Page 39 of The Christmas Star

‘All I know is, Mum’s not the same since Dad died.’

Theo laughed. ‘Of course she isn’t. And she won’t ever be again.’

‘I also know she’s using this trip to prove she’s more capable than I give her credit for.’ I sighed, thinking about all the internet trolls going after her. ‘The worst thing about it is I understand why. I can’t deny I’ve been a bit hard on her lately.’

Theo gave me a half smile. ‘Ignore what I said last night. That was me just sounding off. I was wrong.’

‘I won’t argue with you there.’

‘But I still don’t get why you’d put her in a home.’

My hackles rose. ‘Firstly, I wouldn’t put Mum anywhere. It would be her choice. And secondly, you’ve known Mum how long?’

‘Long enough to know she’s not losing her sanity. That she’s still mobile and taking care of herself. Maybe if you visited more often, you’d realise that too.’

‘I visit Mum all the time.’

Theo raised his eyebrows.

‘All right, I visit once a week.’ I finished my coffee. ‘Not that you can talk. You’re never home either and you’ve got a son sat waiting for you.’

‘That’s because I have to work.’

‘Which probably explains why Jackson’s with Mum right now instead of in Settledown where he belongs.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘He probably didn’t want to spend Christmas like Kevin.’

‘Who the hell’s Kevin?’ Theo asked.

A nearby member of staff was gathering up empty plates. Upon hearing Theo’s raised tone, she stopped mid-collection and looked our way.

I blushed at the attention and us both recognising her as the woman who thought we were newlyweds and had delivered food to our cabin, Theo and I smiled pretending all was well.

Shaking her head she diverted her attention.

‘The boy in Home Alone,’ I said, lowering my voice. ‘Macaulay Culkin’s character.’

Theo looked at me, incredulous. ‘Excuse me for having a job.’

‘Had.’

‘Sorry?’

‘You got the sack, remember.’

‘Because I put my son first and told my boss I couldn’t work over Christmas.’

Surprised to hear that, my expression froze. I fidgeted in my seat and refusing to lose face, flicked my hair to the side. ‘Glad to hear it. And did you tell Jackson of your plan?’

‘I didn’t get the chance.’

‘So, we’re both to blame for this fiasco.’

Theo leaned back in his seat. ‘Yes, I guess we are.’ He sighed. ‘We’re not all as lucky as you, Erin. Some of us have to juggle and every now and then, instead of waiting for a ball to drop, we have to choose which one to let go.’

I looked at the man, incredulous. One, it wasn’t my fault he’d chosen to have a child, and two, people usually liked to tell me what I was missing out on as a single woman. Not the positives I’d gained.

As the two of us stared at each other, an awkward silence descended. A silence I refused to break.

Theo suddenly stood up. ‘Refill?’ he asked, picking up his cup.