Page 11 of A Merry Little Christmas
Yes, maybe it had been Caleb talking to Amanda in his car. But so what? His meeting must have been cancelled and he was no doubt talking to Amanda about something to do with work. I was reading something into that hug they gave each other that wasn’t actually there. Seriously, sometimes I really thought I was losing my marbles.
Maddy phoned as I was having breakfast. ‘We’re in the car, heading off to the airport. Just wanted to wish you happy birthday for Friday.’
‘Aw, thanks.’
‘You don’t sound overjoyed about being a year older. Is something wrong?’
I was about to say no. But instead, I heaved a sigh and told her about thinking I saw Caleb and Amanda together the previous night. And hating myself because I was secretly suspecting the worst.
‘Oh, well, you know why they were meeting, don’t you?’ said Maddy chirpily.
I swallowed. ‘No. What do you mean?’
She laughed. ‘Amanda’s his assistant, and a very good one by the sounds of things.’
‘Yes? So?’
‘Well, what do assistants do when the boss’s partner has a birthday? Especially if they’ve got amaleboss?’
‘I give in.’
‘They help them decide what gift to buy.’
‘Do they?’
‘Yes! I’ve just read a romance where exactly that happens. The heroine thought he’d forgotten her birthday and basically decided he must be going off her, but then the gorgeous bouquet of flowers she saw his assistant carrying to her car actually turned out to be for her.’
I laughed. ‘Maddy, that issucha cliché.’
‘Maybe. But it could explain the subterfuge. If they actuallyweremeeting in secret?’
I gave my mobile a very doubtful look.
‘Look, men especially are absolutely hopeless at choosing gifts for women.’ She chuckled. ‘Sorry, Jack, but it’s true.’
In the background, I heard Jack laugh and say, ‘Hey, you said youlovedthe hoover I bought you for your last birthday.’
‘Well, yes, I did. And you got exactly the right one,’ said Maddy hurriedly. ‘I’m just saying if you had a clever female assistant like Caleb does, maybe I’d have received a gorgeous piece of jewellery instead of something to help me do thehousework.’
‘Fair play,’ I heard Jack say, clearly taking it on the chin with his usual good humour.
I smiled to myself, enjoying their banter. Theirs was a great relationship. It wasn’t always smooth sailing but they were always quick to make up.
‘Anyway, Katja... I’m sure it was all totally innocent. And you’re in for a lovely birthday surprise from your gorgeous man.’
‘I hope you’re right. Have you packed one of those clichéd romances of yours in your suitcase to read on your trip?’ I asked her, tongue in cheek.
‘What? No! I’ll be far too busy stocking up on Christmas tree baubles and drinking mulled wine to have any time left over for reading.’
‘Well, have a fabulous time. And bring me back a bauble, please.’
*****
It was Wednesday and my day for driving Ellie’s mobile cake van around the surrounding villages.
She’d come up with the fabulous idea of selling – at a much-reduced price – the leftover cakes and pastries that had been baked the day before but were still perfectly delicious. My route included the village of Lockley Meadow where we had a regular pitch at the weekly farmers’ market.
The market was held on the village green, right next to Caleb’s latest eco housing development, and usually – if he wasn’t too busy – he’d come over to the cake van and we’d stand chatting, in between me serving customers. If he didn’t appear, I’d pop into the site office on my way to my next stop on the route, knowing Caleb would likely be in there eating lunch around that time.
