its way up the lane and for one stupid moment I wonder whether it’s Shelby. Maybe he didn’t get on the plane after all and has come back to us for Christmas.
Leaving Lucas on sheep duty, I hurry out of the barn and to the gate. It’s Matt’s car that’s waiting there and he’s the last person I expected to see. I let him into the yard and when he gets out of the car, he says, ‘I hope you don’t mind me dropping by. This isn’t a bad time?’
‘It’s the perfect time,’ I tell him. ‘But I thought you were on your way to stay with your family.’
‘Couldn’t get up there. The snow is much worse in the north. I decided not to risk it.’
‘They must be disappointed.’
‘Yes. I am too, but I’ll see them as soon as I can. I didn’t want to get stuck halfway up the M6.’
‘Very wise.’
‘You’re sure I won’t be in the way?’
‘Not at all. It’s just me and Lucas today.’
He looks puzzled. ‘No Shelby?’
‘I’m afraid not,’ I tell him. ‘He’s gone to LA. He flew out this morning. He’s taken a contract to be a baddie in a big drama out there.’
‘How long for?’
‘That’s a moot point.’ I might as well tell Matt what the situation is. ‘If I’m honest with you, I don’t think that he’ll come back at all.’
He frowns at me. ‘So where does that leave you?’
‘Here. With Lucas. Just the two of us. I couldn’t be happier.’ I smile at him to show that I genuinely am OK. ‘Shelby and I will always be friends, I hope. I love his son as my own and will be looking after Lucas here for as long as he needs me. Shelby is my landlord here too, so I have to keep on the right side of him.’
‘He’s a fool to go off chasing stardom when he has so much here.’ Matt looks round at the yard, the farm. From what I’ve already seen, I know that he’s very comfortable in this setting.
‘I’m not sure that he sees it in quite the same way. This isn’t the life that Shelby wants.’ Even though, sometimes, he thinks it is. ‘Sheep poo and bitey alpacas are not really his scene. We all have to follow our dreams. It’s just a shame that our dreams didn’t coincide.’
He looks as if he wants to say something else, but changes his mind.
‘I’m very pleased to see you, and Lucas will be delighted,’ I say instead.
‘I brought you both presents, if that’s all right.’
‘That’s very thoughtful of you.’
‘Just small gifts,’ he says. ‘Don’t get too excited.’ He delves into the back of the car and produces a beautiful red poinsettia, all wrapped in cellophane with a big bow. He offers it to me. ‘My sister said this was a good present.’
‘She’s right.’ I take it from him, gratefully. ‘It’s lovely. Thank you. It will certainly help to brighten our little caravan.’
‘I’ve got something for Lucas, too.’
‘He’s in the barn. Our pregnant sheep has picked this moment to go into labour. Lucas is watching over her. Shall we take a look at how she’s getting on?’
We head back to the barn and as we cross the yard, we walk beneath the mistletoe that we hung there together. Suddenly, mid-stride, Matt pauses and says ‘Molly.’
I turn towards him, expectant.
‘We missed out before,’ he says and glances at the mistletoe.
‘We did.’
Despite my arms being full of poinsettia, he moves towards me. His lips find mine and he tastes of Christmas spices, cinnamon and nutmeg. His kiss is warm, tender and makes my head spin and my knees weak.
‘I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. It was worth waiting for,’ he says. ‘You don’t mind?’
‘No.’ I smile shyly at him. ‘I rather enjoyed it.’
We both laugh and he says softly, ‘Merry Christmas, Molly.’
‘Merry Christmas.’
But, such is my life, our romantic interlude doesn’t last for long. I look anxiously at where I’ve left Lucas. ‘I don’t want to break the moment, but I should check that Fluffy’s OK. It’s her first lamb.’
‘Come on, then,’ Matt says and we head over to the barn where Lucas is standing on the gate, attentively watching over our mum-to-be.
‘Look who’s come calling,’ I say, as I put down my poinsettia.
‘Hey, Matt.’ Lucas jumps down and Matt grabs him into a bear hug and slaps his back.
‘Merry Christmas, mate,’ Matt says. ‘Having a good one?’
‘Yeah. Watching a sheep in labour. What could be better?’
Matt laughs. ‘Hope