Page 31 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets
Erin was already half regretting inviting Jason to the party. Pippa and Gil had been kind enough to include partners and in defiance of Oli’s words on Sunday about her relationship, she’d messaged Jason yesterday and blurted out the suggestion. She’d already agreed to be Jason’s plus-one at his cousin’s wedding in the new year. Surprisingly, he’d said yes straightaway to her invitation, and she was wondering if it was because he didn’t have a better plan lined up. In reality it felt too early in their relationship to have him join her for a more formal work event than a gathering at the pub, but she’d asked him now and at least it meant she wouldn’t be arriving alone.
‘Erin, hi. What do you think of this?’ Jess appeared in the kitchen as Erin was filling the kettle, still musing on the party, and thrust a phone she recognised as Oli’s towards her. ‘Oli’s not that keen but I think it’s perfect and he suggested you should have the casting vote.’
‘Me?’ Erin laughed, automatically reaching for mugs to make her colleagues a brew. Elaine had gone home, and it was Steph’s half day. Gabi was on a training course and would be back on Thursday. Word had got around now about Erin and Oli being at Cambridge together, and everyone had accepted they’d been friends. Erin was hopeful that only Jess knew things had been different. The man in question propped himself against the door as she woke the coffee machine up, his eyes on hers full of amusement. ‘I’m not sure my experience of ugly sweater parties, which is none, is up to choosing outfits for other people.’
‘So you don’t like it?’ Jess waved the phone again and Erin had a proper look this time.
‘Actually, I sort of do. There’s something about a scowling green sprout that would really suit you, Oli. Goes with your hair.’
‘Decision made.’ Oli accepted his phone back from Jess and ran his fingers over the screen. ‘Done. I can pick it up from the shop tomorrow.’
‘Can’t wait,’ Jess said airily. ‘So when are you putting your decs up, Erin? I’d offer to help, seeing as we won’t be having any this year, given the state of our house, but I don’t want to be in the way if Oli’s helping you instead.’
Erin gave her friend and colleague a pointed look, and Jess laughed, undaunted. ‘Soon, I hope. My mum’s brought over some old decorations from home, and I’ve got a few new ones to add.’
Exploring all those old childhood memories the decorations held made her feel nostalgic and a little sad. It was another shift away from her usual routine of decorating her grandparents’ house together. Celebrating a first Christmas in her own home was another step into a fully independent life.
‘Don’t I get any say in all this Christmas planning?’ Oli folded his arms, and Erin was thinking of his mum, and the reminder that he’d be spending another Christmas without her.
‘Is that an offer to help?’ She was pretty sure she wouldn’t get Jason round for such a mundane task if she asked him. ‘But it’s totally fine if not, I understand.’
‘I think even I can manage to help you string a few lights around a tree.’
‘Well, it’s not just lights.’ Erin handed Jess herbal tea and Oli an espresso, and they thanked her. ‘Decorating the house for Christmas is one of my favourite days of the year, it’s so much fun.’
‘How bad are we talking here?’ A smile was hovering on Oli’s lips, and she read one in his eyes, too. ‘On a scale ofThe Grinchright through toElf?’
‘Oh, full onElf, definitely. ImagineElfcrossed withNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationmeets the shop inLast Christmas, then you’re getting close.’ She hoped he wouldn’t find her plans upsetting, given the situation with his own family.
‘Seriously?’ Oli huffed out a sigh she felt was exaggerated, the amusement in his gaze still lingering. ‘Gabi didn’t put that in the welcome email.’
‘We didn’t want to scare you off,’ Erin said lightly. ‘While we’re talking about movie night, Jess, I was thinking of sticky cranberry sausages and halloumi in blankets, with s’mores to finish.’
‘That sounds amazing. I can’t wait and Steph’s really looking forward to it.’
‘What do you think ofHolidate, thenElfandThe Holiday? If we start early enough we should be able to make three.’
‘Perfect. Maybe we could squeeze inLast Christmastoo, I love Henry Golding in that movie.’ Jess was nursing the mug between her fingers. ‘So will Jason be there?’
‘I haven’t invited him as it’s a work thing, not couples.’ Erin was keen to get Jess off the subject of Jason in front of Oli. ‘Not that we’re a couple, we’re just dating.’
‘Yeah, so you keep saying.’ Oli’s narrowed eyes made it clear what he thought of that, and Erin glared back. Whatever had passed between them on Sunday night, sitting in the empty practice after carrying out emergency surgery, he still had no right to make his feelings about Jason quite so plain, especially in front of Jess.
‘So you’ll be there, Oli,’ Jess said quickly, and Erin could’ve kicked herself. She’d walked right into that one. ‘What’s your favourite festive movie?’
‘I don’t really have one.’
‘Oh come on, everyone does!’
‘Not me, but I suppose if you pushed me I’d sayThe Muppet Christmas Carol,’ he said wistfully. ‘There’s just something about those characters that’s so comforting, and the story is timeless. I used to watch it when I was a kid.’
‘Then we should watch that too,’ Jess said immediately, looking at Erin for confirmation. ‘We could swap out one of the others, I don’t mind which.’
‘We can talk about it later. I’d better get on. I’ve got stuff to do online before I finish.’ Erin was thankful to have a reason to end this conversation. This was exactly why she preferred to avoid all discussions at work where her private life was concerned; it was getting a little too public for her liking. It was different with Jess as she’d become a friend and, for all her frivolity, Erin trusted her.
Forty minutes later she was going over some test results from the lab. They’d taken bloods from the vomiting cat Erin had seen out of hours last weekend and its kidney results were concerning. She needed to see it again to discuss those and other symptoms, and plan for possible treatment. She was about to pick up the phone when Oli stuck his head around the door.
‘Sorry, Erin, have you got a minute? Dorothy’s brought in a kitten, and I could do with a word as Gil’s not here.’
