ENSHROUDING LIGHT

THE UNINVITED GUEST

CHAPTER 12

THE UNINVITED GUEST

Nevaeh swung Tom's arm as they walked down the road. 'Guess what you can do today.'

He looked up at her, widening his amazing eyes. 'Me blow candle on me bufday cake?'

'You most certainly can.' Every party the café hosted, Tom had to watch children blow out candles. She'd been looking forward to watching him do it. 'So no going in the ball pit today!'

'No won't!' He shook his head.

As they stepped into the café, Tom gasped. There must've been a hundred colourful balloons all around the place, and there was also a Happy Birthday Tom banner above the entrance to the play area.

Tom ran over to Jack and Winston. 'Love Jack. Love Winston. My TVD.' He said, referring to the TV and DVD player he'd opened earlier. He held his arms up.

'You're welcome!' they both answered, picking one arm and one leg each side of him and swinging him into a group hug.

'Father Christmas!' Tom shouted.

Nevaeh spun to see Mark bending his chiselled frame under the kitchen doorway. His piercing, steel eyes met hers first. As he smiled, her heart rate soared.

The guys placed Tom back on the floor and Tom ran to him. Mark smiled and patted his head then handed him a present. He opened it to find a set of plastic coloured letters and a magnetic whiteboard to stick them to.

Tom threw his arms around Mark's Legs. 'Wow. Mazing. Thank you!'

'You're very welcome.' Mark secured the board into a firm position and then reached into the bag and placed a few letters on the board.

Tom stood tall and pointed to each letter. 'T, H, P and N.'

Mark raised his eyebrows and smiled. 'He's learnt his letters already, I see.'

'Yes, thanks to you, he's mastered that book already!' Was her voice sweet enough? She swung her hips slightly to waft her expensive silk dress she bought because a shop assistant told her brought out her eyes in front of him. The one she'd rushed out and bought when she knew Mark was coming to cover her shift.

'I've got a few early learning books. I could bring him some others if you like.' Mark gave her his delicious, shy smile. His hand rested on the counter next to hers.

Her heart fluttered. Would it touch hers? 'Yes, I'd love that. I mean he'd love that!' She felt heat rush into her cheeks. Thankfully, the door opened, and they all turned to welcome the guests.

The three lads, taking up their work positions, led all the mothers and children through. Out of all the children who turned up, only Molly ran to Tom. Molly decided that today, as soon as he'd opened his presents, he would be her dog but, in consideration for his new suit, she allowed him to be led by his hand instead of walking him on all fours.

When Frank and Alicia arrived with her mum and dad, Nevaeh walked into the café area to greet them. Her dad shook Jack's hand, and her mum gave him a kiss but, as Frank told Jack how good it was to see him, Alicia stared at him with a look of disgust.

'How many tattoos have you got now?' She was looking at both of his forearms like he was an idiot. 'And are they all squiggly daft lines?'

'It's a compilation of music from my latest album!' Jack held out his forearms and smiled. 'And I have fifteen. Most of which Nev has designed.' He turned and smiled at Nevaeh.

She smiled back. She'd always been flattered that Jack chose some of her art to ink into his skin; she just didn't want to be accused of encouraging underage tattooing by her mum and quickly changed the subject.