Maxine Morrey - The Best Little Christmas Shop

Mum tapped on the kitchen window, gave me a thumbs up and waved. I returned all the gestures and descended the steps, which, since hearing about my incident the other evening, my dad had been religiously gritting every day. When I got to the bottom I picked up Apollo’s lead.

‘Come on then, boy.’

Apollo did the little excited dance he always did before going on a walk and we set off. Heading across the fields, I unclipped the catch and let the dog run free. He charged about crazily for a while, braking suddenly every now and then when the possibility of an interesting sniff distracted him. Occasionally he would run back to me, assessing that I was still there, before charging off again.

After a little while, he returned to my side and we made our way through the crunchy, frost-hardened grass and leftover stems of the autumn. Together we plodded along, Apollo stopping occasionally when he caught the scent of something else worth investigating, before trotting along to catch up and walk beside me again.

Cutting across the edge of another field, I clipped Apollo’s lead and held it loosely over my wrist as we made our way back onto the pavement at the top of the village. In front of us stood the beautifully converted barn that was now home to Cal and George. I pushed open the gate, closed it behind me, and together we crunched over the gravelled circular driveway of the house.

I faltered a little as we approached the door, losing my nerve. But I was here now. What if Cal happened to see me and I just left? That wouldn’t be awkward at all … I knocked on the door quickly before I had too much more time to overthink. There was no answer and I hesitated for a moment, shifting my weight from foot to foot as Apollo sat beside me patiently, his bottom out to the side in a slouchy puppy sit.

‘What do you think, boy?’ I asked him in a whisper, ‘Do I knock again or shall we just go?’

Apollo looked up at me and tilted his head.

‘Good idea. I totally agree. Come on then.’

As I made to turn away, I heard the lock on the solid wood door thrown and it was pulled open. Dressed in blue checked pyjama bottoms and a white T-shirt, Cal looked absolutely shattered, not to mention way too sexy in a rumpled, just-got-out-of-bed way, for this time on a Sunday morning.

‘Lexi! Come in.’

I waved a hand. ‘No, it’s fine. I’m so sorry, Cal. I didn’t mean to wake you. We were out for a walk and thought I’d just pop in and see how George was feeling.’

Cal rubbed a hand over his face and gave me a sleepy smile that I responded to in more ways than I’m sure he’d planned for – and certainly more than I’d planned for.

‘Better, thanks. I’m sorry, maybe it wasn’t just too much Christmas food. He really went down with it a little while after we left you and he’s had a pretty rough night but seems to be over the worst now, thank goodness. He’s got a little colour back and he’s managed a bit of porridge so I think once he’s caught up on his sleep, he’ll be fine. I hope he didn’t manage to pass it on to you or anyone else.’ Cal looked sheepish.

Lexi shook her head. ‘I’m fine. And what about you?’

Cal looked confused for a moment. ‘Me?’

I smiled. ‘Yes. You.’

‘I’m … OK. Thanks.’ He gave me a half-smile that did little to disguise his apparent surprise at him being asked after.

‘Right. Because you look dreadful.’ As soon as the words were out, I was aware how different they’d sounded in my head. Cal was just looking at me. And then he was laughing, really laughing in a way that couldn’t fail to make a woman smile – even if she had just made an idiot of herself. Again.

‘Thanks.’

‘That sort of came out wrong.’

‘Did it?’

‘Yes.’

‘So I don’t look dreadful?’ One eyebrow raised over still-sleepy eyes. Being auntie to a small hoard, I knew mischief when I saw it.

‘No, you do but … oh crap. OK. I’m just going to stop talking now and let you get back to bed and rest.’

Cal threw me a half-smile. ‘I wish. I’ve got a car to go and see. Martha should be here shortly to look after George and then I need to head off. It’s a long drive anyway.’

I took in the utter exhaustion on his face, and the way he was using the door to hold himself up.

‘Are you sure that’s a good idea? You look absolutely exhausted. Can you not put it off until tomorrow or something?’

He shook his head, stifling a yawn as he did so. ‘Unfortunately, not. This guy already told me he’s had offers from other people. If it’s as good as it sounds, I’ll be laughing at auction. But they won’t wait. They’re moving and are just trying to clear stuff out as soon as possible. I can’t afford to miss out on this.’ The last word disappeared on a yawn and I shook my head.

‘OK. Then let me drive you.’

‘What?’

‘If you really must go today, then let me come with you and drive. That way you can at least get some rest in the car.’

‘You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.’

‘Don’t take this the wrong way – but you look far from fine. And if you won’t do it for yourself, then think of George.’

Cal tilted his head down at me. ‘Low blow.’

I screwed up my face. ‘Did it work?’

‘Yes. Are you sure?’

‘Positive. It’ll be nice for me to do something different too. Plus it’ll give me a chance to connect with cars in some small way again.’

‘You miss it.’ It was a statement rather than a question.

I nodded. ‘I do.’

He gave one quick nod in response before his gaze dropped to the dog. ‘Is Apollo coming for a ride?’

‘No, I think he’d probably rather be sprawled out by the Aga for the afternoon.’

‘Smart dog. Do you want me to pick you up or do you want to wait? I’ve just got to jump in the shower quickly.’

‘I can wait, if you don’t mind the dog coming in too? We can just stay by the door.’

‘Don’t be daft,’ Cal said, ushering us both inside. ‘I’ve got an old towel here somewhere …’ He stuck his head in a cupboard in the hallway and pulled out a towel, ‘Here.’ He tossed it to me and I gave Apollo a quick rub over and then carefully dried his feet one by one as the dog gently laid each paw in my lap, ready for the familiar procedure.

‘Wow. He’s really good at that.’

‘Practice,’ I replied, glancing up at Cal as I stood. ‘There. All dried.’ I kicked off my own boots and wiggled my toes. ‘But we’ll stay here anyway.’

‘No, you won’t. I need coffee. Want one?’

It did sound good. ‘OK. Yes, thanks.’ We all shuffled off towards the kitchen and Cal made himself busy with the fancy coffee machine on his worktop. I could strip a car engine practically with my eyes closed but the coffee machine looked far more complicated than it needed to be for such a simple task. All I generally needed was a spoon.

‘That looks fancy,’ I said, eyeing the equipment.

‘Yeah. I had a moment. Although I do have to say, it makes really good coffee. But then again it should.’ He pulled a face.

I shrugged. ‘You should enjoy the indulgence. If you work hard, it’s good to reward yourself sometimes. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it.’

Cal gave me a maybe yes, maybe no face. ‘I know you’re right but …’

‘You have trouble believing you’re worthy of it?’

He shot me a look and I could see the faintest blush on his cheeks.

‘Sorry. Mum tells me I can be a bit blunt sometimes. I didn’t mean to –’

‘No. It’s fine. I like blunt. I know where I stand with blunt. And yes, I think you’re right. No one has ever put it like that before. Or at least they haven’t told me to my face.’