‘Late night?’
‘Jamie and I were talking way past our bedtime.’
Demi smiled. ‘You’re really close, aren’t you?’
There had never been a way to describe the bond Alice had with Jamie, so it was hard to explain to others. She simply nodded.
‘Right, I better head off. See you later.’
Alice creaked to a stand and followed Demi out to the foyer, waving off a guest as well who was off out.
Benny was off school for another day while the school’s heating was fixed, so he was out the back, playing a computer game.
‘I’m just popping out,’ she told him. ‘Won’t be a minute.’
Benny laughed, not stopping his game. ‘I’m surprised you lasted this long.’
Alice frowned, amused. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘I’m dreading my first day at work. I can just see your face squashed against the window or something or casually bumping into my boss, then asking how I’m doing.’
‘I wouldn’t.’
Benny scoffed. ‘You totally would. And you’re about to do the same thing to Jamie.’
‘Am not.’
‘Fibber.’
Alice bit back her laugh. ‘Okay, so maybe I was just going to take a small peek at the café.’
‘Just like when you took a small peek in the playground on my first day at secondary school.’
She remembered the day as though it were yesterday. Her stomach had churned all night. She’d stayed up late, meticulously ironing every crease out of Benny’s new uniform. Come morning she felt sick, worried he might get bullied by the bigger boys.
Alice had nothing to say on the subject. It didn’t stop Benny continuing to grin. Leaving him to his game, she put on her coat and hat and figured a short walk would do her legs some good. She often passed by the café, so what difference would it make if she walked that way today?
Telling herself to act normal, to stop fretting, and to not under any circumstances enter the café, she headed out the door.
Dark clouds filled the sky, and the waves were high, rolling the boats along the harbour. Hardly anyone was about, which wasn’t surprising, seeing how cold it was.
Alice stopped at the café, peering out to sea, sure it might snow any day. She hoped for a white Christmas. Something magical for Jamie’s first one back home.
Just for a moment, Alice forgot she was checking on Jamie, as thoughts of tartan pyjamas, a crackling fire in the wood burner, festive wrapping paper, and the jingle jangle of holly-jolly music occupied her mind. She was going to make sure he had the best Christmas ever.
‘What you doing out here?’ came Sophie’s voice.
Alice turned, surprised to see her. ‘Oh, erm, I was . . .’
Sophie grinned. ‘Staring into space?’
‘Something like that.’
Sophie gestured towards her shop. ‘Come inside with me. I’ve only been outside one minute and my lips are chapped.’
‘Ooh, that won’t do. Your wedding is almost here.’
‘Another three weeks to go, and I want kissable lips for Matt, so come on.’
