Chapter Forty-Six
Reuben loved watching Jessica play with her niece and the doting look she had on her face whenever she was around her.
She was sprawled on the lounge floor at Primrose Cottage helping Lexi build a tower with wooden blocks.
Murray had just come in from a walk with Carolyn, thankful they could make the most of willing babysitters.
‘Hey, Lexi,’ called Carolyn, and she laughed as she was ignored by her daughter. Lexi’s face was a picture of concentration as she tried to balance another block on their tower.
‘Oh!’ she squealed in excitement.
‘I know,’ said Jessica. ‘It’s the highest we’ve got yet.’ She glanced up at her brother, whose face was pink from fresh air. ‘Did you know when I was a wee girl, your daddy knocked down everything I built.’
Lexi frowned and looked at her dad in disbelief, her eyes wide.
‘As if I would do such a thing,’ he said brightly. ‘Jess, try not to destroy my reputation with my daughter just yet.’
‘Reubs,’ said Lexi, shyly pointing at the blocks.
Reuben crouched down next to her and handed her a block. She looked at it. Her tongue stuck out the corner of her mouth as she focused on where to put it. Then she turned round and handed it to Reuben. ‘You go.’
‘Try not to mess it up,’ said Murray drily.
‘No pressure then,’ he said, looking at Jessica and gingerly adding it to the top. It wobbled slightly.
Jessica pulled a face. ‘What do you think, Lexi? Can we try one more?’
She giggled and clapped her hands. ‘Daddy do it.’
Murray groaned. ‘What could possibly go wrong?’ He knelt down on the ground and assessed his options. ‘What do you think, Reuben? You’re the architect.’
He shrugged. ‘Don’t ask me.’ He laughed at Carolyn, who stood watching, a nervous look on her face.
‘Rather him than me,’ she said.
‘Okay. Let me try this then.’ Murray carefully leaned over and carefully placed the block on top of the towering stack.
They all watched, with bated breath, as it wobbled and jiggled and then tumbled to the ground.
‘Daddy,’ said Lexi. ‘Silly Daddy.’
Reuben shook his head at his friend. ‘Indeed.’
As Lexi and Jessica started to build the tower again, he glanced at the clock. It was nearing four o’clock and he wondered if, in fact, he should head off and leave them all to enjoy Christmas Eve together.
‘What’s the plan tonight then?’ said Murray.
Reuben looked over at Jessica, who was deep in concentration.
‘Are you not going to stay with us in Rowan Bay and help put things out for Santa and the reindeer?’ said Murray with a wink.
Lexi looked up at him. ‘Cawwots for reydeer. Biccies and milk for Santa.’
Murray grinned. ‘And you need to make sure you go to sleep even though you’re very excited,’ he said softly to her. ‘So that when you wake up in the morning it will be Christmas Day.’
She beamed at him, stood up and excitedly danced round in circles.
‘Come on, poppet,’ said Carolyn. ‘Why don’t we go up and see Granny and Grampa for a wee while before tea?’
‘Okay,’ said Lexi and ran to the kitchen to fetch something.
Jessica looked over at him. ‘You are staying with us tonight, aren’t you? Have you got your stuff with you?’
He nodded, slightly embarrassed that he was so prepared. ‘Yes, my overnight bag is in the car.’
Murray raised an eyebrow at him and smirked.
‘The love room awaits you.’ Murray stood up and looked over at Carolyn.
‘I’ll come with you to see Mum and Dad.’ He then waited until she and Jessica were out of earshot in the kitchen with Lexi, before placing a hand on Reuben’s arm.
‘Just remember, the third stair from the top still creaks and Jessica’s door also tends to squeak.
You know . . . just thought I’d mention it. ’
Reuben breathed a sigh of relief. There was obviously no need to worry that Murray was going to be annoyed about him and Jessica getting together.
He was practically encouraging it. But he didn’t want to say anything that would confirm things either way.
‘I don’t know what you mean. I’m a total gentleman, as you well know.
I’m just here to enjoy Christmas with you all. ’
‘What was that?’ said Carolyn as she and Jessica came back through with Lexi.
Reuben smiled pleasantly at Carolyn. ‘I was just telling your husband that he is a very lucky man. I don’t know how you put up with him. He’s a complete pain in the neck.’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Murray linked his arm through Reuben’s. ‘I always know I can rely on you to say the right thing. And that is why I have missed you. It’s great to be back.’
‘The bromance is back then?’ teased Jessica.
Murray shook his head in exasperation.
‘You guys go ahead and have some time with Mum and Dad,’ Jessica said to Murray and Carolyn. ‘Reuben and I will come up in half an hour or so to get food in the oven. Just make sure Mum doesn’t try and do anything. You know what she’s like even with a broken arm.’
‘Will do,’ said Murray, pulling on his jacket. He gave them both a look. ‘See you soon.’
As soon as the front door closed, Reuben turned and pulled Jessica towards him, kissing her hungrily on the lips. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that all afternoon,’ he said.
She smiled at him. ‘I know. Me too.’
‘By the way, I think your brother knows about us.’
She hooked her hands around his neck and leaned up to kiss him again. ‘He doesn’t. He’s just teasing you.’
He levelled his gaze on hers. ‘Does it bother you if he does?’
She crinkled her nose for a moment then looked up at him. ‘Not in the slightest. But I quite like all this subterfuge. It feels a bit naughty. Let’s just try and keep it our secret while we can.’