Page 71 of The Village Christmas Party

‘Jumboizes. Which is a shipping term for enlarging a ship by adding another section to it,’ she says knowledgably.

‘You only know that because Susie Dent explained it.’ Dad giggles.

Mum rolls her eyes, and offers me a cup of tea. She is healing remarkably well and is almost bustling about at her usual pace now. I’ve enjoyed having her here, and Dad too, but knowing Mum, she will be wanting to get back to her flat soon, a ground floor one with a pretty garden that she has worked hard on and enjoys spending as much time as possible out there, especially in the summer months.

I take my tea upstairs and wait for Kian to call. I’m just out of my uniform and about to take a shower when my phone rings.

‘Kian, hi, how are you?’ Despite my uncertainty about the future I am thrilled to hear his voice.

‘I’m okay. I was calling you about that chat, but I thought we could do that in person? Are you free later?’ he asks.

‘I could be, I suppose.’

Some of the work gang are going for drinks this evening, including Gemma, but I can meet up with them later at the pub.

‘Can I pick you up in say… an hour?’ he asks. ‘I’ll drop Bella off at her grandparents’ first, she’s been wanting a sleepover there to show them her Christmas toys. We could come back here to my place, or go for a drink, whatever you prefer.’

‘I’ll come to your place, if that’s okay,’ I tell him, thinking it the best place to have a private conversation.

‘Okay. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Lauren. See you shortly.’

I’m dressed and downstairs, nerves building at the thought of meeting Kian, when my parents say they have something to tell me. My heart sinks for a moment, my first thought being that Dad is more ill than I first thought.

‘I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow,’ says Mum. ‘I should be completely on my feet by then. I’m actually okay now, just a little stiff when I stand up,’ she explains.

‘But there’s no rush, surely?’

I kind of thought they would both be here until at least New Year’s Eve.

‘I know that, love, but I’m missing my place. I don’t like the apartment being unoccupied for too long,’ she says. ‘And I have a couple of indoor plants that will need watering by now.’

‘Well, I can understand you wanting to get back home, as long as you feel okay to look after yourself.’

‘I will be.’ She smiles. ‘But I will have someone watching out for me, so don’t worry.’ She takes a glance at Dad. ‘Your father is coming to stay with me for a while.’

‘What? Are you telling me you are getting back together?’

I am standing with my mouth open. I know they have been getting along well lately, but I assumed that was just because they were thrust into the same space together.

‘We’ve talked about it, and we just thought, why not?’ says Dad, smiling at Mum.

‘Neither of us are getting any younger, and as I’m retired, I can look after your dad after his operation,’ Mum tells me.

‘But I wouldn’t have minded you both staying here, you know that.’

I take in the news that my parents are going to spend their later years together, which fills me with joy, mixed with a touch of trepidation. They say you should never go back, but I guess love doesn’t work that way, does it? I am filled with emotion at the thought of my parents spending the rest of their livestogether. I do hope things work out, as I want nothing but the best for them both.

‘Of course you would, Lauren, but you have your own life and a full-time job. It would be too much for you. I’m sure we will be just fine, and we know where you are if we need you,’ Mum reassures me.

The three of us are standing there then in a group hug and I feel a silent tear trickle down my cheek. I’d always worried about Mum being on her own as she gets older, if I’m honest. I had no idea things were bad between Dad and Rose, so assumed they would be together for the duration.

‘I’m so happy for you both,’ I tell them, when we finally stop hugging. ‘I hope you can make each other happy again.’

‘We’ll do our best. And I actually think I might be developing a taste for all that veggie food,’ says Dad. ‘I’d forgotten what a good cook your mum is.’

I grab my coat, and head out with a huge grin on my face. Now it’s time to go and find out if my own love life has any chance of progressing.

THIRTY-SEVEN

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