Page 55 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘But?’
Cal let out a sigh and glanced down at his hands, resting loosely in his lap. ‘I’d consider it. She’s his mother. But I reallydon’t have any expectations. I sent her a picture of him on his first birthday, you know, in case she was regretting anything. She sent it back saying that she hadn’t, and wouldn’t, change her mind about anything. She told me that, in reality, she had been nothing more than a surrogate and would appreciate it if I “would desist with contact”.’ He pulled a face.
I didn’t know what to say in responseto that.
‘Does George ever ask where his mum is?’
‘He has a couple of times.’
My heart broke at Cal having to have a conversation with his son like that.
‘I just tried to explain to him that there are all sorts of different families …’ He shrugged. ‘I had no idea what to say really. I’m not about to tell him at this age flat out that his mother wasn’t interested in him. I know all too wellwhat that’s like, and what that can do to you. As he gets older, I know he’ll have more questions and we can talk about it a bit more then. That’s why it’s been so good coming here. Everyone just mucks in and he’s treated like one of their own, especially with your family. It’s gone a long way to helping him not feel like he’s different. And there are a couple of other single parents in the villagetoo. Sasha was really helpful when I first got here. It’s sometimes good to know you’re not the only one, in any situation.’
‘Sasha?’
‘Yeah. Quite tall, blonde?’
My mind cast back to the uber stylish woman with whom Cal been talking at the late-night opening.
‘Oh. That’s good,’ I said brightly, desperately trying to muster more enthusiasm than I actually felt at this knowledge. I really wasglad that Cal had support in the village, but it was pretty obvious to anyone that Sasha wasn’t just offering this out of the kindness of her heart. Even my brothers had made the odd comment in this respect, and they were normally the last ones to notice anything in that sort of vein. I hadn’t realised exactly who’d they been referring to at the time, but putting two and two together now, my mathswas perfect.
‘Yes. Obviously I’d have loved for George to have a loving mother too – even if we weren’t together. He’s such a good kid.’
‘He’s lovely. He kind of stole my heart the moment I looked up from stabbing my thumb with that holly.’
Cal smiled. ‘Yeah, he has a knack for that kind of thing. And obviously we come as a package.’
‘I don’t think anyone could fail to fall in love with him.’
Cal stretched, shadows under his eyes telling tales of some late nights catching up with paperwork. ‘I agree, but I might be a little biased. But yeah, I’m not ruling out the possibility of him having a loving mother figure in his life, one day. And believe me, a year ago, I’d have never thought I’d consider that a possibility either. This village definitely has some sort of magical power, I think.’
I shuffled myself on the sofa in my quest to sit up a little from where I’d comfortably slunk down in the cosy warmth of the room. ‘It’s certainly special, that’s for sure.’ I smothered a yawn. ‘I should get going. I have to be in the shop early to get some orders packed. Claire’s been a bit under the weather so I said I’d do it.’
Cal nodded. ‘Will you be ok? Driving in this, I mean?’ he askedas we headed back to the hallway.
‘Yes, fine. It’s just a bit of rain,’ I said, aware that this was an understatement as the gale outside lashed the downpour against Cal’s front door. ‘My little car is more than up to this.’
He smiled. ‘Text me when you’re back.’
‘Yes, Mum.’
He shook his head at me and took the woolly hat I had in my hand, pulling it on and down over my eyes.
‘That’s a goodlook, I think. Although probably not practical for driving,’ I said, laughing as I pushed the brim back up a little.
He grinned. ‘See? Smart as well as pretty.’
I felt myself blush, and this time had no chance of using the fire as an excuse.
‘It’s kind of cute when you blush.’
I felt myself get redder. ‘You’re not helping.’
‘I know. It’s actually quite fun.’
‘You’re meaner than you look.’
He grinned and the full wattage of his smile warmed up places other than my face.
