Page 47 of A Christmas Celebration
Jack followed her out and I thought what a lucky escape I’d had. I might have had the hots for Brodie and considered his contradictory mood swings captivating, but I wasn’t about to spend time with someone who, according to his well-meaning brother, had more baggage than I did.
‘Sorry about that,’ Jack said, when he came back in just as I had finished relocating my thoughts about his brother. ‘Now, how about we take this tour? It feels like I’ve been promising to show you around forever.’
We only made it as far as the reception again when my mobile started to ring.
‘Sorry.’ It was then my turn to apologize as I looked at the screen. ‘It’s the hall number. I’d better see who it is.’
‘Of course,’ said Jack, taking a step away.
It was Mick.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you, love,’ he said.
‘That’s all right. What’s up?’
‘You’ve had a call here from a Mr Wilson. He’s asked if you could give him a ring at the opticians.’
‘OK,’ I said cautiously, wondering what he could possibly want.
I had been trying not to think about Albert, but suddenly my heart was racing and my concern had cranked up several notches. I might have been determined to back off, right off, as Albert had asked, but that didn’t mean I didn’t still care.
‘I’ll do it now,’ I said, checking I had the right number.
‘Wilson’s Opticians, how can I help?’ Mr Wilson answered on the first ring.
‘It’s Paige, from Wynthorpe Hall.’
‘Oh, hello, Paige. It’s about Mr Price’s glasses. You didn’t collect them yesterday.’
‘No,’ I cautiously said, ‘I didn’t. Albert told me he was going to ring you and ask if you could send them out rather than,’ I hesitated, not wanting to imply that we’d had a falling out, ‘have me pick them up.’
‘Well,’ said Mr Wilson, as he tapped away on a keyboard, ‘there’s no message logged here, so he can’t have called. But not to worry, I’ll get them in the post later today.’
‘No,’ I said, after a moment’s hesitation, ‘there’s no need. I’m close to town so I’ll collect them.’
‘If you’re sure?’
‘Absolutely,’ I insisted.
That was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? Even if I just posted them through the cottage letterbox. That way, Albertwould have them sooner than if Mr Wilson put them in the post. I let out a long breath, frustrated that I was still questioning every decision I made. Even those which I knew in my heart were the right ones. Was this lack of confidence going to be a permanent personality trait now? I sincerely hoped not.
‘I’ll see you soon,’ I told Mr Wilson and looked over at Jack.
‘Tour postponed?’ he correctly guessed.
‘Afraid so,’ I said, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
‘Never mind.’ He shrugged. ‘There’ll be other days. Will you be at the dance tonight?’
I’d forgotten all about that.
‘Perhaps,’ I said as a few soft snowflakes began to fall. ‘Assuming I’m not snowed in at Wynthorpe by then.’
Jack looked at the sky and laughed.
‘Not much chance of that,’ he said. ‘And even if you were, I’m not sure Kathleen would accept that as a valid excuse for missing out on tripping the light fantastic.’
‘Perish the thought.’ I shuddered.
