Alice felt so much better already. She just hoped all the gossips wouldn’t question her about Alan as soon as they saw her. ‘Jamie,’ she said quietly.
‘Hmm?’
‘I’m so glad you’re here.’ She closed her eyes, smiling as his arm leaned into hers.
‘Me too,’ he whispered.
Alice relaxed. Being with Jamie had always been where she felt safe.
Chapter 20
Jamie
After all the stress of yesterday, Jamie was pleased to see Alice looking relaxed and happy. Sat in the church hall, making gift boxes for toys, she hummed along to the festive music playing quietly from the radio in the corner.
He glanced over at the row of windows in the bland wall, then peered at the high ceiling as he yawned. He hadn’t got much sleep last night, worrying about Alice, the B&B. Whether stupid Alan would return. He looked at the walking stick leaning against Alice’s chair, and she caught him staring.
‘That’s about the fifth time I’ve seen you peering at my walking stick.’
He smiled softly, reaching for a small cardboard box and some festive wrapping paper. ‘I’m just worried about you.’
‘I’m okay. It’s just a flare-up. My knee will be back to normal in a couple of days. It normally works like that with me.’
‘Fibromyalgia is weird, coming and going like that.’
Alice nodded. ‘Yep. I just count my blessings I’m not in major pain every day like some.’
‘Do you use the walking aid often?’
‘Nope. So stop worrying.’
He gently nudged her arm. ‘Let me know if you ever need me to carry you.’
Alice grinned. ‘I might make you do it just for the exercise.’
‘Hey, what you trying to say?’ He patted his flat stomach and chuckled.
Spencer stood up at the other end of the table. ‘Right, I’m going to start loading the boxes onto the minibus, then we’ll set off to the hospital.’ He waggled a hand at the remaining toys. ‘We’ve got about half an hour left before we need to set off, so geta wriggle on, and whoever is getting changed into an elf costume, can you sort that now, please?’
Needing to get changed, Jamie sped up his wrapping duties, covering the last two boxes assigned to him in reindeer paper.
‘You don’t have to come to the hospital,’ said Alice quietly, leaning his way.
He knew why she’d said that. The last time he was in a children’s ward was as a patient. He guessed Alice was thinking it might be triggering for him. If he was honest with himself, he wasn’t entirely sure how it would make him feel — he just knew it was something he wanted to do.
Jamie packed some Christmas gifts, then helped Alice with hers. ‘I’ll come to the hospital.’
Her smile was warm and encouraging as she reached for her walking aid to stand.
Jamie went to help but lowered his arms after she blew out a small laugh at his flapping hands around her. ‘Sorry. I’m fussing, I know.’
‘Thank you for fussing, but I’ll let you know if I need any help, okay?’
He gave a brief nod. ‘Okay.’
‘Come on, let’s get our costumes on, then get in the minibus.’
The December air was fresh and not as cold as it had been lately but still held a bit of a chill in each breeze. Jamie was glad of the warmth in the vehicle, especially as their red-and-green elf outfits were quite thin.
