‘As tired as me, but okay. I’m just glad all she got was a warning as well. And Alan told the police he wasn’t going to press charges against her for jumping on him.’
‘That was big of him.’ Jamie shook his head.
‘At least things can get back to normal around here now.’ Alice turned to face him. ‘And thank you for not hitting him. You wouldn’t have got a warning. We both know that.’
Jamie shrugged. ‘Who knows. Just because I’m ex-crim, doesn’t mean I don’t get to defend my family.’
Alice rested her head on his shoulder. ‘What a nightmare that man is.’
‘Yeah, well, he’s gone now. He won’t come back.’
She glanced up, trying to read his expression. ‘The police really scared him, so I don’t want you doing anything to add to that.’
Jamie held a small smile. ‘I won’t go after him, I promise. But if he does show his face round here—’
‘I’ll call the police.’
‘Fine.’
‘Honestly, Jamie, he was so scared. And he knows he’s been caught out now. Let’s just leave it be and move forward. He’s a sad little man who has proven himself to bully women, and one day he probably will end up in prison if these are the stunts he pulls on his ex-girlfriends. Who knows? I really don’t want to waste any more of my time thinking about him.’
Jamie tipped her chin as she went to flop on him again. ‘All right. When we wake in the morning, all this will be behind us, and we’ll be okay.’
Alice smiled softly. ‘That’s what Mum said.’ She pointed at his cheek. ‘I see you washed off your blusher.’
Jamie grinned. ‘I lost my scarecrow hat as well.’
‘I don’t know what was more surreal, Mum scrambling with Alan and Buffy the snowman, or you looking like a scarecrow, diving in.’ She walked with him over to the stairs. ‘This has been one really bizarre night. I’m not sure I’ll get much sleep.’
‘I can see you’re exhausted. I can sit with you for a while, if you want. Help you settle?’
Alice gave a small smile. ‘That would be nice.’
‘Give me two secs to get my PJs, and I’ll be right with you.’
She watched him go upstairs, then headed for her bedroom. Benny had gone to bed, so she got changed into her nightclothes and snuggled beneath the covers, waiting for Jamie to join her.
Regrets about giving Alan a chance hit hard. She wished so badly she could go back in time and unmeet him. She’d never felt that way about anyone before. A shiver went down her spine at the memory of being with such a creep. She was so glad the police had scared him.
Alice sat up. ‘Right, that’s it. He no longer exists. I’m at the church hall tomorrow, helping with Christmas toys for the kids in hospital, and that’s all I’m going to focus on.’
‘Good to know,’ said Jamie, entering her room.
‘Oh. I was giving myself a positive push.’
‘So I heard.’ He sat on her bed. ‘I double-checked the door was locked.’
‘Thank you. And thanks for being here tonight.’
‘I would have liked to have gone to the police station with you.’
‘No, you were right where I needed you. Here with Benny.’ She nudged his side as he rested against the headboard. ‘Anyway, we’re not talking about that anymore, remember?’
‘Yep, sorry. So, tomorrow, Christmas toys, church hall. You need another pair of hands?’
‘Ooh, yes please.’
‘Count me in then.’
