‘You would if I stayed over,’ said Owen, taking her in his arms.
Vicky very much liked the thought of both Owen staying the night and of having a lie-in. Add to that a full cooked breakfast and that was pretty much Vicky’s idea of heaven.
‘I don’t know,’ said Vicky. ‘It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow. I’m sure there’s lots you should be doing.’
‘You for one thing,’ said Owen, with a cheeky grin.
Grabbing a few hours alone was proving tricky, but Vicky was enjoying the time the three of them were spending together.
‘It’s a big week in Holly Cross, with the lights at their busiest and the judging of the Christmas village competition. Leonora will be stressing everyone out, there’ll be last-minute niggles and the forecast is rain – you’d be best to avoid that pantomime if you can.’
Owen gave her a quizzical look. ‘I love all that. And Leonora is a pussycat really.’
‘She’s a sabre-toothed tiger but with a bigger roar.’
‘Maybe I like my women feisty.’
‘Your women?’ Vicky laughed. ‘She’d tear you into a paper chain in a blink.’
‘Butyouwouldn’t.’ He pulled her close. ‘How about I stay over and I don’t just mean tonight.’
Vicky knew exactly what he was suggesting and she’d been expecting it. It was the step she wasn’t sure she was ready to make. ‘I would love that.’ Owen’s face lit up and she hastily continued. ‘But I have to think of Eden.’ And that was truly how she felt. It was fine if Vicky’s heart got broken but she couldn’t let that happen to her daughter, who was becoming increasingly close to Owen.
‘Why would Eden be a problem?’
‘She’s not. I just don’t want us to play at happy families and then when our relationship ends for her to be disappointed.’
‘Why would it end?’ asked Owen. ‘Are you planning on dumping me?’ He did a comedy pout.
‘No, but things happen. Children get attached and they think something is forever and it’s not fair to let her think you’re going to be part of her life if you’re not.’
Owen smiled. ‘I’ll always be a part of her life.’
Vicky wobbled her head. ‘You might like to think that, but things change.’
‘I know maths was never my strong subject at school. Actually, I didn’t have any strong subjects at school. But anyway, I’ve done the sums. I know Eden is my daughter.’
*
In the office Blythe was busy helping Heather put together some new property details. They were looking through the photographs Amir had taken, and Blythe was pointing out good and bad points about each of them. The next one she clicked on was of a dark and dingy living room absent of furniture but with an abundance of shadows and a carpet stain that looked like someone had just dragged out a body. ‘This one we could caption – “Rare opportunity to purchase set from low-budget horror movie”,’ said Blythe, and Heather giggled.
Ludo called Blythe into his office. As she got to her feet the door opened and Sam walked in. She was thrilled to see him. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I wondered if you fancied lunch,’ said Sam. Blythe knew that was the moment everyone else in the office tuned in.
‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you at that little Italian on the corner of—’
‘It’s okay, I’ll wait,’ said Sam, picking up a local property flyer and taking a seat.
‘Blythe?’ came Ludo’s voice.
She had no choice. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ she said to Sam. She dashed into Ludo’s office and really hoped it was just a quick word he wanted.
‘Have a seat,’ he said, shutting the door behind her. Blythe tried to position herself so that she could keep one eye on Sam through the glass. ‘I wanted to talk to you about some changes.’ Now Ludo had her full attention. ‘I’ve received an offer for the business. Don’t worry, I’d insist the new owner keep on my staff. It’s a fair offer and I do want to cut down my hours. But there is another way I could do that and that would be to have someone step up to associate partner.’
‘Who?’ she asked, holding her breath. If it was Amir she may batter him with a stapler.
‘You, of course,’ said Ludo, with a chuckle. ‘I’ve been thinking about winding back my hours for some time now and I think you’re ready, Blythe. And this way I could still tinker around the edges.’
