Their gazes locked until Kaisha tapped on Cleo’s arm. She needed to ring up another order on the cash register.
‘We’ve been to see the Macy’s window,’ said Dylan, ‘and we were going to grab a bite to eat back in Stamford. But we could get something here in the city instead.’
‘That’s settled then.’ Maybe it was the occasion, maybe it was the thought of going home alone to her apartment and not even seeing Grandpa Joe tomorrow, but whatever it was, it was unbelievably good to see all three of them.
‘Then we have to get these stockings home and hang them up for Santa.’ Dylan held the brown bag aloft. ‘I can’t believe I totally forgot about them until this morning. The kids weren’t overly keen on using one of my old socks as a temporary measure.’
Cleo turned her nose up and looked at the kids, ‘I wouldn’t want my presents shoved in there either.’
Ruby giggled. ‘But Daddy’s feet are huge. At least we’d get a lot of presents.’
‘Good point. I hadn’t thought about it that way.’
‘Okay, kids. Let’s find somewhere to eat. How does pizza sound?’ Dylan bundled the kids to the front door and turned to wave to Cleo. ‘We’ll see you in a while.’
She waved back as the smile he beamed her way threatened to weaken all the muscles in her legs and land her in a heap on the floor. ‘See you.’
Kaisha barely waited for the front door to shut. ‘I know I’ve said it before, but damn it, he is gorgeous! Tell me you’re going to give him a chance.’ The customer she was serving gave Cleo a knowing glance, raised her eyebrows and smiled.
‘We’ve got work to do,’ said Cleo, even though the store was empty except for one customer rummaging in the baskets at the front.
‘You’re blushing.’ Kaisha nudged her. ‘What’s happening with the ex-wife?’
‘I’ve got no idea. I didn’t ask.’
‘Girl, you need to be more proactive. He’s too lovely to let slip through your fingers.’
The store grew busier again and Cleo and Kaisha dealt with customer after customer, high on the spirit of the season. And when the rush lulled into a steady pace and dark skies blanketed the Little Knitting Box for its last Christmas Eve in the West Village, Cleo took the opportunity to give Kaisha an envelope containing her Christmas bonus. She didn’t usually do it with temporary staff, but this young woman had more than earned it.
‘I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting anything.’ Kaisha hugged her.
‘We’ve had a good season and you deserve it. And there’s something else.’ Cleo went out back and opened the safe. She took out a small bag she’d stashed in there earlier. ‘Here. It’s a Christmas gift. Something that will remind you of your time here.’
Kaisha tugged at the end of the gold ribbon and ripped open the green and white striped humbug wrapping. ‘No way! Are these what I think they are?’ Aghast, she held the pair of socks and then threw her arms around Cleo a second time. ‘Are they vicuña?’
‘They certainly are.’
Kaisha closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of the yarn, her hands appreciating the tactile nature of the luxury item. ‘I will treasure them forever. Maybe I’ll just look at them rather than wear them. I don’t want to ruin them!’
‘Don’t you dare. I want photographs of you with those on your feet. That’s what they’re for, after all.’
Kaisha took a brown paper bag and wrapped the socks carefully before stowing them in her knitting bag ready to take home. She pulled out a gold-wrapped box. ‘Here. I got you something too, as a thank you for giving me a chance, for letting me have a job that I love so much, and for becoming a friend.’
Cleo checked no customers were waiting before she unwrapped the gift and out of a cardboard container pulled a snow globe. Beneath the glass was the New York City skyline: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler building, Grand Central Station, and the Statue of Liberty.
‘It’s to remind you that home can be wherever you want or need it to be.’
It was Cleo’s turn to hug her store assistant now and tears welled in her eyes. ‘I love it, thank you.’ She sniffed. ‘Oh would you look at us two?’
‘I think it’s time, Cleo.’
Cleo gulped. ‘You’re right. But I’ll do it. It’s the last Christmas Eve we’ll be here and it feels fitting.’ She moved forwards and smiled at the only remaining customer in the store. ‘Merry Christmas,’ she said and turned the sign on the door fromOpentoClosed, and when that customer left after buying a zip and two hanks of chocolate brown yarn, Cleo locked the door and leaned against the glass. She could feel the cold seeping in from the outside as though it could freeze the tear snaking its way down her cheek. She watched shoppers bundled up in their coats heading for home, others laughing as they headed out to celebrate with friends and herald another Christmas in this amazing city. She only snapped out of her reverie when Dylan knocked on the door and Ruby’s smiling face looked up at her. She swiped her tears away.
‘He looks beat.’ Cleo looked at Jacob in his dad’s arms, head lolling on his shoulder.
‘He’s exhausted. They both are but Ruby was insistent about the knitting.’ He leaned closer and whispered, ‘Just give her fifteen minutes, a start, and I’ll take them home.’
Cleo ushered them through into the back room, still unsteady at the effect of Dylan’s skin so close to hers when he’d whispered in her ear, and then said, ‘Kaisha. Leave the clearing up tonight.’ Cleo had a feeling she’d be at a loose end for the next few days now Christmas had, in effect, been cancelled. ‘Go and see your family.’
