Font Size:  

“I’d love to. Nothing makes a man feel manlier than fire.”

“You’re a good chap, Bob. Kate’s lucky to have you.”

Joy’s words caused them both to blush, but at least Bob could disguise his redness as he turned to gather up some logs.

“So, Bob,” said Joy as sat back at the table. “How are your parents doing?”

Joy fixed Bob with an intense look, one he met with a rising blush across his face. “Same as ever.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. dear. Tell your mum she can call me any time she needs a chat.”

“Thanks, Joy, I will do.”

“She’s been missed down the WI. Everyone’s asking about her. She’s a strong woman to keep pushing through all that nonsense. You’re a good boy to be helping her with it all.”

“Thanks, I try my best.”

“I know you do, and it can’t be easy for you. Just remember there are plenty of people happy to help out if you need it.”

“Thanks, but I’m managing fine at the moment.” The muscles in Bob’s face tensed and he took a long swig of his beer.

Kate looked between her two friends, wondering what on earth was going on. She was about to ask for clarification when a disheveled-looking Maddie wandered out into the garden, yawning loudly.

“I see you’ve got the party started without me,” she said, giving Bob a lazy smile before leaning over to kiss his cheek.

“Good to see you, Maddie, you’re looking well.”

Another lie.

“Ha, always the gentleman. Don’t worry, Kate’s already told me I look like shit.”

“I was joking,” said Kate, holding her hands up in protest.

“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I thought I should let you know I can smell burning in the house?”

“What?” said Kate, pushing her chair back so hard it fell to the ground, and racing into the kitchen.

She dropped to her knees beside the oven, smoke pouring from it, the meat inside turning crispy and black.

“Looks like you could do with a hand,” said Bob, peering over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll have this sorted in no time.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

DESPITE KATE’S PROTESTS, Bob insisted on taking over in the kitchen. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not going to take the credit, you’ve done all the hard work already. Think of me as your sous chef.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“How many times do I have to say it? No, I don’t mind. Now get lost and drink wine with the girls.”

Kate smiled at his referring to Joy as a girl. She’d been doing a sterling job of entertaining a sullen Maddie while Bob and Kate were distracted in the kitchen. Kate even heard Maddie laugh a few times, which looking at the state of her, was another Christmas miracle.

Kate carried a bottle of white wine through to the living room, where Maddie and Joy had decamped. She filled her and Joy’s glasses, but when she went to top up Maddie’s, Joy put her hand over it and gave Kate a shake of the head. Maddie, distracted by her phone hadn’t noticed the exchange, so Kate put the bottle down on the table. She wasn’t going to stop Maddie drinking on Boxing Day, but it was probably best not to encourage it either.

“How was the WI lunch?”

Joy launched into a tale of the ins and outs of the meal, what they’d eaten, who had said what to annoy who. “Of course, it was over pudding that the real scandal broke.”

“And what was that?” asked Kate, engrossed by Joy’s lively story telling.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like