The Best Christmas Ever: a feel-good festive romance to warm your heart this Christmas

by Karen King

  Her mum patted her hand. ‘Good for you. You deserve better. So, has Ben gone now?’

  Lexi nodded. ‘I think so. I walked off and left him there. I’m going to block him, so he can’t phone me. If he comes to the house, will you tell him that I don’t want to see him, please?’

  ‘Of course I will.’ Paula leant forward and asked her intently, ‘And what about Joel?’

  ‘Joel?’ Lexi asked, a little embarrassed. Was it that obvious that she was developing feelings for him?

  ‘You seem upset because he witnessed the proposal. Are you going to explain things to him?’

  ‘Yes, I will later. It’s a bit embarrassing, though.’ She told her mother about Ben accusing her of cheating on him with Joel because of what she’d told him on Boxing Day.

  ‘I’m sure he will understand that you were just saying it because you wanted Ben to realise that it was over and you’ve moved on,’ her mum reassured her. ‘Unless you do have feelings for Joel?’

  Do I?

  ‘I hardly know him.’ She flicked her hair back behind her ears. ‘I can’t believe the cheek of Ben, though. I hope he isn’t going to be a nuisance when I get back home.’

  ‘Don’t let him be. There are laws to protect you,’ her mum told her. ‘Seriously, Lexi, if you definitely don’t want anything to do with him, make that loud and clear and slap it down if he still persists.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I will,’ she promised. ‘I was thinking, maybe I should stay a little longer? Give Ben time to get used to the situation? He can’t come round to the flat if I’m not there, can he? He’ll have to sort himself out.’

  ‘Stay as long as you want, love. I was going to talk to you about it later. Jay and Sonia are going to London for a couple of days, then coming back to see the new year in before they go travelling.’

  Jay had said that he wanted to show Sonia more of England, so they planned on going to Stratford and York before returning to Canada, Lexi remembered.

  ‘Ryan and Nell are coming back down for New Year’s Eve, too, so it will be lovely for you to be there,’ her mother added.

  Lexi liked the idea of seeing the new year in with her family. ‘I’ll stay until the weekend, then. I start back at school on Tuesday, so I can go home on Sunday afternoon,’ Lexi decided. That would give Ben time to realise that she was serious. And time to explain things to Joel.

  Or take things further with Joel?

  She pondered the thought. She liked Joel, he was a softie under that strapping exterior, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to take things any further. She probably needed a break from relationships for a while, to sort out her own life. Besides, she lived in Gloucester and Joel lived in Lystone and was thinking of making the village his permanent home. And, while it was only a couple of hours’ drive away, it just made things more complicated.

  That was assuming Joel was interested in her. And judging by his expression and how quickly he’d walked off when Ben had proposed, he wasn’t.

  That Ben seemed a right jerk, he hoped that Lexi didn’t accept his proposal. In Joel’s opinion, if someone cheated on you once, they’d do the same again. That’s why he hadn’t given Toni another chance. That, and the fact that he no longer loved her. It had taken him a while to get over her, but now he could see her for what she was. If she’d said she’d made a mistake and wanted him to take her back within the first couple of months, would he have? He wasn’t sure. Ben and Lexi had only recently split up, so she must still be heartbroken. Would she give him another chance? He hoped not. She deserved better.

  Lexi was such a warm-hearted person, though, that he was sure she believed in second chances and might just say yes. He hated to think of her getting hurt all over again. Not that it was any of his business. They were merely acquaintances.

  That kiss on Boxing Day didn’t feel like we were only acquaintances.

  He shouldn’t read more into that, or the kiss and hug she’d given him for rescuing the Christmas tree, than she had meant. She was simply saying thank you.

  He remembered her boyfriend’s words. ‘So this is Joel, your new fancy chap, is it?’ Evidently, Lexi had told him that she was seeing Joel. Was that to make Ben jealous, or to make him keep away from her? Whatever it was, despite Ben’s initial outrage, he’d got down on one knee and proposed to her. Lexi had seemed stunned, and, feeling like an intruder as well as an idiot, Joel had walked away and left them to it. He guessed that was probably the last time he’d see Lexi. Her boyfriend – fiancé – would surely be whisking her back home, after celebrating their engagement with her family, of course.

