Chapter 14
LIAM
Two weeks until Christmas
Dear Liam,
I’m really surprised that I haven’t heard from you. I’ve given you time – I understand it was probably a shock getting my letter and I can be reasonable, despite what you used to think – but my patience isn’t endless.
If I wasn’t clear before, let me repeat.
I want to see my son and I want to see you too.
I know I’ve been gone for a while. It was necessary – sometimes people need space.
But that doesn’t mean you get to lock me out of your lives for good.
It’s only been two and a bit years, Liam.
I’m lonely and I miss my family. I’ve included my mobile number and email at the bottom of this letter. Please get in touch.
Mia xxx
P.S. Tell Charlie Mummy will see him soon.
Fine. Tomorrow at eleven in Sugarplum Cakes all I was thinking about for the last few days.’ He shoved his hands into his pockets. ‘I’m just not sure if I’m ready.’
Eleanor sighed. ‘You know the person you’re hurting most is yourself?’ she asked gently.
He jerked his chin. ‘I know. I do want to talk to Clara, though.’ His breath came out in a gush and he felt like he’d just expelled something thorny from his throat.
‘I’ll go and see her now,’ he murmured, feeling his body hum with trepidation as he made his way to the back of the shop and the entrance that would lead him up to Eleanor’s flat.
‘Make sure you sort it out – and don’t forget you’re both doing the local radio show later. It’ll be much better advertising for the Christmas fayre if Mr and Mrs Christmas aren’t at each other’s throats,’ Eleanor shouted after him as he opened the door.
Liam could hear Christmas music playing as he made his way up the stairs.
He took a right at the top, guessing Clara was in the kitchen from the incredible chocolatey scent wafting through the air.
There seemed to be even more Christmas lights adorning the walls and ceiling of the hallway since he’d last visited.
He paused just outside the doorway of the kitchen to admire them and took in a deep breath, trying to clear his mind because he was suddenly nervous.
But before he could enter, Clara came barrelling out and crashed into him, knocking him off his feet.
‘What the hell!’ she shrieked as he inadvertently held onto her arms as he tumbled, taking her with him as they both fell and she landed heavily on his chest. Liam tried not to notice the way Clara’s hips settled on his groin, making his body tighten and heat.
‘Ouch,’ he said as the box in his pocket dug into his right thigh.
‘Liam?’ Clara gasped, trying to scramble upwards, pausing momentarily on her knees which were pressed on either side of one of his legs. She stared down into his face, hers a picture of shock and— Wow, her eyes were dark and her hair was mussed and she looked stunning.
‘Surprise,’ he rasped, reaching to rub his head where a bruise was forming. The floor beneath him was carpeted, but he’d still whacked it when he fell. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said when her eyes narrowed. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’
She dug an elbow into his chest and got to her feet. ‘What, when you sneaked into Eleanor’s flat and didn’t warn me before you jumped out from behind a door?’ she asked. ‘You didn’t think that would frighten me?’ Her voice wobbled and it was clear she was shaken.
‘I’m sorry,’ Liam repeated, reaching up his hand, intending to offer comfort before he dropped it. He didn’t have the right to touch Clara, and he wasn’t here to make things worse. ‘I’m an idiot.’
‘You certainly are,’ she muttered, but she sounded less angry now. She sighed and offered him a hand. ‘You’d better get up. Are you hurt?’ Her eyebrows drew together as she studied him. ‘Because you went down really hard with me on top — and I’m hardly a lightweight.’
‘You’re perfect, Clara,’ Liam said. The rasp in his voice told him everything he needed to know about his growing feelings for this woman, about the attraction humming between them – despite the anger and hurt he could see in Clara’s eyes.
‘I came to tell you I’m sorry,’ he said as he took her hand and got to his feet before reaching into his pocket for the Tupperware container and offering it to her.
‘What’s this?’ she asked, taking it and frowning.
‘A peace offering. Brownies,’ he said, feeling embarrassed. ‘My speciality.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Charlie.’ He paused. ‘My son – insisted on helping which is why they’re covered in a mountain of sprinkles.’ Liam hadn’t had the heart to tell him that he shouldn’t use the entire pot.
‘Charlie.’ Clara’s expression softened and she nodded before she frowned again. ‘Where is he?’ She peered into the hallway behind him.
‘With my neighbour Jenny. She’s been babysitting for me – far too often recently but what with playing Mr Christmas, Figgy and work…’ He pulled a face. ‘She doesn’t mind and Charlie adores her.’ It was the only reason he could live with it.