Page 72 of The Village Christmas Party

‘Lauren, hi, come in.’

Kian is dressed in jogging pants and a tight grey T-shirt that shows off the physique of someone who works out regularly.

‘Fancy a drink?’ he offers.

‘Maybe just a tea, thanks,’ I tell him as I came over in the car, and I want to keep a clear head.

‘Sure,’ he says as he walks into the kitchen area of the large, open plan space.

I glance around the lounge, for any sign of a woman’s touch, but can’t find any evidence of that. There are no photographs of anyone other than Kian and Bella on a black-and-white canvas, hanging on a wall. No flowers, or scented candles, but then, I don’t suppose there would be any evidence of an ex-wife if Kian was expecting me.

‘I’m glad you came,’ he says, returning to the lounge with a pot of tea in a clear glass teapot and two mugs.

‘I wanted to see you,’ I say. ‘I meant it when I said I enjoyed our evening, but it left me feeling a little confused.’

‘Which I completely understand,’ he says gently, sitting next to me on the sofa. ‘But I’ve told you, Sally is Bella’s mum,nothing more. I’m sure she isn’t giving me a second thought whilst she is sunning herself in Barbados, nor me her.’

‘Are you certain?’

‘Of course I’m certain,’ says Kian, taking hold of my hand and looking me in the eyes. ‘I’ve relived our date, I don’t know how many times. It was perfect.’

I think back to the beautiful restaurant, the moving film, and the twinkling lights in the town as we walked. And then there was that unexpected kiss in the car park.

‘I thought so too. But I have to be certain there are no lingering feelings towards Sally.’

‘I promise you there aren’t,’ he says, sounding sincere. ‘I’m not one to play games, that’s for sure. Yes, Sally is Bella’s mother, but we have our own lives now. We are civil to each other, but I don’t love her anymore. We are divorced after all,’ he reminds me softly.

‘I know.’

‘And if the plane had taken off on time, I would have barely seen her. It was just the circumstances of her wanting to see Bella on Christmas Day, that’s all.’

‘I had to be sure,’ I tell him, believing that every word he is speaking is the truth. I have to believe that.

‘Well now you know.’ He edges closer to me on the sofa. ‘Lauren, I had the most wonderful evening the other night, magical even. When I kissed you, it felt so right and I hoped you felt the same way too.’

‘I did, Kian, really,’ I tell him, my heart soaring. ‘Although I was hoping you might have told me about the woman’s gift you bought from Bentham’s.’

‘Gemma told you, of course!’ He shakes his head. ‘It’s a shame really, as now it has kind of gone and ruined the surprise.’ He stands up and disappears into his bedroom.

‘For me?’ I say, accepting the silver gift bag, the top covered with black tissue paper. ‘You shouldn’t have. I don’t have anything for you, I’m afraid. I didn’t think we would be doing gifts.’

‘Not a problem. Maybe you can buy me a drink sometime.’

‘I can definitely do that.’

I remove the tissue from the bag and pull out the most glorious red scarf, and slide my hands over the silky fabric. Looking closely I can see it is dotted with tiny silver hearts.

‘Kian, it’s absolutely beautiful. Thank you. So the gift was for me?’ I say quietly.

‘I always told you red was your colour. As soon as I saw it, I thought of you.’ He smiles. ‘What do you mean, so the gift was for you?’ He looks puzzled.

‘Oh, Kian, I’m afraid I may have jumped to the wrong conclusion.’ I sigh, holding the scarf in my hands. ‘Gemma told me that she served you with a gift for a woman, and well…’

‘You put two and two together, and came up with five?’

‘Something like that.’

‘You have to believe me when I say that I am interested in you only. From the moment I walked into that shop, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.’

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