Page 26 of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
Matt laughed.
“Yeah,” he said. “Sneaking in through the back door on our hands and knees and swiping them when Mum’s back was turned.”
“You could hear her bellowing all the way down the end of the garden.” Kate laughed.
“Those bloody kids!”mimicked Matt, shaking his fist.
“With hindsight, we were little shits,” said Kate.
“Undoubtedly,” said Matt. “We had fun, though.”
“Undoubtedly,” said Kate.
“We should try to synchronize our child rearing,” said Matt. “I’d love it if my kids and your kids could grow up together like we did.”
“You might have a long wait if you want to synchronize with me,” said Kate.
“That’s okay,” said Matt. “I’m in no hurry.”
They finished their drinks and Matt put the empty cups in the sink.
“I’d better get back,” he said. “Sarah’s at my place, she had a load of paperwork to get done. She’ll be wondering what happened to me.”
“Yep,” said Kate. “I’ve got to get some work done first thing in the morning, I need my bed.” She could feel her leg muscles beginning to ache already from the ice skating.
Matt waved her off as she pulled away. He was standing there still as she turned the corner.
THE FOURTH DATE OF CHRISTMAS
•••••
Cocktails and Kisses
“Does it have to be the Pear Tree?” asked Kate. “Can’t we go into town? There’s a new place opened up near Fitzwilliam Park.”
“I’ve been up all night,” said Laura from the other end of the phone. Her voice was forced calm. “Charley’s teething. And when Charley wakes up, Mina wakes up. The only person who doesn’t wake up is Ben. Do you have any idea how hard it is to wrestle two cranky children into car seats, and then have to listen to nursery rhymes while they scream all the way to town?”
Kate was about to speak, but Laura continued.
“Don’t make me stay indoors. I need coffee. I need to be in a place with other grown-ups. With coffee. Coffee is vital.”
“You can’t have caffeine, you’re still breastfeeding,” said Kate.
“I like to have decaf and pretend,” said Laura. “For the love of God, help me, Kate!”
“What about the tearooms at Blexford Manor?” Kate asked. “Don’t you get free drinks if you’re a staff member?”
“My kids don’t conform to tearoom etiquette,” said Laura. “The Pear Tree has toys, it’s child friendly, and Matt can’t throw me outbecause he’s the kids’ godfather. Don’t let me down, Kate,” she warned. She was a woman on the edge today. “I need a safe environment where I can drink decaffeinated coffee and my children can’t shame me.”
An hour later they had penned themselves into the sofa area in the far corner of the Pear Tree Café. Mina had created a sort of toy village on the large two-seater armchair, and Charley watched her progress eagerly from his pushchair. Delighted to have a captive audience, Mina gave Charley a running commentary on what each toy was doing, in the style of a children’s TV presenter.
Laura pushed her empty cappuccino cup across the low coffee table and pulled the next one toward her. Kate had just finished filling her in on her ill-fated fireman date.
“You didn’t even give him your number?” said Laura.
“What would be the point?” asked Kate.
“Booty calls?” suggested Laura.
