Page 4 of Trust in Truth
“So is this next weekend?” Anna asked.
“Yes, before everything starts getting crazy with Christmas, New Year, and reopening. No laptops allowed!”
Anna’s lips parted and Katherine anticipated her reply. “No ifs or buts.”
Anna scowled at Katherine in response.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay if we miss visiting you, Dad?”
“Of course. You young’uns go and have fun.”
“We’ll call you instead,” Anna added.
“All right, love, only if you have time.”
“So you’re coming to us for Christmas, Harry?” Katherine said. “They’ve agreed you can stay one night.”
Harry’s face lit up. “Yes, please, doc. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Katherine felt a little teary at his comment.
“It’s been too long since I had a cuddle with Virginia,” he added. He chuckled at Katherine as her face fell in disappointment. “Only joking.”
Katherine rolled her eyes at him. “Virginia might not win the battle with the Christmas tree, so there are no guarantees she’ll make it to Christmas Day. My friend will be there, Rebecca, you’ve met her before.”
“Yes, I remember. Big, scary barrister lady.”
Katherine couldn’t help but laugh at his summation of Rebecca. She’d have to relay that to her when they spoke next.
“Tell me, Harry, why is your daughter so disinterested in Christmas?” Katherine felt frustrated that Anna didn’t share her enthusiasm. It was her first Christmas in a very long time where she would be able to really enjoy it. Previous holidays had involved either working or being on call. She couldn’t even remember the last Christmas when she’d had a drink. In more recent years she’d not even had anyone to share it with.
“We’ve never been big Christmas people. We’re not religious, doc.”
“Well, neither am I, but I can still find joy in the festivities.”
Harry leaned forward. “I’ll let you into a secret.”
Katherine inched closer to him.
“Dad, I don’t think Kat needs to hear this story.”
Katherine’s eyes widened and she let out a chuckle. “I think I do.”
“When Anna was six, she caught me putting the Christmas presents under the tree.”
“Yes, that’s enough, thank you, Dad,” Anna said, loudly attempting to drown him out.
“Go on, Harry,” Katherine said, encouraging him despite the blush forming on Anna’s face.
“I tried to convince her that I was just checking Father Christmas had been and was tidying up the presents, but she interrogated me.”
Katherine lifted an eyebrow at Anna. “I bet she did.”
Anna folded her arms and rolled her eyes.
“She wouldn’t be convinced any other way and said if there wasn’t a Father Christmas, then she would have his mince pie and special juice. Before I realised, she’d reached for the whisky and downed it. Her face was a picture, and the day after she was a little worse for wear. Admittedly, it was a very large one.”
“That’s why you won’t drink whisky!” Katherine said, trying to contain her laughter.
