Chapter 50
Nick smiled broadly as he checked his phone.
He and Thea had firmed up their plans for tonight and she’d asked him to come over after work for a bite to eat and a chat.
He knew the kids would be around, so he’d have to curb his more passionate impulses, but he also felt hopeful that this might mean she was ready to introduce him to Cora and Dylan as someone other than just a good friend.
He suspected they’d worked it out already, after the Midwinter’s Eve Ball, but it would be good to put things on a more ‘official’ footing with them.
He set to completing his final jobs of the afternoon, so he could make a quick getaway when the shop closed.
As he was tidying the shelves and doing a last date check on the fridges, the shop’s bell tinkled and in walked Tristan.
‘Happy New Year, mate,’ Nick called, ‘if it’s not too early to say that!’
They exchanged pleasantries for a minute, before Tristan made a firm subject change. ‘Just a heads up, Nick, Thea’s a bit wobbly right now. If you’re seeing her over the next few days, be aware of that.’
‘What’s happened?’
‘Thea met up with that bastard ex of hers today at the pub. She’s agreed he and his new kids can meet Cora and Dylan, and they’re supposed to be working out some logistics so they can do it soon.’
‘Christ…’ Nick’s head spun. ‘I thought he was well out of the picture?’
‘Not out of it enough,’ Tristan muttered.
‘According to Thea, he’s in recovery, in a relationship and has a couple of new kids.
Thea, for some godforsaken reason, thinks that means the kids should meet each other.
’ He paused. ‘Cora’s been in touch through social media with Ed’s other son.
’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘She reckons if they don’t manage things between them, then the kids’ll do it anyway, eventually. ’
Nick’s heart thumped. He tried not to feel hurt that he was finding this out from Tristan and reasoned with himself that it had all happened so swiftly, and that was probably why Thea hadn’t filled him in on all of the developments herself.
He forced a smile at Tristan. ‘Your sister’s got her head screwed on, Tris, I’m sure she’ll do the right thing. ’
‘I hope so.’ Tristan looked so worried, Nick forgot his own concerns.
‘I’ve known you both for a long time, Tris, and you’ve weathered worse. She’ll get through this, and we’re both here to help her, aren’t we?’
Tristan smiled then. ‘You’re right. And she’ll have my guts for garters if she thinks I’ve been talking to you about it all, so can you not let her know I’ve told you? She’ll tell you in her own time, I’m sure.’
‘My lips are sealed.’ Nick smiled at his friend.
He walked Tristan to the door and flipped the closed sign.
They were still closing a little earlier in the relaxed days between Christmas and New Year, and Nick was relieved.
It would give him time to get home and changed before heading out to Thea’s place.
As Tristan went out of the door, he turned back to Nick.
‘I’m so glad you and Thea are finally getting it together,’ he said.
‘It’s taken you both long enough. Don’t let this thing with Ed put you off.
Thea’s been over him for a long time, and she’s handling things the way she should.
He won’t come between you two, and if he tries, he’ll have me to deal with! ’
‘I appreciate that.’ Nick smiled. ‘Take care, Tris.’
Driving home to his cottage, he mulled over what Tristan had told him.
He wasn’t worried, not really, but he didn’t want to say the wrong thing to Thea, either.
What they had was so new, and so special, that he didn’t want to jeopardise things before they’d really got started.
He’d let her take the lead and tell him what she wanted him to know, and hopefully she’d allow him to help her face this difficult situation.
He knew how headstrong she was, though, and that he’d have to be careful how much he offered to help her.
She’d been so used to dealing with things independently since Ed had gone that she might think he was trying to take control, otherwise.
He shook his head in frustration. It felt as though there was suddenly a layer of complication to their relationship that hadn’t been there before Christmas.
He’d always known it wasn’t going to be easy, starting a relationship with Thea and her children, but, he told himself firmly, none of it was going to jeopardise things.
They’d take each day at a time and build something new.
And today’s brick in that new structure was dinner with Thea and the children.
That was something to feel optimistic about.