The Perfect Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

want to see if there are any roles for my clients.’
    ‘Sure,’ said Maggie. Wandering about the bookstore, Maggie wondered when the last time she had read a book was. She didn’t have time with Elliot’s health needs, her career and Will’s demanding nature.
    She looked at the bestseller section and picked up a few books, reading the back of them and then putting them back on the shelf. She didn’t want to read crime or medieval fantasy and, just as she was about to give up on finding something that appealed to her, she saw a book called The Art of Love.
    ‘You gonna get that?’ Zoe asked, her own book in her hand.
    ‘Yes, I will,’ said Maggie as she took it to the counter. She needed a book about love and hope and everything wonderful, she decided. It might just make her see her marriage through new eyes and give her some ideas on how to save it when she returned home.
    ***
    Back at the hotel, Zoe disappeared to her bedroom, no doubt to check her phone, thought Maggie. Since Zoe had kept her promise, she wouldn’t bring it up this time, she decided. So she kicked off her boots and curled up on the sofa, pulling a soft angora rug over her legs. She opened her book and started to read.
    ‘Maggie, do you want to go downstairs to the afternoon tea that Holly booked? We need to leave now.’ Zoe’s voice woke Maggie from her sleep, the book falling off her chest when she sat up.
    ‘I was asleep?’ she asked, trying to wake up.
    ‘Yep,’ laughed Zoe, ‘With your mouth open.’
    ‘I never nap during the day,’ said Maggie as she stretched. ‘Okay, give me a minute to wake up and get changed.’
    Maggie went into her room, and emerged ten minutes later in a red cashmere knit, black pants, and loafers.
    ‘Let’s go,’ she said, as she picked up her bag.
    Zoe shook her head at Maggie. ‘I don’t know how you do it,’ she said.
    ‘Do what?’ Maggie pressed the button to call the elevator.
    ‘Take ten minutes and come out looking like you’ve spent all day with a stylist and a team of hair and make-up artists,’ said Zoe.
    Maggie laughed, ‘It’s years of practice and watching other people do my hair and make-up and copying them.’
    The elevator opened, and Maggie saw Jack at the front desk, talking on the phone.
    She gave a wave and he waved back.
    ‘What did I say to you?’ warned Zoe as they arrived at The Promenade restaurant.
    A waitress swiftly had them settled in overstuffed armchairs and was offering them an assortment of teas.
    Settling on a pot of Assam tea, Maggie sat back and looked at the cake stands of pastries and sandwiches.
    ‘I can’t eat any of this,’ she groaned.
    ‘You can you know,’ said Zoe. ‘One afternoon tea isn’t going to make any difference.’
    Maggie sighed, ‘Except to my head.’
    ‘I thought you were going to enjoy all that London had to offer,’ said Zoe crossly.
    ‘I am, just not the high tea,’ Maggie said, as her eyes followed a plate of cakes that was being walked past them.
    Zoe leaned forward, ‘Listen, I left my phone here today when we went out, the least you can do is eat a goddamned scone.’
    Maggie frowned for a moment, and then tilted her head at Zoe.
    ‘How about we make a deal?’ she said, sitting forward.
    ‘Okay?’ said Zoe carefully.
    ‘I will stop obsessing about food if you let me try and get Holly and Jack together.’
    She leaned back in her chair triumphantly.
    ‘You’re a pain in the arse,’ said Zoe, as the waitress carefully placed a silver teapot between them.
    ‘So we have a deal?’
    Zoe nodded and Maggie looked up at the waitress. ‘Bring us all the calorie-laden items you have.’
    The girl smiled. ‘Of course, Ms Hall.’
    Soon their table was laden with scones and clotted cream, tiny sandwiches, French pastries, meringues and more.
    ‘I haven’t had a sandwich since what feels like 1997,’ said Maggie as she shoved another chicken sandwich into her mouth.
    Zoe put a generous dollop of jam and then cream