Page 31 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
I hadn’t missed the look of curiosity that had passed over Martha’s face when she’d found me standing in Cal’s kitchen on a Sunday morning, sharing laughter and bacon sarnies. There had been more as well – a sense of protection. Yep. I was most definitely getting more than a hint of Mama Bear vibe. George was her charge but clearly it wasn’t only little George under her wing.Cal was firmly nested there too, even if he didn’t know it.
‘No, I’ve been working away a lot for the last several years. I’ve only been home properly for a little while.’
‘Oh. Will you be leaving again soon or are you here on a more permanent basis?’ Her tone was light and interested but there was no doubt I was under scrutiny. Cal, busy loading the dishwasher, completely missed it. But thenhe was a man and, in my experience, men weren’t always good at subtle so that wasn’t exactly a big shock.
‘I’m not really sure to be honest. But I’m enjoying getting to spend time with my family and friends.’ I smiled, hoping that was enough to satisfy her for now. I saw her mouth begin to open.
Obviously not.
‘So!’ Cal stood back up from the dishwasher, closing the door as he did so. Perfecttiming. ‘I’m just going to go and check on George. He was bit fretful earlier but Lexi and Apollo have the magic touch and had managed to get him to sleep while I was in the shower.’
‘Apollo?’
‘My dog.’
‘Oh!’
‘We just popped in after our walk this morning to see how George was feeling.’ Perhaps if I let her know I hadn’t spent a passionate night with her employer, it might make her worry lessthat I was about to break his heart. Or whatever it was that she was worried about me doing.
‘Oh, that was nice of you.’
Did I detect a little softening there?
Cal led the way and George was still out like a light to the soft accompaniment of doggy snoring. I hated to wake Apollo but I had no idea how Martha felt about dogs or what time I’d be home. I didn’t want him missing his dinner laterif we got held up. I glanced at Martha, catching her expression. OK, so she might be a dog person after all. I gently nudged Apollo from his slumber. George’s hand slid softly down his fur until it landed on the duvet and Cal snuggled his son into the bed further. Martha and I walked out, the dog close by my side.
‘He’s beautiful,’ she said when we got to the hallway.
‘Thank you.’
‘The namesuits him. Very regal.’
I laughed. ‘You might not think that when he’s on his back, legs in air, snoring like a freight train.’ She laughed at the image of a not infrequent sight at our place.
Cal joined us. ‘He’s still zonked. Thanks so much for this. I would have put it off if I could –’
Martha waved his protestations away. ‘It’s my pleasure. Derek’s decided that aGame of Thronesmarathonwas his calling this weekend and after a day of it yesterday, honestly, it’s a pleasure to be here even more than usual. There’s only so much tits, arse, blood, and gore I can take.’
My mouth had dropped open and Cal was laughing. Martha had that whole prim, respectable look going on and certainly didn’t look the kind of woman who said tits and arse!
‘What did I say?’ she asked, genuinely confused.
I snapped my mouth shut and Cal just shook his head and gave her a squeeze around the shoulders. ‘Nothing. Thanks again and just text or call me if you need anything at all. OK?’
‘Of course. Now go if you must. But for goodness’ sake, have a window open or something. You look shattered, boy!’
‘Don’t worry. Lexi’s driving. She very flatteringly told me I looked hideous and then used George asemotional blackmail to make me relinquish my keys.’
‘Did she now?’ Martha turned to me. ‘Well done, you.’ She winked and weirdly I felt like I’d passed some sort of test. Or at least one stage of it.
‘In my defence, the word hideous was never used. He’s exaggerating.’
Martha shrugged, ‘He’s a man …’ She left the rest of the sentence open to speak for itself as I laughed.
Cal raised an eyebrow.‘I’m feeling distinctly ganged up on here so I definitely think it’s time we left.’ The shower had revived him somewhat but his face was still drawn from tiredness and the worry of last night. But right now, his eyes sparkled with the fun of the tease.
‘Come on, boy.’ He looked down at Apollo. ‘We know when we’re beaten.’ Apollo looked up and tilted his head.
I pulled on my boots and grabbedthe hat I’d stuffed in my pocket. It wasn’t the most flattering thing I’d ever worn but it was warm and until the car warmed up, I valued my ears too much to give vanity the upper hand.
