Page 30 of On Circus Lane

Steven tuts. “Well,Iwant to go shopping.”

Jack gazes askance at him. “I’m pretty sure they won’t run out of gifts. You can just give my parents a gift voucher if push comes to shove.”

“A gift voucher,” Steven exclaims in horror. “I want Barbara and Derek to know that I’m thinking of them.”

“I find it best to reach for my cross when that happens,” Tom observes, and Jack snorts.

“There’s no need to stay with me, but thank you anyway,” I say quickly. I hate the idea of people changing their plans and centring them around me. It makes me very uncomfortable. “I’ll rest my feet for a bit and then go and get some walking boots later on.”

Ivy pats my head like I’m five and in need of a nap. “I’ll go with him.”

I shoot her an affectionate but wry look. “I’m going to one shop and coming straight back. You want to gopropershopping.”

“It’ll keep.”

“That’s very lovely of you, but you won your friend merit badge years ago.”

“I did, didn’t I? I’ve probably got a cupboard full of them somewhere.”

“Probably shoved behind all your shoes. Anyway, you don’t need to lobby for another one. I’ll be fine. I’ll be as good as gold tomorrow.”

“But you can’t be on your own.”

“I’m not five, and I can promise you now that I’m not going to eat the crayons or turn the gas on.”

“He won’t be on his own,” Tom says, leaning against the kitchen counter. He shoots me a smile. “I’ll stay with him and then take him to get his boots.”

“Really?” Ivy exclaims. “Thank yousomuch.”

“You’re making it sound like he’s fucking babysitting me,” I protest.

“You would have been a terribly opinionated baby,” she says solemnly.

I snort and then sneak a glance at Tom. He raises his eyebrows at me. I’m not sure if his expression is offering a challenge, or if he’s simply teasing me. Either way, I want to find out more about that sparkle in his eyes.

“Well, that would be lovely if you don’t mind?” I say to him.

His smile gains an extra radiance. “I don’t mind at all,” he says happily. “I know a good walking shop in the centre.”

“That’s theperfectspot for Bee,” Ivy says smoothly. “He’ll be completely enthralled in his spiritual home.”

I pinch her, and she cackles.

Tom nods. “Well, he can get kitted out, and then we can find somewhere to have some lunch.”

I’m pretty sure I should object to a scheduled visit to a sports shop. Instead, I say, “Great,” and I actually mean it.

Freddy looks at Tom, his mouth twitching. Something is obviously amusing him, but he just claps Tom on the shoulder, nearly sending him into the oven by the counter. “Great, so that’s the plan. And tonight, we’ll go out for food.”

“I’ve booked a good Italian,” Sal says, consulting her phone. She slings her long, shiny hair over her shoulder. “Ready?” she asks Ivy.

Ivy glances at me, obviously torn.

“She’s ready,” I say quickly. “Off you go, Ives. Be good. Burn your credit card before you get there.”

She rolls her eyes. “One time, a bank asked me to cut up my credit card. One time, and I’ve never been able to forget it.”

“It’s not normal for bank managers to cry.”

---