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Damn him! I’d just got my head sorted, and now he’s turned me completely to mush.

He shocked me, too. I thought he’d be the same as me, telling himself he shouldn’t have kissed me as soon as I was out of sight. But it doesn’t look as if that’s the case…

My head continues to spin, and it’s with some surprise that I discover my feet have taken me all the way to the daycare centre without me even guiding them. I go in and smile as Millie runs up and flings her arms around me, and I straighten to smile at Lettie as she comes over.

“You forgot your flowers,” she tells Millie, handing a cardboard box to her that’s been coloured to look like a flowerpot, with several flowers stuck to the sides.

Millie holds them up proudly. There’s one big sunflower with a lopsided smile, a couple of pink roses, and half a dozen scruffy daisies. “I made them for Mitch,” she says.

I sigh silently.

“They’re lovely.” I smile at Lettie. “You’re so clever, coming up with all these ideas.”

“The kids are the clever ones. Millie made these all on her own.” She ruffles Millie’s curls. “I hope he likes them.” She meets my eyes and then winks at me.

“I’m sure he will,” I say wryly. “See you tomorrow.”

We walk slowly back to the bookshop. When I started work there, John was kind enough to say he was happy for Millie to join me when she wasn’t at daycare, and so she’s used to spending time in the shop.

“Do you think he’ll like them?” she asks, looking at her flowers.

“He’ll love them,” I say, knowing he’ll say he does, whatever he thinks of them.

“Tomorrow we’re making biscuits shaped like Christmas stockings,” she says. “We can bring them home. Do you think Mitch will like them?”

“Oh yes. He has a sweet tooth.” I think of him licking off the buttercream icing and stifle a groan.

“How long is Mitch here for?” she asks.

I look at her little hand in mine and give a small sigh. “I don’t know.”

“Will he be here for Christmas?”

“I don’t think so. I’m sorry, I know you’d like him to be here.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” She walks quietly by my side, her flowers trailing on the ground.

Shit. Now I feel like a heel. I remember then that he said he was going stay somewhere else for the rest of his time here. That was before he kissed me, though. Will he still do it? I should warn Millie, but it’s going to upset her. Hell, he can be the one to tell her. That can be his punishment for leaving.

I sigh as we approach the bookshop, and Millie opens the door and goes in. Mitch is there, talking to Ewan, and they smile as we both walk in.

“The plastering’s all done,” Ewan says.

“That’s great, thank you so much.”

“I’m heading off now.” He waves at Millie and heads out of the door.

“Hey, Millie!” Mitch drops to his haunches in front of her.

“You’re dirty,” she says.

“I know, sorry. I’ve been cleaning.” He looks at her flowerpot. “What’s this? You made your flowers?”

She holds it up. “I made them for you.”

“Aw.” He takes the pot. “They’re absolutely beautiful, thank you.” He looks at her face then. “What’s the matter? You look sad?”

“Mummy said you’re not staying for Christmas.” She speaks solemnly.