The Mills & Boon Sparkling Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

herself on the corner of his desk.

      ‘How’re you doing?’ she asked coyly as Ben automatically moved back in his seat.

      ‘Um, good thanks.’

      ‘It’s almost five o clock on Friday, Ben. What are you still doing at your desk?’

      He patted the pile of essays in front of him. ‘Just about to start some marking,’ he told her.

      ‘A few of us going for drinks – fancy joining us?’

      Ben shook his head apologetically. ‘Not tonight thanks. I’m going to stay on for a bit and then get home.’

      ‘I’ll let you off this time.’ She petted her lips in an exaggerated manner and twisted a coil of hair round her finger. ‘But you haven’t forgotten the seminar next week? Remember I’m collecting you.’

      Damn, he’d forgotten he’d agreed to that. Professor Drummond had asked Ben to attend a two-day seminar at Glasgow University. Kat had cornered him a few days ago, suggesting she pick him up, and Ben hadn’t been quick enough to come up with an excuse. He’d been busy at the time and had tried to think of some way to extract himself from the situation but failed miserably.

      ‘Er, sure. I’ll see you then,’ he muttered. She looked at him expectantly.

      ‘I’ll need your address silly, won’t I?’ Reluctantly he gave his address, just happy to have her leave his office but not before she gave a coquettish little wave. Ben grimaced and turned his attention back to his marking.

      After a few fruitless minutes Ben knew his concentration had been broken and realizing he was hungry decided to head back to his house. He could make something to eat and carry on with his marking there. He packed up and started the walk home, the peace and quiet of St Andrews still a welcome novelty.

      Just as he turned a corner he saw Jamie ahead of him, sauntering along seemingly in a world of his own. He was laden down with bags, his jacket and a racquet, which clattered to the ground just as Ben caught up with him. He reached down to pick it up, smiling up at Jamie.

      ‘Hello, Jamie.’

      ‘Hi, Ben!’ The boy grinned back and Ben thought he looked happy to have company.

      ‘I can carry this for you. You look a bit weighed down. Are you heading home?’

      ‘Thanks. We were playing football and one of the boys hurt his leg so we waited for his mum to come and collect him and then she decided he needed to go to the hospital so I’m, like, really late. Mum’s gonna be mad with me.’

      Ben smiled to himself. He hadn’t exactly been hurrying. ‘Does she know you’re on your way home now?’

      ‘Er, no.’

      ‘Why don’t you give her a quick call – I know you’ll be home in a few minutes but it’ll be good for her to know. Always best to keep your mum happy, eh?’ He winked conspiratorially.

      Ben remembered that age, a tricky time. Hormones, girls, schoolwork … lots of changes to cope with. Like Jamie he’d lost his father and he knew how it felt to be an only child. He recalled his own mother worrying about him and with no siblings, being her sole focus could be overpowering at times. Only when he was older did he realize how special it was to have that unconditional love. With the call made, they continued on their way.

      ‘Do you have a game of football tomorrow?’ Ben asked.

      ‘Yeah,’ Jamie sighed heavily.

      ‘You don’t sound too happy about it – are you up against a difficult team?’

      ‘Nah, we’ll beat them no bother. It’s after the game. Some of the boys are going to the cinema to see the new Star Wars film but I can’t go ’cos I promised Mum I’d go to a training class with Hamish.’

      ‘Ah well, you need to keep your promise then. I’m sure you’ll get to see the film another time,’ Ben consoled but had to admit he could understand some of the boy’s angst at having to miss what had been his favourite films at his age.

      ‘Suppose,’ Jamie murmured not sounding too convinced.

      ‘Have you seen the original Star War films?’ Ben asked. ‘Think the first one was late 1970s – they were a different class.’

      ‘Uh-uh, don’t think so.’

      They turned into their street, Ben noticing the stark contrast between the two houses waiting for them. His house lay in darkness while light glowed from the other. Eva had come to the door now, her eyes seeking out her son and then shifting to Ben. Jamie had been chatting continuously and carried on as they reached Eva.

      ‘My friend Fraser’s big brother is at the university and he said they’ve got a great sports bit. He said you can do almost any sport you want – American football, judo, and everything. Do you get to do all that if you want?’ He looked up at Ben earnestly.

      ‘I guess so, yes.’

      ‘I’d love to try all those things,’ Jamie exclaimed eagerly.

      ‘Well, I know the university runs sport taster days. Maybe I can take you and your friend along to the next one so you can try a few things?’

      Jamie’s face lit up. ‘Really? That’d be awesome!’

      Ben hoped he hadn’t overstepped a mark but noticed Eva rolling her eyes jokingly in exasperation at her son before ushering him into the warm house.

      ‘Think you’ve just made someone’s day.’ She laughed.

      ‘Well, I keep meaning to investigate the sports department and haven’t got round to it so I guess this way I’ll have to go.’

      A delicious aroma of cooking infused the air between them and for a moment he imagined eating with Eva and Jamie again before pulling himself together. They looked at each other for what felt like a long moment and Ben realized he needed to say something.

      ‘I should …’

      ‘Would you …’

      ‘Sorry you go first,’ Eva said.

      He discarded the image of a shared meal, tightening his grip on the bag containing his students’ essays – that was the reality of his evening. ‘I’ve got a pile of marking – I should really get home,’ he said.

      ‘Oh, of course,’ Eva replied. ‘And thank you.’ She took the racquet from Ben’s hands and they shared a smile before Ben turned to go back to his house.

       Chapter Seven

      Eva pulled off her rubber gloves and stretched out her back. Finally, she had removed all the wallpaper. She had spent the past two days in a cloud of steam, stripping off layers of wallpaper that had been up so long it had flaked away in little pieces and fallen at her feet in a sticky mess. But now at last it was all off and the room looked much bigger and brighter.

      She glugged a mouthful of water from her bottle and then, after a short break, set about lifting the carpet. Donning her heavy work gloves she used her knife and started to cut the carpet into manageable strips before rolling them up. Who needed the gym she thought hurling bits of carpet into a corner of the room. Eva was pleasantly surprised to discover the wooden floorboards were in good condition. It wouldn’t take too much effort to restore them to their original glory – some sanding and varnish and they would look lovely.

      Much later, covered in sweat and with aching muscles, Eva surveyed the room. Apart from a bit of plastering where the leak had caused damage, the room was ready for decorating. She had created a blank canvas to work with and, most importantly, it no longer felt like the MacKenzies’ room. It felt a little sad, as though Eva was stripping away their memories, but she knew they’d had a happy life here and now it was someone else’s turn. Would that person be