Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

After taking it in turns to have a quick, warming shower, the four of them had gathered in the kitchen where Ed was heating a pan of hearty vegetable soup. It filled the cottage with its delicious aroma. Florrie was busy buttering chunky slices of bread, while the children sat at the small table, chatting away nineteen to the dozen, recounting their sledging antics with great hilarity. Gerty was watching from her bed, hopeful for any stray crumbs, drool beginning to form at the corners of her mouth. Their saturated sledging clothes were hung on a clothes airer next to the radiator; Florrie expected they'd take a while to dry out.

Once lunch was devoured, the table was cleared and she brought out a selection of board games – some she'd had since childhood – which was met with Zak and Chloe's usual burst of enthusiasm. After a quick deliberation, they all agreed to start with a game of Snakes and Ladders, with Zak putting in a request for Operation afterwards, declaring it looked "mint".

By the time Jasmine arrived, the four of them were cosied up in the living room watching a festive film, Chloe sucking her thumb as she cuddled into Florrie, Zak stretched out on the rug in front of the fire, stroking Gerty.

‘Ooh, fabulous work, looks like you've worn the little monsters out. Shouldn't be any problems getting the pair of them to bed tonight.' Jasmine giggled.

‘Honestly, Jazz, they're not the only ones who're worn out. I've felt my eyes growing heavy several times while we've been comfy on the sofa. The heat of the fire hasn't helped, mind.' Florrie stifled a yawn. ‘See what I mean!'

It was when they were all tucking into pizza back in the kitchen that Chloe told Florrie and Ed about her Christmas nativity play. ‘I'm an angel,' she said earnestly, brushing her hair off her face. ‘And I'm singing a solo. I'm a bit scared but Mummy said it'll be fine, didn't you, Mummy?' She took a bite out of her pizza and chewed vigorously.

‘I did, Chlo, and you'll be amazing.' Jasmine smiled gently at her daughter.

Florrie's heart melted into a puddle at the little girl's expression. ‘I agree with your mummy – you'll be brilliant.'

‘You so will, Chlo,' said Ed.

‘I'm the donkey with Joshua Walton,' Zak said, matter-of-factly, pulling a long string of mozzarella from his pizza and stretching it out as far as it would go.

‘Zak's the donkey's bottom!' Chloe covered her mouth as she burst into a fit of the giggles.

Florrie tried her hardest not to smile at her reaction.

‘You'll be a brilliant bum, won't you, son?' Jasmine gave Zak an affectionate smile, ruffling his hair. ‘I keep telling him he was made for the role.' Jasmine chuckled.

‘I'm gonna be the best donkey's butt they've ever had. I'm gonna take my fart machine and make farting sounds the whole time, except for when Chlo's singing. It's gonna be so cool .' He cackled with laughter, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Ed burst out laughing. ‘Well, that'll put a slightly different slant on things.'

‘Won't it just?' said Jasmine.

‘Mrs Gibbin will be so cross with you, Zak,' Chloe said, her giggles intensifying.

‘Hmm. I think you'll find if you let loose with the fart machine, you'll be on shoe cleaning duty for a fortnight, young man, and all your games consoles will be confiscated.' Though Jasmine shot him a pointed look, it was clear to Florrie her friend was struggling to keep a straight face.

‘I was only joking, Mum,' Zak said. His smile had fallen, but there was still an impish look hovering in his eyes.

‘The expression, "a chip off the old block" springs to mind, Jazz.' Florrie hitched her eyebrows at her friend who responded with a look that feigned, "I don't know what you mean!"

‘What's a chip off the block?' Zak looked between the two friends, puzzled.

‘I think Florrie's saying you don't just look like your mum, but your personality reminds her of your mum, too,' said Ed.

Zak gave Jasmine a wide grin. ‘Does that mean you were a farting donkey in your school plays, Mum?' He followed up by blowing a raucous round of raspberries. ‘Does it run in the family? It'll be your turn next, Chlo.' He fell back in his seat, hooting with laughter while his little sister was giggling so hard, her face had gone bright pink. Ed snorted a laugh but tried, unsuccessfully, to disguise it as a cough, while Florrie's shoulders were shaking hard with mirth.

Jasmine pursed her lips together and did her best to give her son a stern look. ‘No, I was never such a thing. I'd have been given detention for a week if I pulled a stunt like that.' She turned to Ed. ‘Bet you weren't expecting such highbrow conversations when you agreed to have these two.'

