Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
‘N ot too many chips, kids, you don’t want to spoil your appetite before dinner!’ Penny shooed her offspring away from the bowl of salt and vinegar potato chips on the coffee table. Lacie had enjoyed some too as it was all she felt like eating lately; salty, crunchy food, but realised she too should wait for dinner as she couldn’t handle big meals anymore and didn’t want to waste their feast.
‘But they taste better than dinner,’ Dane objected with a pout.
‘Hey, your grandma’s dinner is going to be more delicious than you could imagine,’ Penny defended. ‘And if you eat too many chips you won’t have any room for marshmallows by the new firepit later tonight… when it’s past your bedtime.’ She narrowed her eyes.
Dane’s mouth went into an ‘O’ and he quickly moved away from the chip bowl.
‘What are you doing, Jessie?’ Penny asked her daughter who was standing near the Christmas tree making strange gestures.
‘I’m… copying… the… Christmas… lights,’ she said in between movements consisting of her hands opening and closing like flashes, and her body popping forwards and backwards, then jittering when the lights went into rapid flashing mode.
Lacie laughed. ‘Can I join in?’
‘Yes… you… can.’
Lacie did the hand flashes too, but refrained from any major jittering in fear of somehow hurting the baby. They laughed together and Jessie sat on the couch in a huff. ‘Now I need a nap,’ she said.
‘Me too.’ Lacie sat next to her and rested her head on her niece’s.
The doorbell rang.
Lacie got up. ‘We’ll have to save our naps for later. Looks like our guests are here.’
Jessie got up too. ‘I’ll get it, I’ll get it!’ She dashed to the front door and opened it. ‘It’s Nathan the gardener,’ she said. ‘Hi, Nathan the gardener.’
‘Hi, Jessie the lady of the house.’ Nathan took her hand and gave it a gentle shake, and Jessie curtsied. Lacie wondered where she’d learnt that, or maybe Penny had introduced her to Pride and Prejudice .
‘And Dane the man of the house.’ Nathan shook Dane’s hand.
‘We’re having marshmallows tonight,’ Dane said.
‘For dinner? Lucky, they are my favourite .’ Nathan patted his belly.
Dane giggled. ‘Not dinner, silly, dessert!’
‘Oh. Right. Oops. Well, I look forward to dessert. And I brought these to share too.’ He held out the box of chocolates.
Penny took hold of them before Dane could. ‘I’ll take those. Thank you, Nathan.’
‘My pleasure.’
‘Oh, Nathan, you shouldn’t have, but thank you.’ Martha emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. ‘I will definitely save room in my stomach for at least one. Or two.’ She smiled. ‘Welcome. Come in, come in. Make yourself at home.’
He took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. ‘This room feels so warm and cosy. Wow.’ He looked at the log fire. ‘There’s nothing like a real fireplace.’
‘Except maybe a firepit. I can’t wait to test it out,’ Penny said.
Lacie smiled a hello to Nathan and he did the same. ‘Welcome to the madhouse,’ she said.
‘I spend more time here than at my own house,’ he said.
‘But always on the outside ,’ said Dane.
‘True.’
‘Do you want to see my Lego pirate ship?’ Dane tugged on Nathan’s hand. ‘It’s over here.’
‘Sure.’ Dane led him to the library under the staircase where his creation sat on a side table, and the front door opened again.
Steve, Penny’s paramedic husband, walked through with Matt and his girlfriend, having been assigned the job of picking them up so the couple could enjoy a few drinks with dinner.
‘Daddy!’ Jessie ran toward him and clung to his legs like one of those rubber toys you throw at the wall and it sticks.
‘Hey, my Jessie girl.’
‘I was being a set of Christmas lights,’ she said, quickly dashing to the tree and showing him her moves.
Her dad smiled. ‘Bright and sparkly.’
Matt laughed at his niece, then turned to the woman beside him. ‘This is Sophia.’ He gestured to his rosy-cheeked partner, her dark curls falling softly around her woollen scarf.
Penny held out her hand to Matt’s girlfriend. ‘I’m the big sister, Penny. Nice to meet you.’
‘Likewise.’
‘I’m Lacie.’ She smiled and shook her hand.
‘I love your hair,’ Sophia said in her French accent.
‘Oh, thanks. I love your curls.’
‘And mine?’ Matt asked, patting his short dark crop.
‘I love yours too.’ Sophia giggled, running her hand over his head.
Oh, new love. If only relationships could stay that way , Lacie thought.
