The Last Christmas Kiss by Jo Bartlett

Author:Jo Bartlett [Bartlett, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fabrian Books
Published: 2020-11-04T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

‘You look different.’ Julia’s mother gave her an appraising stare, as soon as the call connected on FaceTime.

‘Don’t say I look peaky again, for goodness sake.’ Julia laughed, waiting for her mother to nod and give her go-to summary of her daughter’s appearance, when she thought she was working too hard.

‘No. It’s not that. You’ve got a daft looking grin on your face and I’ve only seen that look a couple of times before. Once was just after you had Ruby and the other time was when you first got together with Sam.’ Cynthia’s mouth fell open for a moment. ‘Oh my God, Julia. Please tell me you aren’t falling for him all over again!’

Julia took a deep breath. ‘He never got my letter about Ruby. None of what happened was his fault.’

‘So I was right, you’re in love with him again?’

‘I’m not saying that, but all the things I loved about him first time around are still there. ‘I know you’re jaded by what happened with Dad, but you must remember what Sam was like? He’s about as different to my so-called father as it’s possible to be.’

‘That’s one thing in his favour then.’ Cynthia’s tone was still tight, but something in her face softened a little. ‘I can admit that Sam was a nice boy, but I don’t want you to get hurt again, darling. And then there’s Ruby…’

‘That’s the most difficult part.’

‘You don’t know what to do, do you?’ Her mother shook her head, answering her own question. ‘He disappeared to Malawi and you didn’t see him again until you went to Switzerland. Why don’t you find out whether he plans to stop gallivanting around the world any time soon and if he ever sees himself settling in one place? If he can’t even commit to that, let alone to parenthood, then there’s no need to bring Ruby into it now. I think it would do more harm than good, and deep down I know you think the same. Just look at how much your father hurt you. Ruby’s only a child, so it would be even harder on her if things went wrong.’

‘I know.’ Her mother was right. Even if she and Sam were taking it step by step, finding out if he had any intention to stop flitting from one temporary home to another had to be the next stage. She just wished she wasn’t suddenly so terrified of what his answer might be. ‘Where’s Ruby now?’

‘She’s in the kitchen, pretending to eat breakfast, but she’s really playing Paw Patrol again.’ Cynthia rolled her eyes and laughed. ‘I never thought I’d know all the names of those little plastic animals she takes everywhere with her, but half the time she ropes me into acting as if I’m one of the characters, too. It’s an education all this!’

‘Thanks, Mum. I don’t know what we’d do without you.’

‘I wouldn’t trade this time I’ve had with you and Ruby for anything.’ Her mother sniffed, an uncharacteristic note of emotion making her voice croaky.

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