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Another text flashes onto the screen.Alex has told me you’re not coming tonight. I hope your mum's ok. I probably won’t see you before you go to Paris, so have a wonderful time. Got to go. Alex is getting impatient, if you know what I mean … I’ll tell you all about it when I see you S x
I take a deep breath and text Alex with shaking fingers.
Suzy says you and she are having a great time together. I won’t be able to make it tonight, so I’ll say goodbye now.
I wait for five agonising minutes before he replies. I don’t want to imagine what he might have been doing during that time.
I’m so sorry, Annie. I wish you’d been able to make it. Who am I going to kiss at midnight now?
How dare he? Does he find this funny?
I’m sure you’ll find someone,I text back.Men like you usually do. By the way, do you have any tattoos?
There’s a pause before he texts back.Just one – a dolphin. But absolutely no one knows about it, and I’d really like to keep it that way. Do you want me to send you a picture of it?
I blink back the tears. So, it’s true.
No thanks,I type back.I can’t think of anything I’d like less. But I'm sure you’ll find someone to admire it.
There’s another agonising pause before he texts back.
Are you sure I shouldn’t come over to the hospital?
I flinch when I read this. I don’t want him within one hundred miles of me right now. With any luck, by tomorrow night he won’t be.
I type back with surprisingly steady fingers.
I wanted to talk to you in person, but that’s obviously not going to happen now. This week has been fun, but I don't think it's working out between us. I’m off to Paris tomorrow, and I’d really like to go as a single person. I'm sure you understand. Anyway, whether you do or not, that’s my decision. I'd appreciate it if you would respect it and not contact me again
Annie
I hit send before I have time for second thoughts. I hesitate before deleting his number and blocking it. I switch off my phone, shove it deep inside my pocket, and go back inside.
This Christmas
Chapter Eleven
The train pulls into the station, and I jump into a taxi. Everything here looks just the same as I remember. Mum greets me at the door as usual. She’s wearing the same Eiffel Tower apron she always does, and she’s covered with flour. I wonder whether she and Dad have shares in a wheat company.
The tree is already decorated, and the house is festooned with tinsel. Carols are playing in the kitchen. Clearly, we’re going to have a traditional family Christmas if it kills her. I take my bag upstairs to my old bedroom, which smells of furniture polish and Windolene.
I stare out of the window into the front garden, checking for anyone lurking in the bushes. I wouldn’t put it past Alex to have heard the news I’m home and popped around to tell me about his latest girlfriend.
It’s only when we’re eating lunch that Mum mentions his name again. ‘So, what do you think about Alex Fielding coming home for Christmas?’
‘Not much.’ I can’t think of anything else to say.
‘You aren’t eating,’ she says. ‘What’s wrong? Aren’t you hungry?’
I take a forkful of shepherd’s pie, barely tasting it. ‘I’m not terribly hungry, but it’s very good.’
‘So it should be at that price! I couldn’t believe it when I went to the supermarket yesterday. Mince has gone up yet again.’
I hardy hear her. It’s nothing to me that Alex has come home for Christmas. His parents live here. He has a perfect right to spend Christmas, Easter, or any other time of the year here. I simply hadn’t expected it.
His Facebook page said he was going to Thailand this year – probably with one of the many girlfriends I used to hear about from Suzy. Either he’s changed his mind or his girlfriend has discovered his true character and refused to go with him. Good for her. It’s far better to find out these things early rather than have years of your life wasted.
The kitchen door opens, and Dad comes in. His face lights up when he sees me. ‘Annie! I didn’t expect you so early!’