Sophia was also introduced to Dane and Nathan, and Martha who looked overjoyed to see Matt with what could be a serious girlfriend, finally. Ellie came out and said hello to everyone, just as the next lot arrived; Chris and his wife, Melina, and her teenaged daughters Anastasia and Allana.
‘Memorised everyone’s names yet?’ Lacie nudged Nathan’s side.
‘Absolutely. I think. Um, what was yours again?’ He feigned confusion.
She nudged him again.
‘Do you need any help in the kitchen, Mrs Appleby?’ Sophia asked. Apparently, her father was a chef in France.
‘Call me Martha, please, and not at all, you go and settle in. Thank you so much for asking.’ She gestured toward the dining room. ‘If everyone would like to take their seats, dinner is just about ready.’
Chris sidled up next to Martha. ‘I’ll help you with the turkey, Mum.’
‘Please. It’s such a heavy thing.’ She went back to the kitchen with him, and Lacie followed to see what she could do, even though her mother said she didn’t need any help. Martha had always loved catering for family events, and used to cook breakfasts for guests staying in the cottage when she ran it as a B&B, though she’d decided to reduce her workload after her husband died and let it simply be a basic holiday rental.
Martha handed Lacie two bowls of sides – extra bread rolls, and some gluten-free ones for Melina and her daughters who were coeliac.
Lacie took them to the dining room and explained what was what, keeping the regular bread rolls at the end of the table away from the kids. She returned to the kitchen and brought out some sides of vegetables and condiments, while Martha brought out a potato bake, and Chris carried the huge turkey that had already had half of it cut and sliced ready for serving onto plates. There was just enough room for the centrepiece and the food. It looked like a royal buffet. At least, that’s what her dad used to say at just about every Christmas in July. And then he’d explain how there were some possible connections within his family history to the royal family, going way back. He always liked to mention that.
‘This baby’s been cooking most of the day,’ Martha said, about the turkey. ‘Hope you all enjoy it, and just to confirm, no one is vegetarian, right?’ She mainly eyed Sophia and Nathan.
They shook their heads.
‘I grew up with many varieties of meats, and butter on everything,’ Sophia said. ‘This looks absolutely wonderful. And the flowers, wow. Do you mind if I take a photo to show my father? He will be glad to know I am being well looked after over here!’
‘Go ahead, my dear. It’s not often my accomplishments get seen by a French chef.’
Lacie wondered if her mother might be feeling a bit self-conscious now, but she didn’t appear to be. Martha had a way of keeping everything together during an event, no matter what was going on in life.
Lacie took her seat in between Ellie at the end of the table and Nathan to her left (yep, just as she’d thought), with Sophia directly opposite her. She adjusted her waistband slightly as it dug into her belly. Perhaps she should have worn a dress tonight to allow for more expansion. She hadn’t even started eating yet, but her belly felt full.
Jessie was telling everyone how she painted the pine cone centrepiece while Matt stood and poured the drinks, and then Martha cleared her throat. ‘I’m not a religious person myself, but my husband was, and I’d like to say a prayer on his behalf, in gratitude for this food we are blessed with.’ Everyone lowered their heads as Martha said a few words, and Lacie wondered if somehow, her dad could hear or see all of this. He’d be proud of how her mother was coping, how she was still looking after everyone. ‘Okay, let’s eat! Enjoy.’
‘Can we open these now?’ Dane asked, holding up a Christmas cracker.
‘Not till after we’ve eaten,’ Steve said, ‘otherwise it’ll make a mess on the table.’ He gently placed his hand on Dane’s cracker to lower it.
They all put food on their plates, helped each other reach things, and drizzled gravy over the turkey and vegetables, while Lacie opted for the cranberry sauce instead. The potato bake looked enticing, but when she took a mouthful she changed her mind, instead focusing on eating the vegetables. It was funny how her eyes were hungry for something but then her stomach wouldn’t let her eat it.
The usual conversations ensued about work, study, and what the kids had planned for the last weekend of the school holidays. As plates gradually emptied and stomachs became full, Penny piped up. ‘Oh, before I forget, I have to get tables finalised by Monday for the school trivia night on Wednesday. Who’s coming?’ She got out her phone, ready to jot down names and table bookings.
‘Me, of course. Wouldn’t miss my trivia fix.’ Martha nodded eagerly.
‘Well, since Wednesday is my last night in the country, I better come too,’ Lacie said.
‘Oh, don’t remind me,’ Martha said in a sad voice, and Lacie blew her a kiss. ‘Melina, Chris?’
