Читать книгу The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams - Kellie Hailes - Страница 13

Chapter 6

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‘Oh, my. She’s a thing of beauty. You’ve outdone yourselves this year.’

Josie pushed herself up from behind the counter where she’d been clearing away the trays of leftover food, the sound of Margo’s voice bringing an instant smile to her face.

‘Margo, it’s the same tree we put up every year.’ Callan picked up his mug of tea and took a sip. ‘Nothing’s changed.’

‘Really?’ Margo crossed her arms over her chest, her head angling to the left, as her eyes narrowed in silent appraisal. ‘No. Something’s different. It’s got a bit more sparkle than usual.’

‘Josie helped. Maybe Josie made it sparkle?’ Mia turned around from her cross-legged seated position in front of the tree.

She’d been that way for the past hour. Admiring their work, and every now and then pulling down a couple of ornaments for some make-believe play, before placing them carefully back in their spots.

‘Maybe Josie did, indeed.’ Margo beamed at Mia. ‘How are you, poppet? Have you had a wonderful day?’

Mia pushed herself up and spun around in a circle, ending the move with a dramatic flair of her arms, complete with dancing jazz hands. ‘Yes! We decorated the tree. And Josie gave me a chocolate cupcake. And I think Daddy and Josie are falling in love with each other and are going to get married and live happily ever after just like the princes and princesses in my books.’ She clasped her hands to her little chest and sighed.

‘Oh, Lord.’ Callan dropped his head into his hands. ‘Mia, that’s fairy-tale talk. Josie and I work together. We get along. That’s what grown-ups do, okay?’

Mia pouted and turned her attention back to the tree with a muttered ‘whatever’ and an exaggerated eye roll.

‘So much attitude in one so little. I’m doomed.’ Callan pushed the mug of tea away. ‘What can I do for you, Margo?’

‘More like what can I do for you!’ She turned to Josie with a definite gleam in her eye. ‘And you too, Josie. I’ve decided it’s time you had a night off this parenting lark, Callan. You and Josie should go to the pub and have a night out.’

‘No.’

Callan’s response was short, sharp and so to the point that Josie flinched.

It wasn’t that she wanted to go to the pub with Callan. Despite telling Brendon she’d try and get him down, she’d not really considered it, preferring to give Callan his space. To keep her distance. But the way he’d been so quick to not even consider it? Like the idea was completely repulsive?

The little girl in her, the part she’d long ago locked away, wrapped her arms tighter around herself at the rejection, hoping the simple act would protect her from yet another person not finding her good enough or fun enough or wonderful enough to spend time with.

‘No? Just like that? Callan, it’s been nearly a year since you went anywhere that wasn’t to the shops for food or to get something for Mia.’ Margo’s tone was firm, but kind. ‘If I’m wrong, please enlighten me.’ She dipped her chin and raised her brows, awaiting his response.

The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams

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