  Maybe that was a good thing, he was getting too fond of Lexi. After Toni, he’d promised himself that he would take his time to get to know someone before plunging into a relationship in future, but he could feel the pull of attraction to her. It was because he’d got caught up in her love for Christmas, and she had a good nature, that was all. He’d feel different once Lexi went home, with Ben.

  As he walked along the street towards home, Joel saw a car parked outside Lloyd’s house and a man walking up the path, away from the front door. It was unusual for Lloyd to have visitors. He frowned, the man looked a bit familiar . . . then, as the man opened the gate and he could see his face clearer, he realised who it was. Rocco! He must have considered what Joel said to him and come to visit Lloyd. Joel glanced at the closed front door. He would have thought that Lloyd would be standing on the doorstep waving him off. Had things gone wrong between them? He quickened his pace, hoping that maybe he could help patch things up.

  ‘Hello! You came to visit your father. That’s great!’ he said as Rocco took his keys out of his pocket and pressed the button to open the door of his car.

  ‘I did, but he’s out. Which is probably a good thing. It was a stupid idea to drop by after all this time.’ He opened the driver’s door. ‘Tell him I popped by.’

  ‘No, don’t go. Lloyd won’t have gone far,’ Joel said. ‘Come and have a cup of tea with me, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.’

  Rocco hesitated. ‘I haven’t got much time . . .’

  ‘Look, you’ve come all this way, please at least give him half an hour. I expect he’s popped to the shop.’

  Rocco nodded. ‘Okay. Half an hour.’ He closed the door and locked his car, then followed Joel down the path.

  ‘So, how long have you known my dad?’ Rocco asked, after Joel had made a cup of tea and they were both sitting in Joel’s kitchen.

  ‘Only a couple of weeks, I’ve just moved in. This is my sister’s house.’ Joel explained about his sister and partner moving to Dubai.

  Rocco looked surprised. ‘You’ve got friendly real quick then, haven’t you?’

  He had, hadn’t he? Thanks to Lexi. He wasn’t going to think about Lexi, she was probably engaged to Ben by now. ‘I guess Christmas has brought us closer together. I invited Lloyd here for Christmas Day, and we both spent Boxing Day at a friend’s house.’

  ‘Blimey, this is a close community.’

  ‘Close enough for me to know that he really wants to see you and would be devastated to know that you came to see him today when he was out. He misses you.’

  ‘I miss him too, but there was a lot of bad stuff said. I was never that close to my dad when I was growing up, so when Mum died . . . Well, we had a few arguments and I left. Haven’t been back since.’

  ‘Until I said he wanted to see you? Is that what made you come today?’

  Rocco looked thoughtful. ‘I guess so. I’ve got a child, too, now, Erin. She’s three, and a bit of a handful, but I adore her and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing touch with her when she gets older. It made me realise that my dad might feel the same.’

  They chatted for a while, then Rocco glanced at his watch. ‘I really do have to go. Tell Dad I’m sorry I missed him, and I’ll call back again.’

  ‘Please make sure you do, and maybe you could bring your family with you? I think that would mean a lot to him, and it would help break the i
ce.’

  Rocco nodded. ‘I was wondering whether to, but I wanted to check how things were between us first. I don’t want to introduce Erin to a grandfather if it’s not going to be a long-term relationship.’ He held out his hand. ‘Good to meet you, Joel. Thanks for the tea and for the advice.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ Joel couldn’t help feeling disappointed as they walked towards his front door, knowing that Lloyd would be upset that he’d missed his son. ‘If he’s out when you call next time, give me a knock. I’m happy for you to wait here. Or maybe I can give you my phone number and you could give me a ring when you’re planning your next visit and I can see if he’s in?’ And make sure he stays in! ‘I won’t tell him that you’re on the way.’

  ‘That’s kind of you.’

  They were outside now. Joel reached in his pocket for his wallet and took out a business card, then handed it to Rocco.

  ‘Thanks, mate.’