Melina shook her head. ‘Sorry, it’s a school night for these two.’ She pointed to the teenagers. ‘And first week back, better not have a late night. But if you want to go, honey.’ She glanced at Chris.
‘Okay sure, I’ll go then,’ he said, looking quite relieved.
Matt and Sophia were whispering, checking their schedules on their phone. Then they high-fived each other.
‘Looks like we’ll both be there,’ Matt said with a victorious fist pump.
‘Great!’ Penny jotted down names. ‘Ellie?’
She shrugged. ‘Not sure.’
‘Go on, it won’t be the same without you.’ Penny put her hands in the prayer position.
‘Oh, okay then.’
‘Yes! And Nathan, would you like to come too?’
Nathan’s eyebrows rose. ‘You sure? If there’s enough room on the table, then okay. Sounds fun.’
‘There are two places left. I might have to allocate a stranger to sit with us too.’
‘Aren’t you joining us, Penny?’ Ellie asked her sister.
‘I’m the MC. Hopefully I can pop over for a chat in between question sessions though. But I’m not giving you any clues about the answers.’
‘I hope they have lots of nature questions,’ Lacie said. ‘Then we’re in with a good chance of winning with this expert right here.’ She gestured to Nathan.
‘Oh, stop. I’m sure there’ll be lots of questions on other things too, and we’ll have a good chance of winning either way, with this intelligent bunch.’ He motioned to the others and then took a sip of wine.
After a dessert of pudding and ice cream, the kids exclaimed ‘yes!’ when it was time to pull the Christmas crackers. Loud pops and laughter ensued as fourteen of them were opened, their plastic novelty gifts spilling out all over the table, jokes being read out, and party hats being put on. Half the family was standing, pouring drinks or stretching their legs, the kids jumping around and playing with their new toys. Lacie glanced to the kids’ table, and then to Melina who sat still, watching them play. Her eyes glossed over and she dabbed at the corners of them, then stood, sniffling, before dashing out of the room.
Lacie went to follow her, but Chris placed a hand on her arm. ‘I’ll go,’ he said.
Martha noticed too, concern creasing the corners of her eyes.
‘Who wants to play a quick game of cards?’ Matt asked.
‘Me! Me!’ the kids yelled. ‘But can we do presents first?’
‘One game of cards, then presents. How about that?’
They smiled and jumped, then went to the living room, everyone following except for Martha, Nathan, and Lacie.
‘Can I help bring some plates to the sink?’ Nathan asked.
‘If you insist,’ Martha replied with a smile, as Chris walked back in the room.
‘Sorry about that. Melina’s in the bathroom freshening up.’
‘Is she okay?’ Martha asked.
Chris rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Yeah. Sort of. It’s just…’ He stole a glance back towards the bathroom, then leaned forward and whispered, ‘I haven’t said anything because we wanted to wait, but we’ve been trying for a baby.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful.’ Martha grasped his hand.
‘Not so much,’ he replied. ‘We haven’t had any luck for the past year, and she’s forty next month.’
‘Oh.’ Martha’s hand went to her heart.
Lacie instinctively placed a hand subtly on her lower belly.
‘She wants to do IVF, but… I don’t think I want to. I’m having second thoughts about the whole thing, to be honest.’
‘Oh, Chris, I’m sorry. I wish I’d known.’
‘We thought we’d surprise you eventually with a pregnancy announcement, but looks like it’s this instead.’ He raised his hands in defeat. ‘She’s been pretty upset with me.’ He stole another glance to see if she was coming or not. ‘The girls, they’re full on. A handful at times. Especially with all the dramas with their father. He lifts them up then drags them down, gets their hopes up but disappoints. We have to undo all the damage after they’ve stayed with him. It’s a lot of work.’ He exhaled. ‘I love them and want to do the best for them. With a new baby, that’d become more difficult. Plus, with Melina’s diabetes, I’d be worried a new pregnancy at her age would be a lot for her body to handle, not to mention going through IVF.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I mean there’s also surrogacy, or adoption as a last resort, but it’s all so overwhelming.’
So that’s why he’d seemed stressed, Lacie thought. And here she was, carrying a baby no one knew about, while Melina was just trying to get to the same position.
‘Sweetheart, don’t let the pressure get too much. I can always help with the girls when needed too. And take some time to listen to Melina’s feelings and understand where she’s coming from. Maternal instinct is a strong urge. It’s not something you can talk a woman out of if that’s what she wants.’
Lacie gulped.
