“Dodgy, you say?” I said, smirking Fin’s way.
“Definitely. He had blond hair, brushed back off his face,” Mum said. “And a solid square jaw.” She turned to Fin. “He looked a bit like you.”
“Oh, yes,” Dad said, clearly still picturing Fin’s drive-by. “It seems even criminals appreciate a good set of Christmas lights.”
Fin’s eyes widened as he made the connection. “So that’s your house?” he said, all smiles. “The one with the sleigh on the roof and the giant blow-up Santa?”
My parents nodded.
Fin turned his attention to me. “Why didn’t you say?”
“You mean it was you who drove by?” Mum asked. She leaned back in her seat, her relief evident. “Well that explains things.”
“Explains what?” I asked.
“Why I thought I’d seen him before.” She indicated Fin. “He’s the burglar.”
It appeared Mum wasn’t the only one feeling relief. “I am he,” Fin said, a bit too jovially. Putting a hand up in the air to confirm, he was clearly pleased Mum hadn’t recognised him off the telly.
Eyeing his delight, I wondered what his response would have been had my mother given up his real identity, forced to suppose I’d never know. “Mum, he’s not a burglar,” I said. “He took the car with my permission.”
“Fantastic light show, by the way,” Fin said to my Dad.
“Please don’t encourage them,” I said, shaking my head as I went back to collect the teapot.
“You still haven’t told us whatyou’redoing here?” Mum said.
“The holiday company cancelled my trip,” I replied. Not wanting to admit that Jeremy had stung me again, especially in front of Fin, I tried to come up with an excuse. “The resort went down with some stomach bug.”
“Really?” Mum said. She straightened up in her seat.
I didn’t have to look at her to know her eyes had lit up and steeling myself ready for her onslaught, I began counting backwards.Three, two, one…
“Well that is good news,” she said, right on cue.
I shook my head. “Tell that to the poor souls who caught it.”
Mum nudged my Dad with her elbow, her excitement undeniable. “Joe, you know what this means, don’t you? Holly can come home for Christmas.”
I poured everyone a drink. “Unfortunately,” I said, refusing to let Mum get carried away.
Mum’s face fell, her eyes narrowing as she waited to hear what I had to say.
“I’ve made other arrangements.”
Fin swooped in for his cup, no doubt, to hide behind should a family argument ensue.
Dad chuckled. “We can see that,” he said, grinning at Fin, while mid-sip, Fin nearly choked on his tea.
“What are you talking about?” Mum asked. “What other arrangements?”
“I’ve decided to have a staycation.”
“A what?” Mum asked.
Fin leaned forward. “It’s when instead of…”
I watched Mum flash him a look, silencing his explanation. It was the exact same expression Vee had used when Fin had tried to enlighten her on the matter. “I’ll get the biscuits, shall I?” he said, getting up from his seat to fetch some.
