“I’m convinced of it. Rosie inherited them. Becky and I didn’t. We don’t need labels for our gifts. Just look at the ones trying to push their way out of their wrapping.”
“Could you write a label, or is that another genetic deficiency?”
“Labels I can do.” He jumped to his feet as someone opened the door. “Don’t come in here! We’re wrapping.”
“Why couldn’t you wrap in the bedroom?” Rosie’s voice came through the gap in the door. “You’ve banned the whole family from the living room.”
“I thought it would be festive for Hayley to wrap the presents under the tree.”
“While the rest of us stand out in the hallway? Thanks a lot, Jamie. Now I know where your priorities lie.”
“You’ve never been my priority, Rosie. You’re the youngest child. Get to the back of the line.”
“But I’m supposed to be playing the piano and singing carols with Granny.”
“All the more reason for me to keep this door closed.”
“I hate having a sibling.”
“I know. But you’re going to love me when you see your Christmas present.” Grinning, he leaned his weight against the door and closed it, ignoring his sister’s protests.
“I bet Hayley bought the presents! I bet you didn’t choosea single thing.” Rosie’s voice was muffled as she banged on the door.
Jamie was laughing. “I chose Hayley, didn’t I? She’s my gift to me. And a great choice she was too. Now go away and don’t try and come in again or I’ll eat your chocolate.”
Hayley watched this exchange with fascinated amusement. “I never imagined adult siblings could be so juvenile.”
“Oh, keep watching. You haven’t seen anything yet.” He settled down next to her and fished more paper out of the bag. “This is the point where Rosie would normally have run to our parents and said ‘Jamie is being mean to me.’”
Hayley trimmed and wrapped. “And what would happen then?”
“My mother would usually come to whichever room I was in and say ‘Jamie, stop being mean to your sister.’”
“And did that work?” Hayley deftly tied a ribbon around a book they’d bought for Becky.
“No. But then Becky would come into my room and either thump me or do something to crash my laptop. She was a much more effective disciplinarian.” He sat back on his heels. “Are we done?”
“I think so.” She pushed the stack of gifts under the tree along with the others. “I wrapped your gifts before we left home.”
“And I did the same with yours, although no doubt mine will be considerably less elegant.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “How are you doing? Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Very much.” And she was, except for the niggling insecurities that she couldn’t shake off. What did Jenny think of her, really? She knew that in theory it shouldn’t matter because the important relationship was between her and Jamie, but itdidmatter. She wanted to feel like part of the family. But she also knew that couldn’t be rushed. It would take time.
“After lunch we usually go for a long family walk on the beach.”
“Sounds good. With Percy?”
“Of course. He’s the most important family member.”
“Jamie?” His father’s voice came through the doorway. “When you’ve finished wrapping, can you join your grandfather and I in the study? We’re drafting a chapter on common skin conditions seen in primary care. I need your input.”
Jamie glanced at Hayley, and she waved him away.
“Go! I need a cup of coffee after all that wrapping so I’m heading straight to the kitchen after I’ve cleared up here. I’ll be fine.”
Jamie kissed her briefly and left the room to join his father.
Having been kept out of the room for the past hour, Percy was delighted to be allowed back to his favorite place in front of the fire.