‘Tell her how you feel too, and why. Help her to see that your concern is for Anastasia and Allana. She’ll respect that. And maybe let things settle for a month or two, take a break, and then reassess. If you want to take a holiday somewhere, let me know and I’ll take care of the girls, don’t you worry.’
‘Great idea,’ said Lacie.
‘Oh, Mum, that’s more than I’d expect, but thank you.’
‘Be gentle with her, and yourself.’ She rubbed his back. ‘Now go see if she needs anything. And maybe some present opening will cheer her up. I got her something for her new reading corner she’s going to love.’
‘Okay, thanks, Mum.’ He hugged her and left the room.
Martha picked up two bowls. ‘Let’s clear this table, shall we?’
‘On it.’ Nathan picked up the pile of dirty plates, and when Martha left the room, whispered to Lacie, ‘Your mum is one special lady.’
‘She sure is,’ Lacie replied. ‘She sure is.’
When the card games and present open ceremony was complete, and wrapping paper littered the living room, they all made their way outside, rugged up in coats and scarves, chocolates and marshmallows at the ready to christen the firepit.
Nathan did the honours, starting the fire and building it up till it warmed the area around them.
‘This is so cool!’ Jessie said. ‘Oops, I mean hot.’ She fanned her face.
‘Looks amazing.’ Penny gestured around. ‘And those fairy lights.’ She pointed to the hedging a couple of metres behind them. ‘This is going to become my new favourite place.’
Mine too. Lacie wanted to imprint the scene into her mind and take it with her back to the States.
‘Now, careful with those,’ Steve said, as his kids held out their marshmallows on forks. ‘Here, I’ll do yours, mate,’ he said to Dane. ‘It can get hot.’
Soon, marshmallows were toasted and being enjoyed, and chocolates were shared around the circle. Lacie was definitely too full now and couldn’t fit a single extra thing in.
They all chit-chatted, laughed, reminisced, and Lacie’s stomach fluttered at Nathan’s warm glow and how much he seemed to be enjoying the evening. His down-to-earth nature and gratitude to her family was endearing.
‘I have an activity for us all to do,’ Penny said, already in MC mode, and always in school teacher mode. She picked up a basket nearby containing pens and paper, and handed them out. ‘To celebrate the first firepit night ever, we’re going to make some wishes.’
‘Will they come true, Mummy?’ Dane asked.
‘They just might, you never know.’ She winked.
‘Write your wish on the paper, then when you’re ready, toss it into the firepit.’
‘But won’t that destroy the wishes?’ Jessie asked.
‘No, darling. It’ll send the energy of your wish out into the universe, where all things are decided and created. Sort of like magic.’
‘Oh, wow. I’m writing one now. Can I do two?’
‘You sure can. Just be careful when you throw it in, you have to do it very carefully with me helping you, okay?’
Jessie nodded. Anything for a wish to come true.
‘Dad, how do you write Lego castle?’ Dane asked, pen poised against the paper.
Steve spelled it out and helped his son to write the words.
Lacie grinned. If only her wishes were as simple as a Lego castle. She eyed Nathan who seemed equally perplexed by what to write. He tapped the pen against his chin, and she shrugged as if to say ‘I don’t know what to write either’.
Everyone turned quiet as wishes were decided and written. Then Penny said, ‘Who wants to go first? Let’s take turns around the circle.’
‘Me!’ Dane exclaimed.
Penny got him to scrunch up the paper into a ball so it’d be easier to toss in, made sure he was standing far enough away yet close enough for it to land in the fire, then with the confidence of a warrior, threw it in. He gave his mum and dad a high-five. Jessie made her wish next, holding the paper to her heart and closing her eyes, then tossing it in swiftly. Lacie wondered what it was but didn’t ask.
Penny went next, followed by Steve, Matt and Sophia, and all the others. Nathan and Lacie were last. Nathan stood a metre away from the firepit and casually tossed it in as though it was the most natural thing to do. He didn’t seem fussed, though, if it came true or not, Lacie thought he was just being polite by joining in, for the sake of the kids.
But for Lacie, she took it seriously. It was a chance for her to actually think about what was important, what she wanted.
She glanced at her paper one more time, glad that it was going to be burnt and no one could read it.
I wish that no matter what happens, this baby will be healthy and happy in life.
Simple, but important. She had more than herself to think about now, and this little life was counting on her.
She took a breath, glanced briefly up at the silver stars against the navy-blue backdrop of the night sky, and threw it in gently but purposefully.
Her family clapped, at her or at the whole ceremony she wasn’t sure.
