Page 62 of A Not So Quiet Christmas
Chapter 37
“Come on then,” Ted said. “Spit it out.”
Realising his response to my request could go either way, I steeled myself ready to explain. “There’s this woman in the village. She’s on her own with her son, Seb. He’s seven years old and this is their first Christmas just the two of them. His dad’s no longer around. Let’s just say he’s moved on.”
“Ah,” Ted said, his eyebrows raised. “Another one of those, eh?”
“Well, Seb’s already questioning Santa Claus’s existence, so there’s a good chance that next year he won’t believe in him at all…” I took a sip of my tea.
“So you want this year to be a year to remember?”
“I do. Plus, I’m hoping to take his mind off the fact that his dad won’t be around.”
“I see,” Ted said.
“His mum doesn’t know anything about this, by the way, so it’s okay if you say no. I just thought maybe you could help?”
“By playing the role of Father Christmas?” Ted said.
“Yes. On Christmas Eve. Like you did way back when. For Oliver.” Hoping the mention of his grandson would swing it, I wrinkled my nose in anticipation. “Seb’s such a lovely little boy and with only a couple of days to go, I know it’s short notice. And I understand if you’d rather not and like I said, I haven’t mentioned any of this to Lizzie. So no one will be any the wiser, if you…”
“Okay,” Ted said, his face serious. “I’ll do it.”
“You will?” I took in the man’s continued sternness. “And you’llHo! Ho! Ho?” I asked, needing to make sure. “Because nobody likes a grumpy Santa.”
“If I have to.” Ted held his stern expression for a second or two longer, before his face broke into a smile. “Of course, I’llHo! Ho! Ho!” he said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t.”
Relief swept over me and I jumped up from my seat, raced around the table and threw my arms around Ted. “Thank you,” I said. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“How much what means?” asked Oliver. Suddenly appearing in the doorway, he took in the sight of me hugging his granddad. “What’s going on?”
“Two visitors in one day. I am lucky,” Ted said.
I straightened up, my face beaming. It was the first time I’d seen Oliver since our trip to Missingham House. Since our kiss. Just the thought of it and I had to will myself not to blush. “Your granddad’s just said he’ll play Father Christmas.”
“Really?” He looked from Ted to me, his surprise obvious. “For who?”
“A little boy I know.”
Looking impressed, Oliver took off his coat. Placing it over a chair, he walked straight towards me and leaning in, kissed my cheek.
My tummy flipped as his lips brushed my skin. After which, with all the resolve in the world, I couldn’t stop my cheeks from flushing.
“How did you get him to agree to that?” he said, winking at me.
I flushed even more.
Oliver looked at the old man. “Are you feeling okay? You’re not sick, are you?”
“Cheeky,” Ted said.
Watching the two of them, I couldn’t help but think their interaction sweet. And while Oliver was the same gorgeous man he’d been when I first met him, Ted bore no resemblance to the grouchy individual I’d met on my first visit to The Cobblestone Tavern. “Look, I’m glad you’re both here.” I took a deep breath. “I didn’t just call in because of the skip and to ask you, Ted, for a favour.”
“You mean there’s more?” Ted said.
As the two of them waited for me to continue, my mouth suddenly felt dry and I wondered what was wrong with me. Tempted to chicken out for fear of rejection, I reminded myself that Jules would never let me hear the end of it if I did. “I wondered if you both fancied Christmas dinner at Number 3 this year,” I said.
Oliver’s face broke into a smile. Ted appeared surprised.
