Page 38 of A Merry Little Christmas
We both started to laugh . . .
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
As I drew up and parked outside Penny’s house in Henley Green, a few miles from Sunnybrook, I couldn’t help thinking about the last time I was there – with Caleb, on babysitting duties.
We’d had an amazing evening, chatting to Will about Christmas and then later, making plans just the two of us. It still made me smile recalling Will’s excitement when he realised it was snowing. The first snowfall of the season! He and Caleb had gone out into the garden while I finished making dinner.
Happy times.
Tonight, though, was going to be rather different.
With a heavy heart, I got out of the car and slip-slid my way up the icy garden path to the door. At least I had the Jingle Bell Forest with Caleb to look forward to.
I was clinging rather desperately to the idea of it. But the way things were going between us, would it even happen?
Penny greeted me at the door with a flushed face and a big smile. ‘Hi, Katja. This is so good of you. Is that brother of mine coming over to keep you company?’ She ushered me into the living room.
‘Er . . . no. Not tonight.’
She flicked her eyes to the ceiling. ‘Don’t tell me, he’s working late?’
‘Probably.’ I gave her a rueful look.
She shook her head. ‘I keep telling him that life is about more than these eco-house projects of his, noble though they are. You probably have to schedule in appointments for dates, do you?’ she joked.
I forced a laugh. ‘Something like that.’
‘Well, anyway, have a seat. Make yourself at home. Will’s up in his room doing his homework but he’ll be down in a minute. Can I get you a cuppa?’
‘Oh, no. You get yourself ready.’ I sank down on the big, squashy sofa. ‘I know where the kitchen is.’
‘Okay.’ She grimaced. ‘I’m really not sure about this date. But I guess I need to just put my big girl pants on and do it, don’t I?’
I grinned at her. ‘You do.’
She groaned, perching on the arm of the sofa for a moment. ‘It’s awful, though, isn’t it? All the “I like films and music and going hiking at weekends” stuff? It feels so exhausting sometimes, having to start over with a whole new person who could actually be the devil in disguise showing you his best side.’ She sighed. ‘Oh, dear, this is definitelynotthe right attitude, is it?’
I chuckled. ‘It’s completely natural. And you never know, you might have a fabulous time tonight.’
‘Here’s hoping.’ She sprang up with her fingers crossed. ‘Better finish getting ready. The taxi’s due in five minutes. I’m meeting him at the restaurant.’ Rushing out, she called back, ‘Help yourself to anything in the fridge or the cupboards, okay?’
‘Thank you!’ I chose a magazine from the rack and settled back on the sofa to flick through it. But I found I couldn’t concentrate on the features inside. It was on my mind that I needed to broach the subject of Lewis and the bullying with Will, and what action we should take. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to talk to him...
Ten minutes later, Will came downstairs, followed by Penny in a cloud of perfume and nervous energy that emerged in frantic goodbyes and kisses for her son, which of course he found totally revolting. ‘Homework. Bath. Then in bed by eight-thirty, okay? Thanks, Katja!’ She gave us a little wave and rushed out.
The whole house seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after the front door closed.
I smiled at Will. ‘Homework done?’
‘Nearly finished. Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?’ he asked, a little awkwardly.
‘I’d love one.’ I abandoned the magazine and followed him through to the kitchen.
‘Mum likes her tea to be orange,’ he said as he filled the kettle. ‘What colour do you like?’
I chuckled. ‘Just plain old beige, I think. Well, maybe somewhere in between orange and beige?’
‘Right,’ he said seriously, turning to watch the kettle, as hot colour whooshed into his cheeks.