‘That looked like it must be one hell of an important wish,’ Nathan whispered in her ear when she sat back next to him.
‘It was. It is.’ She smiled. ‘And yours?’
He shrugged. ‘Ah, well let’s just say I’ll believe it when I see it.’
‘Sounds like someone needs to learn to believe a bit more in the magic of the universe.’ She gave him an encouraging glance.
‘I believe in the magic of nature, and that’s part of the universe.’
‘Well, that’s a start, I guess.’
Lacie glanced back up at the sky, mesmerised by the twinkling stars and realising she hadn’t admired the night sky like this in a long while. She barely noticed that some of her family were filtering back inside, until her mum thanked Nathan again for the firepit, wrapped her pashmina more tightly around her, and followed the chattering bunch back into the house.
Matt and Sophia stayed a while longer, then they stood too. ‘You guys coming back in?’
‘A few more minutes,’ Lacie said. ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, I want to drink it in a bit more.’
Matt nodded, slid his arm around Sophia and wandered slowly back indoors, pausing for a loving kiss along the way.
‘You’re not cold?’ Nathan asked.
She had been feeling warmer than usual since her pregnancy had started, but had rugged up well for tonight with long suede boots over her thick leggings, merino wool turtle neck top, red velvet tunic, cardigan and scarf. If she was back home in the States, she would need a few extra layers and a coat on a winter’s night, plus a beanie and ear muffs. ‘Chicago gets cold. This is pleasant.’ She smiled.
‘Oh yes, of course. I don’t know how you handle it. I don’t think I could take anything below 5 degrees Celsius.’
‘Double glazed windows and ducted heating.’ She gave a thumbs up.
They both stared at the fire a while, until Nathan asked, ‘So, may I ask what you wished for?’
‘Don’t you know the rules?’ she teased. ‘It won’t come true if I share.’
‘Don’t tell Dane that. Everyone knows he wants a Lego castle.’
‘I didn’t have the heart to inform him about the number one rule of making wishes,’ she replied.
‘Sometimes, rules can be broken,’ Nathan said.
‘What was yours then?’ She nudged him with her elbow.
‘Nothing much, just regular stuff.’
‘Hmm, somehow I think yours was more important than you’d like to let on, Mr Sharp.’
He kept his gaze straight ahead. ‘If it comes true, I’ll tell you then. How about that?’
‘Deal.’ Before he could say ‘and you can tell me yours’, she added, ‘Seems like you’ve enjoyed the night. I’m assuming you don’t have any brothers or sisters?’
‘How did you know?’
‘Just a hunch.’
‘None. Not even any cousins, that I know of.’
Lacie felt a pang of sadness for him. She couldn’t imagine life without her siblings, and she had cousins located in various parts of the country. ‘Your mum,’ Lacie said. ‘Is she… around?’
Nathan tossed a stray twig into the firepit. He shook his head.
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.’
‘It’s okay. She died when I was four.’
‘Oh, Nathan.’ She placed her hand on his forearm, and didn’t dare ask what from, but she didn’t have to, as he blurted it out.
‘Drug overdose.’
That was not what she was expecting.
‘I didn’t understand it at the time, of course, they just told me she took too much medicine and it made her sick.’
‘I can’t even imagine…’
‘Looking back, though my memories from that age are only flashes, I do remember her often “sleeping” longer than seemed normal, like when she was supposed to be looking after me. And sometimes she’d be all hyperactive and stuff, and other times really scared.’ He crossed his ankles and leaned forward to rest on his elbows. ‘My dad left when I was a baby, I tried to look him up once when I was a teen, but never found him. I think part of me didn’t want to. Decided if he’d left, I’d be better off without him anyway.’
‘I’m so sorry. That must have been so difficult to go through at such a young age.’
He nodded.
‘Who looked after you after that?’
‘Foster parents. But I was so traumatised by it all I must’ve acted out a lot, I was pretty naughty, and I don’t think they coped, so I ended up going to another family. I’d gone through quite a few by the time I was eighteen, when I got a job organising plants at a nursery and moved into a share house.’
No wonder he seemed so independent and self-sufficient. ‘And that’s how you were playing with cars by yourself and discovering nature.’
‘Yep, it brought me out of my shell somewhat, gave me a purpose, something to learn about each day and keep me going. When I started looking after my own plants, I was keeping them alive, but they kept me alive too.’
‘Wow. I don’t know what to say, I can’t imagine how that must’ve been. I lost my dad eighteen months ago, but we had many good years with him.’
