Page 19 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Mr Marin had taken his webbed hands from the tank. They lay flat on the counter. “And am I to understand, that in your question regarding my desire to visit the Christmas markets, was an included implied invitation to accompany you?”

“What?”What the fuck did that mean?

Mr Marin pursed his lips. “Were you asking me to go withyouto the Christmas markets?”

“Of course.” Hadn’t that been obvious?

Mr Marin nodded, as if expecting the answer. “Then you must forgive me my rudeness. You see, I had assumed you were simply asking if I had a general desire to visit the Christmas markets. And you see, although I’ve never been to them, they’ve never held much appeal to me.”

Mr Marin paused. “From my understanding, the markets are very loud and bright. And there are so many people there. I am not certain I would suit such an environment.” Mr Marin took off his glasses and pulled out a cloth.

“But I had not realised I was being invited to go with you.” He wiped his glasses and swallowed. Mr Marin appeared…nervous. Trent had never seen the siren nervous before.

“Wait.” Trent straightened. “You didn’t realise I was asking you to go with me?”

Mr Marin let out a breath. “Exactly.”

Had Trent not been clear? He couldn’t remember what he’d said. But he wouldn’t be surprised if he made a mess of it. “So does that mean you would be interested in going to the Christmas markets with me?”

The hope that had been extinguished the previous day burst into fiery flames within his chest. He stood up taller, gaze on Mr Marin, waiting for the next words to fall from his lips as hope and terror danced within him.

“Well…like I said, I have not been before to these Christmas markets, and I’m not sure how I would find them,” Mr Marin said.

Trent wanted to say he would be happy to go somewhere else, as long as they’d be together. But the siren kept speaking, “But I will happily accept your invitation to join you.”

Trent smiled. He thought he’d burst with joy.

A few moments ago, he’d been despairing, thinking his hopes had been harshly dashed. But no. Now he had a date. A date with Mr Marin!

Chapter

Eleven

Malachi watched as Trent’s whole demeanour changed in an instant.

He must truly be lonely and in need of a friend if he was this happy to find someone to go with him to the Christmas markets. “But I should let you know before we go, I am not familiar with the Christmas markets. You will have to be my guide.”

Mr Berry nodded vigorously. “Oh. Yes. That won’t be a problem. I can show you everything. I know the Christmas markets inside and out.”

The young man bounced on his feet. “I work there throughout December every year. It’s magical. Usually, I work in the bakery earlier in the day, and then I go to the Christmas markets where I work at the family stall.”

“I see,” Malachi said. “Well, I appreciate such an experienced guide.”

Trent beamed.

“You have a big family, correct?”

“Nine siblings. And seven of them have partners. So the family is huge.” Mr Berry laughed.

“And are you close?” Malachi asked, uncertain if that was too direct.

Without hesitation, Mr Berry nodded again. “Very close.”

“I see.” But he didn’t really. Why would this young man need a friend if he had such a large close-knit family?

It didn’t make sense to him. But perhaps he was missing something. Perhaps Mr Berry wanted a friend outside the family. That would be reasonable.

But still, why would he want Malachi as a friend? He was reserved, significantly older, very dull, and not at all as vibrant as Mr Berry himself.