‘I think we’ve all seen enough flames for one day.’
‘Well we’ve seen enough people getting burned, for sure,’ quipped Scott, but nobody laughed.
Jessie looked sheepish. ‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t worry. At least you’re safe,’ said Lottie, putting down the pudding and kissing the top of Jessie’s head. ‘There’s ice cream for you, Jessie.’ She knew that would hold her attention so she’d not notice the green ring sitting in the next bowl. Lottie served hers and moved on.
‘Pudding?’ Lottie asked Emily, trying to sound nonchalant. She could see Zach watching out of the corner of his eye.
‘Erm …’ Emily was studying the lumpy-looking mass.
If she didn’t have any, that would scupper Zach’s plans. ‘Oh don’t worry about how it looks. Nana made it so it’ll taste great.’
‘I want some,’ said Angie; Lottie noted Zach’s concern.
‘Not your turn,’ scolded Lottie. ‘Emily is a guest. Emily, you’ll have a little won’t you?’ Lottie scooped up some pudding, placed it neatly on top of the green plastic ring and passed it to her.
‘Okay, just a little then.’ Emily rubbed her tummy and Lottie had to concentrate not to stare. Was that because she was full of dinner or growing a baby?
Emily took the bowl and Zach relaxed back into his seat. Lottie really hoped this went to plan. Another rippleof excitement went through her that her big brother was doing this. Such a big life milestone, and she was here to witness it. It would be the injection of happiness this Christmas needed. She served everyone else whilst keeping a check on Emily, who poured over some cream but waited to start until everyone else had theirs.Lovely manners, noted Lottie.
When everyone was served, Lottie tucked into her Christmas pudding. The taste of brandy was strong. Zach was eating his, but he was watching Emily with every mouthful. People were quiet apart from the odd mumble of appreciation. Nobody made a Christmas pudding like Nana. The sweetness of the fruit and the moistness of the pudding with a hint of bitterness made it a classic combination. This was Nana’s last pudding, and Lottie knew she’d never written the recipe down. She’d have to have a think and see if she could remember the ingredients. It was sad to think it could be lost forever.
Lottie took a surreptitious glance at Emily’s bowl. She would reach the ring soon.
Jessie had finished her ice cream and was watching her father. ‘Daddy,’ she asked sadly, ‘why don’t you want Emily to be your girlfriend any more?’
Chapter Nineteen
Zach stiffened like he’d been whacked on the head with a newspaper. Emily had stopped with her spoon halfway to her mouth. A tiny speck of green plastic was visible in her bowl. Zach giggled nervously. ‘Don’t be silly. Of course I want Emily to be my girlfriend.’
Jessie shook her head. ‘No, I heard Joe telling Auntie Lottie that you said you didn’t. And that makes me sad because I really like her.’
Joe went pale. ‘Ah, well …’ began Zach.
Emily was still holding her spoon aloft. She looked questioningly at her boyfriend, who was visibly squirming. ‘Zach. Did you say that?’ asked Emily, her voice almost a whisper.
‘Technically,’ everyone was watching him closely, ‘technically, yes. But—’ Zach didn’t get to finish his sentence. Emily had dropped her spoon and rushed from the room. Zach slumped back into his chair. ‘That didn’t exactly go to plan.’
‘What’s going on?’ asked Angie, eyes flitting between her children.
‘Nothing,’ chorused Lottie and Zach together.
‘Jessie, you shouldn’t listen to grown-up conversations; and you certainly shouldn’t repeat them,’ said Zach.
‘Sorry,’ said Jessie with a shrug. ‘Can I have more ice cream, please?’
‘Can you serve her, Mum?’ asked Lottie. ‘I’m going after Emily.’ Lottie handed the ice cream scoop to her mother, who eyed it like it were a lit firework.
Lottie left the room and immediately encountered a dancing Dave. She put her head back round the door. ‘Dave wants to go out again.’
‘Bloody Dogzilla,’ said Zach, screwing up his serviette.
Lottie heard the front door slam. She grabbed her own coat and Emily’s and ventured into the cold after her. She could see Emily walking away and jogged to catch her up, struggling to put her coat on as she went. She shivered as she did it up. The bite of the wind had quickly chilled her.
‘Emily, wait!’ called Lottie.
Emily stopped, and as Lottie reached her she could see she was crying. Lottie didn’t think; she just wrapped her in a hug. Emily’s body gave way to sobs.
