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‘They were new and she liked them.’
Jack looked at Bryony. ‘Another child stole her gloves?’
‘It’s fine, Jack,’ Bryony said hastily, knowing just how protective Jack could be of Lizzie. ‘She’ll sort it out.’
‘You should speak to her teacher.’
‘It’s fine, Jack!’ Bryony shot him a warning look. ‘Now, let’s go and choose this tree, shall we?’
Jack sucked in a breath and smiled. ‘Good idea.’ He took Lizzie’s hand in his. ‘We’ll get you some new gloves, peanut. Any pair you want. We’ll choose them together.’
They walked amongst the trees and Lizzie sprinted up to one and tilted her head back, gazing up in awe.
‘I like this one.’
Bryony looked at it in dismay. ‘Lizzie, it’s the tallest tree here!’
‘I know.’ Lizzie stroked the branches lovingly, watching as the needles sprang back. ‘I love it. It’s big. Like having the whole forest in your house. And I like the way it smells.’ She leaned forward and breathed in and Bryony sighed.
‘It won’t fit into our living room, sweetheart. How about that one over there—it’s a lovely shape.’
Lizzie shook her head, her hand still locked around one branch of the tree she’d chosen as if she couldn’t quite let it go. ‘I love this one. I want this to be our tree.’
Bryony closed her eyes briefly. ‘Lizzie—’
‘It’s a great tree and we can always trim the top,’ Jack said firmly, and Bryony lifted an eyebrow.
‘You’re planning to lop six feet off the top?’
He grinned. ‘If need be.’ He squatted down next to Lizzie, his hair shining glossily black next to the little girl’s blonde curls. ‘The lady likes this one. So the lady gets this one.’
‘You need to learn to say no to her, Jack.’
‘Why would I want to say no?’ He scooped Lizzie into his arms and grinned at her. ‘So you want this tree?’
Lizzie nodded and slipped her arm round his neck. ‘Can I have it?’
‘Of course.’ Still holding the child, Jack slipped a hand into his pocket and removed his wallet. ‘Here we are, Blondie. Merry Christmas.’
Bryony shook her head. ‘I’ll pay, Jack.’
‘My treat.’ His eyes locked on hers, his expression warm. ‘Please.’
She hesitated and then smiled. ‘All right. Thanks.’
Lizzie tightened her arms round Jack’s neck. ‘Why do you call Mummy Blondie?’
‘Because she has blonde hair, of course.’
‘But I have blonde hair, too.’
Jack gave a start. ‘So you do! Goodness—I never noticed.’
Lizzie gave a delicious chuckle. ‘Yes, you did. I know you’re joking.’ She hugged him tight and then looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Jack…’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t tell me, you want to go home and play Weddings?’
‘No.’ She lifted a small hand and touched his cheek. ‘I asked Santa for a daddy for Christmas.’
