Page 74 of The Village Christmas Party

‘I thought you might need a path digging.’ He smiles. ‘And I brought Bella to build a snowman in your garden, if you don’t mind that is.’

‘Oh my goodness! I hadn’t even realised it had snowed overnight,’ I gasp, taking in the sight of the white front garden.

‘It will give you a good excuse for being late for work,’ says Kian, glancing at his watch and smiling.

‘I cannot be late,’ I say firmly. ‘And, of course, Bella, have fun building a snowman.’ I smile.

‘The downside of an apartment is having no garden,’ Kian says with a shrug. ‘But we will be going sledging later.’

‘Really? I almost wish I wasn’t due in work now.’

Inside, I shower and dress at lightning speed, before stepping outside, where Kian has already almost cleared the footpath.

‘I think it might be quicker if I take you to work in my car,’ says Kian, pointing to mine that is covered in snow.

‘Good idea.’

‘And we will get a hot chocolate in town,’ he tells Bella. ‘Can we come back and finish the snowman though?’

‘Of course you can.’ I smile. ‘I look forward to seeing it.’

THIRTY-NINE

‘What are your plans for New Year’s Eve then?’ asks Gemma during a rare lull in sales. ‘I imagine they include Kian.’ She smiles.

‘Do you know we haven’t actually discussed it, but I hope so, yes. I was kind of just going to go with the flow.’

Gemma had told me that Mike had invited her to a family party, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for that and would have preferred the pub.

‘And I didn’t know what your plans were, but I imagined you would be spending it with Kian.’

I think back to last year, when Mum went to a party hosted by one of her friends from the food bank and Dad and Rose spent it together quietly, and I wonder if things were strained between them then? Gemma and I went to the local pub and danced the night away. Some of the staff from Bentham’s were there, and we all had a ball. A handsome guy who worked in the men’s clothing department took a bit of a shine to me and asked me out. I let him down gently, as I wasn’t ready for any sort of relationship at the time, although I do remember we shared a rather nice kiss at midnight.

‘Actually,’ I say, after I have finished serving a young woman with a dress, ‘I might have a party. You know, just a small gathering. Mum and Dad, Audrey if she is free, and one or two neighbours. Obviously, you and Mike if it doesn’t sound too tame as I know you prefer the pub on New Year’s Eve.’

‘Honestly? Normally yes, but I have heard they are not even having a band this year.’ She pulls a face. ‘And it takes ages to get served at the bar. Of course I will come to your party! Maybe you could invite Sue and Barry too, Sue is such a laugh.’

‘That’s a great idea.’

I also need to ask Kian what his plans are.

‘I must say I’m shocked,’ says Gemma, spraying herself with some perfume. ‘You thinking of having a party, the day before New Year’s Eve, without weeks of careful planning,’ she teases.

‘It’s hardly a party, more of small gathering.’ I laugh. ‘But I take your point. Anyway, I’ll see what people are up to first, it’s a bit short notice so they have probably already made plans.’

That night, Kian collects me from work and when I stroll up my path I’m greeted by an impressive-looking snowman in the garden wearing a flat cap and scarf, and with a smiling mouth that has been made from dark pebbles.

‘I love him.’ I smile. ‘I hope the snow doesn’t thaw too quickly.’

‘Bella had a lovely time building him, before we went sledging. She’s at my mum’s now, as I had a meeting with a client this afternoon.’

‘It must be tricky juggling work with childcare whilst Sally is away,’ I say, turning the key in the front door.

‘I had plenty of notice, so I blocked out my diary quite a bit over Christmas,’ he says. ‘I’ll be making up for it in the new year though.’

‘Talking of the new year, do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve?’ I ask as I unwind a scarf from my neck.

‘Well, I was hoping they would definitely include you,’ he says, snaking his arms around my waist and pulling me to him.

---