He holds out his hand to Shelby and there’s a moment’s hesitation before Shelby takes it.
‘Good to meet you,’ Matt says. ‘Enjoy the rest of your panto season.’
‘Thanks,’ Shelby replies.
Lucas comes over and stands by him. Matt grabs him in great big bear hug and says, ‘You, mate, blew me away. I don’t know how you do it. You’d better take me to one of those poetry nights you do.’
‘OK.’
Matt lets go of him. ‘It’s a date.’
Shelby looks taken aback by their casual interaction – as well he might. Sadly, he’s never been able to be like this with his own son.
‘See you all soon,’ Matt says and, with a wave, he strides away.
Then Penny and her mum gather their belongings and get set to leave.
‘Are you sure you’re OK to go home?’ I ask.
They nod, but both look uncertain. Penny looks particularly reluctant to leave.
‘I’m going to do my very best for you. But if you need somewhere to go, then just call me.’
‘Thanks, Molly,’ Jess says. ‘You’ve been a pal.’
I hug her and then Penny. ‘See you tomorrow.’
We walk to the gate complete with dog trio at my heels and then Lucas takes them across the road to the field where their car is. I look at Lucas and Penny together and feel they are much more suited as a couple. But it’s all too late for that. Shelby and I need to have some tricky conversations and I can’t really put them off any longer. He’ll be wishing that he hadn’t turned up today.
‘Penny’s nice,’ I say to Lucas when he comes back.
‘Yeah.’ He shrugs. ‘Hadn’t really noticed before.’
‘Nothing from Aurora.’
‘Nah. I think she’s ignoring me, but I don’t know why. I’m going to get a shower and then message her again.’
‘OK. I’ll walk the dogs and your dad, if he’ll come with me. Then I’ll find us something for supper.’
‘We should get a takeaway,’ Lucas says. ‘We deserve it.’
Then I throw caution to the wind and hug him.
I feel him tighten up in my arms. ‘What’s that for?’
‘For being brilliant,’ I tell him. ‘Your poem was wonderful and you worked so hard today. Do you know how great you are?’
‘Have you been at the mulled wine?’ he asks and he unpeels himself from my grip.
I laugh. ‘No. Definitely not. I just wanted to let you know that you’re growing into a totally marvellous young man and I couldn’t be more proud of you.’
‘Huh,’ he grunts, always unable to take praise. ‘That’s a yes to takeaway, then?’
‘Of course.’ I feel filled with Christmas spirit and goodwill to all men. ‘I’ll take the dogs to run off some steam and we’ll get it as soon as I’m back.’
‘OK.’ Lucas heads towards the caravan. As he does, he turns and says over his shoulder. ‘You’re all right too, you know.’
And I smile, happily, as he disappears indoors.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Shelby is waiting patiently – I think – by the Christmas tree. Already he’s blowing his nose and rubbing his eyes. It doesn’t take long for his allergies to kick in.
‘Sorry to keep you hanging on,’ I say. ‘Fully histamined-up?’
‘I couldn’t take it until I’d driven up here,’ he says.
‘No Ken today?’
‘Family get-together for Christmas. He brought the car up for me in the week.’
‘Ah.’
‘The tree looks amazing. A monster.’ It does. It’s shining out like a multi-coloured beacon in the darkness.
‘Matt got it for us,’ I tell him. ‘One of his contacts donated it.’
‘Useful.’ Yet Shelby doesn’t look impressed. Well, he bloody should be.
‘He’s been fantastic. He’s helped us with the open day and we’re going to be his charity for the Mayor’s Ball in the New Year.’
‘It seems as if my presence hasn’t been missed,’ he bristles.
Perhaps I did lay it on a bit thick. ‘You were very much missed. You know that.’
‘I need a drink and something to eat,’ Shelby says. ‘My blood sugar must be low.’
‘I promised Lucas we’d have a takeaway.’ Then I check my watch. ‘First, I need to check on the animals, feed them and then take the dogs for a walk. Up for it?’
‘Yes,’ Shelby nods. But his face says he’d rather be sprawled out in front of a roaring fire with a good book and a glass of red.
‘Are you sure your anti-histamine has kicked in?’
‘I’ll cope.’ He’s very crochety and I feel as if I’m walking on eggshells with him. Perhaps he is just tired after driving up here after a busy week on stage. Maybe he will relax when we’ve eaten.
So we head to the stables and I do my evening check on everyone. We look over the gate into the first pen. ‘The alpacas disgraced themselves. Again. Matt was just posing for photos for the local paper and they decided to have an orgy behind him. I’m mortified. I hope they don’t run it on the front page.’
‘You’re kidding me.’
‘I don’t need to make these things up.’ Tina comes to have her neck scratched. ‘You don’t look the slightest bit ashamed of acting like a harlot in front of all those people. You saucy minx.’
‘Seems as if I missed quite the afternoon.’
We walk up to check on the sheep and see that the chickens are all back in their coop. The goats are all safe and sound again too – already asleep in their hay.
‘We’ve got two new rescue turkeys,’ I tell him. ‘Meet Holly and Ivy.’
‘Hello, girls,’ Shelby says but he seems distracted and not that interested in our latest arrivals.
‘While I look in on the bunnies, can you check on Anthony, please?’
Shelby sighs. ‘Do I have to? You know that thing hates me.’
‘It will take you one minute,’ I say. ‘All you have to do is make sure he’s in his pen and comfortable. And that his gate is securely locked.’
Reluctance emanates from him. He’s as bad as any of the students. I can’t bear to argue with him. ‘You can do the bunnies, then, and I’ll see to Anthony.’
‘Can’t Lucas help?’ he asks. ‘I thought this was his job?’
‘He’s not stopped all day and now he’s having a well-earned shower.’ I pause and turn to Shelby. ‘Lucas is disappointed that you weren’t here. His poems were very good. He taught the kids to join in with one as a surprise for me. He’s a good lad. Be nice to him this evening.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘You seem out of sorts. We’ve had a nice day. It’s been a great success. I don’t want you two fighting and spoiling it all.’
‘I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t bothered to come. Seems as if Matt has quite easily slipped into my place. His feet are very much under the table here. With my son and with you.’