‘How do they get inside each other?’ asked Flora, her face confused.
Before anyone could answer Myles and the twins came into the room in their coats, their faces ruddy from being outside.
‘We want a present from you for Christmas Eve,’ Myles said.
‘I gave you your presents. I’m not made of money you ungrateful little twerps.’ She laughed.
Gabe stepped forward. ‘No, we want you to do something for us.’
Eve looked at them, mischief all over their cold faces from being in the garage.
‘No,’ she said putting up her hand.
‘Come on,’ said Nick. ‘You said you would anytime.’
‘Not today, Satan.’ Eve shook her head and ate another piece of cake and pudding as an end to the conversation.
‘Please, Eve. Please?’ Myles looked at her with such intensity that she wondered if it was what she thought they were asking for.
‘Gabe and Nick talk about how great you are, please?’
‘What do they want you to do?’ whispered Flora.
‘They want me to sing,’ she said.
‘Oh yes, yes, this is perfect, I want to hear and see also,’ Edward said.
‘Go on, love, I haven’t heard you in a while. I miss it,’ Sam said from his chair, eyes still closed.
‘Dad, I thought you would be on my side.’
‘I’d like to hear you sing a song,’ said Flora quietly and put her hand in Eve’s.
The touch of the soft skin of Flora’s hand in hers, the way her little fingers curled around her hand and her face looking up at hers felt like a shock of love. A deep wave of wanting to always keep the child safe wasn’t like anything she had felt before.
‘I will sing if you join my band with me,’ she said to Flora.
‘But I can’t play guitar,’ said Flora.
‘No but you can play the tambourine and sing along with me, can’t you?’
Flora nodded excitedly.
‘Righto, get your coat. We’ll have a practice first and then call you out. Tickets will be twenty pounds to go to the animal shelter where Mum volunteers. And Edward Priest will be paying for all of them,’ she said and caught his eye.
He laughed and nodded. ‘Naturally.’
‘We will call you when we’re ready for an audience,’ Eve said as she helped Flora into her coat and hat and mittens.
*
Eve adjusted the microphone on the stand and jumped up and down to keep warm. Then she strung the guitar strap over her shoulder and fixed the instrument to feel comfortable.
She turned to the boys behind her.
‘You ready?’
The boys nodded, Gabe and Nick with huge grins on their faces. Myles looked nervous but excited.
