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He rested his cheek against her soft hair. ‘Nelson was falling asleep when I left him. Did you have to wake him?’
‘Deshad said not to bother,’ she said, humming along to the singing. ‘Priya was drifting off herself when I left, so there was nothing that needed doing.’
He was glad Nelson could catch up on some sleep – he’d been working as hard as everyone else these last few days. He wondered if the man had been serious about wanting a permanent position at Rose Court. It was a compliment, if nothing else. Nelson was an exceptional nurse. He was also proving to be a good mate.
Calvin’s attention returned to the sight of Jacob being cradled in Lucky Larry’s arms. It made him wistful for a family of his own. ‘I hear you’ve been helping Deshad and Priya with a will?’
‘I’ve drafted something for Deshad, but Priya doesn’t have the capacity to make decisions, sadly. At least he has power of attorney for her, so that’s something.’
‘Can he afford to have a will drawn up? I know money’s tight.’
She glanced up, her blue eyes dilated in the dim candlelight. ‘We agreed payment of a different kind,’ she said, keeping her voice low. Not that they could be heard over the gusto of the three wise men singing. ‘It’s a drawing of the view from their window, looking out over the care-home grounds. Deshad thought I might like it as a reminder of my time here.’
‘I didn’t know Deshad liked drawing?’ Calvin was surprised. ‘Maybe I should get him a proper art kit. I worry about him being stuck in that room all day. I’d feel better if he had a hobby to keep him occupied.’
Kate’s face broke into a smile. ‘Look at you, advocating the benefits of having a hobby.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Maybe I’m evolving.’
‘Maybe you are.’ She turned back to the nativity scene, smiling.
The three wise men switched to singing ‘Little Donkey’, as Larry carried baby Jacob over to the crib to show him his present.
Calvin nodded to where Jacob was reaching out to touch the mobile dangling above the crib, his eyes wide and mesmerised. ‘You holding up okay?’
She gave a little shrug. ‘It’s not as if the sight of a cute baby meeting Father Christmas is touching. So what if there’s candlelight, singing and fairy lights. It’s not like a trigger, or anything.’
A beat passed, before he spoke. ‘Are you crying?’
‘Absolutely. You?’
‘Bloody close.’ When she laughed, he whispered in her ear. ‘Shall we escape?’
Her eyes slid up to meet his. ‘Yes, please.’
He could argue that it was the emotion of watching Jacob being cute that threatened to undo him, or the ambience of festive music, flickering candlelight and the sight of his grandmother dressed as a biblical king. But in truth, it was holding Kate and feeling her body pressed against his that was causing his mind to short-circuit. For someone determined not to let anything happen between them, he was doing a lousy job.
Leaving the outbuilding, they crossed the snow-covered courtyard, shivering and laughing as they slipped on the melting ice.
As they entered the kitchen, they were hit by a wave of heat from the Aga. The scent of mulling spices filled the air, accompanied by the radio playing choral Christmas music.
Trays of mince pies were lined along the table, next to a chocolate log with a snowman perched on top. Geraldine hadbeen busy. Sausage rolls were cooling on the side, along with a selection of cheeses still in their wrappers.
Calvin stamped on the doormat, dislodging the loose snow. ‘How Geraldine expects us to eat again after such a huge lunch, I’ve no idea.’
‘It’s Christmas,’ Kate said, pinching a sausage roll. ‘It doesn’t matter how much you eat – you can always find room for more.’ She took a bite of sausage roll, her hand coming up to catch the flakes.
‘Until you can’t.’ He dragged his gaze away from her mouth, as she licked her fingers.
‘At which point you either stop, pass out or throw up, vowing never to eat another thing.’ She smiled at him. ‘Until the next morning, when it starts all over again.’
‘Just as well it’s only once a year.’
‘True.’ Having wiped her hands, she headed out of the kitchen and into the lobby.
He followed her into the library. The room was chilly and the windows were drenched in condensation. The fire hadn’t been lit today, and it didn’t take long for the temperature to drop in such an old building.
‘Here’s the drawing I was telling you about,’ she said, handing it to him. ‘Talented, isn’t he?’
