christmas lights and dusted with snow. Christmas in Glenavie was her favourite time of year. The idea of that infused a little comfort into her veins.

Kirsty reappeared with a couple of plates of nibbles, passing them around the room. ‘There’s more stuff in the oven, so help yourselves. Oh, and Maya your drink’s coming.’

‘No rush.’ Maya sat back to listen to her new acquaintances. It occurred to her that Kirsty had said her drink was ‘coming’, so who was fetching it if not Kirsty?

She heard the door open behind her. The other women’s voices rose by a number of decibels, plus an octave or two. Turning her head to find out what the kerfuffle was about, Maya was greeted by the sight of a firm and perfectly shaped naked male bottom across the huge floor space. A well-toned man had his back to her as he handed out drinks, not wearing a stitch of clothing except for a tiny apron around his waist, the strings of which were entwined with tinsel.

Maya laughed, finally realising why Kirsty had been behaving in that ‘nudge-nudge, wink-wink’ manner. Plus, why the women seemed drunk on more than just alcohol. They were also high on the sight of a hot naked man. She raised her eyebrows, turning back to Isabelle and Una. ‘Kirsty’s hired one of those naked waiters, I see.’

‘Yes,’ said Isabelle, smiling. ‘He’s been preparing and serving our drinks. What a treat.’

Maya shook her head. ‘That’s what she meant when I arrived. She was being all cryptic and like “everybody” is here.’

Isabelle laughed. ‘She is rather pleased with herself.’

‘I’m rather pleased too,’ Una said, eyeing the man’s back. ‘He’s bloody gorgeous.’

‘I wouldn’t know,’ Maya replied with a shrug, and a smile. ‘I’ve not seen his face yet.’

Una sighed. ‘The back of him is as appealing as the front.’ She placed her hand onto her forehead in a mock swoon. ‘Sandy brown hair, ravishing amber eyes, and a sexy closely trimmed beard. My favourite.’

Isabelle snorted. ‘Don’t pretend that you’ve been looking at his face, Una. Not with that perfectly chiselled torso.’

Una laughed.

Sandy brown hair and ravishing amber eyes. Maya had known a man of that description before, minus the beard. Though she’d been eager to forget him, and that task had taken her a little while. The realisation hit that, very soon, she might see him on a more regular basis. Another reason to dread going back.

Kirsty was gesturing to the naked waiter. ‘The Diet Coke is for the lady over there, on the sofa.’ Kirsty pointed towards Maya.

‘Here you go,’ Una whispered. ‘Brace yourself.’

Maya smiled, shaking her head. Who was this guy? Chris Hemsworth? She was sure he couldn’t be that devastating.

The man turned. Maya’s smile froze on her face, her jaw dropping as she took in his familiar, handsome features with a sinking heart. ‘Sam?’