We both chuckle.
Vic toes at a stone on the ground, then he sighs. “I was surprised you recognised me,” he says softly. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has.” I don’t want to tell him I have a picture of him on my kitchen wall. That the only reason I knew him was because I’d seen his face most days for the past eighteen years. I turn it back on him instead. “You recognised me first.”
“Fuck,” he curses softly and rubs a gloved hand over his face. “Can’t believe I’m going to admit this.”
Absently I notice at least one of us is prepared to be out in the cold. Usually that person is me, but apparently not today.
“I, um... I have a photo,” he says, so quickly I almost miss it.
My head snaps up, but he’s still looking down. “What?” I surely didn’t hear him right.
His cheeks are red, and like mine earlier, I don’t think it’s just from the chill in the air.
“I have a photo... of you... from back then.” Finally he looks up and meets my eyes. “I know it sounds pathetic, but?—”
I laugh out loud, can’t help it.
His eyes flash as he glares at me, and I quickly hold up a hand. “I have one too,” I say quickly.
“What?”
“A photo. Of you... well, of all of us.” I don’t tell him that it’s only him I ever paid attention to.
His forehead scrunches and he looks adorably confused. “Really?”
“Yep.”
He breaks out into the most gorgeous smile, and just for a moment, I’m transported back to that night in the pub when he’d finally come over and started talking to me. A laugh escapes him. “So we’re both a bit pathetic?”
I shrug, but his smile is contagious and mine soon matches his. “Apparently.” We stare at each other for a beat longer, but before we can say anything else, Hailey appears, bundled up in a coat, hat, and thick gloves.
“Good,” she says, glancing warily between the two of us. “You’re both still here.”
“Sorry, I was just coming.” Vic’s eyes widen as Hailey snorts, and he realises what he’s just said. “Inside,” he adds with an eye roll.
Like father, like son.
“Char’s reminded me that it’s already December second and we still have no Christmas decorations up in the pub. Apparently when Liz owned it, they were up by the last week in November.” She huffs, but there’s no anger in it.
I know Liz, Char’s sister. I know all the Whitmans; they’re good people.
Hailey gestures to her belly. “With the move, the baby, and Char’s unexpected trip to see her grandma, we’re not quite where we wanted to be.”
“What do you need?” Vic asks, all attention on Hailey now.
I miss having it on me, then immediately feel selfish. He’s up here for her, not me. I go to step around them, to have a look at the trail map since that’s why I’m here, but Hailey puts her hand on my arm.
“I know it’s your day off, but if you could spare an hour or so, we’d really appreciate it.” She grins. “I’ll throw in lunch and a pint.”
“You got any of that spicy vegetable stew left?” I’ve not long had breakfast, but the thought of that stew has my mouth watering.
“For you? Of course.”
I rub my hands together, eager to get started. I repeat Vic’s words. “What do you need?”
“A tree.”
