Page 34 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
Chapter Eight
We’d dropped off the dog, put Mum’s mind at rest, and had now been on the road nearly half an hour. Cal had finally given in about ten minutes ago and was sleeping soundly in the passenger seat. A couple of dips in the road had him bumping his head against the window on which he rested but he didn’t wake. Each time I heard it, I winced.
As the next lay-by came into sight, I pulledoff, keeping the engine running. Unwinding my scarf, I rolled it into a small bundle and leant over Cal. Wrapping one arm around his side, I hefted his not insubstantial weight away from the window momentarily and with the other, rested my scarf there. Gently I released him and made sure his head was now against the soft material, rather than the hard glass. I didn’t fancy having to explainto little George that I’d been kind enough to drive his father so that he could sleep but in doing so had also managed to brain him.
***
I pulled to a gentle halt and checked the address again. It seemed this was the place. Cal was still sleeping and I hated to wake him. Being up all night with his son had clearly taken it out of him, plus I knew from Xander that Cal had recently been workingat night after George had gone to sleep, trying to get on top of things after a recommendation by a celebrity had increased the demand for his services even more.
As I sat for a moment, the engine ticking and cooling in reaction to the bitter air surrounding it, my phone rang. Diving my hand into my pocket, I fumbled for a moment and pulled out the mobile, almost juggling it in my haste to shutit up.
‘Hi,’ I whispered.
‘Why are you whispering?’ Giselle asked.
‘Cal’s asleep.’
There was a pause. ‘Oh really?’ she asked, the biggest of smiles in her voice, ‘Well, at bloody last. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time he went out with a woman on her own and I know for certain it’s been far too long for you.’
‘Actually, I’ve never dated a woman on her own, or otherwise,’ I countered,my smart-arse gene coming to the fore.
‘You know what I mean. So? How was it?’
‘How was what?’ I asked, confused.
I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.
‘The sex of course!’
‘Giselle. We’re in the car.’
‘Wow! Really? I guess once the fire’s finally lit, there’s no stopping you two! OK, so same question?’
‘Gis, it’s definitely not what you think.’ I was still whispering but I hada feeling I could have played a short concerto on the car horn and Cal wouldn’t have stirred. He’d barely moved since he’d closed his eyes, even when I’d manhandled him earlier.
‘It isn’t?’
‘No.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Umm … I know it’s been a while, but yes. I’m pretty sure I would know if something like you’re suggesting had happened.’
‘Shame.’
‘Not really. Too complicated.’
‘Life is complicated.’
‘This is true. Which only illustrates my point better. Why add more to the mix?’
Giselle let out a sigh as she was prone to do whenever we veered onto the topic of me dating. Or more specifically, not dating. ‘So, what is happening then? Where are you and why is Cal with you but asleep?’
I gave her a quick catch-up and then got to the crux of it.
‘So, how do I wake him up?’
‘What?’
