Page 62 of Will You Stay Another Day?
Dylan was a little late, which suited Lili as she’d just made a call to the property owner over an idea she’d had for her cottage, and it had overran. Hearing the doorbell, she rushed into the hallway, then slowed at the last minute and gathered herself. But as soon as she saw her gladiator, all notions of playing it cool vanished out of the door and into the sleet. She dived in for a kiss before he’d even got into the hall. Lili pulled off his beanie, took his coat and stood on tiptoe as Dylan leant down for another one.
‘You aren’t the only one who can cook Italian,’ she said when they’d settled in the lounge on the sofa, with glasses of red wine. ‘Although when I say cook, I use the word loosely… What I actually mean is I’ve ordered in pizza. Hope that’s okay.’
‘More than okay,’ he said, voice a little flat. He took a large sip of his drink. Two large cardboard boxes lay on the floor. He jerked his head towards them. ‘You aren’t actually moving to Manchester, are you?’
‘No. How do you feel about helping me put up the Christmas tree tonight? I’ve brought it and the decorations down from the loft. I wasn’t going to bother but’ – she thought back to what Tommo had said about Bobbin – ‘now the time feels right.’
‘Sure,’ he said.
She leant sideways and dug him gently in the ribs. ‘You okay?’
‘Sorry, Lili. Just waiting for a text. It’s why I was late.’ His phone buzzed and he put his drink on the coffee table. Lili undid one of the boxes whilst he tapped into his phone, gave a big sigh and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Lili scooched over and sat at his feet, her chin resting on his knees. ‘What’s up?’
‘Flights are being cancelled from everywhere going into Naples airport, including mine. But worse than that, Vietri sul Mare, my grandparents’ village, is cut off by flooding. A storm had been building in recent days and was due to miss their area, but it changed course late yesterday and things got much worse overnight.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘As soon as I heard the word storm, I should have changed my flight and gone over earlier in case they needed me. It’s no excuse but what with Vegas and… other distractions.’ He shot her a wry smile. ‘I wasn’t thinking of my family over the weekend as much as I could have been. The water has got into Nonna and Nonno’s garage. They’ve got sandbags around the house. The weather’s due to get even worse in the next twenty-four hours. The upshot is, I’ll be spending my Christmas in Tavistock.’
‘Oh no! Dylan, I’m so sorry.’
He read his phone again. ‘It sucks, big time. I’m not bothered for myself, much as I was looking forward to it… I’m worried about my grandparents. They’re getting on now.’
‘Maybe you can get over there once the storm has passed. Go for New Year’s instead. Help them clear up if they do get hit?’
His face brightened. ‘Why didn’t I think of that! I’ll text Mum and Dad and then get onto the airline and see if it’s possible.’
She got up and sat next to him. ‘Don’t spend Christmas on your own. Come to Manchester with me. My parents would love to meet you and I can’t believe, in all these years, you’ve never visited the north.’
‘I couldn’t come, Lili. I wouldn’t want to intrude.’
‘Then do it for me,’ she said and grinned. ‘Just so that I can see Auntie Sheila’s face. Every Christmas she wants to know why I haven’t settled down yet. And seeing you, in the flesh, will prove to Dad that I’m not aromantic.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t ask!’
He hesitated, a spark in his eye now. ‘Well, okay, being purely selfless here though.’
She grinned back.
‘But ring your parents first. Honestly, if you get a vibe that they just wanted a family Christmas, that’s fine. Right, I’d better call the airline company.’
An hour later, Lili was setting out plates in the kitchen. She had baked beans on the hob to go with the pizza, a throwback to her childhood. She stood looking at the garden as Dylan came in. A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind and she smiled ahead at his reflection in the window, despite the frown across her forehead. Sleet still tapped against the glass.
‘All done,’ he announced. ‘Mum and Dad and my grandparents sounded relieved that I’d be going over there at some point. The weather’s due to ease off at the end of this week. I’ve even managed to change my flight. It was easier online, in the end. I’m just waiting for a confirmation email.’ He took a moment. ‘This way, I’ll have some time off work at home, and I can set about emptying Harry’s bedroom.’
She squeezed his arm.
‘Did you ring your parents?’ he asked. ‘Whose house are you staying at for Christmas?’
‘Dad’s was the plan as he’s got the most room, but heading to Mum’s for a late turkey dinner – the first Christmas Day all together since I was at school.’
‘Wow. That’s special. And were they okay with me coming?’
She turned around to face him. ‘No. Really sorry, Dylan, but?—’
He held up his hand. ‘I get it. Completely. This is quite a monumental year for your family. And Jags texted me over a work issue he’d forgotten to raise. We got chatting and he said I’m welcome at his. What time are you leaving tomorrow?’
‘I’m not. That’s the thing. When I called, turns out Dad was about to ring me. He sounded terrible. He’s got Covid. So has Mum. They both tested positive today and reckon they caught it last week, on their trip out to the pub. Apparently Mum’s ringing me in the morning. She’s already gone to bed. He’s really upset but says there’s no point me driving all that way as I’d not be able to go near them.’
