Page 80 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
Cal took a deep breath in. ‘I guess it’s easier.’
‘Than what?’
He opened his mouth then closed it again. ‘I don’t know. It just seemedlike the best option. It’s not like we have family or anyone to celebrate with and at least if we’re at a place with a kids’ club, George gets to mix with others and have fun on the day rather than sitting here with just me.’
‘Oh, Cal.’
He frowned. ‘I’m not looking for sympathy, Lexi. You asked a question and I answered it.’
I took the next ornament from him. ‘I wasn’t giving you pity. I wasjust …’
‘What?’
‘Thinking how wrong you are if you think George wouldn’t have a good time if it was just you. Anyone can see how much you do for him and how much he adores his dad.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, eventually, following my lead and beginning to put some of the other ornaments out.
‘Did you not have any good Christmas experiences growing up?’
Cal concentrated on positioning the ornaments.For a moment I didn’t think he was going to answer but then, without looking at me, he spoke. ‘There was one year. One particular family who fostered me. Actually it was the dad there who helped spark my love of cars. He had this beautiful old D type he’d restored.’ He glanced down at me. ‘You’d have loved it.’ I smiled. He was right. I would have. ‘I was only with them one Christmas but itwas amazing. I guess it’s that one I try and remember when I’ve done things at home for George.’
‘There’s only one you remember?’
‘No. There’s only one I want to remember.’
I looked up but he’d turned away, reaching over to the table for the next part of our decorating journey. ‘I assume this fairy light net is to go on this wall?’ He pointed at the one next to the window, which currently justheld one large, colourful picture. The lights would just stretch across it without damage and it would finish the breakfast nook perfectly.
‘It is. See? You’re a natural!’
Cal laughed. ‘I’m not so sure about that. It was more a case of elimination. It’s not going to fit anywhere else in here.’
I shrugged. ‘I like my version better.’
He gave a little chuckle and began fixing one corner of thenet to the wall, just below the ceiling.
‘So if things were obviously good with that family, how come you only got one Christmas with them?’
Cal moved to the other corner of the net as I spread it out, making sure it was even. ‘You ask a lot of questions, don’t you?’
I sat on the floor and began fixing the bottom corner. ‘I was always taught that asking questions was how you learned.’
He turnedand looked down at me sat on the floor. ‘And exactly what is it you’re hoping to learn here, Lexi?’
I shook my head. ‘I don’t know. I’m just interested.’ I scooted on my knees across the floor to the other corner.
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why are you interested?’
I fixed the corner, let out a sigh, and stood up. ‘Because it’s in my nature to be. Because I think you’re an interesting person andI like talking to you, and I’m always curious about what makes people who they are. I’m not trying to break into any locked corners of your mind, Cal. I’m just … nosy, I guess.’
The tension that had threatened broke with Cal’s laughter. ‘You’re not nosy. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’ve spent too many years keeping myself to myself. I’m realising that’s not exactly how things are donehere though.’
I grinned. ‘No. Not exactly. But I am sorry if I’ve asked anything I shouldn’t have.’
‘It’s fine. And in answer to your question, unfortunately the family ended up having to stop fostering when one of their elderly parents became ill.’
