Page 13 of Fast Track to Forever
“Have you stopped teaching now, Mrs Jones?” Kat asks while checking out the Christmas tree ornaments.
“No, no. I’m here for the school holidays. I’m helping out my nephew Zac who bought this Christmas tree farm off old Maud.”
Kat nods and places two delicate ceramic ornaments on the counter. A capybara and a giraffe. She takes her purse out of her small backpack and I intervene. “Mrs. Jones, I'll pay for these. The tree and Kat’s ornaments.”
Before Kat has a chance to say something I've already put my black Amex on the counter. Mrs. Jones laughs. “We don't take credit cards here on the tree farm, dear. We're not in Monaco or wherever you live these days.”
I get flustered and start looking through my wallet for another card or some cash.
Kat giggles and takes out three twenty dollar bills from her purse and places them on the counter.
I put my wallet away, sulking. “Thank you.” I tell Kat. “I’ll pay you back soon.”
Mrs. Jones chuckles as she wraps the delicate ornaments and hands them to Kat. “There you go, my darling. I always knew that you two would end up together.”
I protest. “It's nothing like that, Mrs. Jones, we're just …”
She smiles. “Merry Christmas.”
Kat says, “Merry Christmas to you and yours” in return, and I mumble a greeting.
I lift up the tree and carefully place it in the car boot.
We get in the car, Kat holding on to her precious giraffe and capybara ornaments, me holding on to whatever dignity I have left.
“That was funny.” Kat’s chuckle breaks the silence. “Flexing your black Amex at the Christmas tree farm in the middle of nowhere. I don't think Mrs. Jones had ever seen one of those before.”
I press my lips together. “Yeah. That was pretty bad, wasn't it.”
“Not that bad. I rescued you. Like a shield maiden in shining armour.” Kat giggles.
I nod. “That you did.” Kat has always made me feel at ease, like I could do no wrong. And if I did, there would always be a solution, a way out. This makes me even more determined to break things off.
“This is just perfect,Kat. I knew you'd get the right tree for this room. You've got an eye for these things.” My mum fawns over Kat.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Daryl asks while munching on a pear.
Oh no, this is turning into a disaster. My family is meddling again.
As much as I enjoyed the results of their meddling last night, I can’t let it happen again. No more kissing Kat. Before she can answer Daryl, I say, “I have something in the evening, so I'll be taking Kat home now. I'm sure she's got plenty of other things to do then hang out with us all the time. She's got her own family.”
Everyone looks stricken. Including Kat. No, I must stay the course. I'm going back to my life in Monaco and she's going back to London or York or Newcastle or wherever it was to help her aunt, and figure out her life.
I force a fake smile but gather all my strength and put a very gentle touch on Kat’s arm to usher her out.
She smiles but it's not her usual smile. “What plans do you have now a few days out from Christmas?”
I'm going to spend the night drinking and playing video games andnotimagining what could have been, what could be. Hah. I wish.
Instead of the truth, I choose a bland lie. “I’m just catching up with some friends.”
She side-eyes me. “Anyone I know?”
“No, just different ones, you wouldn't know them.”
When we get in the car she clutches her ornament bag yet again.
Right.It’s time.I clear my throat, but it still feels somehow hoarse. This is for her own good. My own good. Remember thewhy, Will.
