“No, of course. Forgive us, Becky,” Will’s mother said, but she exchanged a quick delighted smile with Jenny that clearly saidI can’t wait to talk about this with you.
“Why don’t we all go back to the living room and have a drink next to that beautiful tree,” Jenny said. “Jamie, take an order from everyone. It’s the party tonight so if people want to stick with tea that’s fine. I have a beautiful blend of spiced Christmas tea that was a gift from one of Martin’s patients. It’s delicious.”
She urged everyone across the hallway and through the door where the fire was flickering and fairy lights were twinkling. So many fairy lights.
Becky had never seen so many lights in one place in her life.
She blinked, dazzled. It was like being inside Santa’s grottoor on a movie set. Her mother had clearly gone mad. Either that or there had been a sale in the local lighting store.
“I love this room.” Hayley gazed around her with something close to wonder. “It’s everything I imagined Christmas would be. Just perfect.”
So that explained it. Her mother had done it for Hayley. Making the place extra Christmassy.
Becky felt a burst of love for her mother but made a mental note not to come into this room with a hangover.
Percy was curled up behind the tree and Becky contemplated joining him.
“Well.” Her mother sat down, perched on the edge of the sofa. She looked happier than Becky had seen her look in a long time.
Her father, however, looked distracted.
Becky frowned as she studied him properly. He looked tired. Now that he was retired she’d expected him to look refreshed and energetic.
Was something wrong? Was it the stress of having everyone home or was it something else?
Making a mental note to find some time alone with him later, she sat down on the sofa next to Will.
He took her hand and she gave his a grateful squeeze.
She owed him. And she’d find a way to repay his kindness, and she could start by giving him an immediate escape.
“This is all very exciting, but I’m sure Will needs to get home,” she said, watching as Jamie walked into the room carrying a tray rattling with cups. “It has been a long journey and—”
“We were talking about that.” Will’s mother exchanged looks with Jenny. “We agreed it makes no sense for the two of you to be separated over Christmas now that we know your secret. So Jenny and Martin have kindly invited Will to stay over the holidays, and we’re coming over to join you for Christmas lunch. I’m bringing extra turkey and pigs in blankets! Afterbeing friends for all these years I can’t believe our two families are going to be officially joined together. All together for Christmas.”
Stay?
Officially joined?All together for Christmas?Somehow they’d gone from fake dating to fake forever.
Becky closed her eyes. She couldn’t handle this. She wasn’t built to tell lies. She was hopeless at it.
And she had no idea how to untangle the mess she’d made.
Chapter17
Rosie
Declan closed the door of their bedroom and stood with his back to it. “You and I need a conversation.”
Rosie swallowed. “I’ve been saying the same thing for days, but this isn’t a good time. People will be arriving soon. We should be getting ready for the party, and—”
“Now, Rosie. We need to talk right now.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed. Never had she found talking about her feelings so difficult. “Fine. What did you want to say?”
He shot her a look of raw incredulity. “Is that a joke? You declare in front of everyone that your sister is in love with me, and then you ask me what we need to talk about?”
She fiddled with the fabric of her dress. “Obviously I was wrong about that. And I’m embarrassed. But it’s good news about Becky and Will, isn’t it? I think they’ll make a great couple.”
