by Karen King
She burst out laughing as a snowball hurled through the air and splattered on top of Logan’s head and snow trickled down his face. Logan heard her, wiped his face with his scarf and looked over.
‘Come and join us!’ he called, waving.
She hesitated.
‘Please, Saffy. You can be on our side!’ Chloe shouted.
‘Give me a minute!’ she shouted back, dashing inside. She’d need to borrow Hannah’s wellies again, and her duffle coat. She went to get them both from the cubby hole, then her eyes rested on a carrier bag full of scarves and mittens. Her leather gloves would get ruined; perhaps she should borrow a pair of those. Grabbing a red and white knitted pair that were only slightly too big, she patted Oscar, telling him she’d be back soon, and went out, slipping the door key into the tiny pocket at the front of her jeans – she didn’t want to get locked out again – and crossed the road to join in the fun.
Splat! A snowball hit Saffy in the face.
‘Got you!’ Tom chortled.
‘And I’m going to get you right back!’ she laughed, scooping up a handful of snow.
She caught Logan’s eye and grinned. His eyes were sparkling, his face glowing, his hair and stubble speckled with snow. He grinned back.
* * *
‘Well, that was fun, but now I’d better go and get dry,’ Saffy said.
Logan didn’t want her to go. Not yet. Hannah and Lee would be back soon and that would be it, Saffy would go home and he’d never see her again. Why did that make him feel so desolate?
‘Want to come back for some mulled wine, warm yourself up?’ Logan asked. ‘I’ve got some mince pies left too. And I can provide a warm house and a towel to dry your hair with.’
To his delight, Saffy nodded. ‘That sounds great, much better than going back to an empty house, apart from Oscar, of course.’
Chloe slipped her hand in Saffy’s. ‘I wish you lived with Auntie Hannah,’ she said. ‘I don’t want you to go back home. I’ll miss you.’
I’ll miss you too, Logan thought as he watched Saffy smile down at his daughter. Chloe was clearly taken with her, and she seemed fond of Chloe.
‘You’ll see me again when I come down and see Hannah and the twins,’ Saffy told her.
‘Pinky promise?’ Chloe held out the little finger on her right hand.
Saffy glanced at Logan.
‘That is, if it’s okay with your dad.’
He nodded.
‘Pinky promise.’ Saffy linked her little finger with Chloe’s and then they walked over to Logan’s house hand in hand. Logan walked behind them, resisting the urge to take Saffy’s other hand. He had to fight this growing attraction he had for Saffy; there was no future in a relationship with her and a casual fling wouldn’t work, what with her being Hannah’s sister. Assuming she was attracted to him too. He had a feeling she was, though. She’d seemed to enjoy those kisses they shared yesterday.
Back indoors, they all took off their coats and wellies and headed straight to the kitchen.
‘It’s so lovely and warm in here,’ Saffy said, standing with her back against the radiator. Chloe stood beside her.
‘It should be. The heating’s on day and night at the moment,’ Logan replied, crossing the kitchen to take a saucepan out of the cupboard. ‘Are you cold at Liwus Helyk?’ he asked. ‘Isn’t the heating working properly?’
‘It is but I don’t like to have it too high when there’s just me there, I don’t want to run a big bill up for Hannah and Lee.’
Her answer surprised Logan. Not many people were so considerate when they were staying at someone’s house, especially when they were doing them a favour.
‘Run and change into some dry clothes, Chloe, while I make you some hot chocolate,’ Logan said. ‘Your trousers are soaked and I don’t want you catching cold.’
‘I don’t want to catch cold either or I won’t be able to go to Nanny and Grandad’s with Mummy tomorrow,’ Chloe said. She ran out of the kitchen and they soon heard her racing up the stairs.
‘She seems to be looking forward to seeing her mum,’ Saffy observed. ‘It’s nice that you’ve both been able to keep a civil relationship for her. A lot of couples don’t manage that.’
Logan poured the mulled wine into a saucepan on the stove and added some cinnamon, gently stirring it as he considered his answer. ‘Civil is the right word. Jade walked out on us when Chloe was only eight months old – not that she bothered with her much before then. She said that being a mother had never been part of her life plan. She has probably seen Chloe four or five times a year ever since and has never had her overnight. That’s why Chloe is so excited. She adores Jade’s mum and loves the idea of having a sleepover. She’s never had one before.’
He made Chloe’s hot chocolate, placed it and the two cups of mulled wine on the tray along with a box of mince pies and carried them over to the table. He pulled out a chair. ‘Do you want to sit down or are you more comfy standing by the radiator?’
‘I’ll sit down and let the radiator spread its heat.’ She pulled out the chair next to him. ‘So you’ve looked after Chloe since she was eight months old? Never even been away for a night?’
‘Yes to looking after her, no to never having been away for a night. I’ve had the occasional night away but Annie next door has always looked after Chloe here, so that she’s been in her own home.’ He opened the box of mince pies. ‘Help yourself.’
‘Thanks.’ She took one.
‘Have you heard from Hannah today?’ he asked. ‘How are the twins? What time are they home?’
