Page 45 of Merrily Ever After
“Would the two of youstop,” Mam yells by the sink. “What must Molly think?”
“Oh, we ditched her ages ago,” Andrew pants, sticking a thumb over his shoulder. “Couldn’t keep up. They were out of parsnips,” he adds. “I think the five hundred we already have will have to do.”
“Did you ask about the pharmacy?”
“I … did,” Andrew says slowly. “And forgot what they said.”
“It’s why I sent you down in the first place!”
“And I got distracted by the parsnip shortage.”
One of the dogs barks as the door opens again, and a second later Molly enters the kitchen.
“Oh hey,” Andrew says. “When did you get here?”
“The pharmacy said they’ll be open until four on Christmas Eve,” Molly says to my mother, who looks pointedly at Andrew.
“Thank you, pet. I’m glad someone remembered.”
“I think she’s talking about you,” Andrew says to me, which earns him another glare.
“You’re not done yet,” she warns him. “I want you to get those cards signed and the back room cleaned. And you need to get the air mattress down from the attic for Daniela.”
“Daniela?” Andrew frowns. “Is she not sleeping in Christian’s bed?”
Christian’s staying with his girlfriend, Megan, this Christmas, which makes sense because she’s super rich and their house ishuge.
She shakes her head. “That’s where the kids are sleeping.”
He still looks lost. “What kids?”
“Does nobody listen to me in this house?” Mam throws her hands up in exasperation. “Liam is coming over with Padraig and Elsie.”
“Since when? I’mjoking!” Andrew grins as he dodges the swipe of our mother’s tea towel. “I’d still give Daniela the couch over that old thing,” he adds, but I cut that idea off before I hear any more.
“We’re sleeping in the same room.”
I must sound more defensive than I mean to because he and Molly share a glance before he holds up his hands.
“It was an innocent suggestion,” he says.
“I’ll sleep on the mattress, and Daniela can take my bed.”
Andrew nods. “That’s sweet. You know it’s true love when you’d rather give yourself a sore back than your partner.”
“Set it up now so we know it’s working,” Mam says. “I don’t want her coming here only to find the thing has a hole in it.”
“Why would there be a hole in it?” Andrew asks, and Molly and I just look at each other before leaving the room as they start to bicker.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a very crowded Christmas.
Chapter Two
The next afternoon, I sit cross-legged on the living-room floor, my back against the couch and my eyes on the television as one movie ends and another starts.
I’ve always been a big cinema buff. A love of fashion pairs well with a love of film. It’s why sitting in front of the TV is usually my happy place. But now it just feels like I’m trying to distract myself. And it’s not working.
I suppose it doesn’t help that the room is a mess. The house is usually a mess when everyone’s home, but it’s even more so at this time of year. Gifts and decorations are everywhere, ready to be put up or wrapped. There are envelopes to be licked and donations to be delivered. Some of Andrew’s luggage has been shoved behind the couch because there wasn’t any more room upstairs and people keep coming in and out, making it impossible to pay attention.
