The Best Christmas Ever: a feel-good festive romance to warm your heart this Christmas Read online

  Copyright © 2021 Karen King

  The right of Karen King to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

  First published in 2021 by Headline Accent

  An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  First published as an Ebook in 2021 by Headline Accent

  An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library

  Cover images © Amanita Silvicora, goldenfish_27, Tatahnka, artdig and kat Buslaeva, all Shutterstock

  Cover design: Emily Courdelle

  eISBN: 978 1 4722 7874 6

  HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  An Hachette UK Company

  Carmelite House

  50 Victoria Embankment

  London EC4Y 0DZ

  www.headline.co.uk

  www.hachette.co.uk

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About Karen King

  Praise

  Also by Karen King

  About the Book

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  About the Author

  Karen King is a bestselling author of fiction for both adults and children and has also written numerous short stories for women’s magazines. The Cornish Hotel by the Sea was an international bestseller, reaching the top one hundred in the Kindle charts in both the UK and Australia.

  Karen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She lives in Spain with her husband Dave and their two cats, Tizzy and Marmaduke.

  www.karenking.net

  @karen_king

  Readers love Karen King:

  ‘A great romance story by a superb author, I loved the main character from the start’ 5* Amazon review

  ‘Such a lovely summer book that I just couldn’t put down! Absolutely loved the character of Ellie and I was desperate to see how everything would work out’ 5* Amazon review

  ‘The story takes you to wonderful scenes of pebbled beaches, rock pools, narrow streets and all the glory of summer. It’s a great holiday read and even you if aren’t on holiday it gives you a feel of that freedom and relaxation. You can’t help falling in love with the main characters and following their every move with suspense. I loved this book and read it in a couple of days because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended!’ 5* Amazon review

  ‘Most enjoyable read. Always interesting. Very believable characters. I can thoroughly recommend it. What could be a better summer read than one set in beautiful Cornwall’ 5* Amazon review

  ‘This was a truly delightful book to read. Just light-hearted feel good’ 5* Amazon review

  By Karen King

  Romance titles

  I do? – or do I?

  The Millionaire Plan

  Never Say Forever

  The Cornish Hotel by the Sea

  The Bridesmaid’s Dilemma

  Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel

  The Year of Starting Over

  Single All the Way

  One Summer in Cornwall

  The Best Christmas Ever

  Thriller titles

  The Stranger in My Bed

  The Perfect Stepmother

  About the Book

  Lexi Forde adores Christmas. She’s especially looking forward to it this year as it’s the first Christmas with her boyfriend Ben and her older brother is visiting from Canada with his family. They’ll all be spending Christmas at her parents’ house in Devon.

  But when Lexi surprises Ben at work, she sees him kissing someone else and discovers he’s been having an affair. Devastated, she travels to Devon alone.

  She’s determined not to let her break-up spoil her family Christmas. But when she arrives, Lexi discovers the council won’t allow the Christmas tree on the green to be decorated this year; it’s too dangerous and has to come down. Lexi is desperate to save their favourite family tradition and make this Christmas extra special.

  Can she save the tree and mend her broken heart in time for Christmas?

  For my readers. Thank you for the love and support.

  May this Christmas be your best Christmas ever. xx

  Acknowledgements

  I love writing Christmas books. Christmas is such a warm, fun, heart-warming time and the stories are so uplifting to write with the themes of love, friendship, family and goodwill. It’s not easy though to set the scene for snow and Christmas festivities when it’s summer and you’re basking in over 40 degrees in southern Spain! I find that having some Christmas carols playing in the background and cinnamon and apple candles burning helps set the mood a little. :)

  A writer needs a support system when writing a book. I’m grateful for the expertise of my publishers, Headline, and would especially like to thank my fabulous editor Katie Sunley, copy editor Eloise Wood and proof-reader Kay Gale for their expertise and support. Thanks also to talented artist Emily Courdelle for designing another beautiful cover.

  As always, I am indebted to the bloggers and authors who support me by hosting me on their blogs, reviewing my books and sharing my posts. Particular thanks to the members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association who are always willing to share their writing experience and advice. Also thanks to Nick Organ, Arboricultural Consultant at Tree Maintenance Limited and Miles Hamilton, tree surgeon, both of whom I consulted regarding tree diseases and maintenance. Their advice was invaluable and any mistakes are my own. Also heartfelt thanks to Annette Burton for being the sort of friend you can message late at night for information on whether a primary school teacher has to do any work during the Christmas holidays (t
hey do!) and replying to my message even though she was in bed. You are a super star.