‘She phoned me this morning. Their flight has been cancelled because of the snow over here. She said that the staff at the hotel have been very kind but they all can’t wait to come home.’ Saffy took a sip of her wine. ‘The twins are eager to open their presents, of course. Hopefully they will be able to fly back tomorrow. I really want to spend a bit of time with them but I need to be home for the weekend.’
‘I’m sorry, it must be lonely for you in that house by yourself. It’s awkward being in someone else’s house, isn’t it? You don’t have your own things around you.’ He bit into a mince pie, chewing it before asking, ‘Did your leather trousers stain?’
‘No, they’re fine, thank goodness.’
‘I’m done!’ Chloe came running in wearing a clean pair of leggings. She scrambled into the seat next to Saffy. ‘Don’t you want to change into dry clothes too, Saffy?’
‘Yes I do,’ Saffy told her. ‘In fact as soon as I’ve drunk this I’m going to go home, feed Oscar, and have a nice long soak in the bath.’
‘With bubbles?’ Chloe asked. ‘Bubbles are my favourite.’
‘Definitely with bubbles,’ Saffy agreed.
Logan let his mind linger for a moment on the image of Saffy naked in the bath surrounded by bubbles, then he brushed the image away.
‘Fancy coming back later and watching a film with me? You can bring Oscar too. Or do you want a quiet night at home?’
She hesitated for a second, then nodded. ‘Thank you, it’ll be good to have some company. Shall I make it about eight?’
‘That’s too late. I want you to play some games with me,’ Chloe protested. ‘Can Saffy come for tea, please, Daddy?’
Logan looked at Saffy and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
‘Sure. It’ll save me cooking.’
‘See you about five-thirty then.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
Saffy sank into the hot creamy bubbles and closed her eyes. Heaven. Her clothes had got wet during the snowball fight and she should have come home and got changed right away instead of going over to Logan’s for mulled wine and mince pies. Chloe had really wanted her to go with them, though. Saffy sank lower into the bubbles so they touched her chin. Stop blaming it on Chloe, she told herself; the truth was that she had really wanted to come. She enjoyed Logan and Chloe’s company. He was so relaxed and seemed to have such a special bond with his daughter. She envied that.
For Chloe it seemed it was the other way around. Her mother was the one who hadn’t wanted to know. She felt sorry for the little girl; it must be hard when she heard the other children talking about their mums or saw them holding their mums’ hands around the shops, but she had her dad, and Logan doted on her. She remembered what Hannah had told her when she was young and was crying for her dad. ‘Don’t bother about him, Saffy, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t love us. We have Mum. As long as Mum loves us we’re okay.’
Years later she’d read in an article in a magazine that children could survive all sorts of knockbacks and hardships, as long as they knew that they were loved. She’d been lucky, she’d had Mum and Hannah who had both loved her. Gradually it had stopped hurting that her father hadn’t. Later, when she was in her teens, Mum had met Jon and remarried and he had taken her into his heart, been the dad she’d never had.
She shivered, realising that the water had gone cool, and turned on the hot tap to warm it up. Mum and Jon had both moved to France a few years ago. It had all worked out in the end. She hoped it would with Logan and Chloe too. Logan, with his sun-kissed good looks, endearing grin and easy-going disposition, didn’t seem to be short of admirers. Not that he was perfect; she’d already seen his bossy side and reckoned that he liked to be the one who steered the ship. Though it seemed Jade did too so maybe that’s why they’d clashed. But Chloe was adorable. She hoped that one day the little girl would have a stepmum who showed her the love Jon had shown her and Hannah.
She swatted away the thought that she hoped one day she might have a little girl like Chloe. She’d accepted years ago that she would never have a family and was absolutely fine with that.
* * *
‘Saffy and Oscar are coming, Daddy!’ Chloe shouted. She’d been looking out of the window, eagerly waiting for Saffy to come out of Liwus Helyk opposite. It concerned Logan how fond of Saffy Chloe had become in the past few days. Had it been wise of him to invite her over again tonight? He didn’t want Chloe being upset when Saffy left on Friday. Still, it was done now, and Chloe would soon get used to life without Saffy again. As would he.
He’d miss her though, he had to admit that. She was like a ray of sunshine, so cheerful and upbeat, so ready to help, yet stubborn too. He remembered that incident on the roof when he’d been sure she was going to fall and break her neck. The strength of his fear had shocked him. As had the flood of passion when they had kissed last night. The desire to continue, to suggest that they go up to his bedroom, had been almost irresistible but there was no way he was letting Chloe walk in on him with a woman in his bed.
So what was he doing inviting her over again tonight?
‘I’ll answer it!’ Chloe shouted as the bell rang and was out in the hall before he could call her back.
He heard Oscar bark, and Chloe squeal in delight then Saffy said, ‘Hello, Chloe.’
‘Come in! Do you want a coffee?’ Logan called from the kitchen.
‘Yes please. I’ve brought some Christmas pudding and cream for afters. We had some left over from the party.’
