Page 64 of Will You Stay Another Day?
‘It’s me, Lili!’ she called through.
The light in the lounge flicked on again. The door creaked open.
‘What are you doing here, gal?’
Tommo’s eyes had dark circles underneath, his hair hadn’t been brushed and he was still wearing his pyjamas.
He glanced down at himself. ‘I… I’ve had to delay my trip to my sister. I’ve got a train booked first thing tomorrow and will get there just in time for Christmas dinner. I haven’t been well. Must have caught a bug.’
‘You sound fine to me,’ Lili said and folded her arms.
A sparkle of humour, ever so small, but definitely there, shone in his eyes.
‘You’d better come in,’ he grumbled. ‘That air is bloody freezing.’ He led her into the lounge on the right, and it smelt of cigarette smoke. A comfortable room with big cushions and thick carpet, its centre point was a striking painting of a motorbike on the wall.
‘How can I help?’ he asked and pointed at the sofa for her to sit down.
‘Come to mine tomorrow afternoon. The fishing boat master will be there – floods mean he can’t go to Italy. My parents have got Covid. Glenda’s family is off to Iceland, so she’s coming too. I’m going to ring Meg and ask if she and her Gran want to drop by. There won’t be turkey, it’s all a bit last-minute, but?—’
‘Hold your horses, gal! Thank you for the invite, but I’m off to my sister’s, I told you.’
Her cheeks flushed. His secret. ‘I know, Tommo,’ she said quietly.
Tommo interlocked his fingers. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You don’t have a sister. Let’s face it, you only ever mention her at Christmas. Last year I spotted you in Mevagissey on my last day at work, before I travelled up north, when you should have been in Norfolk. You wore dark glasses and a scarf around your mouth, but it was definitely your hair.’
His hands clenched together. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘I get it,’ she said gently. ‘Last year I didn’t want to celebrate the festive season. I know you miss Joe, that you probably can’t imagine enjoying Christmas without him, but… remember what you said to me yesterday – about maybe it being time now for Em’s memory not to be such a big focus for me?’
Tommo grunted.
‘Maybe it’s time for you to take a step forward now too – by making real plans for Christmas; by not spending it alone.’
‘What would you know?’ he muttered.
‘I know what it’s like to only want to attend parties that are pity parties.’ Her voice became more firm. ‘But that, Mister, isn’t going to get you anywhere. You don’t strike me as someone who’s simply all talk. So listen to your own common sense. What would Joe say?’
He looked up. ‘That’s a low blow.’
‘Is it? Because I know what Em would think to the way I’ve been wallowing. She’d tell me to pull my head out of my arse and get on with life, grateful that I can because hers has ended.’
Tommo’s mouth dropped open and then his eyes crinkled. He laughed. ‘Jesus. Okay, okay. I’ll bike over. Anything for a bit of peace.’ Tommo sprang up. ‘Fancy a cuppa?’
‘A quick one would be lovely,’ she replied, eyes twinkling. ‘I’ll put the kettle on whilst you get changed and then we can talk about the best party games to play on Christmas Day…’
‘And I’m so sorry that quick one turned into two cups,’ said Lili as she sat down in the kitchen at home, coat still on. She looked up at Dylan. ‘I feel really guilty. Not only have you done the shop, you’ve also started the food prep for tomorrow.’
Dylan sat down next to her and took her hands. ‘I love everything to do with cooking and, for the record, what you did this afternoon for Glenda and Tommo is far more important.’
‘More important than a magnificent roast? Don’t get carried away.’ She leant forwards and they kissed. ‘I did find time to pick up a tin of chocolates, a box of Christmas crackers and plenty of nibbles. Also some Santa paper napkins. And I just drove past an off-licence. I’ll nip out and stock up. Might get a bottle of Bailey’s – not a huge fan of it myself, but I bet Glenda is. I also called Meg – she and her gran will definitely drop by but will only want a mini dinner as they’ve bought in everything to eat at lunchtime with a neighbour who’s on their own. Oh, and Meg messaged Tommo and the three of them are going to share a taxi over, and pick Glenda up on the way. I’ve given them her number.’
‘Whoa, slow down!’ Dylan said and grinned. ‘Sounds like hot chocolates are in order for an energy kick before I tackle making dessert and you do the booze run.’
‘Dessert? Didn’t they have Christmas puddings?’
‘Yes. I got a large one. Two boxes of mince pies too. And, of course, a Panettone. But Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Tiramisu. Whilst you’re out I’ll ring Mum and Dad again. Naples airport is still only running a limited service but, fingers crossed, where they are, the rain’s slowly abating. The water hasn’t reached their sandbags yet. It’s a huge relief.’
