“Then we go outside and swim in the pool until dinner.”
“I love that,” I rest my head further on his shoulder. “I can’t imagine a hot Christmas. We’ll have to go out there one year.”
“We’ll have Smudge to spoil next year too,” he says, resting his hand on my belly.
“She won’t have a clue what’s going on.”
He chuckles. “I’ll spoil her anyway.”
“We should make some new traditions,” I say. “For her, as she grows up.” I shift in my seat to face him more. “What do you leave out for Father Christmas?”
“First of all, it’s Santa. Mum used to leave a bottle of L&P out, but when Cody was a kid we switched to beer so I could drink it.” He shoots me a cheeky grin.
“No mince pies?”
“Rosie.” Jackson sends me a horrified look. “What the fuck is a mince pie?”
I snicker. “It’s just a tiny fruit pie, but that’s what we call them. I’ll make you some to try.”
He grimaces.“I guess if I have to.”
“What’s L&P?”
“It’s like a fizzy lemon drink. I can’t stand the stuff, but Ella’s addicted to it. I’m sure she’s already brought a case over so you can try one.”
“Let’s compromise. Santa can eat a mince pie and he can wash it down with an L&P.”
“Deal,” Jackson says firmly, offering me his hand. “And he wears jandals.”
35
JACKSON
ThankGod I told Rosie to stay homeI think as my family barrels off the platform and all try to topple into my arms at once.
“Hello, hello,” I try to say to them all at the same time as I get hugs and pats from four different women.
“Jackie,” Mum wails as she clings to me longer. “You’ve grown.”
“I haven’t grown,” I laugh as I free myself from her clutches. “It’s good to see you too, Mum.”
I head over to Cody, who’s staring up at me under his lashes. He’s definitely grown a few inches. He’s already up to my elbow. “Come here, bub.” I pull him to me and ruffle his hair as his arms come around me. “How was the train?”
“It was good,” he says quietly. “It rained the whole time.”
I throw my head back with a laugh. “Welcome to Britain. Come on, I’m parked this way.”
I fling an arm around Cody as Nina piles the suitcases onto the trolley I brought, and Mum slots in next to me, clinging on to my elbow.
We head to the exit like a large conjoined hydra head.
“How’s Rosie?” Mum asks and I grin.
“She’s good. She’s been cooking all morning. She says she’s not nervous.”
Mum waves her hand. “What is she nervous for? We’re lovely.”
Ella laughs. “We’ve already been prepped, Jackie,” she tells me. “We’re all going to be on our best behavior.”