‘It's been brilliant,' he said, doing all he could to keep the laughter out of his voice. ‘We've had the best day, haven't we, Florrie?'

‘We so have,' she said, finally getting her giggles under control. ‘They're awesome kids, a real credit to you.'

Chloe beamed happily at her mum as she took a bite of her pizza, basking in the praise.

‘That right?' Jasmine asked, reaching out and touching the tip of her daughter's nose, pride glittering in her eyes.

‘You guys are awesome, too,' said Zak. ‘And Gerty as well. And guess what, Mum? Gerty sledges! Can you believe that? She was so mint.'

‘She's clearly a Labrador of many talents,' said Jasmine, looking suitably impressed.

As the banter flowed, Florrie caught Ed's eye, and they exchanged happy smiles. It had been an amazing day. Florrie never doubted they'd have a great time, but it had gone way beyond her expectations. They'd both thrown themselves wholeheartedly into having fun with the kids. Florrie had even found herself daring to wonder if children would feature in her future with Ed, the thought crossing her mind that he'd make a wonderful father.

The same thought caught up with Florrie as she was in bed that night. Exhausted as she was, her mind couldn't resist the pull of reliving the events of the day, Zak and Chloe's infectious laughter echoing around her head. Their unbridled enthusiasm and unadulterated happiness brought a smile to her face once more, Gerty's upbeat antics joining them. The pure joy of it all. And how Ed had added to that. He'd been amazing with the kids, a natural. And it had been clear to see he'd enjoyed spending time with Zak and Chloe as much as they had with him. There hadn't been a single negative moment or a time when he'd looked like he'd had enough. As far as she was aware, he hadn't interacted much with children before now, but that hadn't mattered at all. Not for the first time did he remind her of his grandfather. Mr H had a gift for conversing with youngsters without making them feel they were being patronised, but that he was genuinely interested in what they had to say, that their opinions mattered. He'd been the same with her while she was growing up. It was something else that appeared to have skipped a generation if his parents were anything to go by.

Beside her, Ed's breathing deepened, and the beat of his heart slowed as he succumbed to sleep. She snuggled into him, making him stir. He absently pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. There was no doubting she felt loved by him.

They'd been together for almost eighteen months and had never spoken about their long-term future, other than in reference to the bookshop and their plans for it. She had to admit, it spoke volumes that it was something she hadn't seriously considered until now. There was no getting away from the fact that she loved him deeply and had never been happier since he'd moved in with her. But, for some reason – one she hadn't even thought to question until recently, which, if she was honest, startled her – she'd never actually considered where their relationship would lead. Was that odd? she wondered. No, she told herself, it wasn't. There were reasons she hadn't, the biggest one being the bookshop and the fact that it had taken up pretty much every second of their waking hours.

Though Florrie knew that if she was completely honest with herself, she wouldn't have to dig too deep before she unearthed the reason she'd subconsciously held back from daydreaming about her long-term future with Ed. She still hadn't shaken her doubts from when he'd hot-footed it out of town not long after they'd inherited the bookshop. Just when she'd thought they were getting close, he'd seemingly turned his back on everything in Micklewick Bay – including her – with no prior warning, leaving nothing more than a flimsy explanation. Florrie had been in a state of confusion, and not a little panic, about what would happen to the bookshop, fearing she'd end up in business with Dodgy Dick.

Evidently it had affected her more deeply than she'd first thought, leaving her with the fear it could happen again. The fear that he was flaky and might not stay the course.

Oh, Florrie! Don't go overthinking this. It's the road to ruin! He's done nothing to make you doubt him since he came back. He told you then he wanted to be with you here in Micklewick Bay, working at the bookshop. Nothing's changed. Stop putting yourself through it! If he clams up, doesn't share his worries, it's just his way. It doesn't mean he doesn't want to be with you anymore.

She exhaled softly. That was all well and good, but it didn't explain why he was being so secretive about his trips to the attic.

But she had to admit today, after the fun they'd had with Zak and Chloe, she'd dipped her toe in the water and allowed herself a moment to consider how it would be to have a family with Ed. Was that on the cards for them? she wondered. Would she like that? Her heart gave an unexpected happy leap. Yes, she rather thought she would.

Her thoughts finally exhausted, Florrie gave herself up to the tiredness that had been waiting in the wings. She closed her eyes and let sleep wash over her.