As happy as she was, confusion flooded her senses. Nick removed the large red trousers from over his jeans and Bella felt the need to turn away. He was still getting changed after all and the idea of him undressing was doing unnerving things to her body. She’d almost forgotten what desire was with Evan. That had been another thing that had died without her realising. They still had sex, but it was all rather automatic, squeezed in at the end of a day because they felt it was something they should do, but she’d buried any concerns under the idea that they still probably had more sex than any of their friends.

Nick stopped in front of her and handed her the Santa costume. ‘So, I’ll see you later.’ She nodded, unable to speak as emotions swirled and whispered in her head.

Nick closed the door, and Bella flopped down into Santa’s chair. Was she too old to ask Santa for something on her Christmas list? Whether it was too soon after her break-up or not, she was definitely falling for Nick Cowley and a tiny part of her brain was convinced he had feelings for her too.

Chapter 21

‘Why are you getting changed, Dad?’

‘Because I want to look nice,’ Nick said without thinking. Then added, ‘And I don’t want to get cold.’

‘But you’ll be wearing your coat. You don’t need to look nice underneath.’

Nick smiled. You couldn’t fault his logic. It was a logic he’d shared not so long ago, but he wanted to make an effort. To feel good when he saw Bella. ‘I’m almost done. Are you ready?’ Freddie nodded. ‘You need to wash your face – you’ve got dinner all round your chops.’

Freddie wiped with his sleeve and managed to remove most of it. It would do. Bella wouldn’t mind. She was so easy-going, so happy. She’d been like a fresh winter wind bursting into his house and blowing all the cobwebs and dust away. She’d certainly done that to his heart. He thought of the moment her body had pressed against his in the shed. That had been special enough but when she’d helped get the beard off in the grotto, he felt something so strong it nearly knocked him over. His chest had set on fire and he’d longed to reach out and hold her, to wrap his hands around her waist and pull her close. Her lips called out to be kissed and the idea of that hadn’t left him all day. Even when he’d been playing games with Freddie this afternoon, his mind had wandered, picturing what it would be like, imagining the feelings inside him.

From his window he could see Bella walking down the path to the front door. ‘Come on, mate. It’s time.’