This Christmas by Jane Green Read Free Book Online Page B

said they’d consider freelance features, and none of the others got back to me. I was at the playground yesterday and I ran into Jennifer Lucas.”
    “Don’t tell me! You’re going to be working at the spa!”
    “Only part-time, but I told her I was thinking about doing something and she said she could really do with some help now that the holiday season is starting. She said it’s her busiest time.”
    “God, I love that spa. They have the greatest treatments, not to mention the gym. Please tell me you get discounts.”
    Sarah laughs. “I have no clue, but I’m really excited. I thought I’d end up doing something completely different, not working in a spa, but now I think that this is probably a great way to ease myself back into the workplace. I’m really looking forward to it.”
    “I think it’s just great!” Caroline enthuses, giving Sarah just the support she needs, because the truth is Sarah isn’t sure. She felt it was ridiculous, a mother of two, an ex-journalist not putting to use any of her journalistic skills. But maybe this would better suit her life right now: a job that doesn’t require any research, doesn’t require any out-of-office hours, merely turning up, sitting at the front desk, being helpful and friendly, and going home at the end of the day without having to think about work again until the next time.
    “The only advice I have to give you,” Caroline says, “is make sure you go to bed early. You won’t believe how exhausted you’re going to be, working again, even if it is just sitting at the front desk all day.”
    “Well, here’s the greatest thing. I explained my situation with school, and she just wants help in the morning, so I’ll be done by two, and I can pick the kids up and spend the afternoons with them. I swear to you, this couldn’t be any more perfect.”
    “Have you told Eddie?”
    “No. Should I? I don’t know what he’d think, and he’s also not living here. Now that we’re separated I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell him anymore. I don’t know whether he is a part of our lives or whether he’s not. I feel like I’m in limbo. I never knew how strange this would feel.”
    “But you’re still married,” Caroline says. “And he’s still the father of your children. Think about it. If he were making any major life changes, wouldn’t you want to know?”
    Sarah nods. “You’re right. I’ll mention it to him the next time he phones.”
    “Does he phone you a lot?”
    “Mostly to speak to the kids, but maybe I’ll call him instead.” Caroline raises an eyebrow at her and Sarah shrugs. “Okay, okay. I’ll call him. Just not tonight. Let me work out what I’m going to say first.”

Chapter Seven
    A week later Sarah sits cross-legged on the bed and flattens the piece of paper out in front of her as she reviews the topics of conversation she is planning to talk about with Eddie.
    It still feels surreal to her. She hasn’t had to write down a conversation list since she was a teenager, and she’s not sure why she feels nervous. He is her husband, and there are things they need to discuss, although Sarah’s not yet ready for the big stuff, the serious stuff, the word that begins with D .
    Walker’s basketball camp
    Maggie wants a kitten
    Contractor coming to quote for the wall
    How is Chicago
    My job (!!!)
    Sarah started work two days ago, and already she feels as if the whole town has come in to see whether the rumors are really true. One by one other mothers she knows from preschool, women she has seen at various events, friends of friends have come into the spa expressing surprise at seeing her there.
    A few, she knew, were genuinely surprised. A few definitely didn’t know she was working there, but others were too surprised, too false in their joy at seeing her, too casually inquisitive about how her life was.
    A couple even had the temerity to ask, in deeply concerned tones, whether she was okay, whether they could do anything,