MYSTERY: BRITISH MYSTERY: Missing Hearts (Amateur Sleuth Suspense Thriller) (Cozy Crime Detective Short Stories) (20 page)

“Perfect,” Clara replied, turning to Champagne with a squeal of delight once the door was closed.

“Oh he’s gorgeous, Carla!” The girl excitedly said back.

“Isn’t he just? Oh, I’m so happy Champagne! You’re here and safe, you have the reward, Selena is now legally my daughter, and you are doing so very well! I am so proud of you!” Carla gushed.

“Oh, stop it! I’m ever so grateful to you. It was nice to give some of that money to my mum but that’s the last penny she’ll see out of me. If she doesn’t clean her act up like she promised she’s out of my life. And I’ll be starting uni soon. I never dared to hope but because of you I have that chance. And most of all, little Selena has a chance. Now what did you get me for Christmas?” Champagne asked, an impish smile on her face.

“If you sing me another Christmas carol I might tell you!” Clara had quickly discovered that her assumption was correct, Champagne had a beautiful singing voice and as she heard the first strains of a song that always brought tears to her eyes at Christmas, Clara truly felt peaceful and happy.

As Christine, her daughter, Bianca, Tom and Greg, and Agnes piled into the shop, desperate to bring their favourite girls back to Clara’s house to begin their celebrations Clara smiled with joy. Johnny was where he belonged, Champagne had settled into her own home, even taking up with Selena as a sister figure, and she had a child. All those months ago she’d thought she had everything a girl could ask for but looking around at the shining happy faces of her friends and family with her daughter safe and happy in her arms Clara knew that only now, finally, did she have all a girl could ask for.