Chapter 38
THIRTY-EIGHT
Mum and Dad have packed their things and are ready to leave when I arrive home. Kian and I had taken Bella for a hot chocolate in town, and we are taking Bella to the theatre tomorrow night to watch a pantomime.
‘I’ll miss you both,’ I tell them as Dad loads their cases into his car.
‘We will only be up the road, love.’ Mum squeezes me tight.
‘I know.’
‘Besides, it will be nice for you to have your own space again. Especially now that you are seeing someone.’ Mum winks.
‘Well he certainly seems to make you happy, that’s the main thing,’ says Dad. ‘I haven’t seen you smile so much as in these last couple of days.’
‘Thanks, Dad. Oh and would you like to take some food?’ I offer. ‘I have plenty in the freezer.’
‘No, love, we will be fine.’ Mum smiles. ‘We will go shopping tomorrow, but tonight it’s a takeaway, I think. A healthy one,’ Mum tells Dad as his eyes widen in surprise.
I had a call earlier to say my minor surgery is scheduled for the middle of January. I run my finger over the slight bump on my left cheek and think of how I was tempted not to bother getting it checked, with it being quite small. It was Gemma who persuaded me, and I’m thankful she did, after the doctor telling me it could silently spread and cause nerve damage beneath the skin if it isn’t removed.
I’m so grateful to have people around me who watch out for me. And hopefully there will be someone else who might stick around for a while too.
I sleep well, and I am woken by the sound of a knocking at the front door. I rub my eyes and glance at the clock. It’s a little after eight, so I must have turned my alarm off and gone back to sleep.
I’m wrapping my dressing down around me, running downstairs to answer the front door, and when I open it, I can barely believe my eyes.
Silently overnight, a heavy snow has fallen and blanketed the ground. My car is covered in snow too. Kian is standing in front of me with Bella, and carrying a large spade.
‘I thought you might need a path digging.’ He smiles. ‘And I brought Bella to build a snowman in your garden, if you don’t mind that is.’
‘Oh my goodness! I hadn’t even realised it had snowed overnight,’ I gasp, taking in the sight of the white front garden.
‘It will give you a good excuse for being late for work,’ says Kian, glancing at his watch and smiling.
‘I cannot be late,’ I say firmly. ‘And, of course, Bella, have fun building a snowman.’ I smile.
‘The downside of an apartment is having no garden,’ Kian says with a shrug. ‘But we will be going sledging later.’
‘Really? I almost wish I wasn’t due in work now.’
Inside, I shower and dress at lightning speed, before stepping outside, where Kian has already almost cleared the footpath.
‘I think it might be quicker if I take you to work in my car,’ says Kian, pointing to mine that is covered in snow.
‘Good idea.’
‘And we will get a hot chocolate in town,’ he tells Bella. ‘Can we come back and finish the snowman though?’
‘Of course you can.’ I smile. ‘I look forward to seeing it.’