A Scot for Christmas - Victoria Pinder Page 0,1

how my job would support me.

My heart raced as I said, “I don’t understand this.”

She stopped typing and handed me a second letter. “The company will be working with freelancers from now on. If you’re interested in working with us and set up your own business, please apply on our website to see what jobs are available.”

The pay was probably a fraction of what I’d been earning, and that didn’t solve my problem.

However, my mother would have said, “You’ll figure it out, if you want it badly enough.” So I turned to let the next person in line in move forward. “Great. Thanks.”

As I left, my chest felt hollow. I passed a coffee shop that smelled like peppermint, and tears formed in my eyes.

Londoners made a wider path for me as my emotions were as clear as day—well, probably clearer, as it was gloomy a lot of the time in London.

I stepped back onto the tube to head to my flat. No one spoke to me, but that was fine. Once I left my station, my phone rang. I glanced at the clock. Half the morning was gone. It was my sister Alexa. She must have thought I was on my lunch break.

I opened my building’s door and said, “Alexa… Merry Christmas.”

I trekked up the steps to my small space.

“Is it? I’m hoping you and I can talk.”

Our relationship hadn’t involve much talking since she’d turned eighteen. She’d been my only friend until she’d decided she preferred my boyfriend’s apartment over our father’s house.

I let myself in the door and said, “I can’t talk right now, Alexa. I have way too much… work.”

“Okay. I’ll call you later, then, and hope you’ll forgive me.”

If I asked if that meant she’d left David, I would get into a conversation I didn’t ever want to have. Besides, if I didn’t solve my crisis, I would be stuck in hell.

I locked the door behind me then pulled out my computer and booted it up.

I went to some online boards and found marketing positions. I would not move until I’d applied for three. I hated online forms that didn’t take resumes. Applying for more than three a day was exhausting.

As I finished the third one, my phone rang. I stood to get a sip of water and saw the number of one of my best friends. I answered, “Amelia, hey.”

I’d never asked them for help, but my American friends who’d moved to London because we all loved Jane Austen reenactments had become a second family, and we all understood each other.

Amelia said quickly, “Stephanie and Charlotte are on the line too.”

The team was all on, then. I missed them, especially Charlotte, whom I saw less because she’d married a Scottish duke and moved to Scotland.

I sighed and said, “Hey.”

Amelia laughed. “So we’re excited to see you tonight.”

My mind raced. I was anxious, my stomach tightening. I tugged my ear in thought and asked, “Tonight?”

Charlotte said, “It’s December first.”

My day had clearly given me momentary amnesia. Damn. “Maybe…” My brow furrowed as I shook my head. “No, I can’t make it.”

Stephanie said, “It won’t be the same without you.”

No dime I spent would be replaced until I found another job. I stood taller and said, “I know, but I can’t afford it right now.”

Charlotte replied, “Don’t worry. Remember, I’m paying for your ticket and your room with Amelia for the night so that you two aren’t at some horrible hotel.”

She was a sweetheart. I’d agreed to stay at a five-star resort on her dime. But I just had to get there. Tears formed in my eyes. “Still.”

“Your car will make it,” Amelia added.

At least she was like me. We were pinching our pennies to ensure we could do what we enjoyed, having Jane Austen reenactments as much as possible.

I let out a sigh. They were right. It was a two-hour drive to Bath, and gas for my car would be cheaper than the hired-car service I’d planned. I quickly grabbed my Jane Austen dress and said, “Right. I’d love to see you. Be there in a few hours.”

My dress took a little longer to pack than I’d thought because it didn’t fit in a suitcase easily. I also packed my laptop, since I would need to continue the job hunt. I hoped someone would hire me before immigration caught on.

When I was done, I tossed my stuff into the back seat and was ready to go. Amelia was already in Bath. She had gone a few