Chapter 12
I’ve stirred three spoons of sugar into the steaming brown liquid and am carrying it through to the lounge when my mobile phone starts to ring. Leanne is just starting to rouse as I hand the mug to Jacob and excuse myself to take the call. It’s my dad.
‘Hi, Dad,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
‘Is that you, Carol? Can you speak up a bit, love, I can barely hear you?’
‘Hang on a minute, Dad.’
I grab my coat off the newel post and my front door key and step outside, the porch offering very little protection from the near-blizzard conditions. I shiver, shrugging deeper into the quilted fabric.
‘Is that better?’
‘A bit. Where are you? It sounds like you’re outside.’
‘I am. I popped out to get some milk,’ I say, crossing my fingers as I lie, effortlessly. How hypocritical do I feel when I have just been mentally chastising Jacob for doing the same thing? ‘I was in the shop, that’s why I had my voice lowered.’
There doesn’t seem much point in trying to explain to my dad why I’m stood outside my own front door in a snow storm.
‘Have you got snow there?’
‘Yes. It started just before three and it’s really quite heavy now.’
‘Same here. That’s why I’m ringing. I don’t think we’ll be able to make it across to you tomorrow if it doesn’t ease up. I thought it would be better to let you know now rather than spoiling your birthday morning.’
That’s typical of my dad. Even though he has no way of knowing what the weather will be like by the morning, he is planning for the worst-case scenario. His ‘glass half-empty’ attitude used to really annoy me but now I can see the merit of it. If things turn out badly, everyone’s had chance to prepare for it but if they are better than expected, it’s a bonus.
‘We’ll just have to play it by ear, Dad. It’ll be a shame not to see you but missing one birthday lunch isn’t the end of the world. Let’s speak in the morning.’
I’m digging in my pocket to retrieve my key when a voice says, ‘None of my business, but why would you lie about your whereabouts, especially to your dad?’
I peer through the snow and am surprised to see Matt, the collar up on his coat and a woolly hat, which I immediately recognise as Sally’s, pulled as far down as possible without covering his eyes, also standing outside his front door.
‘It’s a long story. Can you believe Leanne and her boyfriend are currently in my lounge? It turns out that Jacob, the guy who ran into my car the other night, is Leanne’s ex.’
‘What?’
‘I know. When my phone rang, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give them a bit of space. Hopefully, she’ll listen to what he has to say. I’ll fill you in next time I’m invited round… assuming there will be a next time,’ I add quickly, my cheeks colouring up.
‘I’m sure there will be.’
I can hear the amusement in his voice.
‘So, what’s your excuse?’
‘Excuse?’
‘Why are you out here in the freezing cold? You haven’t had a row, have you?’
The cold must have got to my brain. I can’t believe I’ve just asked such a personal question of my new neighbour. I could blame the television report I saw earlier still being fresh in my mind about there being the most relationship break-ups over the festive period, but Christmas hasn’t started properly yet, and anyway, you can’t just blurt out things like that. Mind you, he did quiz me about lying to my dad, so I guess we’re quits.
‘Not yet,’ he laughs, ‘but it’s early days. I offered to come out and sweep the snow off the path before it freezes because then it becomes a much bigger job with a shovel. Sally’s given me some rock salt to sprinkle. I can do yours too, if you like?’
I notice the broom in his hand for the first time. Fancy me assuming they’d had a row and fancy Matt offering to clear my path too. I much prefer this version of him to the one at supper the other night. Maybe that’s why he’s offered; he’s trying to make amends.
‘That’s really kind and yes please, if you’ve still got the energy when you’ve finished yours.’
‘I’ve got stacks of energy,’ he says, winking, ‘and, as a thank-you, maybe you can offer me a bolt hole for a couple of hours if things get too tetchy over Christmas.’
OMG! My neighbour, my soon to be MARRIED neighbour, just winked at me in a provocative way. Did he think I was flirting with him when I asked about his energy levels? How embarrassing. I mumble something about checking on my guests and escape to the safety of my hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. I hope he doesn’t tell Sally about our little encounter; how would I ever face her again if she thought I was trying to steal her husband?
I’m suddenly aware of loud sniffing, the kind that normally accompanies crying, and then I hear Leanne say, ‘It’s too late.’