Page 73 of The Christmas Catch
Morgan did.
“It’s about time, isn’t it?”
* * *
A while later,Ali’s suitcase was safely upstairs and she sat with Nicole at the end of the bar, both nursing half a cider. Mum insisted they take a break after Ali stepped in to help with a drinks rush. She’d then disappeared into the garden, handing out candy canes as Christmas treats. She took her responsibility as the landlady seriously. Plus, candy canes at Christmas were a pub tradition. Mum was determined to keep those up, even with Dad gone. Ali had forgotten to tell Morgan about that tradition, hadn’t she? Maybe her family had more of them than she realised.
“How’s she been? First Christmas without Dad?” Ali still had her Christmas jumper on. It seemed fitting in the pub.
Nicole pondered the question. “Okay. I think the pub has been a great constant. I wondered if it might be too much for her to do on her own, but she’s risen to the challenge. She’s always liked to keep busy, so it suits her. She misses Dad, but we talk about him and I’ve insisted she take time off. Brian has been terrific, too, really stepping up and sharing the load.” Brian had been full time for a few years. When Dad died and Mum needed some time, Nicole promoted him to pub manager.
“Sounds like I’m the one who hasn’t dealt with things.” Ali gave her sister a sad smile as the truth escaped from her lips.
Nicole shook her head. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Live your life, just like we all do. But our lives are here, which means we can’t avoid dealing with Dad’s death. This pub is where he always was.” She paused, then shook her head. “Where hestillis. It’s probably strange for you, first time back, right?”
Ali glanced around the space. On a nearby wall were photos of customers through the years. Her dad holding aloft a darts trophy the pub team had won. The huge painting of a rising sun expertly done by one of their old regulars. She shook her head. “I think I’ve built it up in my head to be bigger than it is. But when I stepped into the garden, it felt like home.”
“That’s because it is, stupid.” Nicole nudged her shoulder.
“You know what I mean. I wondered if it would feel the same without Dad. But it does, because you’re all still here.” Why hadn’t she realised this before? “I’m sorry I haven’t been back. I’ve left you to deal with everything.”
Nicole shook her head, then put an arm around Ali and kissed her cheek. “It’s what big sisters are for. You’re here now, and that’s the main thing. Although I was wondering if the whole issue with getting home was another ruse not to come. That you’d be spending Christmas in the Lakes with Morgan and Helen.” She paused. “Talking of which, how was that? How the hell did you and Morgan end up travelling together? Helen called earlier to see if you were back yet. She said it was lovely to see you, and that she really liked Morgan.”
Ali blushed, not daring to hold Nicole’s gaze for fear she’d see right through her. To the truth that she’d slept with Morgan. That she liked her.
It didn’t matter anymore.
But the question now flashing at the forefront of her mind was, had Helen said anything? Ali curled her toes in her shoes. She’d love to ask, but that would only tell Nicole everything she needed to know. Instead, she stayed calm and answered Nicole’s question.
“It was just one of those strange coincidences. We were on the same flight that got cancelled, from there we shared a car journey together with Mrs Claus…”
“Mrs Claus?”
Ali laughed, remembering Imogen and Sam. The face of romance and hope. Was she the opposite? Morgan had accused her of being glass half empty.
Was that true?
“It’s a long story.” Ali waved her hand. “One that if I said it out loud, you’d struggle to believe. Anyway, we travelled together after we got stranded at some middle-of-nowhere services after Mrs Claus buggered off.” She shivered as she recalled the snowstorm. “But in the end, I’m glad we did.” She paused. “Plus, it was nice getting to know Morgan.”
Nicole tilted her head and narrowed her gaze.
Was it Ali’s imagination, or did her sister seem like she could read Ali’s mind?
“It’s just, you know, weird,” Nicole added. “My sister and my oldest friend. Together.”
“We’re nottogether. I mean, nottogethertogether.”
Ali’s words stumbled out of her mouth like terrible drunks. They’d witnessed a few in this pub. “We were obviouslytogetheras in we were travelling home with each other.”
Her stomach twisted as she prepared for the inevitable reaction.
Or perhaps Nicole would let it slide.
“I didn’t mean you weretogether.” Nicole gave her a confused look. “Unless I’m missing something here?”
Or perhaps she wouldn’t.
Her sister moved her bottom jaw from side to side, then rested her chin on her palm, elbow on the bar. Her conker-brown gaze didn’t move from Ali. “Tell me, darling sister, whose cheeks are going redder by the second. Did something happen between you and Morgan on this trip home? Mum mentioned it, but I waved it off. I told her you wouldn’t be that obvious. Two lesbians, stranded, obviously they’re going to have sex, right?” She raised a single, pencil-thin eyebrow in Ali’s direction. Her sister always over-plucked. “Was I wrong to defend you?”
