Cold as Ice

Chapter 53

‘Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.’

The whole of the cast stood as the audience applauded at the end of the show.

Tracy was sitting in the front row next to Danielle. Jackson beamed at them. He was dressed in his bunny suit and stood fidgeting at the entrance to the stable.

Tracy looked across at Danielle and smiled. She reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

They walked outside into the bright cold night and Tracy picked Jackson up in her arms.

‘What are you going to do?’ Danielle asked.

‘I’ve applied to be a beauty therapist on a cruise liner and been accepted. I’ll send tickets back for you and Jackson to join me whenever you can along the way.’

‘What about Steve?’

‘We have come to the decision that we won’t divorce for now but we’ll go our separate ways and see how we find it. I’d like to think we could start again but we need time and space for now.’

‘I’m sorry, Tracy.’

‘No, don’t be. It’s a relief for us both. Steve will be able to find out what he wants in life. Instead of always trying to be what I wanted him to be. And maybe we’ll fall in love again – who knows?’

‘What about Christmas?’

‘Steve’s going back to his family for Christmas and I’m hoping for an invite from the two people I really love more than anyone else in the world.’ She gave Jackson a kiss. Danielle smiled. Tracy reached over and kissed Danielle’s cheek. Danielle’s face still bore the scars from the suffering she’d endured. ‘I feel like being a mummy and a nanny to two people I think the world of, if that’s okay?’

‘No problem.’

Jackson shrieked as he struggled to get out of Tracy’s arms.

‘Anyone want a dog?’ Jeanie pretended she hadn’t seen them.

Scruffy was still bandaged around his trunk but able to move his legs. He was ready to go home.