Page 20 of Not Just for Christmas

No. No way. I set my mug down on the table with a trembling hand and took a deep breath. This was going to be awkward, but I would explain to Dylan what had happened and take back the invitation. And as for Sam, he was never getting his hands on my iPad again.

Because what if Sam got his hopes up and Dylan cancelled at the last second again? I couldn’t have that happen to Sam, not again. And what if Dylan didn’t cancel and came to stay at Merrydown for the whole of Christmas, just him, me and Sam? I couldn’t have that either; it was too long, too much, too … risky?

Chapter 10

‘The cheeky little imp,’ Caroline snorted when I showed her what Sam had done.

We were walking back towards my car later that morning, after dropping the children off at school.

‘It’s not funny,’ I protested, shoving my phone back in my pocket. ‘Firstly because my son is already impersonating me. He’s seven. Imagine what he’ll be like at fourteen when he’s trying to get out of detention at school or something.’

‘Full marks for ingenuity though, clever sausage.’

‘And secondly, Dylan has now accepted an invitation that I didn’t even send.’

‘Looking on the bright side,’ she pointed out, ‘at least you’ll have some company other than Heather.’

My stomach flipped. What would Heather think about that, I wondered, remembering her look of disapproval after finding us hugging each other at the funeral.

‘Not if I can help it,’ I muttered. ‘I need to find a way to retract the invitation before Sam finds out.’

‘Why?’ Caroline argued. ‘Sam will be chuffed to bits.’

‘Oh yes, he will be now, but you must remember what happened on Sam’s birthday.’

‘Didn’t Dylan send the most enormous trampoline?’ Caroline grinned. ‘Tilly still talks about that party.’

I gave her a stern look. ‘He promised to be there and bailed at the last minute.’

‘If you will have A-list celebs on speed dial, what do you expect?’ Caroline said mildly. ‘The man has commitments.’

‘I expect him not to let his godson down,’ I retorted. ‘Sam’s already sad that Mum and Dad have had to cancel, I couldn’t bear it if Dylan does the same.’

Caroline read the messages again. ‘“Hell yeah” sounds as if he means it.’

‘Until something more important comes along,’ I said crossly. ‘The men in my life have always been the same. Work, work, work. Sam deserves better than that.’

‘And so do you.’ She gave my arm a little squeeze and we shared a knowing smile. She had loved Jack to bits, but had got frustrated at the number of times I’d turned up on nights out alone, bringing apologies from my husband that he’d be along as soon as he could, but was held up on the farm.

‘Maybe tell Dylan the truth, let him know your concerns,’ she suggested.

We reached my Land Rover, and I leaned against the driver’s door, in no hurry to rush off.

‘I think I’ll just be honest and let him know that Sam sent the text, not me,’ I said. ‘It’s for the best. Sam need never know that—’

I was interrupted by another text.

‘Dylan again.’ I held my phone up so Caroline could read the message too.

Just a thought, when exactly is Sam’s show? So cool that he gets to be Joseph this year! The last date of my tour is December 17 in Manhattan. I still feel terrible for missing his birthday party – I’d rather cancel the gig than miss that kid’s performance! Janet is already on the case, looking at flights.

Caroline gave a dreamy sigh. ‘That is adorable. Sam would love it, you know.’

‘I admit, he does seem keen.’ I let out a deep breath, remembering Sam’s face last night. How could I refuse him? Maybe I should go along with this, for his sake. ‘Remind me, when is the Nativity?’

‘The nineteenth.’ Her eyes sparkled. ‘So he could make it – just. Tell him straight away while he’s online.’

‘Done,’ I said typing the date into my phone. ‘But I bet you a whole box of mince pies that he replies straight away to say he can’t make it after all. There’s no way he’ll have room in his schedule to stay with us for the Nativity and for Christmas, it’s a whole week.’