Page 57 of The Twelve Days of Christian
I’m right back where I started. Nothing to do but ride out this rogue wave and hope I don’t drown. And pray it doesn’t take Haley down with me—that’s if we have a future beyond these four walls. With every passing day, the tantalising prospect grows. It’s ironic this nightmare should provide the fuel for my dreams to come true, and Loreena the spark to ignite it.
“Christian, come and have some lunch.” Haley’s still busy in the kitchen, amid the happy clatter of pots and pans and the smell of spice hanging heavy in the air.
I don’t feel like food; I barely need it after all those waffles. I head to the kitchen anyway, recognising Haley’s need to care for me helps keep her mind off her troubles too. There’s something soothing about cooking. Perhaps it’s the need to pay attention, freeing your brain from dwelling on other things.
She places a huge bowl of soup in front of me. Bright orange pumpkin with a swirl of cream. A faint smell of nutmeg drifts towards me in a small waft of steam.
“Looks like I’ve got competition. And here I was thinking theMastercheftitle was all mine.”
“It’s only soup. Nothing fancy.” She takes a seat at the counter next to me, plunging a spoon into her own bowl.
“But very good soup.” I take a large slurp, and it tastes even better than it smells.
“Comfort food. Figured we both could use some.” A resigned sigh slips out.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, leaving my spoon poised mid-air.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just…”
“Haley, tell me,” I urge. While I was out there pounding the pavement, something else happened to take the shiny edge off my girl.
“It’s nothing, really. Sam rang. We were planning to go to Kew Gardens tonight. To see the Christmas lights. But she’s had to cancel. They’re super shorthanded at her work. Sick staff. So she’s picked up an extra shift tonight.”
“That’s a shame.” I can imagine Haley’s childlike delight in all things Christmas finding its peak in the outdoor lighting displays.
“It is, especially now the rain’s easing off. Meant to clear by mid-afternoon.”
“Yeah, it would choose to disappear now, after I got completely drenched.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it. The gardens.” She drops her eyes to the bowl. “I felt kind of guilty. Going out and leaving you home alone.”
“It’s OK. It’s not your fault I’m under house arrest.” As I’m saying it, that same recklessness that sent me running round the park in broad daylight nudges forward an idea. “It’ll be dark, right?”
“Yes, and no. There’s so many lights in some parts it may as well be daytime.”
“I think we should go. You and me. That’s as long as Sam won’t be upset about you going without her.”
“No, it’s not really her thing. She only agreed because she didn’t want me out after dark on my own.”
“Not without your own highly trained bodyguard?”
“No,” she laughs.
“OK, well, I’m no expert in—what is it?”
“Krav Maga.”
“Right. That. But I’m big enough to be a suitable deterrent for anyone lurking in the gardens with nefarious motives.”
“The place will be packed. How will you stop anyone recognising you?”
“It’s going to be cold. By the time I layer up, I’ll look like every other person there.”
I take a casual tone, although I know this is risky. But in my new world, what Haley wants, Haley gets. And, much as I tease her relentlessly about her obsession, there’s such joy in her when she’s immersed in her Christmas stuff. It’s strangely contagious. Of course, taking her to see the lights is not a totally unselfish suggestion on my part. I want to make some special moments with her. Just in case this time next year, I’m stuck with living on the memories. In case I’m just a memory to her, too; I want it to be a good one.
“What about the dogs?” I ask. “Can we take them? Would they be up for it?” I’m told the two oldies don’t venture much beyond the backyard. A little outing might be good for them too.
Haley rests a thoughtful finger on her chin. “I was going to leave them here. To keep you company. But we could…”
