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‘Just as well I saw you,’ he said, pulling away. ‘Why didn’t you call me for a lift?’
‘I didn’t want to bother you, and the weather wasn’t this bad when I left Ashford.’
He turned the heated seats up a notch, no doubt noticing her shivering. ‘How was your shopping trip? Did you get everything you needed?’
‘I did, thanks.’ She briefly considered telling him about the music shop and the legal clinic, but decided against sharing any further personal information with him. She’d divulged too much as it was. That was how she’d got into this mess in the first place. She’d opened up and let him in, and look where it had got her – feeling like a prized numpty. She needed to steer the conversation towards safer ground. ‘Are you heading out somewhere? I assume you weren’t randomly driving about looking for me?’
‘I’m meeting up with Nelson in Ashford,’ he said, adjusting his baseball cap – now minus the reindeer. ‘I kept a lookout in case I saw you. I figured you’d be returning soon.’ His concern for her did nothing to ease her attraction towards him. Why couldn’t he be a selfish arse? It would make life so much easier.
‘Boys’ night out, huh?’
‘Something like that.’ A pause followed, as if he was tentative about admitting something. ‘He’s invited me to training night at his football club.’
She knew this was a big deal, but she also knew he wouldn’t appreciate a fuss. ‘Are you going to join in?’
He shook his head. ‘Just watch.’
She searched for something encouraging to say. ‘It’ll be nice for you to hang out with a few blokes your own age for once.’
He laughed. ‘Esme said the same thing.’
God, she’d missed his laugh.
‘Shame you’ll miss the Christmas singalong,’ she said, trying to cover the turmoil bubbling inside her. ‘I thought you’d enjoy belting out a few Bing Crosby numbers.’
‘Maybe another time,’ he said, smiling. Thankfully, it was dark and she couldn’t see the full impact of his dimples. ‘At least I’ll escape Geraldine trying to dance with me.’ He glanced over. ‘What about you? Will you join them?’
‘For a while, but I have to pack. I’m off first thing.’
The car seemed to slow for no apparent reason. ‘You’re definitely leaving then?’ His voice was barely a whisper.
‘That’s the plan.’ It was pretty impressive how together she sounded. Like her leaving was no big deal and wouldn’t cause her any physical pain whatsoever.
‘I wondered if your plans might’ve changed,’ he said, as they passed through the village. ‘I was chatting to Alex earlier and he said he’s staying at Rose Court for Christmas, as there’s no one at home.’
She silently cursed her cousin for spilling the beans about their change of plans.
‘Well, that’s true,’ she said, searching for a way of avoiding the truth… and failing. ‘Beth and her partner Matt are spending the day with his mum and sister. Megan is visiting Zac’s family, and Uncle Kenneth is taking his girlfriend Tiffany to the Maldives. Aunty Connie was planning to stay at home but then she heard about the Maldives trip and has now booked herself on a Caribbean cruise. She doesn’t like it when her ex-husband tries to outdo her. Still, I don’t blame her, a holiday sounds lovely.’
Calvin was quiet for a moment. ‘Weren’t you supposed to be spending the holidays with your mum?’
She blew into her chilly hands, wishing she didn’t have to reveal what had happened. ‘I was, but Brian’s mum had a fall yesterday and broke her hip. She’s booked in for surgery tomorrow and she’ll be in hospital for a few days, so they need to stay up there and look after her.’
Her poor mum had sounded so upset when she’d called earlier. She hated the idea of her daughter being left alone forChristmas, but Kate had assured her it was fine, and they’d get together soon. Such was life.
‘Where does that leave you?’ he said, pulling into the care-home driveway. ‘Who will you spend Christmas with?’
‘Not sure yet.’ She focused on the gargoyle statues, which were looking particularly ominous tonight. ‘Beth and Megan said I can join them for their respective gatherings, so I have options. It’s not like I’ll be on my own,’ she lied, hoping he wouldn’t detect the tremble in her voice.
Her cousins had genuinely made the offer, but Kate didn’t feel up to socialising with other people’s families this year. She wanted her own family. And if she couldn’t have that, she’d rather be on her own.
‘You could always stay at Rose Court?’ he said, slowing the car to a stop.
She unclicked her seat belt. ‘Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.’
‘Why not?’ He shifted his body to face her. ‘Because I messed up?’
‘You didn’t mess up,’ she assured him, wondering how she’d managed to get the seat belt stuck in her coat zip.
