Page 70 of The Village Christmas Party

Gemma is sipping a green tea and trying to resist the Christmas boxes of chocolates and shortbread that people have brought in. It would appear most of the staff, including Gemma, are on a post-Christmas diet.

‘Ugh this tastes awful, but apparently it helps with weight loss,’ she says, pulling a face as she sips her drink. ‘Anyway, you said you would fill me in on how your date went,’ she says, her resolve already gone as she takes a fantail shortbread from a tin.

‘It was really lovely. We went to a gorgeous French restaurant, then on to the cinema.’

‘And did you invite him in for coffee?’ She raises an eyebrow.

‘No actually, he invited me to his place. Besides, Mum and Dad are staying with me at the moment remember.’

‘Ooh tell me more,’ she says, throwing half of her biscuit in the bin after feeling guilty.

‘We had a drink and a chat. His place is lovely, just as I imagined it to be. Anyway, I was home and in bed by eleven thirty, what with being in work this morning.’

‘And that’s all you’re going to tell me?’ She looks visibly disappointed.

‘There is not a lot else to say.’ I sigh. ‘Other than Kian is calling me this evening so that we can talk.’

‘Just talk? Are you not going out again?’ Gemma eyes me suspiciously.

‘Maybe. Oh, Gemma, I really do like him, but I’m wondering if I ought to get involved with someone who is so friendly with his ex-wife.’

‘Is he?’ She frowns.

‘Apparently so, although he tells me they are not friends exactly, and the only communication they ever have is about Bella.’

‘Which is understandable, I guess.’

‘And I totally get that. She was the mystery blonde we spotted him with in town,’ I tell her as I sip my coffee. ‘She spent Christmas Day with him and Bella.’

‘So, that was his ex-wife?’ she says. ‘Maybe they are just friendly for the sake of Bella. It is Christmas time after all.’

I tell her all about the cancelled holiday flight, and how Sally is now sunning herself in the Caribbean with her boyfriend of over a year.

‘I understand your caution,’ she says eventually. ‘But she sounds pretty loved up to me.’

‘I know you’re right. But then I also can’t help thinking about the present he bought for a woman. What was it, do you remember?’

‘A beautiful silk scarf,’ she tells me. ‘And not cheap as I recall.’

‘Right,’ I say, draining the last of my coffee.

‘I suppose it could have been for anyone, as you said.’ Gemma shrugs. ‘I kind of wish I hadn’t mentioned it now.’

‘No, you did the right thing. It’s just that if it was for his wife, and they are still buying each other expensive gifts, it feels like there is unfinished business between the two of them.’ I sigh.

‘It does seem a bit odd to be buying an ex a costly gift,’ she agrees. ‘But then again, that scarf could have been for anyone. There is only one way to find out and that is to ask him,’ says Gemma, gathering up our cups and placing them in a dishwasher.

Glancing at my watch, I see break time is almost over, so I nip to the ladies. I reapply my signature red lipstick before returning to work and mull over what Gemma has just said. Maybe I will just have to come right out and ask him who the gift was for? Without sounding like some sort of weirdo, that is.

Finishing work at four, I’m driving home when my phone rings. It’s Kian. I answer on hands-free and tell him I will be home in ten minutes, so he agrees to call me back then.

I arrive home to the sight of Mum and Dad watchingCountdownon the television and Mum boasting that she got the long word.

‘Nine letters. It’s the best I’ve done in the history of watching the show.’ She beams.

‘It was a fluke,’ teases Dad. ‘You told me you didn’t even know if it was a word, you just put all the letters together and hoped for the best.’ He laughs, and she shoves him on the arm.

‘What was the word?’ I ask as I shrug my coat off.

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