‘Bugger.’
‘Come on. Think. Quick. I need more lights!’ said Zach, panicking wildly.
Lottie tried to think. ‘Banister!’
‘Already got them.’ Zach was waving his arms as if trying to speed up Lottie’s brain.
‘Christmas tree on the green?’
‘Genius!’ He dashed across the garden.
‘What’s going on?’ Lottie spun around to see Emily standing in the doorway with a vexed expression. ‘Is he leaving?’
‘No. No he’s not.’ Lottie swallowed, she’d never felt so guilty. Emily raised an eyebrow. ‘Well, he’s leaving the manor.’ Emily looked startled. ‘Only for like five minutes. He needs to …’ She’d always thought she was good at thinking on her feet until now. ‘He needs to check the roads are okay.’
‘But a taxi brought Dayea up earlier, and more has melted since then.’ She pointed back inside. ‘And Daniel has been giving everyone motorway updates all day.’
‘Yes. But the hill can be extra tricky. It gets very icy.’ She emphasised the word by sweeping her hands off to one side.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Emily. Lottie was aware that she was acting like a crackpot. Poor Emily.
‘Can I get you a drink of something?’ Lottie put her foot on the step and Emily automatically retreated into the kitchen. Lottie followed her.
‘I’m okay. Thanks.’ Emily didn’t look okay.
Lottie remembered her expression earlier. ‘Are you sure? Because …’ Emily started to cry, and Lottie took herhand. She began to speak, but Lottie stopped her. ‘It’s going to be okay. I promise.’ Lottie wrapped her arms around Emily and they cried together.
A few minutes passed before Lottie’s phone pinged. She pulled away from Emily, tore off a few sheets of kitchen roll and handed half to her new friend.
‘Ta.’
Lottie looked at the text message.
Lights working. Get everyone outside. Z
Lottie looked at Emily, all blotchy eyed and defeated. She texted a reply.
Sorry. Now is not the time.
Within seconds the back door burst open, making them jump. Zach had a touch of the crazy person about him as he scanned the scene. Both women were dabbing their eyes with balled-up kitchen roll. He crouched next to Emily. ‘Whatever’s wrong?’ he asked, his face full of concern.
Emily’s lip wobbled. She hiccupped a few more tears. ‘I’m pregnant.’
Zach pulled Emily to her feet and hugged her like she was a life buoy and he a drowning man. ‘This is the best news ever!’ he declared, pulling back from the hug to kiss her. ‘… isn’t it?’ he asked. Tears streamed down Emily’s face. You could have knocked Lottie over with the tiniest feather. She’d spectacularly misread Emily’s emotions. Although she was still concerned about how unhappy Emily was at finding out she was having a baby.
‘Are you going to dump me?’ asked Emily with a sniff, and Lottie passed her more kitchen roll.
‘What? No! Don’t be ridiculous! I love you,’ said Zach.
‘But you’ve been acting all weird. And I know Jessiewas telling the truth when she said you told Joe you didn’t want me to be your girlfriend any more.’
‘Ah.’ Zach pulled his bottom lip through his teeth. ‘I’m really sorry about that.’
‘Maybenowis a good time,’ said Lottie, and she went to gather the rest of the family. Reluctantly they assembled in the kitchen.
Jessie ran in and gave Emily a hug. ‘It’s okay. I promise.’ Her cheeks were aglow, and it brought a smile to Emily’s tear-stained face.
‘Come outside in exactly one minute,’ said Zach, kissing Emily’s hand and dashing outside with Jessie hot on his heels.
