Page 13 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

Would she kiss him under the mistletoe if the chance arose?

Perhaps.

But as for opening her heart to the possibility of loving again… whether or not she could do that was as much of a mystery as a wrapped gift underneath a Christmas tree.

When she turned back to the kitchen, the plate of stars had been demolished. Ellen was yawning and stretching her arms above her head.

‘Come on you. Time for a nap.’

‘I think so.’ Ellen rubbed her eyes. ‘I’ll have a rest then we can think about what to make for dinner tonight.’

‘No problem.’

Ellen padded from the room in her slippers and Lucy tidied the table then started to clean up the mess they’d made. She was glad to be here to help Ellen out. If she’d been in Cardiff now, knowing that Ellen was here alone would have worried her. Not that Ellen wasn’t perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but life would be easier for her with Lucy there. And not just easier but nicer. They hadn’t had any time together like this since they were young and so it would be a special time they could treasure.

Simple things like baking together, she had missed. She had great housemates in Cardiff, but they had their own lives and were often out at work or with their latest love interests and Lucy was aware that she spent quite a bit of time alone. She worked from home and enjoyed that but she did miss human company. In particular, she missed Ellen’s company and how easy it was being with her sister. They’d always got along so well and it was clear that hadn’t changed at all.

She could consider moving here, be close to Ellen and on hand when she needed help. It would mean a change in her life but that was OK. Sometimes, life had to be given a shakeup like a snow globe, or time would continue to pass by and one day — a day that might arrive sooner than she cared to believe — they’d all be old and the time for making changes would be behind them. If she was going to move then it would better to do it sooner rather than later, to seize the chance while her niece was a baby so she could make the most of seeing her grow up.

With a new year fast approaching, now was the perfect time to make a change. And if she could make a change like moving, then perhaps she could make a change in how she thought about her love life… A change that could involve a lovely man like Jack.

CHAPTER7

‘Mum, this really isn’t my thing, so I’ll wait outside if you don’t mind.’ Jack stared at the door of the small house. He’d driven his mum into Tenby because she had an appointment with a psychic medium, but while he’d walked her to the door, he hadn’t had any intention of going inside the house.

‘Darling, why don’t you just come and sit in the waiting room? That’s what other people’s relatives do.’

Jack stared at the blue door with its festive wreath tied to the heavy brass door knocker. Something was holding him back and yet he thought that was foolish because, unlike his mum, he didn’t believe in all this psychic stuff, so what was there to fear?

‘Right, OK. I’ll wait inside for you, but I don’t want… uh… my cards read or whatever it is that you’re having done.’

‘Jack, they probably don’t have a spare appointment anyway. Rosemary is very busy, especially at this time of year, and her daughter, Luna, only works part time. Even if you did want your Tarot cards read, you’d have to book well in advance.’

‘Fine.’ He followed her up the steps and waited while she knocked the door.

The door opened and a smiling woman with frizzy white hair held back by a colourful scarf, wearing a baggy Christmas jumper welcomed them inside. The narrow hallway smelt of incense and coffee and Jack tried to look around while not making it obvious that he was checking the place out.

‘It’s so good to see you, Ruth.’ Rosemary enveloped Jack’s mum in a hug. ‘How have you been?’

‘Good, thank you. And you?’

‘Can’t complain, dear. And who’s this handsome chap?’

‘This is my son, Jack.’

‘Ahhhh.’ Rosemary appraised him with dove-grey eyes before breaking into a wide smile. ‘This one has a gentle heart.’

‘You’re not wrong there.’ Jack’s mum chuckled. ‘Heart of gold.’

‘Is he here for a reading?’ Rosemary tapped a finger on her chin. ‘We’re very busy at the moment but even so… we might be able to squeeze him in.’

‘I’m fine!’ Jack said quickly. ‘I don’t want a reading, thanks. I’m just here to wait for Mum.’

‘Are you sure, poppet?’ Rosemary asked, tilting her head. ‘I’m sure you’ve some interesting details to unearth.’

‘I’m sure, thanks. That I don’t want a reading, I mean, not that I have interesting details to unearth,’ he said, keen to escape from Rosemary’s intense gaze. He had a feeling she was reading him already.

‘No problem, Jack. Go and have a sit in the lounge. There’s a coffee machine in there so help yourself.’

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