Page 51 of Holly's Christmas Countdown
Vee looked his way, her expression stern.
“I’m just saying,” her husband replied. “It’s nothing to worry about, it’s all part of the pregnancy journey.”
Vee shook her head. “If I’ve told him to shut up about what’s going on inmybody once, I’ve told him a hundred times.” She took a deep breath, appearing to try and calm herself. “Anyway,” Vee said. “I believe thegood newsis that you’re coming to Mum and Dad’s on Christmas Day. And I believe Fin will also be in attendance.”
“About that,” I said. “I still haven’t properly talked to Fin about it, let alone decided on–”
“You have to come,” Vee said interrupting me.
I knew an act when I saw one.
“I need you there to help me and Mitch protect this one.” She rubbed her belly.
I laughed. “Please don’t start that again.”
My sister smiled. “I will if it means you’ll agree to come,” she said. “Why should we be the only ones to suffer? Besides you can’t say no. Mum and Dad are expecting you both. Plus Mum’s checking and re-checking the menu especially for Fin.”
Fin suddenly appeared, having let himself back in from the garden. “What’s being re-checked especially for me?” he asked.
He might have been smiling as he tucked his phone into his pocket but – unusual for him – his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. It seemed all wasn’t as well as Fin evidently tried to portray.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
He nodded, fast turning back to my sister and brother-in-law.
“The Christmas Day menu has a few additions this year,” Mitch replied. “You’re being honoured, mate.”
“I’ve told them we haven’t actually agreed to go yet,” I said, partly because I didn’t want Fin to feel bullied and partly because I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend.
“But why wouldn’t we?” he asked, instead.
My heart sank. I had hoped Fin would want to celebrate here at my house, just the two of us. I wanted to kick myself for letting my mind get carried away with itself that morning. I’d obviously freaked the man out. Fin, having realised what I was thinking, was plainly trying to distance himself.
“I’m happy to if you are?” Fin said to me. “I can’t think of anything better than a proper family Christmas.”
I reminded myself about what Annie had said regarding Fin’s parents. Aloof, she’d called them. I supposed Fin’s Christmases would have been polite affairs, nothing like the in-your-face celebrations I’d grown up with. If Fin’s parents had been distant, it was no wonder Fin preferred a livelier environment in which to celebrate. “Mum and Dad’s it is,” I said.
“Brilliant,” Vee said with a satisfied smile. “That’s settled.”
“You don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for,” Mitch said to Fin.
Knowing my family, I could think of a myriad of things.
Fin gave me a fleeting glance, that I was sure I wasn’t meant to see. “I can’t wait to find out,” he replied.
With everyone else looking so happy, I tried to raise a smile. It seemed my Christmas holiday romance was coming to an end.
29
With Vee and Mitch gone, there was no hiding from the tension between Fin and me. Needing a distraction, I set about washing up the breakfast dishes.
Fin approached with a tea towel to dry them, his smile pinched as he picked up a plate and got on with it.
The atmosphere between us had changed. The fun and passion we’d experienced on waking up had been replaced by an edginess, as if both of us were aware of the inevitable but didn’t know how to behave because of it. I told myself that instead of being naïve and throwing caution to the wind, I should have realised if we jumped into bed together relations would become strained. I’d never been one for one-night stands or friends with benefits, so it stood to reason I’d end up wanting something Fin was in no position to give.
“Are you sure about going to Mum and Dad’s?” I asked. It would have been easy to stay quiet. To take Fin on his word and pretend he wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. However, pushing my unease to one side, it felt only right I provided Fin with a way out. “There’s still time to change your mind.”
My question appeared to surprise Fin. “Don’t you want me there?” he asked.
