“Sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t resist.”
Vee looked at me, confused. “If he’s not your boyfriend, then what is he?”
I stared out into the garden again. Still on the phone, Fin paced up and down. I smiled as I watched him. Taking a deep breath, I sighed. As much as I wanted Fin to stay I knew that wasn’t an option. “A Christmas holiday romance,” I said.
“Well whatever’s going on between you, one thing’s for sure. I wouldn’t have come in here shouting my mouth off the way I had if I’d realised who he is,” Vee replied.
“You save your rudeness for us mere mortals, do you?”
Mitch chuckled from over in the kitchen.
Vee frowned. “You know what I mean.”
I smirked as I recalled her strop. “So, if you had been aware, you wouldn’t have accused him of being the reason I haven’t gone on holiday?”
Vee squirmed. “Please don’t.”
“Or cut him dead when he tried to explain what a staycation is?”
“I mean it, Holly. I feel embarrassed enough. For you as much as for myself. The man must think we’re all mad.”
I scoffed. “And he’d be blooming right,” I replied. “We are all mad.”
“I can vouch for that,” Mitch said.
“So where did you meet him?” Vee asked. “It’s not like you ever go anywhere except work and the local pub.”
I picked up my coffee and took a drink. “He just turned up on my doorstep one morning wanting a bed for the night,” I replied, matter of fact.
Vee looked at me suspiciously. “You are joking, right?”
“Nope. I haven’t been able to get rid of the man since.”
“And now for the real story?” my sister said, refusing to believe a word of it.
I put my cup back down with a smile. “Honestly, it’s true. Although he is a relative of Annie’s husband. Fin was meant to be staying at Annie’s but when Emma landed back home having left her boyfriend, I was asked to put him up instead.”
“Emma left Josh?” Vee looked at me confused.
“Yes, but that was days ago, they’re back together now. Except there’s still no spare bed available for Fin, as both EmmaandJosh are now staying at Annie’s on account of Emma being pregnant.” That sounded confusing even to me.
“Emma’s pregnant?” Vee’s eyes widened.
“She certainly is.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know any of this.” Vee turned to her husband, her shock continuing. “Did you know?” My sister clearly took after our Mum when it came to keeping up with everyone’s lives.
“We have had more important things to think about,” he replied, indicating his wife’s belly.
I fell serious, acknowledging that they had indeed. I recalled her fear that Mum would do anything to get a Christmas baby. “About what you said? Regarding Mum…”
Vee’s shoulders slumped. “To be honest, Holly, I don’t know where my head’s been at lately. I just overreacted over her calling the baby JC.”
Jesus Christ.I still couldn’t get over that.
“I haven’t a clue what’s wrong with me. I seem to be losing the plot a lot lately.”
“It’s her hormones,” Mitch said. “But will she listen.”
