Page 19 of A Merry Little Christmas
‘No, she was all right.’
‘I was just being supportive.’
Gran smiled. ‘So anyway, although I was desperate to be Nikolay’s special girlfriend, I knew I had no chance with Miss Blondie around. But then one day, she wasn’t on the bus, soI decided to make hay while the sunshine is out! What is that expression?’
‘Make hay while the sun shines. Ooh, good. So what happened?’
‘I was very nervous. But I tapped Nikolay on the shoulder and asked him if I could sit next to him. He smiled at me with those lovely dark eyes twinkling and said yes, of course. So I did and we talked and later, I asked him if he would like to come for tea at my house one time. And guess what? He said yes!’
‘Hey, good for you!’
‘I wear my heart on my coat sleeve. Is always best to be clear about your feelings, Katja. Because you never know what the other person might be feeling.’
I grinned. ‘So . . . you and Nikolay, eh?’
‘Me and Nikolay. We sat together on the bus every day after that. He kept the seat specially for me.’
‘That’s so romantic, Gran. How long were you his “special girlfriend”?’
She laughed, her eyes twinkling. ‘Oh, just for a week. He moved with his parents and I never saw him again.’
‘Oh, no! That’s awful.’
‘It was fine. I was sad for a while. But it taught me a lesson. Imagine if I had failed to let Nikolay know that I really liked him. I would have missed out on the best week of my life!’
I smiled at her. ‘What a brilliant story.’
‘You should tell Caleb how much you care for him. Do not end up missing out on the best time of your life!’
*****
Arriving home from the ballet, I was almost too tired to clean my teeth.
My smile in the mirror as I brushed was wistful. I’d spent such a wonderful evening with Gran. It had been a happy, pampering sort of a day, and I felt blessed to have such lovely people in my life who cared enough to make a fuss of me on my birthday.
But I still hadn’t heard a thing from Caleb.
Not even a text.
I’d just got into bed and switched off the light – it was almost midnight – when I heard a car draw up and park outside.
Instantly, my mind went to Caleb.
But I dismissed this as wishful thinking. There was no way he would pitch up at this time of night. And anyway, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to see him now. Not after he’d failed to acknowledge my birthday!
Then my mobile rang and I saw his name on the screen, and – in spite of everything – my heart leaped with joy...
CHAPTER TEN
‘Caleb?’
‘Hi, Katja. Listen, I’m so, so sorry. I don’t know how, but it totally slipped my mind that today is your birthday.’ He gave a groan. ‘Wasyour birthday. It’s actually tomorrow now. If you know what I mean.’
‘Hey, don’t worry about it. These things happen,’ I said, aiming for cool and casual.
So hehadforgotten. It was silly, really, but I felt like crying.
Whatever was happening in my life, however busy I was at work, I’dneverforget Caleb’s birthday. So what did that say about how he felt about me?
