Deathly Christmas by Irena Nieslony

little young for him. Yes, he could easily be attracted to her, but if he was going to get involved with anyone, she needed to be confident and outgoing, and happy to accompany him to business dinners and so on. James didn’t think this was Jane’s cup of tea. Somebody like Eve was a more suitable candidate, but she was taken and her partner looked like he was going to explode if he carried on talking to her. Still, it was Eve that was flirting with him, not the other way round.
    James imagined that Eve liked to be centre stage and wanted to know everything about everybody. She was probably only gathering information about him. James decided to talk to Jane for a moment and let the situation between Eve and David diffuse.
    “I’m sorry,’ James said to Jane. “It must have been a difficult few months for you. Do you plan to move here?”
    “No, I’m staying in England. I came over to get my dad’s things and to put his house on the market.”
    Jane was trembling. James was like no other man she had met, but he seemed more interested in Eve. It wasn’t fair. Women like her always had men following them. Why couldn’t she have the same confidence, not to mention Eve’s style and glamour? Jane was shy and retiring and she felt that took so much away from her looks. Men were drawn to Eve because she conquered any room she walked into. Why couldn’t she do the same?
    Betty had been watching the group and wasn’t happy that James was over with Eve and that she was dominating his attention.
    That woman! Isn’t one man enough for her? Well, she’s certainly not having James, even if it would free up David. James is too good for her as well. I shall have to break this up, she fumed silently.
    Betty stormed over to James and put on a very large smile.
    “I hope these people aren’t taking up too much of your time. You haven’t met Annie and Pete yet. They’re a lovely couple. You must come and I’ll introduce you.”
    “Well, folks, it’s been a great pleasure meeting you all. I’m sure I’ll speak to you again soon.”
    “Yes,” Eve replied. “It’s been lovely talking to you, James.”
    Eve turned to Jane when he had left.
    “So, I can see you like James.”
    “What?” she mumbled. “Was it that obvious?”
    “Oh, I doubt if James noticed, but I could tell. I saw you tremble a little; am I right or not?”
    Jane blushed.
    “I doubt if he even noticed me with you here.”
    “Me? I’m not on the market, so there’s no point him pursuing me. I’ve got my darling David.”
    With that, Eve went and put her arms around David and kissed him gently, not wanting to ruin her lipstick. Betty was watching and grimaced, realizing it would be very difficult to split those two up. However, she refused to believe it was impossible.
    James also watched the kiss and saw that Eve was well and truly taken, but luckily for him, he did also like Jane. She was a highly attractive girl, though lacking in forcefulness. James liked dynamic women, but perhaps he should give Jane a chance.
    James suddenly remembered why he was here on Crete. What on earth was he doing thinking of women at a time like this? His aunt was dead and worse still, she had been murdered and it could have been by someone in this room.  
    Annie and Pete soon joined Eve and David and Jane’s mind then started to wonder. She wasn’t that good at small talk and she kept stealing glances at James. He was striking with his jet black hair, just like hers, but his skin was darker and he was a good foot taller than she was. His eyes were a shimmering blue, while hers were a deep brown. She wondered what it would be like to gaze into his eyes, but what was the point thinking about him? She knew she was being silly. James didn’t like her in that way and probably never would. Her last relationship had been a disaster and she was nervous about going into another one. Still, she missed being close to someone, but a man like James was way out of her