Page 23 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘We were just on our way over when Dan went into the shop with George and left you two alone. Very tactful by the way.’
‘He wasn’t doing it to leave us alone. He was …’ I looked from Giselle toXander. OK. So, apparently he was. I’d totally missed that.
‘And from the looks of it, Cal was pretty pleased about it. All that whispering in your ear, and then the whole candy cane thing … Oh my!’ Giselle flapped a cerise leather gloved hand just under her chin.
I rolled my eyes. ‘Did you two have popcorn whilst you enjoyed the show? Really, it was nothing. I’m sure he didn’t mean anythingby it. He’s probably just had a mulled wine or two.’
‘Cal doesn’t drink.’
‘Oh.’
‘Well … maybe …’
‘Maybe he likes you?’ Giselle tilted her head at me. ‘Ever think of that?’
I fiddled with the pompom on the end of my hat. ‘Honestly? No.’
Giselle gave Xander a glance.
‘Maybe it’s time you did think about it, Muppet. And you know I wouldn’t be telling you that if I didn’t think he was goodenough for you.’
I nodded. ‘I know. But honestly, that’s the last thing I’m looking for. Especially right now. Plus he has a little boy.’
‘So? I would’ve thought you’d be the last person to be put off by that.’ Xander frowned at me.
‘I’m not put off. It’s just … it’s another consideration. I made a complete mess of my last relationship and I’m not about to launch into something else feet firstagain, even if Cal was interested. Which, by the way, I don’t think he is. Things get messy and painful and I’m certainly not going to involve a five-year-old in that!’
Xander gave me a quick squeeze around the shoulders. ‘You can’t think all relationships are going to end messily, you know.’
‘I don’t.’
‘Good.’
‘Just mine.’
Xander blew out a sigh and gave me a look. Giselle patted him onthe arm.
‘We shall see,’ she said, enigmatically. ‘Now, we’re going to head off and do some pressie shopping. See you later.’ Giselle kissed me on my bright red cheek and they headed off towards to the warm glow of the little shops, all decorated for the season, their soft lights enticing shoppers in out of the cold.
Before I got a chance to think much more on the subject, another group of shopperssurrounded me, and the inevitable elf-selfie session ensued. As they moved to swap places, over the top of them I caught a glance of Cal. George was boosted up onto his hip, resting his head on his father’s shoulder with Bear cuddled into him. Opposite him was a tall, elegant woman. Her long, slim legs were encased in denim and finished off with boots that had a fur trim, as did the fittedjacket she wore. On her head she wore one of those big Russian-style fur hats. Her make-up was flawless and she looked – as did the young child whose hand she held – like she’d stepped from a magazine. Giselle was most definitely right about Cal and his play date popularity status.
I smiled at the camera for the group still surrounding me before letting my eyes wander again. The woman laughedat something Cal said, her hand resting briefly – but a touch longer than was necessary – on his arm. He smiled and dipped his head as he hoisted George a little higher.
The group of shoppers thanked me, and headed into the shop. Dan was right. The costumes definitely helped boost sales. I glanced at the woman and Cal and then down at my stripy legs, and the curly-toed shoes, which were now slowlywicking up dampness from the ground. I flicked the pompom on the end of my hat as it dangled in front of my nose. Sales it might boost; ego it most certainly did not.
