meet up, but thanks to the shit-show that’s passed as my life lately, they’ve struggled to get any real traction. But don’t tell Liam that.’ She finished her drink.
‘Why not?’
‘Because the longer he has to wait for Mila, the better the chance of his feelings actually growing into something real.’
Noah looked at her in surprise, his eyes beginning to twinkle as he sensed a conspiracy. ‘Lee Fitchett, what are you up to?’
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes shining with mischief. ‘Haven’t you ever noticed that nothing makes you want something more than being told you can’t have it? Go on a diet and don’t eat that cake? Play with the puppy but don’t touch it? It’s no bad thing for Liam to pine for a bit. Mila’s distracted by this new guy for the moment but you know as well as I do that she’s always had a thing for Liam. Sooner or later she’s going to notice the change in his behaviour and when she does . . . well, I don’t want her getting hurt. Liam needs to know what it’s like to want someone and not just be able to get them.’
‘Lee, Lee, you are wicked,’ he tutted. ‘That man is agitated.’ He leaned in closer. ‘Hey, you couldn’t do some of the same for me too, could you?’
In the other room, they heard a loud cheer, a sudden uproar of celebration from the children. The parents all shared bemused looks, none in any hurry to put down their drinks and check on the cause for joy – cheers meant they weren’t needed, tears meant they were. Instead, someone turned the music up, a few people beginning to dance, the evening beginning to loosen . . .
Not so long ago, Lee knew she would have darted through to the bedroom, to double-check everything really was okay. Instead, she linked her arm through Noah’s and turned them both towards the rest of the room. ‘Well, let’s see. Is there no one here who catches your eye?’
‘It’s not them catching my eye that’s the problem. It’s me catching theirs – and keeping it.’ He sighed. ‘I’m not asking for much, I don’t think – just a nice smile and kind eyes.’
‘A nice smile and kind eyes are exactly what you deserve.’ She leaned into him affectionately. ‘Don’t worry, she’s out there somewhere. And you know what they say – you’ll probably find her when you’re least expecting it.’
‘Ha, I won’t hold my breath.’
She looked at him sadly. Poor Noah. He was a big-hearted man, gentle, sweet and loyal – and always firmly in the friend-zone.
‘And you? When are you going to find someone?’
She glanced at him quizzically. ‘I’m not looking, Noah.’
‘For the record, I’m not buying what you’re saying about this Sam guy. I don’t believe it was nothing to you – he got under your skin. You want the happy ending, Lee.’
She smiled determinedly back at him. ‘Yes. And I’ve already got it. Jasper is my happy ending.’
Noah looked back at her sceptically. ‘And what about when he grows up and – I hate to break it to you – he leaves you? You know all boys leave their mothers in the end.’
‘Uh-uh,’ she smiled, waggling a finger at him. ‘That’s why you’re his godfather. The second he turns eighteen, you’re going to sit on him for me and stop that from happening.’
‘Oh, I see!’ he laughed. ‘Okay. Well, slight expansion of my godfatherly duties – but anything for y—’ He stopped talking, a small frown on his face.
‘What?’ She looked back, following his line of sight towards the hallway.
He looked confused. ‘. . . Nothing. I think it’s just the kids mucking about.’ He turned back to her, refilling her drink from a bottle on the table. ‘So when are you going back to work?’
‘Oh, not till the new year now. With everything that happened with Harry, I told Bart to cancel everything in my diary and shut up shop for the holidays. He’s gone to Morocco with his partner for ten days—’
‘Mama!’ She turned to find Jasper tearing through the doorway. ‘Mama!’ He raced towards her, holding a present in his hand. It was a small box, wrapped in pale-blue paper and tied with a green ribbon. ‘Father Christmas came and he gave me this!’
Lee looked over towards Liam, chatting closely with Mila. It was just like him – Uncle Smooth – to arrange for Father Christmas to come and dole out gifts to