“Actually, I don’t have any horses, but my stepmother owns three,” I say.
“Do you have a yacht?” This time it’s Josh.
“No, but my father does.”
“No, but myfatherdoes,” all three of Harry’s brothers say, mimicking my accent and drawing out the word “father.” Wow, do I really sound like that?
“Boys, come on. Is this how we treat our guests?” Libby with the pink glasses says.
“It’s fine. Honestly, I don’t mind,” I say.
Harry looks at me and raises a brow.
“No, I swear. It’s all good,” I whisper in response to his unspoken question. “I’ve always wondered . . .” I let myself trail off. I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to have a big family. To have brothers and sisters, and lots of commotion and noise, and unconditional love that comes with a side of ribbing each other.
“Bruh, these are lush. Try one,” Jack says, pushing the tray of canapés around to the other end of the room.
“Hey, can we all go for a ride on your yacht tomorrow?” Casper says.
“Uh—”
I’m cut off by the sound of the Ring doorbell.
“Can someone get that?” Donna yells from the kitchen.
Josh, who’s closest to the door, gets up again. “Muh, it’s Lionel!” he yells back.
Beside me, Harry goes stiff.
Donna moves to the porch. She’s hidden, but we can still hear—sort of. “Merry Christmas, hun.”
“Merry Christmas, Don,” Lionel replies. “Just dropping over your gifts, and thought I’d introduce you to someone.”
Libby—no, Katey—shushes everyone so we can all eavesdrop a little easier. Considerate. Harry’s fingers close around my left foot, squeezing my toes. He’s craning his head trying to see through the brick wall.
“Ah, you must be the famous Toby?” Donna says. “Welcome, welcome. Are you staying for a drink?”
Harry is holding his breath, and suddenly my stomach cramps. Urgh, nerves and stress are terrible for my gut health, but I hadn’t thought this Lionel situation would affect me so much.
“Just a quick one, Don. Got about four other houses to get to today,” Lionel says, laughing.
The next second, Donna pokes her head into the living room, and Lionel is there, framed by the jamb. Shortly after, he’s joined by another guy. The newcomer is Black, and a certifiable bear, with his big belly, beard, and fleecy shirt.
“Everyone, you probably already know Lionel,” Donna says. Lionel smiles and waves at no one in particular. He finds my eye, but doesn’t spare Harry a glance. “And this is Toby, Lionel’s boyfriend.”
“Hi, everyone,” Toby says.
“I won’t tell you everyone’s names or we’ll be here until New Year’s Eve,” Donna says. Then the three of them disappear towards the kitchen, while chatter breaks out again amongst the other Ellises.
I look at Harry. He just stares blankly at me. He hasn’t let go of my foot.
“Ah, fuck,” I say, as quietly as I can, while another cramp grips my lower abdomen. “Harry, is there a different bathroom in your house? Say upstairs?”
When we’d arrived, Donna gave us a quick tour of their home. It included one teeny toilet cubicle under the stairs, and that was it.
Harry shakes his head. “There’s one upstairs, but it’s getting remodelled—I know, bad timing—but you can’t shit there. Why? Do you need to go?”
I close my eyes and grit my teeth through another painful spasm. “It might go away.” There’s no way I can use the little loo in the hallway. It’s right next to the kitchen and dining room, and I’d end up gassing Harry’s relatives to death on Christmas Day.
