Where should she start? ‘Ludo has offered me associate partner.’
‘That’s marvellous. I’m so proud of you,’ said her mother, wrapping her in a tight hug. ‘Greg, open the prosecco I bought for Christmas.’
‘And Sam’s dumped me,’ mumbled Blythe into her mother’s shoulder.
‘On second thoughts, Greg, we need tea. Put the kettle on.’ Her mum directed Blythe into the living room. ‘Sit down and tell me all about it.’
Blythe flopped onto the sofa and gave her mother the short account of what had happened with Sam and how it had ended. What she didn’t tell her was how stupid she felt to have messed up something that had the potential to be so special. ‘It’s my own fault,’ said Blythe.
‘If it wasn’t meant to be it’s nobody’s fault,’ said her mum.
‘He’s probably going to sell up and move back to London anyway. If I look at it like that I’ve actually had a lucky escape.’ Blythe tried to find a smile.
‘Where is that tea, Greg?’ called her mum.
‘Stop your shouting,’ said Greg, coming in with steaming mugs. ‘I’ve put the prosecco in the fridge. We might be up to celebrating later. Would you like a mince pie with that?’ he asked, handing one of the mugs to Blythe.
‘I’m not feeling very Christmassy.’ Blythe wrapped her hands around the hot mug.
‘This Amir sounds like a right little stirrer. He got you into trouble over the sales targets and he should have kept his nose out of your relationship. If you ask me, it’s all his fault.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
Blythe looked over at Greg who was perched on the arm of the chair. His eyebrows twitched and he stared at the carpet. His expression told her he didn’t agree with his wife. Blythe felt a pang of guilt. ‘It’s not Amir’s fault. It’s mine for getting caught up in his stupid competition and agreeing to the silly bet with Vicky. And I should have come clean with Sam months ago about the situation with the cottage, especially once I knew how important honesty was to him.’
‘I think honesty should be important to all of us,’ said Greg.
‘I know,’ said Blythe, beating herself up a little bit more. She couldn’t bear the look of disappointment on Greg’s face. ‘I’ve learned my lesson.’ She puffed out a sigh.
‘And this Sam, the boy who hates Christmas, was it serious with him?’ asked her mum.
Blythe pouted. She thought back over the many arguments they’d had, as well as all the special little moments. Despite everything she’d felt and the hopes she’d had for her and Sam, sadly it didn’t amount to much when she analysed it. ‘Not really.’
‘Hmm.’ Greg was watching her. ‘I think you two had something. Are you sure you can’t retrieve it?’ he asked.
Blythe shrugged. She thought back to Sam’s face as he left the office. ‘I don’t think there’s much point.’ Perhaps there was never much there on Sam’s side after all; maybe she’d imagined more than there was because it seemed to be very easy for Sam to walk away. Then again was she the common denominator here? It seemed everyone found her easy to walk away from.
‘I think he’s over-reacting,’ said her mum. ‘Any man would be lucky to have you. Don’t you sell yourself short. I need to prepare the sprouts.’
‘I don’t think they need to go on yet,’ said Blythe, but her mum just planted a kiss on her daughter’s head and left the room.
Blythe and Greg exchanged glances and then both studied their mugs.
‘What do you think I should do?’ asked Blythe.
‘Not really for me to say,’ said Greg. He’d always been circumspect when it came to advising Blythe; as her stepfather he had explained long ago that it wasn’t his place.
‘I could do with a little help here and I really value what you think.’
Greg smiled. ‘Then if I were you, I’d invite Sam here for Christmas.’
36
24thDecember
Christmas Eve
Blythe was in two minds about meeting Dawn. Part of her wanted to share her memories of Murray but at the same time she didn’t want to inadvertently betray him. He’d been living a double life, that was for sure, but however hard she tried Blythe couldn’t figure out why.
