“What exciting news are you talking about?” Jamie’s father stamped the snow off his boots and left them by the back door.
“About Hayley and Jamie.” Jenny put a slab of butter next to the bread. “Have you finished outside?”
“Yes. We should have enough logs for the next couple of days.” He hung his coat on the peg and then headed across the kitchen in his socks.
“I was thinking that we ought to check on Edna Murren atsome point. With this much snow, she might have a problem getting out of her drive.”
He nodded. “I’ll give her a call. Jamie and I can go across and clear her driveaway if necessary.”
“Good idea. I’ll get you a plate for that bacon, Hayley,” Jenny said. “Martin, can you cook these pancakes, please? You always do a good job.”
“You don’t need to praise me to get me to do it. I’m not six years old.”
“The praise was genuine. You always cook them perfectly. But I need you to hurry up.” Jenny handed her husband the bowl of freshly made batter and took a warm plate from the oven for Hayley’s bacon. “Thank you for doing that, Hayley. You’re a lifesaver.”
It was like a relay race, Hayley thought. Each family member handing something on to someone else. A team.
There was a flurry of activity in the hallway and then a slim woman with short white hair walked into the room, loaded down with bags.
She wore a soft wool dress in a shade of pale caramel that flattered her features. Hayley decided that if she looked half as elegant at the age of eighty-five, she would be satisfied.
Jenny swapped stress for a smile and opened her arms. “Happy Christmas! It’s probably a bit early to say that but it always feels as if Christmas has started when you and Dad appear.”
“You’re sure we’re not too early? I’m worried we’re making too much work for you. We don’t have to stay for Christmas. We could come over for the day. But if that’s what you’d like, speak now, because your father is already upstairs unpacking. You must be stressed. I’m worried we’re making a lot more work for you by being here.”
“And that wouldn’t be anywhere near as much fun.” Jenny ignored Rosie’s and Jamie’s grinning faces and hugged her mother. “With this number of people in the house, two moreis no more work at all. And we’re not stressed. We’re all totally relaxed here, aren’t we, Rosie?”
“Totally relaxed,” Rosie parroted. “Never been more relaxed in my life.”
Jenny was barely listening. “Jamie, did you take the luggage upstairs? Oh, Rosie, whathaveyou done to the dog?”
Percy ambled into the room wearing a pair of brown velvet antlers.
“I’m training him to be a reindeer.” Rosie bent down and straightened the antlers. “Everyone else in this family has to multitask, so I don’t see why Percy should be the exception.”
“He looks rather confused,” Jenny said.
The whole family is mad, Hayley thought, intrigued that the antlers didn’t seem to be bothering the dog. But the chaos of it all helped her to relax. Nothing was perfect here.
“Jamie has already taken our luggage upstairs, and Brian is pottering up there. You know what he’s like. These are presents.” Rosie’s grandmother waved the bags. “They’re to go under the tree, but not too close to the fire. Why is Rosie laughing?”
“Because you said exactly what we knew you’d say about it all being too much work and how you should come for the day and it’s funny.” Rosie wrapped her arms round her grandmother and kissed her. “I love you, Granny. You’re adorable.”
“Well, that’s nice. I can’t believe it’s Christmas again already. It seems like yesterday since the last one. So much fuss and bother and work and then it’s over in a flash. Are you going to play the piano and sing for me later?”
Rosie pulled a face. “I don’t think—”
“No, she is not.” Jamie retrieved the antlers that had fallen off under the table and slipped them back onto Percy’s head. “Rosie, I’ll pay you not to sing.”
“I’dloveto sing, Granny,” Rosie said. “Anything to make you happy. I shall sing morning, noon and night. I will evenserenade Hayley and Jamie in their bedroom.Deck the halls with boughs of holly—” she sang loudly, beaming at her wincing brother, and then grabbed her grandmother by the hand and led her to Hayley. “This is our newest family member, Hayley. Hayley, this is our grandmother, Phyllis. You should probably just call her Granny.”
Slightly overwhelmed by the sibling interplay, Hayley extended her hand and found herself being hugged again. This was less surprising than it had been when Jenny and Rosie had hugged her. Maybe she was getting used to it.
“It’s good to meet you.”
“Jenny told me your wonderful news,” Phyllis said. “So exciting. A real whirlwind, which is romantic. Or maybe you’re pregnant? Which would be delightful by the way, so don’t worry that there will be any judgement from me.”
“Agh!” Rosie covered her face with her hands. “You cannot ask people that, Granny. Boundaries, remember?”
