‘No, we don’t need one. It’s fine. Come on.’
I give the angel to Hazel as I need both hands to manoeuvre. Somehow, I manage to clamber onto his shoulders, and Hazel hands me the angel reverently. ‘Don’t drop her.’
‘I’ll try not to,’ says Bailey from between my thighs.
‘I think she meant the angel,’ I mutter.
We proceed towards the tree when Bailey suddenly gets it into his head to swerve, bypassing the tree altogether. He does some silly dance, causing me to bounce around on his shoulders. He must be pulling funny faces as well as the kids are screeching with laughter.
‘Uncle Bailey, stop! My tummy hurts.’ Sasha is doubled over.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ I hiss, wanting to get it over with.
He’s not listening, so I grab one of his ears and twist it. That gets his attention.
‘Ow!’
‘Tree. Now.’
‘Yes, miss. Sorry, miss.’ Now it seems he’s rolling his eyes as the kids are giggling and copying him.
I tug his ear to steer him towards the tree.
‘OK, OK, I’m going! Don’t pull my ear off.’
The adults are all looking on, amused at our antics, apart from Kirk. Oops. I let go of Bailey’s ear and pat his head.
‘Sorry, sweetie.’
‘That’s more like it.’ He approaches the tree, and I brush aside fir needles so they don’t stab me in the eyes.
‘Any time now would be good,’ says Bailey with his face in the tree.
I place the angel on the topmost sticking-up branch, making sure her skirts are arranged nicely.
‘Done!’ I announce proudly.
Everyone whoops and claps.
Bailey backs out of the tree; and before I have time to wonder how I’m getting down, I’m propelled off his shoulders onto the couch, and he falls on top of me. More laughter erupts, making me want to yell, ‘We’re not a comedy act!’
I rub my thigh where Bailey’s elbow has dug into it.
‘Sorry, I tripped, accidentally on purpose,’ he says in a muffled voice from the depths of my armpit.
‘So I gathered,’ I say dryly.
‘Next year, Susie can do it. You’re off the hook.’
It’s only when we extricate ourselves and reassure everyone we’re fine do I realise what he’s said. Next year? Why will I be here next year? Unless ... Does Bailey actually see this going somewhere? Confusion makes me sway a little on my feet, and I knock into his arm.
‘Whoa, you OK?’
‘I think I might be concussed.’
He feels my forehead, and I close my eyes briefly as his cool hand gently soothes my brow. ‘You are pretty hot,’ he says in a low voice, tracing his thumb down the side of my cheek, and I shiver. From the way his brown eyes are intently gazing into mine, his meaning is pretty clear.
Heat rushes to my face. ‘I think my brain is addled too,’ I say breathlessly.
