Page 50 of Tis the Season
I envisaged us both singing along to Christmas songs as we peeled, diced and sliced. ‘I’m thinking carrots, parsnips, potatoes… feel free to jump in with your suggestions.’ My smile tightened as I pictured a pink featherless bird sat waiting to be freed of its giblets. I looked to Gideon. ‘Are you okay dealing with the turkey?’
‘I was thinking about maybe spending it at my parents’ house.’
I paused in my writing. That was the last thing I expected to hear. ‘Why?’ The previous year’s festive experience wasn’t one I wanted to repeat, and my heart sank at the mere prospect.
‘Because it will do us good.’
Gideon looked at me as if waiting for me to respond, but staring back at him, I didn’t know what to say.
‘Things between us haven’t been right recently and being around family might help put things into perspective.’
Despite wishing I didn’t, I appreciated Gideon’s reasoning. Gran being dead hadn’t stopped me turning to her during difficult times and while our conversations might be a trick of the mind, talking things through helped. I fiddled with the corner of the notepad, insisting I should be pleased. Gideon viewing his parents as a source of support for both of us meant he hadn’t shut me out or given up on our relationship.
But theirs was a house I couldn’t fully relax in, let alone be myself. On the very few occasions I’d met Gideon’s parents, even on neutral territory, I’d felt judged. They regarded me with a mix of disdain and suspicion. As if I wasn’t smart or stylish enough to join their ranks. They treated me like I was some country bumpkin, not a second-generation business owner.
‘No problem,’ I said, pushing my worries aside.
Gideon jerked his head. ‘Really? That’s all you have to say?’
I shrugged. ‘What else is there?’
Gideon looked at me bemused. ‘I expected at least some resistance.’
‘If it’s important to you, then that’s all there is to it.’
‘Wow.’ Gideon shook off his surprise. ‘Thank you.’
I flipped the notebook shut and placed the discarded pen on top of it. ‘Are you talking about going for just the day? Or is the plan to stay longer?’
‘I think travelling up Christmas Eve would be better. As would taking the train. The last train, in fact. That way Mum and Dad can’t insist I do any of the running around if they’ve forgotten something.’
As selfish as that sounded, I sort of agreed. Should Gideon pick up the wrong brand of cranberry sauce, knowing Serena, the blame would inevitably fall on me.
‘I can make that work. I was staying open until 5pm anyway. Just make your way over here once you’re done and we can go from Settledown station.’
Gideon frowned.
‘Don’t worry. You don’t have to cut your afternoon short. Take as long as you like. I’m just thinking while you’re organising your end, I can be getting my stuff together. And we’ll no doubt want snacks for the journey, which I’ll sort out at the same time. A few sandwiches and a bit of a salad should be enough, don’t you think?’
Gideon opened his mouth to speak, but knowing from experience what was coming, I jumped in before he got the chance. ‘No, Gideon, your mum can’t simply throw something in the oven for us when we land. It’s her Christmas Eve too and the last thing she’ll want is to be stuck in the kitchen.’
‘But…’
Having conceded enough already, I gave him a stern look. ‘No buts. We’re more than capable of feeding ourselves.’
CHAPTER27
Iwas in no rush to get to The Royal Oak for our Crochet Club meet-up. But while I’d so far managed to avoid Alex since his visit to The Knitting Nook, unless I wanted to explain to Joyce why a venue change was called for, I knew I couldn’t hide from him forever. Already ten minutes late, I was determined to delay the inevitable for as long as I could and sauntering along, I ignored the cold in favour of ensuring Joyce and Erin would be there upon my arrival, drinks at the ready.
Reaching the pub, I took a deep breath and pushing on the heavy door, let myself in. Scanning the room in search of my friends, my stomach sank. Erin and Joyce were nowhere to be seen.
In the middle of topping up Ted’s pint, Alex looked my way, making it impossible for me to flee even though I wanted to.
Buying myself time, I headed for a table in the corner to dump my bobble hat and coat and taking them off, I scolded myself. If I hadn’t complained about Gideon working too much, I wouldn’t have set off the chain of events leading to the mess I’d got myself into. Rubbing my wrist, I braced myself for a hard yet necessary conversation with Alex.
As I stepped forward, the pub doors burst open, and I spun round to see a flustered Erin charge in.
‘Sorry I’m late.’ Clocking my presence, she hurried straight past me. ‘What’re you having? The usual?’
