‘Crumbs,’ said Lottie, dusting down the worktop. Emily giggled. ‘I thought Zach was a pain in the bum, but he’s nothing like that. He was annoying when we were kids.You know, the usual stuff: Chinese burns, blaming me for trumping, telling tales. But as an adult he’s great. Still a bit annoying, but I know he’d always be there if I really needed anything.’
‘My sister’s not all bad … as kids we used to have fun, in between the squabbling. We’d make dens and pretend we were lost fairies. And she gave me a ride home on her bike when I cut my knee – but then shehadpushed me off a swing, so technically … But now it’s just the squabbling.’
‘Where did it go wrong, do you think?’ Lottie was chopping carrots.
‘When my sister got my parents what they really wanted.’
‘Which was?’ Lottie paused the chopping frenzy.
‘A police officer for a daughter.’ Emily’s cheek twitched.
‘Ah, tricky. Mum’s never been interested in what me or Zach do for a living. Although she was keen for me to work on the cosmetics counter at Boots so she could use the discount.’
They both sighed and carried on chopping with increased vigour.
Emily slid her carrots into a saucepan. ‘What was Melissa like?’
The question made Lottie freeze; she had to employ her best acting skills to look natural. Any mention of Melissa always put Lottie on edge; this was what secrets did. ‘Melissa was lovely,’ said Lottie, and she returned her attention to the parsnips.
‘I’m sure she was, but what was she like as a person?’
Lottie swallowed and had a little think about how best to word it. ‘She was ambitious, very focused. A good person.’
Emily seemed to be biting her lip. ‘A lot to live up to then.’
Lottie wasn’t sure how to reply. ‘We all have our talents,’ she said. ‘Sadly, mine isn’t cooking.’ She nodded at the sliced parsnips, which she now realised she should have cut into chunks.
The turkey seemed to have defrosted overnight, and Lottie put it in the oven, according to Emily’s mum’s instructions. After an internet search, she was delighted to find a picture of a vegan Christmas wreath, which was basically a veggie sausage roll made into a circle shape and decorated with cranberries and basil to look like sprigs of holly. She and Emily had made their own version using the leftover slab of ready-roll pastry Lottie had bought for the sausage rolls and which she was thrilled to discover was vegan friendly. They made their own filling of mushrooms, garlic, cranberries and onion with a good grating of nutmeg. They had no idea how it would turn out, but at least her mother couldn’t say she’d not made an effort. She hoped it was edible, for Scott’s sake.
‘Do you want to get changed?’ asked Emily, glancing at Lottie’s onesie.
Lottie looked down at herself. She didn’t know where the time had gone. ‘If you’re okay here?’ she asked, feeling like Emily was now very much part of the team.
‘Of course. Go!’ And she shooed her from the kitchen.
Lottie was showered and changed and heading back downstairs when she heard giggling coming from the bathroom. She stopped and listened. It was her mother and Scott. She shook her head, she didn’t want to think about what was going on in there. The voices stopped, the bathroom door opened at speed and her mother’s face appeared.‘Tut, tut, tut, Lottie. Looking through keyholes?’ The squeaky floorboards must have given her away.
She heard Scott chuckle behind her. ‘No, I was …’ She stopped herself; she didn’t have to explain herself to her mother. And she wasn’t going to let her wind her up today. She turned away.
‘Hang on. Don’t go. Have you got any batteries?’ asked Angie, sounding a little anxious.
‘What size?’ asked Lottie.
Angie giggled. ‘Big ones.’
Lottie was suspicious. ‘What for?’
‘Goodness Lottie, what’s with the Spanish inquisition?’
‘I’ll look in the messy drawer.’ Lottie went to leave but Angie spoke again.
‘Erm …’ her mother paused. ‘How’s dinner going?’
Angie had sailed through every Christmas doing the bare minimum and this year was to be no exception. ‘Fine, thanks. I’ve got things to do,’ said Lottie.
‘Oh, so have I, darling. So have I,’ she said, with a sultry wink. Lottie shuddered and sped off.
When she reached the hall, Zach and Joe were coming in through the front door. Dave was trotting happily at their heels and they seemed to be in high spirits. ‘How did it go with Giles?’ asked Lottie.
