Alice nodded. ‘Hmm.’ She had a mouthful of food so couldn’t say more.
‘Do they still put the wishes on the tree?’ he asked the group.
Lottie nodded. ‘Yep, and I’ll be there with a Christmas wreath stall, so feel free to pop over and make one.’
‘Then buy it,’ said Samuel, grinning at Lottie.
Jamie chuckled. ‘Will do.’ He turned to Alice. ‘Want one for the front door?’
‘Yes, that would be lovely.’ She leaned a little closer, her smile as warm as ever.
The conversation went on for another hour, coffee and brandy was offered, then the couples with babies headed home first.
Jamie couldn’t resist spinning Alice into his arms for a short dance to the festive tunes as soon as they got up, making her giggle, but then he held back, chastising himself for acting as though nothing major had happened between them. What right did he have to be so tactile after the hurt he had caused his best friend? It was for the best if he just showed gratitude for her kindness, rather than thinking things could ever be the same again.
When it was time to leave, they thanked everyone for the lovely night, then took a slow stroll back to the B&B, Jamie wishing he could hold her hand like they used to, even as friends.
‘Apparently, snow is due tomorrow,’ said Alice, glancing at the dark sky.
‘Let’s hope it holds off for the event.’
They stopped smiling at each other as soon as they entered the foyer and saw Lizzie behind the desk.
‘Benny’s in his room, and your nan went home an hour ago.’ Lizzie got up and grabbed her coat. ‘Right, I’m off.’
‘Thanks for tonight, Mum.’ Alice gave her mother a hug before closing the door behind her, locking it up for the night.
This isn’t right. I need to make amends. Say something.‘I need to talk to your mum,’ said Jamie.
‘Best to leave her for a few more days. She’ll warm to you soon.’
He had to laugh, not that he found the situation funny. ‘Not sure about that. She hates my guts.’
‘My mum doesn’t have hate in her. She’s just concerned, that’s all.’
‘I know she is, and that’s why I need to talk to her. Let her know I’ve changed.’
Alice touched his arm. ‘Not now, eh, Jamie?’
It was late, and seeing how Lizzie had just ignored the fact he was there, he agreed now wasn’t the best time, but one day he would have to speak with her. He couldn’t let it carry on too long. More so for Alice’s sake.
Alice yawned. ‘Oh, I’m whacked.’
‘Yeah, come on, time for bed.’
A cheeky smile hit her eyes, and he wondered if she was about to hit him with the line, ‘yours or mine?’.
‘Goodnight, Angel,’ he said softly, not giving her the chance to say anything.
She gave a small wave, then went to her quarters.
He waited until she was gone before making his way up the stairs, feeling wide awake and content from his night. It was still so surreal being home, even more so that people were being nice to him. It wasn’t anything like he had imagined, but then again,Alice was involved so he should have known she’d try to make things easy for him. It was her way.
Trying to fight off any negative memories lurking, he entered his room and took a deep calming breath. The boxes in the corner still hadn’t been opened, so he decided to put on his PJs, sit on the floor, and have a nosey at what his grandmother had kept of his belongings. At least it was something productive to do.
Peeling back the cardboard flaps, he braced himself for photographs of his mother, as he figured his nan would put something like that inside. He hadn’t seen a photo of his mum in years, feeling it was for the best he didn’t have one in his cell, as it hurt to see her beautiful smile so full of life.
The first thing he saw were some old drawing pads, which brought a quirk to his lips. He used to love sitting on the pier when the weather was nice, sketching the boats and lighthouse.
