Bernard gave a hearty chortle. ‘Well you weren’t five minutes ago when we were stealing those pigs in blankets.’ Angie’s eyes were wider than a bush baby’s sitting on an ant’s nest. For a moment everyone at the table paused apart from Jessie, who was simultaneously eating a carrot whilst peering down the end of her cracker.
Scott gave a half laugh from across the table, but when Angie didn’t look up he put down his knife and fork. ‘Angie? He’s joking right?’
‘Not at all,’ said Bernard. ‘She couldn’t scoff them down quick enough.’ He started another chortle but glancedaround the table and seemed to notice the discomfort in everyone’s body language.
‘You’re not a vegan?’ asked Scott, confusion distorting his pretty features.
‘Is she heck as like. She’s always been a committed carnivore, has this one,’ said Bernard proudly. Bernard turned and clocked Angie’s expression. ‘Angie? What’s up?’
Angie dropped her cutlery onto her plate. The clatter made Jessie drop her cracker and splatter gravy across the tablecloth. ‘All right. I may have fallen off the vegan wagon for a moment. It’s not an actualcrime.’ She aimed her words at Scott.
Poor Scott appeared genuinely surprised. ‘Being a vegan isn’t like going on a diet. It’s a long-term commitment.’
This would be something alien to Angie – her only long-term commitment was to her honey-blonde hair colour. Other than that, everything else, including her children, was a passing phase.
‘And I am prepared to make that commitment. I want to, I really do,’ said Angie, her voice softening. Lottie wasn’t sure her mother was still talking about being a vegan.
Lottie cleared her throat. ‘Could you pour the wine please, Zach?’
Zach did as he was asked. He was quieter than usual. ‘You okay?’ mouthed Lottie. He gave a nervous nod. What did that mean? Did he know about the pregnancy test? Or was he still fretting about the jewellery making its way through Dave’s colon?
‘Sorry,’ said Scott, realising everyone had stopped eating.
‘No need to apologise,’ said Daniel, kindly. Nicola’s head jerked up at the sound of his voice and for once he met her gaze straight on. Lottie froze. It was like witnessing aprey animal suddenly turn predator. ‘I should apologise,’ said Daniel. The tension in the room was palpable and everyone looked like they were taking part in a mannequin challenge – all stock still. ‘I’m very sorry about the outburst this morning.’ Nicola opened her mouth but he continued. ‘And my behaviour in general.’ There were embarrassed mumbles around the table.
‘Um.’ Lottie tipped her head in the direction of Jessie, who was watching intently, and Daniel gave the briefest of nods. She’d been out with Joe at the time of the showdown and the less she knew about it the better.
Daniel looked contrite. ‘That wasn’t how I wanted to introduce Rebecca to the family.’ More mumbles followed.
Joe mouthed to Lottie, ‘What’s going on?’
‘Tell you later,’ she mouthed in return. Their ability to read each other’s lips was still there.
Everyone tucked into their meals. Watching them eat was like the Hungry Hippos game had come to life.
‘Is it cracker time?’ asked Jessie, mid-mouthful.
‘Yes, I think it is,’ said Lottie, wiping her mouth on her serviette feeling thankful for the distraction. Jessie grinned.
A frenzy of cracker pulling and bangs followed and laughter filled the room. Hats were put on, cracker prizes swapped and pun-filled jokes read out. Lottie had a brief sense of satisfaction as she watched her mad, lovable family interacting. For a moment all tensions were forgotten – or at least were put on hold.
Zach looked pleased with his cracker prize. He winked at his sister.
‘This meal is lovely,’ said Joe, pointing his knife at his plate. A chorus of agreement rippled around the table and Lottie felt her cheeks colour. This was what she’d been striving for. Despite the arguments, interruptions,revelations and chargrilled turkey, she’d done it: she’d made her first-ever Christmas dinner.
‘But no bread sauce?’ asked Bernard, scanning the table.
Lottie rolled her eyes. ‘Not this year. Sorry.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame. Christmas highlight that is,’ said Bernard, and Dayea rubbed his hand in condolence. ‘Always have bread sauce at Christmas.’
‘Nobody really likes it though,’ said Lottie, feeling defensive.
‘Ilike bread sauce,’ said her mother; and there were a few nods of agreement. Lottie shook her head – there was no pleasing some people.
‘Can’t say I’ve missed it,’ said Joe. Lottie was grateful for the support, but it felt uncomfortable that it was coming from him.
‘I shouldn’t think you’ve missed much. America has all the stuff we have,plusa million other better things,’ said Rhys.
