What did that mean exactly? What did she have to do that she didn’t already do?
Her father stood up and strolled to the window, rubbing his shoulders to relieve the ache.
Jenny felt a pang of sympathy. He rarely complained but she knew his arthritis bothered him, particularly in cold weather and the temperature had dropped dramatically overnight.
“It will be simple,” her mother said. “Just do what you always do but add more fairy lights. You can never have too many fairy lights.”
“Fairy lights? You mean other than the ones that go on the tree?”
“Yes. Put them everywhere, including the garden.”
“The garden?” That was the one place she didn’t usually have to think about at Christmas, but apparently that was about to change.
“Yes, I saw some very pretty lights that you can hang from a tree.”
“At least you won’t need fake snow.” Her father was staringout of the window. “Looks as if we are going to have plenty of the real stuff. If it carries on snowing this heavily the roads will soon be impassable. Let’s hope that doesn’t prevent them from getting home.”
“I hope so too.” Her mother opened the tin of cinnamon cookies Jenny had baked for them and put a few on a plate. “I’m looking forward to meeting this girl of Jamie’s. Maybe I could help plan their wedding. And obviously it will be good to spend time with Rosie and the lovely Declan. He’s the strong, silent type. Perfect for Rosie.”
Her father turned, a smile on his face. “The man probably can’t get a word in edgeways so he has no choice but to be silent.”
Phyllis broke a cookie in half. “You’re not to tease Rosie. You know how sensitive she is.” She turned back to Jenny. “I’m looking forward to getting to know him a little better. He seemed rather overwhelmed by us all at the wedding. I wonder if Rosie is pregnant yet?”
“Do not ask that question!” Jennifer went hot and cold at the thought. “That is overstepping.”
“I know. You’re not allowed to ask these days. But she is my youngest grandchild.”
“It doesn’t matter where she is in the birth order. You still can’t ask that question.” Jennifer could just imagine the response if she did. “And don’t ask Becky about boyfriends, either.”
“Why not?”
“Because young people don’t like being asked about these things.”
“It’s caring. I’m showing an interest.”
“No mention of pregnancy and no mention of boyfriends. Promise me.”
“I’d better not promise, but I’ll do my best. But it would be nice if Becky met someone, don’t you think?”
“I want her to do whatever feels right for her. And if she’s happier single, that’s fine with me.”
Her mother scraped up crumbs that had fallen on the table. “I hope it won’t be hard for her seeing her brother getting engaged.”
HowwouldBecky feel if Jamie announced his engagement? First Rosie, and now her brother. Becky didn’t talk about her relationships, so Jenny didn’t even know if she was seeing anyone. Presumably not, or Rosie would have told her during one of their many chats.
And although she wouldn’t admit it to anyone, Jenny was worried.
On the surface, Becky seemed like the toughest of her three children, but Jenny knew that underneath she was as sensitive as the others, possibly more so. As a child, whenever Rosie was upset, she’d crawl onto Jenny’s lap and seek comfort. Becky had hidden behind the sofa and stayed there until she had her emotions under control. No amount of coaxing would persuade her to talk about how she was feeling. Of all her children, Becky was the hardest to read.
“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” Her father turned. “You’re planning a wedding and we don’t know that Jamie and Hayley are getting engaged. You’re making assumptions.”
Jenny forced her mind from her youngest child to her eldest.
“I took a delivery of champagne yesterday.” She helped herself to one of her own cookies. “Why else would he order that?”
“Possibly because he’s wise enough to know that we’re going to need alcohol to help us through the festive season.” Her father returned to the table and drank his coffee. “I hope you’re well stocked, Jenny. More important than fairy lights.”
Jenny wondered if Hayley, who had never experienced a family Christmas, might find their family a little too much.