  Last but not least, massive thanks to my husband Dave, the wind beneath my wings, for being my biggest champion and for spending hours checking proofs and helping me spot those elusive typos. And to all my family and friends for their encouragement and support. I love you all. xx

  Chapter One

  Friday, eight days before Christmas

  Well, that was school finished for a couple of weeks, Lexi Forde thought as she started up her car. She loved her job as a primary school teacher at Rudcup Primary but it was very demanding and, whilst the run-up to Christmas was rewarding and fun, it was crazily busy. She was glad to have a couple of weeks off now and was looking forward to catching up with her family down in Devon.

  This is going to be the best Christmas ever! My first one with Ben, and the whole Forde family together again.

  She waved to some pupils she passed walking up the hill with their parents, then turned right to head for the shopping centre. She wanted to get some new Christmas lights so that she could put up the tree at the weekend, and buy a couple more presents for her boyfriend, Ben. She’d already bought him a Ferrari drive experience – she knew he would love that – and a retro arcade machine, which her best friend, Fern, was keeping in her spare bedroom so that Ben didn’t stumble across it. There wasn’t much room to hide anything in their one-bedroom flat. And she had just finished the Christmas jumper she’d secretly been knitting while he was working late. She wasn’t sure if Christmas jumpers were Ben’s thing, but all her family would be wearing one so she hoped he would join in the festive spirit and don it for the day.

  This Christmas was going to be so special, her elder brother, Jay, and his family were coming over for a visit. She hadn’t seen Jay since he went to work in Canada five years ago or met his wife, Sonia, and their three-year-old son, Toby. They’d video called, of course, which was great, but it wasn’t the same as seeing them in the flesh. Her younger brother, Ryan, would be there too, with his girlfriend, Nell. And Granny Mabe, who had moved in with Lexi’s parents a few years ago when Grandpa Huey had died. Luckily, Lexi’s parents’ sprawling four-bedroom detached house, with the garage conversion for Granny Mabe, was big enough to put them all up. It would be a fun-filled Christmas and Lexi was longing to see them all again. Especially after last year when she couldn’t travel to Devon because of the Covid restrictions. Unfortunately, Ben didn’t finish work until midday on Christmas Eve and he had to return the day after Boxing Day, but at least they would all be together for Christmas Day.

  ‘You go down at the weekend and spend some time with your family, Lex, I can come down on Christmas Eve,’ Ben had urged her as soon as he’d heard that there was going to be a gathering of the Forde clan.

  Although she was tempted, Lexi was a bit worried that Ben might be too tired to drive down on Christmas Eve and would go to his mum’s for Christmas instead. He’d actually suggested this, but as it would be their first Christmas together, she didn’t want to spend it apart. So, she’d told him she wanted them to go down together and didn’t mind just having a couple of days with her family. She wanted Ben to experience a Forde Christmas. All her family were as crazy about Christmas as she was and, once the whole Forde tribe got together, the festivities really started. She knew that her parents would go overboard with the decorations, as usual, covering the outside of the house and the tree in the front garden with twinkling lights. There would be a Christmas tree in every room and in the porch, and Dad would have fetched his collection of inflatable snowmen, Santas and reindeer and placed them all over the house. Christmas jumpers and Christmas hats were a must. She smiled as she recalled how her parents had always dressed up as Santa and Mrs Claus for Christmas day when Lexi and her brothers were young.

  She decided to meet Ben from work when she’d finished her shopping so they could go for a drink and have a catch up. They’d both been so busy lately they’d barely had time to mumble more than ‘what shall we have for dinner?’ or ‘do you want a coffee?’ Perhaps they could grab a bite to eat before they came home too, that would make the evening more relaxing. She knew that Ben was working a half day tomorrow, so she decided she’d put up the Christmas tree as a surprise for when he came home. Maybe she could get a small turkey crown and they could have their own Christmas dinner on Sunday – it would give them chance to celebrate as a couple. She could get a box of crackers too, and they could open one or two of their presents, have their own early Christmas Day. That would be so romantic.

  The shops were packed with long queues everywhere. By the time Lexi had bought some new lights – she’d plumped for warm white ones that changed to multicoloured then back again – and a couple of stocking fillers for Ben, there was only half an hour before Ben finished work. I’ll get the rest of the shopping on Monday, she decided, as she headed for the car park.

  It was bitterly cold. Lexi shoved her hands in her pockets, wishing she hadn’t left her gloves in the car, and glanced over at the entrance to the big office block where people were starting to trickle out. Ben should be out any minute now, he finished work at five thirty and it was twenty to six. Unless he was working late. He had worked late quite a bit lately. It was stupid of her to come and meet him on impulse like this, she should have messaged him first, she realised. She’d text him now, she could wait in the café around the corner if he was working late, or maybe he would be able to leave if he knew she was waiting for him.

