Page 73 of Not Just for Christmas

‘She’s always cold when she comes in from doing the cows,’ Sam said through a mouthful of biscuit. ‘She wears Daddy’s jumpers and big socks to warm up. Can I buy snuggly slippers with five pounds?’

‘You bet.’ Dylan pictured Lucy comforting herself in one of Jack’s old sweaters; it would reach her knees, the sleeves too long, her hands tucked in for warmth.

He was going to make sure that Sam’s money stretched to the most luxurious fleecy-lined slippers he could find. ‘And you know what? I think she’ll be proud of you for being so thoughtful.’

Sam beamed with pride. ‘And maybe I can give her some of my Lego men too to keep her company when she gets lonely.’

Dylan’s heart swelled. ‘Does she often feel lonely?’

His godson nodded. ‘When I come home from school she sometimes squeezes me really tight because she’s missed me.’

A stab of sadness took his breath away. He hated the idea of that. He rested his chin on Sam’s head. ‘She’s a lucky mom to have a kind boy like you.’

‘I’m going to make her a Christmas card in the kitchen, right now,’ said Sam, climbing down off his lap. ‘With glitter. Don’t come in because … because it’s a surprise.’

‘Sam,’ said Dylan as the little boy skittered out of the room. ‘I’ll let you into a secret – I love surprises.’

Seconds later, Sam was back. ‘How do you spell Uncle and how do you spell Dylan?’

Dylan laughed. Maybe it wasn’t going to be such a surprise after all.

In the hour it took Sam to coat most of the kitchen surfaces with glitter, Dylan had not only ordered a pair of Swedish sheepskin slippers, but had worked out a melody he was happy with, a catchy hook for the chorus and lyrics for two verses of the song that he’d spent the last three months trying and failing to write. He had also had a brainwave for a Christmas treat for both Lucy and Sam, and after several phonecalls had managed to track down what he wanted and arranged for a delivery on Christmas Eve.

Now they were clearing up together and Gus was whining at the door.

‘He wants to go for a walk,’ said Sam, scratching the dog behind his ears. ‘But I don’t.’

‘So what do you want to do?’ Dylan asked. He pushed his knuckles into the small of his back and stretched. He was with the dog; some exercise was just what he needed after being inside all morning.

‘We could go to the beach!’ Sam’s eyes lit up with excitement. ‘It’s my favourite place in the whole wide world and Mummy doesn’t take me.’

‘What, never?’ That was hard to believe. Lucy and Jack used to spend every spare moment down at the beach. Jack had called it his second home and had dangled Sam’s toes in the water even before he could walk.

Sam stuck out his bottom lip. ‘She says I’m too small for the waves, but I’m the tallest boy in my class and all the other children go.’

Dylan frowned. This didn’t make sense. The only explanation he could think of was that Lucy had simply been too busy to take him.

‘I’ve got an idea. Let’s get our wetsuits and put all our stuff in the car and go down to the beach. Gus can come too.’

‘This is going to be awesome.’ Sam jumped up and down, before his smile drooped. ‘Oh no, my wetsuit is too small.’

‘No worries,’ said Dylan. ‘We’ll just put your legs in and tie the arms around your waist. We’re just going to paddle today. You can keep your coat on top.’

‘Cool!’ yelled Sam, leaping at him and throwing his arms around his neck and planting a kiss on Dylan’s cheek. ‘I wish you could stay here forever and not just for Christmas.’

Dylan felt as if his heart might explode. He loved this kid. Really loved him.

‘I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me,’ he said, hugging the little boy tightly.

Dylan put him down and grinned as Sam raced up the stairs to get ready.

Not just for Christmas.

Goosebumps flickered over his skin. That was the hook he’d been looking for. Sam had just unlocked the missing piece of his new song. He dropped back onto the piano stool and played around with some words until it sounded right.

Not just for now, not just for this, forever and always, not just for Christmas

He’d had this feeling once before. And it had resulted in the song that had launched his career. He quickly pulled out his phone and sent Will a message.