Page 88 of The Unhinged Christmas of a Cat Lady
“Oh, the fair’s brilliant,” Jasper agrees, somehow managing to not break eye contact. “Magic’s everywhere if you know where to look.”
I resist the urge to throw myself into the mulled wine vat.
Sim-Sim tilts his head slightly. “Didn’t know landlords hung out with their tenants. Seems… above and beyond.”
Jasper’s smile doesn’t falter. “The satisfaction of my tenant is my number one priority. And that includes activities other than just fixing her pipes.”
There is another snort from Callum who is clearing enjoying the ludicrous exchange.
“How… considerate,” Sim-Sim says. “But she can always call me as well if something needs fixing.”
“No need, I’ m right next door,” Jasper replies, calm as anything. “That’s the advantage when you rent in a small village.”
The tension is wrapped in velvet, but it’s definitely there. Like a duel with pistols and somehow, I guess I’m the prize. I scoff down my sausage to stop me from saying anything.
“I always figured it’s better to own,” Sim-Sim adds. “Fewer strings.”
Jasper’s brow lifts just slightly. “Depends what you’re attached to.” Jasper turns to me suddenly, his voice light. “Oh—you’ve got some ketchup.”
Before I can react, he cups my chin with a gentleness and wipes the smudge from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. Then, eyes twinkling, he pulls back and sucks the ketchup of his finger.
“Rescue mission successful,” he says, all mock-serious. “Your dignity is restored.”
I try very hard not to combust on the spot.
SJ is busy inspecting the sausage-to-bun ratio on his own plate. But Sim-Sim isn’t. His gaze latches onto Jasper’s hand like it personally offended him. He steps back, just slightly, enough to sayNotedwithout a word.
Jasper doesn’t gloat. But the corner of his mouth tilts up with the quiet smugness of a man who knowsexactlywhat he’s doing.
Callum raises his cup in salute. “If either of you starts peeing a circle round Miranda, I’m out.”
Stella chokes on her drink. Sim-Sim’s jaw tenses.
I make a noise somewhere between a laugh and a groan. “Can wenotmake me the prize in a festive pissing contest?”
Callum shrugs. “Bit late for that, love.”
SJ’s dragging his feet now, glow stick limp in one hand, scarf falling off the back of his coat. He yawns without even trying to hide it.
The three of us walk in silence.
Sim-Sim’s beside me. He hasn’t said a word since we left the green. He is just walking in this steady pace he’s always had. Calm. Familiar. Hands in pockets. Exactly how he’s walked me home a hundred times before.
I’d told Jasper not to walk with us—said it lightly, like it didn’t mean anything. “Stay with Callum and Stella. Pop by later.”
He just nodded.
But there was a pause. And that look. Not angry. Just... he held it a bit longer than it needed to be.
Then a glance—one very direct look in Sim-Sim’s direction.
I saw it.
He didn’t say anything else. Just stepped back.
We’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks. But we’ve already crossed that line—the one you don’t step over lightly, not when you’re my age and life’s already thrown up enough drama to make you think twice. It wasn’t just sex. Not for me, anyway. I don’t think for him either.
Now I’ve told him to hang back. Stay behind while I walk home with my ex and our son. Play the civilised card. Be patient.