Logan watched through the open doorway as Saffy took off Hannah’s duffle coat and wellingtons to reveal a lemon fluffy jumper and skin-tight jeans. She looked totally gorgeous. Then she took Chloe’s outstretched hand and they both walked down the hall into the kitchen. Oscar followed, tail wagging happily.
‘There you are.’ Saffy let go of Chloe’s hand, took half a Christmas pudding and a carton half full of cream out of the carrier bag she was holding and placed them on the table. ‘We might as well use them up.’
‘Thanks.’ Logan made the coffee and handed a mug to Saffy. ‘Shall we eat in the living room by the fire?’ he suggested, reaching up on the shelf for a tray. ‘I’ve got a lasagne in the oven, it’ll be ready in few minutes.’
‘Sounds good to me. Shall we carry on in, Chloe?’ she asked, then called over her shoulder to Logan, ‘Or do you need me to carry something?’
‘You go ahead. I can manage here.’
When Logan walked into the lounge a few minutes later with three bowls of lasagne on a tray, Saffy and Chloe were sitting, feet up on the sofa, watching Marvellous Mandy – Chloe’s latest favourite programme – and Oscar was stretched out in front of the fire. ‘Tuck in,’ he said, placing the tray down on the table.
‘Yum, thanks. That smells tasty,’ Saffy said as she reached for a bowl. She dipped her fork into it and chewed a mouthful. ‘It’s delicious.’
After the programme had finished they played a couple of board games then Logan said it was time for Chloe to go to bed.
‘Will you read me a story please, Saffy?’ Chloe asked.
Saffy was about to agree but Logan butted in. ‘Let Saffy rest for a bit, Chloe. I’ll read you a story.’
* * *
‘Will I be able to go with Mummy tomorrow, Daddy?’ Saffy heard Chloe ask as she stepped out of the bathroom. The bedroom door was open and she could see Logan sitting on Chloe’s bed, reading her a story.
‘I think so. As long as it doesn’t snow again overnight,’ Logan replied. ‘Mummy will phone in the morning to check.’
‘Will you be sad here all on your own?’ Chloe asked.
‘Don’t you worry about me, I’ve got lots of work to do.’ Logan kissed her on the forehead. ‘You make sure you have a good time with Mummy and Nanny and Grandad. I’ll be fine.’
Not wanting to intrude on their moment together, Saffy crept down the stairs, her mind going back to the very few times she and Hannah had gone out with their father. As a child she had never wondered how her mother felt about that but now she wondered if it had hurt her to let them go with him when he had ditched them all for another woman.
Would Jade’s next step be to introduce Chloe to a new man, if she had one? Would she ever want Chloe back? If so, how would Logan deal with that? She pushed away the thought; it wasn’t her problem. She had only just met Logan and Chloe but they were occupying far too much space in her mind.
She went into the kitchen and filled up the kettle – she didn’t think Logan would mind her making a coffee – then took two cups off the draining rack. The kettle had just come to the boil when she heard Logan behind her. ‘Fancy something a bit stronger than that?’ he asked. ‘I’ve got some wine – or brandy to put in the coffee, if you prefer.’
‘Brandy in the coffee sounds perfect,’ she replied. ‘Has Chloe gone off to sleep now?’
He crossed the room, opened a cupboard and took out a bottle of brandy, unscrewing the top before replying, ‘No, she’s reading. I think it’ll take her a while to drop off. She’s excited about seeing her mum and grandparents tomorrow.’
His face gave nothing away as he poured the brandy into the two mugs of coffee.
‘It’s not easy, is it?�
�� she asked softly.
He raised his eyes to hers and she saw a glimpse of pain there. ‘No, but I want Chloe to feel loved by both her father and her mother, and I’m willing to work with Jade for that to happen.’ He made his way to the door. ‘Fancy watching a film?’ he asked, glancing over his shoulder at her. ‘I’m guessing you’ll want to see a romcom?’
‘Then you’re guessing wrong, I like thrillers. In fact, there’s a new drama started on Netflix… do you have Netflix?’
‘I do. And are you referring to Code Black Spider? I’ve been waiting for that series to start.’
‘That’s the one. It’s the first episode tonight.’
She followed him into the lounge, where Oscar was still sprawled out in front of the fire. Logan sat down, in the same position as the previous night and Saffy sat beside him, tucked her legs under her, cupped her hands around her mug and said, ‘I’m ready to go.’
It was gripping viewing. Saffy held her breath a few times and laughed aloud as Logan nearly jumped out of his skin at one particularly scary bit.
‘You needn’t mock, you were hiding your face behind the cushion,’ he told her, playfully tossing his cushion at her.
She grinned. ‘I know. It’s a bit “edge of the seat” isn’t it? Have they released any more in the series or do we have to wait until next week for the next episode?’
Logan picked up the remote and flicked through the programme guide. ‘Nope, we have to wait. Anything else you fancy watching?’
Just then Logan’s phone, which was lying on the coffee table, rang. He leaned forward and glanced at the screen. ‘God, it’s Jade. I’m going to have to answer it as it’s probably about tomorrow. Sorry.’
‘That’s fine.’
He picked up the phone and swiped the screen to answer as he stood up and walked out of the room. ‘Jade.’