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‘I doubt the local authority would agree with you, or any family looking to place a loved one. They’re not going to be impressed by someone running a home without proper training.’
Nelson slid the document onto the table. ‘But it doesn’t fall to you to provide all that. You need to build a team around you with the relevant training to support the skills you already have. Once the probate money comes through, you can hire people with specialist social care training. You don’t have to be anexpert yourself. You just need to know what’s needed and how to manage the place – which you already do, and on severely depleted resources.’ He stretched out his arms. ‘Seriously, mate, don’t underestimate your skills.’
Calvin shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
‘You don’t believe me?’ Nelson rested a hand on his shaved head. ‘If you offered me a full-time job here, I’d jump at it.’
Calvin blinked, surprised. ‘Really?’
‘Sure. Care work is a thankless task. It’s hard work, long hours, exhausting and frustrating. I switched to locum work because it avoids the red tape and restrictions that come with working permanently somewhere. But it’s different here. You’ve created a unique vibe, professional without the bureaucracy. It’s cool. Like being part of one big dysfunctional family. I think I fit right in.’
Nelson did fit in. The residents loved him, and even Hanna had given her approval. ‘You’d seriously accept a job here?’
‘Just say the word.’
Natalie appeared in the doorway, wrapped in her coat. She skipped over to her son, her arms outstretched. ‘Ready to meet Father Christmas?’ she said, in a sing-song voice. ‘Thanks for looking after him, Calvin. Has he been good?’
‘An angel.’ Calvin handed Jacob over, already missing his warmth.
When Natalie smiled, he noticed that her eyes were no longer rimmed with dark circles. She was looking so much better since Nelson had joined the team. Like a weight had been lifted. ‘Are you coming with us?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it,’ he said, looking at Nelson. ‘Thanks for the advice, mate. Enjoy your nap.’
‘No worries.’ Nelson waved a hand. ‘Enjoy meeting the big guy.’
Calvin followed Natalie and Jacob downstairs, trying to make sense of his struggles. A year ago everything had been on trackand he’d been excited about the next stage of his life. Marriage, kids and, with any luck, another ten years playing football. He’d never imagined what his life might look like post-football. Even if he had, he’d never have envisaged spending it alone. The idea of not having a family depressed him almost as much as the loss of his career.
He realised there were no easy decisions. Either way, he was facing uncertainty, whether he stayed in Kent or returned to Leeds.
It was quiet when they arrived downstairs, since everyone was already congregated in the outbuilding. As they left the warmth of the kitchen and crossed the snowy courtyard, they were met by Hanna and Alex, holding lanterns aloft. The entranceway was decorated with twinkling fairy lights, flickering in the dusky light.
‘Welcome to Santa’s grotto,’ Alex said, bowing.
Hanna looked down at Jacob. ‘Have you been good boy?’ she asked, not quite managing to hide the accusation in her voice. ‘Only good children get to meet thegwiazdor.’
Jacob gurgled and kicked his tiny legs, making Natalie laugh. ‘Yes, I think so, too, Jacob.’
Hanna stood back to allow them inside. ‘Then you may enter.’
The sight that greeted them made Calvin laugh. It wasn’t the cute nativity crib scene that tickled him, or the array of candles balancing on hay bales – which, as health and safety officer, he shouldn’t approve of – it was the cast of characters waiting to perform that cracked him up.
Geraldine, Esme and Rowan were dressed as the three wise men, complete with tea-towel head coverings, wooden staffs and dressing gowns tied around their middles with what looked like the curtain tie-backs from the library. They stood in a semicircle, trying to look wise and seriously failing.
In the far corner, seated on a hay bale, was Father Christmas. Not any old Santa: this was the coolest Saint Nicholas that Calvin had ever seen. Lucky Larry was wearing a dark-red lounge suit, a makeshift white beard made from cotton wool and his velvet green Santa hat perched on his head. With Rowan’s emerald green cravat tied around his neck, complete with matching handkerchief tucked in his pocket, he looked quite debonair.
Calvin leant against the door frame, smiling as the three wise men launched into ‘We Three Kings’, and Natalie carried Jacob over to meet Father Christmas.
Behind him, the barn door opened and a draught blew through as Kate appeared, minus her coat. She was wearing a dark green sparkly dress that was too big for her, on loan from his grandmother, and tights embroidered with mistletoe. Rubbing her arms, she grinned as she took in the scene ahead. ‘Cute.’
He lifted his arm, offering her the chance to get closer and warm up. ‘Cold?’
‘A bit.’ She slid in next to him. ‘I didn’t want to miss this.’
He pulled her close and rubbed her shoulder, feeling her shiver against him. He was relieved that the awkwardness of earlier in the week had disappeared. They were back to being mates again, even if that did bring with it a different set of challenges.
Physically, it was a no-brainer. He liked being with her, he was attracted to her and cuddling her felt totally right – like it was the most natural thing in the world.
It was only when his mind began to question his motives that complications arose. He had no idea where he was going to be living, he was undecided about his career and he was still healing from a broken heart. How could he offer her anything when he was so uncertain about his future? She deserved better thanthat. She’d been messed around enough. He’d hate himself if he added to her hurt – even though the idea of never seeing her again made him feel physically sick.
