‘In my car.’
‘Lord, give me strength,’ said Vicky, throwing up her arms and almost showering them in mulled wine.
‘Have you still got that little Kia?’ asked Sam with a grimace.
‘Oh. Right.’ Owen started to laugh. ‘I’m a doofus.’
‘Grade-A doofus,’ muttered Vicky.
‘Thanks, I’ve never been an A at anything,’ said Owen, holding her gaze. ‘Here. You’d better have the tree.’ He tried to pass it to Vicky but thankfully Sam intercepted it.
‘I can’t accept that.’
‘Sure you can. Eden will love it,’ he said.
Blythe was standing next to Sam, sipping her mulled wine like she was watching a soap opera.
‘Could someone make a decision because it’s surprisingly heavy,’ said Sam, setting the tree down.
‘Seeing as you can’t get it home, I guess I could take it off your hands,’ said Vicky, with a shrug.
‘Great. Can I help decorate it?’ asked Owen.
‘That would be a nice gesture given you’ve got a free tree,’ suggested Blythe, and Vicky glared back at her.
‘Here comes your rival bidder,’ said Sam, nodding behind Blythe.
She glanced over her shoulder and was surprised at who she saw walking towards them.
29
1stDecember
Blythe was taken aback to see her father emerge from the crowd. No wonder Greg hadn’t made a quip about his appearance. Hugh looked a little greyer than last year but still cut an imposing figure as he strode towards them in a long black overcoat. ‘Good evening, Blythe,’ he said, kissing her on the cheek. He eyed the small group around her.
‘Hi, Dad,’ she said, and noted the interest on Sam’s face. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘That’s not exactly a warm welcome now, is it.’
‘Sorry, it’s just a surprise.’ Shock would have been a better word. He never came to see her without booking in advance. Or more accurately without getting his secretary to book it.
She was aware of the eyes on her. She looked at Owen. ‘Weren’t you going to help Sam take the tree to Vicky’s?’ She fixed them all with stern looks, which got them moving.
‘Yes, we were. Nice to see you again, Mr Littlewood,’ said Vicky, giving Blythe’s arm an encouraging squeeze. She leaned in. ‘Call me later.’ They all gave Blythe their empty mugs.
‘Bye,’ said Owen, oblivious to the frosty atmosphere.
There was a slight delay before Sam lifted the tree up onto his shoulder and followed the others. Whilst Blythe had wanted them to leave, it felt even more uncomfortable to be left with her dad. ‘Is this visit as well as your annual Christmas trip or instead of?’ she asked.
‘It’s an extra because your present hasn’t been purchased as yet.’ It didn’t sound like he was buying it, but then given she usually received a selection of bath accessories when she only had a shower at home, she had suspected this for some time. He seemed to have a flash of inspiration. ‘Although I could get it sent directly to you and save an additional trip.’ Blythe was sure he didn’t realise how he came across sometimes.
‘If you like, but I’ve not wrapped your present yet so I can’t give you that today.’ She always spent a lot of time seeking out a fitting gift for him. She felt it was important to find just the right present for people; it was part of the fun of Christmas for her. Not that she got much feedback on the things she bought her father, although he did always thank her. And knowing her dad, if the gift wasn’t suitable, he’d likely tell her.
‘You could always post it?’ he suggested.
‘Oh, okay,’ she said, feeling deflated as Hugh nodded cheerfully.
Another large tree came through the crowd and they moved out of the way. Greg announced the next auction and people surged forwards as there was always a lot of interest in the five-foot trees. ‘Maybe we should take a stroll,’ suggested Blythe. ‘How long are you here for?’
