All I Want for Christmas by Tracey Mayhew

Author:Tracey Mayhew
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tracey Mayhew

21

“Where are the kids?” I ask, wondering why they haven’t made an appearance so far. I stop mopping the floor to glance at the clock: 5.22; their school bus should have arrived by now.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Holly asks distractedly. “Glenn was in earlier and asked if he could borrow the kids to help him go pick out decorations and a tree.”

“Poor them,” I mutter. “Why didn’t I see him?”

“He came in when you were receiving the delivery,” she replies. “Are you upset you missed him, then?” she teases.

I scowl; don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she’s not dwelling on Mike but does that have to mean she resorts to teasing me instead? “No, I didn’t mean that; I was just wondering.”

“Hmm hmm,” she hums as she disappears into the kitchen.

I glance out the window, hoping to see headlights coming our way…

Shaking myself, I go back to work; when did I become the kind of woman who waited for a man to show up? I never used to be; in fact, in the past, I couldn’t have cared less whether a guy had turned up for a date at all. But, with Glenn, it’s different; everything’s different.

“Do we have more disinfectant?” Holly calls from the kitchen.

I abandon my mop, leaning it against the window and, stretching my back out, I make my way to the kitchen. “In the cupboard,” I reply. “It came with the delivery this morning.”

Holly nods, retrieving the bottle from the cupboard.

“Have you decided when you’re telling the kids, yet?” I ask tentatively. We deliberately haven’t spoken about Mike today but we can’t put it off forever.

“No,” Holly replies tersely, keeping her back to me.

“Holly, you can’t keep avoiding it,” I tell her. “They have to be told soon.”

She turns to face me, her eyes brimming with tears. “I know, Jess, but I don’t see why I can’t keep it from them, just a little longer.” She wipes her eyes with the heel of her hand. “I can’t ruin Christmas for them just yet.”

“Try not to see it like that,” I advise. “I mean, it will be different, sure, but different doesn’t necessarily mean worse.”

“I know that and you know that,” Holly agrees, “but do you really think they’ll see it like that?” she asks.

I don’t get a chance to answer because the door to the tearooms bursts open and a whirling dervish enters, lead by Glenn.

“We’re back!” he cries to no one in particular as he dumps a long, rectangular box on the floor. Behind him, Amy and Josh enter, weighed down with carrier bags.

“Next time you tell us you want a favour,” Josh announces, dumping his bags onto the nearest table and glaring at Glenn, “I’m gonna say no.”

Glenn smirks. “Don’t give me that; you loved it.” He catches Holly’s eye. “Don’t let him tell you he hated it; he loved looking at all the snow scenes with the animals.”

“Did not,” Josh mutters, blushing.

I smile. “Don’t worry, Josh, we all have our embarrassing little secrets.”

“Like how you know all the words to Barbie Girl?” he retorts.

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