‘So sorry for your loss,’ he said. ‘And no need to say anything, listening is good. I don’t think I’ve told anyone this since…’ He waved his hand as if to say ‘it doesn’t matter’. ‘Anyway, enough about me.’ He swivelled slightly to face her. ‘So, you almost became a florist, then became a beauty therapist and make-up artist… what’s your business name?’
Oh, that was easy. She thought he was going to ask her a personal question. ‘I have two. My make-up services are called Looks by Lacie, and my salon in Chicago is YOU Beauty.’
‘Ha, nice one. Bringing some good ol’ Aussie slang to the States. Love it.’ He held up his hand and she high-fived it.
‘Thanks. It’s also about embracing the YOU as in each individual and their own unique beauty. I do a lot of work with scarred people and those with disabilities. Everyone deserves to look and feel their best.’
‘That’s so awesome.’
‘I also did a counselling course, because I found a lot of people came to me not only to pamper them, but to talk. I wanted to make sure I was saying the right things and helping them as much as possible.’
‘That’s really admirable. Do you have any photos of your salon or your make-up work?’
‘Of course, I’ll show you. Oops, I don’t have my phone with me. I’ll show you next time I interrupt you while you’re working, shall I?’
‘Sounds like a plan.’ He nodded. ‘Hey, so I’ve gotta ask… I’m not really into the entertainment world, but you must have met some celebrities through your work?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Anyone I’d know of?’ He raised his eyebrows.
It was a question people always asked. ‘Some well known and some not so well known.’ She smiled. ‘It was a big thrill at first, but then it wore off after a bit. Some of the bigger names are actually quite self-conscious. The ones you wouldn’t think would be. They’d get me to hide certain imperfections that weren’t even much of an issue, be indecisive about colours, and spend ages looking at themselves at different angles in the mirror, trying to gauge how others would see them.’
‘Interesting. Both men and women?’
‘Yep. Some don’t interact with me at all, others tell me everything. The stories I’ve heard.’ She shook her head. ‘But we sign agreements not to spill the beans to the media, so I have to keep quiet.’
‘Of course. So, did you become friends with any of them? Dated Chris Hemsworth?’
‘Haha, nope. Not him.’ She scratched her chin.
‘Oh, but someone else , huh?’
Lacie’s skin warmed despite the fire dying down somewhat, and she loosened her scarf. ‘I was dating an actor for a while, but it didn’t work out. Their schedules are crazy.’
‘I can imagine. Well, I won’t ask who, as that would be nosy.’
‘Xavier Black.’ The name came out before she could stop herself. It was as though keeping the secret about the baby was too much and she had to at least let something else out of the bag.
Nathan’s eyebrows rose. ‘Really? That dude in the next James Bond movie?’
She nodded.
‘What’s he like?’
‘He’s very… ambitious. A good actor. He’ll do well. Is doing well, obviously, but he’s on his way up.’
‘And as a person ?’
‘Let’s just say, his career is worth more to him than anything else.’
‘Ah, say no more then.’ He put his hand over his heart. ‘And I won’t say a word. Except that it’s his loss.’
Lacie smiled and lowered her head shyly. ‘Oh. Well, thanks.’
‘Do you want me to boycott the next Bond flick in your honour?’
She laughed, and was tempted to casually slide a friendly arm around him in gratitude for his humour and loyalty, even though they hadn’t known each other for long. ‘No need, go enjoy it, it looks good.’ She kept her arm firmly by her side.
She didn’t know if she could watch any movies with Xavier in them anymore. But she would be curious regardless, from a professional perspective having been on so many movie sets, to see how his acting evolved.
‘Exes are always a bit complicated, aren’t they?’
‘You’re telling me.’ She looked him in the eyes, they shone and sparkled from the reflection of the nearby fairy lights. ‘Speaking from experience and not just observation, I assume.’
He inhaled deeply. ‘Yep.’
And as his mouth remained firmly shut, she decided not to pursue any further lines of questioning.
‘Tonight was really nice,’ she simply said.
‘It was indeed,’ he replied. ‘Really, really nice.’ He patted the back of her hand with his, and they looked in each other’s eyes again, Lacie’s train of thought and speech frozen in time.
Laughter burst forth from inside the house, breaking their moment of connection, and his hand retreated. ‘I better go inside and thank the hostess,’ he said, standing. He tipped water from the watering can into what was left of the fire. ‘I hope yours and everyone else’s wishes do come true.’
‘And yours?’
‘Time will tell.’