  Joel watched as Rocco walked up the path. If only he could message Lexi and ask if she knew where Lloyd was, tell her what was happening, but if he did that now it might cause trouble between her and Ben, who had obviously thought she and Joel were having an affair. He should tell Lexi, though, getting in touch with Rocco had been her idea.

  ‘Rocco!’

  Joel and Rocco both turned at the shout.

  Lloyd was walking towards them with Granny Mabe. ‘Rocco, is that you?’

  Rocco paused, as if wondering what to do next. Then his face broke into a smile and he almost sprinted towards his father, enveloping him in a big hug. ‘Dad.’

  ‘Oh my goodness, Rocco! I can’t believe it’s you.’ Lloyd had tears in his eyes.

  Joel swallowed a lump in his throat. Lexi should be here to see this, this had been her doing, she was the one who had insisted they try to find Rocco.

  Granny Mabe would tell her. If Lexi hadn’t already returned to Gloucester with her fiancé.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Lexi’s phone buzzed to announce an incoming call. Not Ben again! was her first thought. She really had to block him. She glanced apprehensively at the screen and saw that it was Lloyd. Although she had given him her number, this was the first time he’d phoned her. She answered the call, her pulse racing a bit – she hoped nothing was wrong. ‘Hello, Lloyd.’

  ‘Lexi, you’ll never guess what happened . . . Rocco came to see me today.’

  ‘What?’ She could hardly believe what he was saying. ‘He did? How? That’s amazing.’ The words tumbled out of her mouth, she was so pleased and surprised. She knew that this would mean a lot to Lloyd. She could imagine his face when Rocco knocked on the door. He must have come because of what Joel had said to him. She wondered if Joel knew, or if Lloyd had phoned her first. Not that it mattered.

  ‘It’s marvellous, isn’t it?’ She could hear the delight in his voice. ‘And I almost missed him. He turned up when I was out with your gran, would you believe? Thank goodness Joel saw him and persuaded him to have a cup of tea with him while he waited. In fact, Rocco had given up on me and was about to get in his car when I finally came home.’

  So Joel does know.

  ‘You were out with Gran?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve joined the Bridge Club. They’re a great bunch.’

  Well, the day was full of surprises, Lexi thought as she listened to Lloyd talking about Rocco and how he was going to bring his wife and son to meet Lloyd on New Year’s Day. ‘I’ve got my family back, and friends, thanks to you and Joel. I can’t thank you enough.’

  ‘I’m so pleased.’ Lexi promised to pop in and have a cup of tea with him in a little while, so he could tell her all about it, then finished the call. While she was pleased for Lloyd, she couldn’t help feeling miffed that Joel hadn’t told her about Rocco turning up. He knew how much she had wanted to reunite Lloyd with his son. He could have at least texted her.

  Was he that annoyed with her for telling Ben that they were together, that he was freezing her out? She guessed it did sound bad, she’d have to explain when she saw him.

  And actually, it was a good thing that Joel had walked off like that, or he wouldn’t have been home in time to stop Rocco from driving off. Everything happens for a reason, her gran always said. Maybe this incident with Ben and Joel had happened to stop her getting too close to Joel. She needed to sort out her life, not get involved with another man, especially one that lived a two-hour drive away. She’d rushed into a relationship with Ben and look where that had got her. If she got together with anyone again, then she wanted it to be with someone who shared the same interests, who was a homebody like her, who adored Christmas and family times and animals. And that didn’t seem like Joel. Although, he was a softie with Sweetie and he had saved their Christmas tree and worn the Christmas jumper she had knitted, she reminded herself. She grabbed her bag and car keys, not fancying another walk, and set off to see Lloyd.

  ‘Lexi! Come in!’ Lloyd gave her a big hug, a wide grin on his face. ‘You have made my Christmas,’ he told her. ‘I can’t thank you enough for bringing my son back into my life, and such good friends like Mabe and her Yarn Warriors. My life has been transformed.’

  ‘You’re more than welcome,’ she told him, stepping inside. ‘I’m so pleased that Rocco came to see you. And that he’s bringing his family, too.’

  ‘So am I. I was silly to let things carry on as they did. I should have apologised straight away, not let this distance grow between us. Family is far more important than a stupid argument.’ He looked at Lexi, his eyes shining. ‘I’ve got a little granddaughter, would you believe? Her name is Erin and she’s only three. I can’t wait to meet her.’

