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‘What for?’
‘Neglecting you.’ He fiddled with the buttons on his new shirt. She was still getting used to this version of Alex, with his smart haircut and ironed clothes. ‘I promised the family I’d look after you during your time here, but I don’t think I did a very good job. I kind of got distracted.’
She patted his knee. ‘For the nicest of reasons.’
‘But it wasn’t very cool of me. Sorry.’
‘No harm done.’ She gave a little shrug. ‘I’m fine.’
‘Are you?’
She realised he was genuinely worried about her. ‘I think so. I’m certainly better than I was. My anxiety levels have lowered, and I’m feeling more positive about the future. I’ll be debt-free soon, so onwards and upwards, as they say.’
He nodded slowly. ‘But you’re still leaving?’
‘No reason for me to stay.’
She could feel him looking at her. ‘Isn’t there?’
How was she supposed to answer that? If things were different… if she was settled in a job and had financial security and Calvin was in the same position, then what? She’d stay? Would it really make a difference? Calvin was drawn to her because he was bruised and needed comfort. She was a temporary fix. Would she still be who he wanted if he was in a better place? No.And she wasn’t foolish enough to think otherwise. Calvin was a fantasy. A secret crush. The guy she wanted but couldn’t have.
Sighing, she turned to her cousin. ‘Have you spoken to Calvin yet about his plans?’
Alex shook his head. ‘He’s still undecided about what to do, so I don’t want to add to his stress. Hanna said he’s promised to make a decision before New Year.’
‘Well, that’s something. I’ll keep my fingers crossed everything works out for you.’ She reached over and kissed his cheek. ‘You deserve to be happy.’
‘You do, too.’ He squeezed her shoulder and got up to join Hanna, who was playing with Jacob on the floor.
Kate would miss Alex when she left tomorrow. It had been nice working together. He’d found his future here, and she couldn’t be happier for him.
Looking around the room, she realised he wasn’t the only person she’d miss. Rowan with his ghost stories, Esme and Geraldine with their fussing over her, Natalie’s friendship, and Larry’s love of music. She’d even miss spending time with Deshad and Priya, despite the sadness of their situation. They needed all the friendship they could get.
And then there was Calvin…
As her eyes searched for him, they landed on Larry instead and he beckoned her over.
Glad of the distraction, she got up and joined him. The last thing she needed was to start dwelling over Calvin and feeling morose. It was Christmas Day, for crying out loud. She should be celebrating.
Larry patted the piano seat next to him. ‘Join me in a duet?’
Kate’s insides tightened. The idea of performing in public still unnerved her.
He must have sensed her trepidation, because he gave her a nudge. ‘It’s not like you’re playing to a hostile crowd. They’re not even sober… and most of them are deaf.’
Kate laughed. ‘When you put it like that.’
‘Good girl. Your choice.’
It didn’t take much thinking about. ‘“The Man with the Bag”. Ella Fitzgerald.’
‘Nice.’ He ran his nimble fingers effortlessly over the keys, giving her a lengthy introduction. ‘Want me to sing?’
‘Yes, please.’ She settled into position.
There was no way Kate would have played solo, but with Larry’s expertise adding intricate runs and enhancing her basic chords, her confidence grew, and by the time they hit the first chorus, she’d relaxed enough to enjoy herself.
Everyone in the room had stopped chatting and were either swaying along to the song or, in Geraldine’s case, full-on dancing. Esme and Rowan came over to the piano to join in with the singing.
