Page 68 of The Village Christmas Party

‘And did her boyfriend come too?’ I ask, although I think I already know the answer to that.

‘No.’ He takes a sip of his whisky. ‘He spent the day with his parents.’

I try my hardest to be accepting of the situation and recall me and Mum saying it was a pity people couldn’t put their differences aside for Christmas Day, but this feels different somehow. Bella is a little girl, and if there is any possibility that Christmas Day has stirred memories for Kian and his ex, I would not want to stand in the way of a reconciliation.

‘I’m glad you both got to spend the day with your daughter.’ I smile, even though I can’t think straight. ‘Bella deserves it.’

‘I’m glad you understand. I could hardly say no when she asked to join us, could I? What with it being Christmas Day.’

‘Of course you couldn’t.’ I smile reassuringly.

Glancing at my watch I see it is just before eleven. I think of calling Dad, but decide to call a taxi instead. I don’t want any questions when I get home.

‘You’re leaving?’ Kian looks visibly disappointed when I tell him I am going to call it a night. ‘Have I done something wrong?’ he asks.

‘No, Kian, you haven’t, although maybe you ought to have told me earlier that you were spending Christmas Day with your ex,’ I tell him. ‘And not because I am the jealous type, but rather the cautious type.’

I don’t add,who doesn’t want to get my heart broken having already started to fall for you.

‘Perhaps I should have mentioned it,’ he says, running his fingers through his hair. ‘But, to be honest, I didn’t really see the point in telling you. Sally came here purely to spend time with Bella and I didn’t want to ruin things with you. We have been divorced for two years, she’s hardly going to be staying over.’

‘Sorry, I just assumed it when I saw you together and then Gemma said she saw the three of you in town.’

‘We were shopping with Bella. Look let me explain, please.’

I have an alert on my phone announcing the arrival of my Uber so I stand ready to leave.

‘Bella had some birthday money and asked if Mummy could come along when she spent it,’ he says as he escorts me out. ‘We went to that toy store on the retail park just outside town, then an American diner, all at Bella’s request, I might add.’

I did wonder whether he might mention the diner that Gemma noticed him leaving.

‘Bella stayed on here with me after Sally’s flight was postponed. I’m usually so busy with work, I never have her for sleepovers,’ he explains. ‘And I miss her.’

‘I can imagine.’ I smile. ‘And I really did have a lovely evening, so thank you for that, but I really think I ought to leave.’ I say as brightly as I can, before I make my way outside.

‘I’m sorry you’re leaving.’ Kian sighs. ‘I had a wonderful evening too. I only want the best for Bella. Can we meet up again and talk this through?’ he asks as I am about to climb into the cab.

‘It’s plain to see how much you love Bella.’ I touch him gently on the arm. ‘And don’t worry, we will talk soon. Goodnight, Kian.’

As Kian closed his front door he thought, with hindsight, that he ought to have told Gemma who the gift was for when she had served him with the red scarf, but he wanted it to be a surprise for Lauren. He’d hoped to give it to her tonight, before things had ended so disastrously. And had he been foolish in not mentioning the fact that he had spent Christmas Day with his ex-wife? How would he have felt if it was the other way round and she had been spending Christmas Day with her ex? He was worried he had blown things, which was the last thing he wanted as he hadn’t been so attracted to a woman for a long time. She caught his eye when he first walked into Bentham’s with Bella, standing statuesque and pretty, with her dark hair and red lipstick, she stood out from the other staff.

He poured himself another drink and flicked on the television. The relaxing effects of the pleasant evening had almost deserted him. But perhaps that was his own fault, he thought to himself as he sipped his drink. Only time would tell if things would work out between him and Lauren.

THIRTY-SIX

‘You’re back early,’ Dad comments when I walk through the door.

Mum has retired to bed, having always been an early to bed, early to rise type of person.

‘It isn’t that early. And I do have work tomorrow.’ I smile at Dad as I hang up my coat.

‘Of course you do,’ says Dad as he mutes the sound on the television. ‘So how was your date?’ he asks.

‘Great thanks, Dad. I had a lovely evening.’

I tell him a little about the French restaurant and the moving film at the cinema, thinking of what a perfect first date it was. Before I maybe started overthinking things.

‘I’m glad you had a nice time, love, you deserve it. Will you be going out with Kian again?’ asks Dad.

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