  Lexi had never seen the old man look so happy.

  ‘Will you stay for a cuppa?’ Lloyd asked. ‘I’ve not long boiled the kettle.’

  ‘I’d love to. Tea please.’

  ‘I’ll only be a tick.’ Lloyd disappeared into the kitchen. He really had a spring to his step today, Lexi thought. He was like a different man to the one she’d met last week. And such a lot had happened in that time. He’d met Granny Mabe, been reunited with his son, and got a whole new bunch of friends and interests, so it seemed.

  ‘Here we are,’ Lloyd came in with a tray set with two mugs, a teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug.

  ‘Thank you.’ Lexi looked up as there was a knock at the door.

  ‘Do you want me to get that for you?’ she asked as Lloyd was sitting comfortably, sipping his tea.

  ‘Thanks. It’s been like Piccadilly Circus here today.’ He looked pleased, though, and was obviously enjoying so many visitors.

  Lexi went to open the door and was surprised to see Joel standing there.

  ‘Oh, hello.’ He sounded awkward. So, he was annoyed with her.

  ‘Hello. Lloyd messaged me about Rocco coming to see him, so I dropped by,’ said Lexi. ‘I was going to come and see you in a bit.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘To tell me your good news?’ He looked at her left hand, as if expecting to see a ring there. ‘Congratulations on your engagement, I’m very pleased for you. I presume you are going back home now.’

  ‘I’m staying until the new year, my brothers are coming back then too so we can all see the new year in together.’ She swallowed as his eyes held hers. ‘And I’m not engaged.’

  ‘But . . .’

  ‘I turned him down. I told you that we’d split up. It seems that the woman Ben cheated on me with has kicked him out, so he’s decided that I’m the love of his life after all. However, I’ve decided that I don’t feel the same way.’ She met his eyes. ‘I’m sorry that I pretended me and you were together. I was a bit tipsy – too much of my dad’s wine – and wanted Ben to leave me alone. He kept phoning and wouldn’t take no for an answer.’ She was gabbling now but couldn’t seem to stop herself. ‘I didn’t think he would come down here. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I was hoping that if Ben thought I was with someone else he would leave me alone.’

  ‘I see.’ He gaze was still on h
er face. ‘So, you had no idea he was going to turn up and propose.’

  ‘Of course not.’ She felt her cheeks flush. ‘I feel awful about involving you in this.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it. I completely understand.’ His face broke into a wide smile. ‘I have to say that I’m pleased that you aren’t going back home yet.’

  Her heart skipped a beat. Did he want her to stay longer because he was going to miss her? As she would miss him. ‘You are?’

  He nodded and she held her breath, her eyes on his face. He was looking at her so solemnly, as if he was about to say something serious, but then he grinned. ‘I need some help taking the lights and yarn-bombings from the tree tomorrow. I daren’t keep them up any longer, I don’t want to get on the wrong side of the council. We’re hoping to get some more work from them.’

  She pushed back her disappointment. ‘And you want me to help?’

  ‘Well, those woolly things are going to be very wet and dirty now.’

  ‘So, I get the messy job?’

  ‘Strictly speaking, it was your family who made the mess . . .’

  His green eyes were twinkling as he bantered with her, and she was suddenly very pleased that she’d decided to stay until the new year.

  ‘Well, if you put it like that . . .’

  Joel’s face broke into a grin.

  ‘Are you two coming in, or are you just going to make out on the doorstep?’ Lloyd shouted.

  Make out?

  They both spluttered with laughter.

  ‘I think you’d better come in,’ Lexi said.

  ‘Anyone want cake?’ Lloyd asked, appearing out of the kitchen with another mug of tea and a plate loaded with slices of fruit cake. ‘Mabe brought this around earlier when she picked me up to take me to play bridge.’

  So, her gran was visiting Lloyd and bringing him cake. It was wonderful that they had become such good friends.

  ‘I’m going to have to go on a diet when I get home, with all the tea and coffee I’m drinking and cake I’m eating,’ Lexi said, rubbing her stomach.