‘Are you really worried about what Martha might reveal? It is just a little bit of light-hearted fun.’
Cam knew he was being defensive and that it was more than likely because he felt guilty about keeping his appointment at the hospital from Molly. ‘Of course not. You go and enjoy yourself. It won’t be long before we are juggling nappies and bottles. You deserve a little fun.’
Cam was saying the right words but Molly knew him and she still had that niggle that there was something on his mind, a feeling she’d had for a few weeks now. Deciding not to pursue the conversation for now, she stared out across the green. She was still thinking of Bree. With the weather still freezing outside there would be a high chance of Bree being at the shelter.
Molly turned round towards Cam. ‘If Bree is at the shelter tonight, I’ll talk with her.’
He nodded, not saying anything else as he began to brush the crumbs out of the bread baskets. Molly watched him for a moment but he didn’t look in her direction. He was lost in deep thought and she just wished she knew what was on his mind.
‘There’s a huge order for Starcross Manor in the morning, so I need to get my head down earlier tonight. It’ll be a two a.m. start but I’ll do my best not to disturb you,’ Cam said, breaking the silence.
Not wanting the atmosphere to carry on, Molly slipped her arms around his waist. ‘Don’t you worry about me, this one keeps me awake most of the night, and I was hoping’ – she kissed him on his cheek – ‘that maybe we could spend a little time together.’ She had a glint in her eye. ‘After all, when I got out of the bath last night, you were fast asleep.’
Molly was expecting the usual genuine smile, the squeeze of the hand, the hug that feels like it’s going to last for ever, but Cam gently pushed her away, taking her by surprise.
‘Not tonight, I’m feeling exhausted.’
That wasn’t the response Molly was expecting. It had never mattered before how tired he was. Her mood slumped a little. Feeling rejected made her confused. Was Cam making a point and punishing her for speaking up for Bree? Would he actually do that? She hoped she was just being ridiculous. Her emotions were heightened due to the pregnancy, so maybe she was overthinking it, but Cam had never turned her down – ever.
‘We can’t have you exhausted.’ Though she was feeling deflated she tried to smooth the way. ‘Why don’t you go through to George and grab your dinner with him? I can eat mine when I get back from the shelter.’
‘That sounds like a plan. I’ll just load the van up first and shift the snow from the windscreen. Despite the weather, the takings have actually been quite good today after a slow start.’
Molly watched as Cam slipped on his coat. Last night he was adamant that he didn’t want her to go out in the snow, but so far tonight nothing had been said about the appalling driving conditions outside. She swallowed. Despite their disagreement Molly knew there was something else preying heavily on his mind. If only she could get him to open up.
‘Okay, I’ll be off then,’ she said, once Cam had loaded up the van.
‘No, I’ll go,’ he replied, looking towards the window.
Molly felt her mood lift a little with his offer. That was all she’d wanted to hear – that Cam didn’t want her venturing out in this weather. But she still wanted to go to the shelter herself and catch up with Bree.
George appeared at the door, saying, ‘Daddy, I’ve set up the train track.’ He slipped his hand into Cam’s. ‘Come on.’
Cam hesitated. ‘I’m just going to…’
‘Honestly, it’s okay. You go with George. I won’t be long.’ Before Cam could object, Molly popped a kiss on the top of George’s head and slipped out of the door.
Sitting behind the wheel of the van, Molly began the slow drive towards the town of Glensheil. The Met Office had issued a severe weather warning advising people to stay inside, but that wasn’t unusual in the Scottish Highlands. It was still bitterly cold and heavy flakes of snow were falling fast and chaotically, the gusting wind shaking the van slightly as Molly drove over the bridge. The van’s headlights lit up the icy cold river, which was running wild, turbulent and unforgiving, and Molly found her heart was racing. The weather conditions were really turning and, when she reached the square, the queue for the shelter was longer than she had ever seen it before. Just as she cut the engine the shelter doors swung open and everyone began to filter through into the warmth.
Alongside Sam, two other volunteers were waiting by the door. As soon as they saw Molly, they began to help to unload the trays of food and take them inside.
Grateful to be out of the biting cold, Molly stepped into the shelter and was met by a dancing display of Christmas lights wrapped around the tree in the entrance hall. It was truly beautiful and wouldn’t have looked out of place standing in the town square or a department store, dressed as it was in its splendour and sparkles. Sam was a wonder. Molly knew that all the funds for the tree and decorations would have come out of her friend’s own pocket. She had a heart of gold and her Christmas Day would be selflessly spent serving up Christmas dinner to the masses at the shelter. It was like a military operation each year but Sam made sure that anyone who was living on the streets and wanted a Christmas dinner got one.
‘Look at all this,’ exclaimed Molly. ‘You have been busy. It all looks so … Christmassy!’
‘It took some doing, but I like this place to feel as much of a home and as welcoming as possible. Christmas is a lonely time for many and I just can’t bear to think of all the people fighting for survival on the streets.’ Sam’s voice faltered as Molly followed her into the main hall.
Inside, the room looked like a very cramped, busy café in the middle of a city at lunchtime. The noise was deafening.
‘Wow, busy night.’ Molly quickly scanned the room looking for Bree, but she was nowhere to be seen. ‘And look at this room,’ she added.
There were paper chains pinned to the walls, tinsel draped around the notice boards and a mantel swag of twinkly fairy lights and crimson bows hanging above the serving hatch.
‘If it was up to me, I’d leave this place decorated throughout the year. It just lifts everyone’s spirits a little,’ said Sam.
Despite the cold wintry night, the mood seemed jovial. There was a sudden scraping of chairs as the serving hatch went up and hot drinks were served.
Sam continued. ‘Luckily, Bree, the young girl you met last night, helped me with the decorations this afternoon otherwise I’d still be tangled in lights and tinsel. Cup of tea before you head off?’
