Page 32 of The Village Christmas Party

‘Well, that’s alright then. Can I buy you another?’ he offers, but I just want to head home and take something for this headache, even though he is the most attractive guy I have seen around here in a long time. I hesitate for a moment, but he looks like he might be off somewhere important.

‘Thanks, but really I must get home. And aren’t you going somewhere yourself?’ I can’t help asking, given his smart attire.

‘I do have a meeting with a client, but not for another half an hour,’ he says, glancing at his watch.

‘A client?’

‘Yes. I’m a psychologist, but I also work as a hypnotherapist. I have an office near the library,’ he tells me.

‘How interesting,’ I remark.

‘It is. Well, most of the time. Some days it’s just helping people to feel calm before they get on a plane, that sort of thing.’

Maybe I ought to have been to see him before I went to the doctor this evening.

‘Right, I’ll leave you to it. Maybe we can grab that coffee another time though?’ he suggests.

‘I’d like that,’ I say, thinking I really would.

‘Great,’ he says, before standing in front of me for a few seconds and I wonder whether he is about to say something else.

‘See you later then, and merry Christmas,’ I say, turning on my heels.

As I walk away, he calls my name and I turn around.

‘Merry Christmas to you too,’ he says as he lifts a hand and waves.

If I was braver, maybe I would have caught up with him and asked him what his plans were over Christmas, but I’ve never asked a guy out in my life. Not that I think there is anything wrong with that, but I don’t want to look foolish, especially as I don’t really know his situation. One thing is for sure though, I hope it isn’t too long before we run into each other again.

‘Do you have a minute? I know you are busy though, so I won’t keep you long.’

I call Gemma, who told me she will be spending the evening wrapping Christmas presents for tomorrow.

‘Sure I do, but I’m going to have to run down to the late shop before it closes. Would you believe I have run out of wrapping paper? I hope they have some left.’

‘What are you like? I’d have a nervous breakdown if I hadn’t wrapped my presents weeks ago. Oh, and I have some Christmas gift bags here, if you can’t get your hands on any wrapping paper.’

‘I knew you would.’ She chuckles. ‘Anyway, what’s on your mind?’

‘Well, I took your advice and booked a private doctor’s appointment. I decided I didn’t want to wait until after Christmas, it would have spoilt everything and been on my mind the whole time.’

‘You did? And what happened?’

‘Well, I think I can breathe again,’ I tell her. ‘The doctor had a look at the lump, and said it didn’t feel like a cancer. They have a particular shape apparently; he thinks it might be basal cell carcinoma.’

‘Cancer?’ she says in a quiet voice, the word always instilling fear in people.

‘A non-cancerous one. They are contained in the cell, hence the name, but can spread across the face if not removed.’

‘Oh, Lauren.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m trying not to. Obviously further tests need to confirm the diagnosis, but it will need to be removed. I felt quite reassured by the doctor, who told me he had years of experience. And he did say it was probably down to my love of sunbeds, which is a salutary lesson if ever there was one.’

‘You never think when you’re young though, do you?’

‘Definitely not. Anyway, now that I have been checked over I can start to feel a little excited about the Christmas party,’ I tell her.

‘Well, I’m sure everything will be fine. As you say, maybe you can relax a little now. And I’m sure the party will be a wonderful day, with all your careful planning.’

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