My fingers type.
Do I have a boyfriend now?
Then I delete it, not wanting to sound like I’m a silly teenager. He’s a grown man, he probably doesn’t even want the label of boyfriend. A smile spreads across my face. He’s a manfriend.
* * *
Morning mist coversthe grass as I cut through the park on my way into work. I pull the collar of my big coat around my neck to keep out the crisp chill in the air.
My heart jolts to life when my phone buzzes in my pocket. There’s only one person who would call me this time of day. Besides my dad.
I answer on the second ring with a huge smile spreading across my face. “Hello.”
“Morning, Joy.” His raspy voice sends tingles down my spine.
“Morning. How is Theo?”
“He’s still got a temp. Can you cover the shop today? I’m going to work from home.”
“Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll take care of everything.”
“The good news is that Mr Price is better, so he should be in today. If Molly isn’t back, the grotto can manage with Steve while you man the phones and the office.”
“Okay. Don’t worry about anything.”
“Joy. You really are a star, you know?”
My stomach flips each time he calls me that. “It’s my job.” Although lately I’ve gone above and beyond my daily duties and definitely beyond my pay grade.
“I appreciate it. If you need me, just call.”
“Okay. Catch up later.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
“Bye.” My stomach flips again as I slip my phone back into my pocket. My small boot heels click on the pavement before I enter the shop. Jules is our other keyholder, and she’s already opening the shutters.
“It’s a nippy one today, Joy,” she says as the shutter screeches to a halt.
“It’s going to brighten up later.” I lift a fallen soft toy from the floor and place it back on the shelf as I make my way to a lonely office, wondering how I can do something nice for Nick and Theo.
18
JOY
After collecting a lunch order from the cafe across the road, I walk to Nick’s house. I’ve called before when he’s been off and I’ve needed to drop him some files round. The sun warms my cheeks in the cool air, the mist from this morning now evaporated away with the afternoon rays.
My boots jingle with each step. I covered for Steve while he had an appointment before lunch, and didn’t have time to change. Besides, Nick likes me in this costume and I want to surprise him.
His modest home sits on a quiet street, a short walk from the town centre. I corner his garden fence and open the white wooden gate to the driveway.
Walking past his red family car, my stomach bubbles with anticipation at seeing him again. I press the bell at the side of his front door and wait, clutching the bag of lunch in both hands.
The door opens. Nick’s in red checked lounge pants and a white t-shirt that stretches around his chest. “Joy? What are you doing here?” His eyes rake over my long coat. I don’t miss the twinkle when he reaches my candy cane legs poking out beneath my red coat, and the green boots on my feet.
I lift the bag in my hand. “I brought lunch.”
He opens the door wide and steps to the side. “Come in.”
