‘Why would you think that?’ I ask.
‘Because his beard fell off.’
‘Oh.’ I don’t know how to parent this situation and realise I have to think on my feet.
‘Maybe he was a stand-in? A representative of the company.’
‘Santa works for a company?’
‘It would make sense for him to be part of a limited company for tax reasons.’ They both look at me blankly. Change of subject needed. ‘So, Uncle Sonny’s wedding is coming up, that’s exciting?’
‘Are you going to be there?’ asks Xander curiously.
‘Well, I hope so. I am his sister.’
Vinnie giggles. ‘Do you have to wear a suit?’
I rest my arm on their sofa as we forgetAnt-Manis on the television.
‘I forgot, you had your fittings the other day. What were they like?’
They scrunch their little faces up at me. Vinnie has the best brown curly hair that may or may not remind me of someone I know. How can I miss his hair? Would our kids have his hair? Don’t even go there.
‘They were itchy and we have to wear ties and I couldn’t breathe.’
‘I doubt that.’
‘We all matched Daddy’s suit and Mummy saw it and she cried. I don’t know why,’ Xander adds.
‘It’s probably because you all looked amazing. I’m not wearing a suit. I’m wearing a red dress.’
‘Like Mummy?’
I nod.
‘Are you bringing your boyfriend?’
I giggle, shaking my head at them both. Good news travels fast obviously and even more so when it’s being wielded by my mother.
‘He’s not really my boyfriend. That’s who I was just speaking to on the phone actually,’ I tell them, the anxiety of Cameron being in my family home shooting through me again.
‘Mummy said we have to cross everything that’s he a nice guy because some of your past boyfriends have been bad news.’ They both come at me with crossed fingers. I’m glad their parents put it more politely than others would.
‘Well, we will see what happens there. Have you heard what you’re doing at the wedding?’
‘We’re carrying the rings. And giving them to Mum at the end of the island,’ Xander erupts with excitement.
‘The aisle. It’s an important job. I’ll be there, though, so I can help, you won’t be on your own. I’ll have Dave with me too. Have you practised your walking?’ I ask them.
They both stare at me. Aunty JoJo, we’ve been walking since we were one. Do we seriously need a tutorial on how to do that?
‘Come, stand up. It’s a special slow walk.’
The boys rise to their feet, Xander pretending that he’s on the moon. I giggle and move some toys out of the way, so we have a stretch of carpet to glide along.
‘It’s one together, two together, next step together… Try to go in time to the music.’
‘What’s the music?’ Vinnie asks.
