Libby shakes her head. ‘Mum, he’s nice to be around, I enjoyed his pavlova. I didn’t say I’m rushing off to marry him – or even thinking about it.’
Fliss is shaking her head. ‘We can’t complain about romance and the castle – it worked its magic for Bill and Ivy, me and Rob are back on track, Libby’s got as far as enjoying someone’s company, and Miranda’s found six surfie admirers. I bet none of them would throw her out of their camper vans if they were given half a chance.’
Libby’s expression is pained. ‘ButChristmasis what matters – weareall enjoying it –aren’t we?’
This is the woman who had no doubts. The one who was so far above us her oxygen came from another stratosphere. The one who was so super-sure of herself while the rest of us stuffed up. And suddenly she’s here, looking small and sad and lost. And she’s askingusfor reassurance. And somehow even though her superiority has annoyed us so much for so long, now she’s down at our level all I want to do is to help her.
I’m counting on my fingers. ‘You know Libby, I’m looking across the room at Milo, and he’sreallysmiling at you. The kids are all tearing round the castle searching for plastic elves, of all things. Then there are the surfies who’vebeggedto come and join us. Bill and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Fliss, Rob and the kids all know they love each other. Willow and Nigel know all the secrets anyway. Miranda’s just been brave enough to save herself. Merwyn pretends he’s pissed off, but it’s all an act to hide how much he loves it here. Even Ambie’s euphoric in his own way in the hot tub. So that only leaves one person. Libby – areyouhappy?’
Libby’s pulling a face. ‘I never thought I’d say this, because it never felt as if I would be – but – yes, I actually think I am.’
I’m laughing at her. ‘I never thought we’d say this either. When everyone arrived I couldn’t see how it could be anything other than a train wreck Christmas. But for this year, I reckon, we cracked it, it’s job done!’
And as Libby high fives me and pulls me into a dewey eyed hug, I’m so happy for her, I’m wiping my eyes and sniffing too.
And then the kids come careering through. ‘Ninety-nine elves, Ivy, we’ve counted them all up and we’ve got ninety-nine – where the heck did you hide the last one?’
Fliss is looking at them. ‘If you think about it rationally, you’ll realise – before Ivy and I can answer that question you’re going to have to tell us every place you found the ninety-nine.’
And then I smile. ‘No. It’s fine, I’ve remembered where the hundredth one is –’ And somehow this is really fitting too, but it gives me a lump in my throat at the same time. ‘Bill took one to Abby, remember.’
Tiff nods. ‘So he did. That’s nice, but it’s a shame she’s not here.’
‘It is.’ I smile. ‘She’ll be having a nice time though, she’s gone skiing.’
Scout nods. ‘Well I’ve been skiing. I’ve been to lots of exotic places at Christmas, because that’s just what happens when your dad is a green travel writer. But none of them were as good as it is here.’
I’m catching Libby’s eye, and giving her the thumbs up behind Scout’s back, and I’m so happy I’m grinning. ‘Bill did well with the snow.’
Tansy’s staring at me. ‘Did he make it happen?’
I’m smiling. ‘He had a special word with this guy he knows – Tomas Schafernaker.’
Scout pulls a face. ‘The weatherman?’
I’m nodding because she’s so on the ball. ‘That’s the one.’
Scout’s frowning. ‘So how does that work then?’
I do my best ‘who knows?’ face. ‘I’m not sure. It could be something to do with mistletoe … or sea glass?’
Scout’s nodding. ‘Yes, probably that, they’re both very powerful.’
‘So that’s good then, if we’re all done at ninety-nine.’ Tiff, Tansy and Scout are swishing their tulle and sequined skirts, and Tiff turns to them. ‘We should have timed ourselves. Then next year we’ll be able to see if we can beat it.’
Tansy’s shrugging. ‘No need to worry, we’ll do it all over again tomorrow and get a time.’
Tiff narrows her eyes. ‘What’s that weird noise?’
Bill’s come in and he’s pulling back the fire guard and he’s piling more logs on the fire. ‘Bill … any idea what the noise is? It’s really jingly … a bit like bells …’
He’s laughing at me. ‘Notentirely. But I’d say it might be no bad thing to pull your boots and coats on and get out to the front of the castle – likeright now.’
