“Why would it be at our flat? She invited us,” I replied.
“Yeah, but if we do it at ours, I can smoke,” Oliver muttered, looking across the room to make sure his family hadn’t heard him.
I sighed and turned back to my phone.
MAX: Shall we do it at our place? Oliver has offered to host.
BECCA: How considerate of him. Sure, I’ll bring some of the girls from work?
MAX: Sounds great.
“There, sorted.” I tucked my phone back into my jeans pocket.
“What’s sorted?” Andrea asked curiously.
“Oh, nothing. Just arranging plans for New Years with a friend of mine from work,” I explained.
“How lovely.” Andrea smiled and got to her feet. “Shall we open some presents?”
Henry began unpacking a large bag, full to the brim with neatly wrapped gifts. I was surprised when he began placing some down in front of me.
“Oh man, you really didn’t have to…” I trailed off and smiled at Andrea.
“Oh hush, of course I did. You can’t have a Christmas withoutsomepresents.” Andrea flapped her hand dismissively.
Oliver was the first to lean down and start ripping into his parcels and soon the room was filled with the rustling of paper and laughter.
The gifts I received were the usual generic sort – body wash, socks, confectionery – but that didn’t matter to me. Oliver and I sat back, chatting with his grandmother and Henry as Andrea busied herself in the kitchen.
My phone rumbled in my pocket once more, but this time it was accompanied by a familiar jaunty tune.
“Sorry,” I muttered, glancing down at it.
Mum calling…
“It’s my parents.” I excused myself quickly, hurriedly leaving the living room. Out in the quiet hallway, I answered. “Hello?”
There was a faint crackling before a voice I recognised instantly broke through. “Hello? Hello, Max? Can you hear me?”
“Hey Mum.” I felt a smile stretch across my face.
“Max! Merry Christmas.” She laughed down the phone. “Sorry, I meant to call yesterday but I think there’s something wrong with our phone line.” There was another crackle, as if to emphasise her point.
“That’s alright. Merry Christmas to you too. Are you and Dad having a good day?”
“Christmas out here is always so strange,” she replied. “It’s not at all like home.”
We chatted easily for a few minutes about their plans for Christmas and New Years before Mum changed the subject.
“Are you eating alright? How’s work? Are you liking the new place?”
I rolled my eyes, grateful that she couldn’t see me to scold me. “Yes, I’m eating fine and yes, I’m really enjoying the new job.”
“Oh, that’s good. I’m so glad! How’s Oliver doing? Are you at his parents’ house this year?” she asked.
“Yeah. Oliver’s fine – grumpy as always.”
“Good, good. I’ve put some money in your bank account as a Christmas present, alright?” she said.