  She took out her phone then paused, a smile springing to her lips as the doors opened and Ben walked out, looking endearingly handsome as he buttoned up his long black overcoat, the grey-cashmere scarf she’d knitted for him wrapped around his neck. She always thought that there were two different Bens, the easy-going Ben that lounged around in jeans and T-shirts at home and the sales manager Ben who always dressed impeccably for work in a suit, shirt and tie. She loved both versions. She waved and stepped forward but Ben had turned back to the entrance. Has he forgotten something? A woman with short, dark hair, dressed in a long camel coat with knee-high, brown-leather boots, and a brown-leather handbag swinging on her shoulder, walked out and her face lit up in a smile. Lexi watched, stunned, as Ben stepped forward to meet her and the woman wound her arms around his neck and kissed him. Kissed Ben. Her boyfriend. And Ben was kissing her back. Then they were both walking off hand in hand and Lexi was watching them, too shocked to move. Ben and another woman?

  Suddenly she found her voice and shouted ‘Ben!’ so loudly that other office workers leaving the building stopped and stared.

  Ben turned around and she saw the surprise on his face as he registered her standing there, then quickly released the woman’s hand. ‘Lexi?’

  He was walking back towards her now, swiftly composing himself and changing his expression to one of delight. ‘Lexi, darling . . .’

  Here it came, the big excuse for why he had kissed another woman and was walking off with her. Did he think she was so gullible that she would accept anything he said? The look on that woman’s face when she spotted Ben waiting for her had said it all.

  ‘Rosa and I were just . . .’

  Lexi folded her arms and waited to see what explanation would trip out of his mouth.

  ‘Just tell her the truth, Ben. She deserves that.’ The woman – Rosa, apparently – had joined them. She linked her arm through Ben’s, a smug expression on her face as she looked at Lexi. ‘I’m sorry you had to find out this way. Ben was going to tell you after Christmas, weren’t you, Ben?’

  Ben opened his mouth but no sound came out.

  ‘Tell me what exactly?’ Lexi asked, fighting to keep the tears from her eyes and the wobble out of her voice. She would not break down in front of them. She damn well would not!

  ‘Lexi . . .’ Ben had found his voice now, his eyes were on hers, pleading for her to understand.

  ‘We’re in love. We’ve been seeing each other for a while.’ Rosa was looking at her with pity in
her eyes. Lexi jutted out her chin, holding her head higher. She didn’t want this bloody woman’s pity. Nor Ben’s.

  ‘Is that so? Well, in that case, you’re welcome to each other.’ She fixed her eyes on Ben’s face, ignoring the woman. She held out her right hand, palm upwards. ‘I’ll have the keys to my flat, thank you.’

  Ben looked shocked. ‘You’re throwing me out?’

  Is he for real? ‘You expect to keep living with me when you’ve just told me that you’re seeing someone else?’ She wriggled her hand. ‘Give me my keys. I’ll pack up your things and put them outside the door of my flat at eight o’clock tonight. You can pick them up then.’

  The colour drained from Ben’s face. ‘You can’t do that . . .’

  ‘I think you’ll find I can. The flat is in my name.’ She’d been renting it for two years before Ben had moved in and, thankfully, hadn’t got around to adding him to the tenancy.

  ‘I’ll give you the key when I’ve collected my things. I don’t trust you. You might throw them away in revenge.’

  Lexi summonsed up the most contemptuous look she could manage. ‘Revenge for what? For you cheating on me? Don’t flatter yourself that I’m upset about it because I’m not. I was getting bored with you anyway.’ It was a lie but she was damned if she would let either he or bloody Rosa know how upset she was.

  ‘Don’t worry about it, darling, you can move in with me. Let’s go and collect your things now and take them straight over to my house.’ Rosa emphasised the word ‘house’ as opposed to ‘flat’, her eyes taking in Lexi’s short, grey faux-fur coat, red-and-black checked miniskirt, thick black tights and black over-the-knee boots. She obviously considered Lexi inferior to her.

  ‘Go ahead, but she isn’t stepping foot in my flat,’ Lexi told Ben firmly. ‘She can wait in the car.’

  She turned on her heels and marched away, her head held high. It wasn’t until she reached her car and was safely sitting in the front seat that a sob wracked her body. Pull yourself together. You’re not going to do this in front of them. You don’t want Ben to arrive at the flat for his things and find you crying. Don’t give him the satisfaction. She took a few deep breaths, then started up the car. She would give Ben a quarter of an hour or so to pack his things and get out. Then she could give way to the devastation and shock his betrayal had caused her.