Bill’s shaking his head and giving me the kind of look I just gave to Merwyn. ‘Thank Christmas for that.’
I’m making my smile as bright as I can and frantically moving this on to somewhere less awkward. ‘Great, well … so what’s inyourbox Keef?’
He puts it down on the table too, and pulls back the flaps. ‘DVDs for our film night.’
‘You’re coming too?’ Jeez knows why I’m surprised.
‘It’s this or the Gardening Club Christmas Disco. The guys were saying earlier, we’ve had eighties Christmas discos up to our Santa hats already this December, something new on a Saturday night will shake us up.’
‘So all of you, then?’ From the way Bill’s making throat cutting gestures at me, he’s getting totally shown up by his dad here.
Keef’s nodding. ‘Might as well make the most of the fires, in any case, you’ll need us here as stokers.’
On the up side, hehasbrought films. ‘We need all the DVDs we can get, so long as they aren’t too adult.’ They’ll have to get past Willow’s censorship panel.
Keef looks totally unconcerned. ‘These are kiddie ones, I came across them in the coach house earlier.’
As Keef’s eyes flash up to Bill’s face it crumples. For a moment he looks distraught, then his expression clears and he goes back to just looking beaten and knackered.
Now Keef’s wincing as he turns to Bill. ‘Thatisokay? I mean, you don’t mind?’
Bill’s stammering. ‘A-a-absolutely fine … b-b-brilliant … why wouldn’t it be okay? … it’s a few DVDs … why ever would I mind?’
I’m peering in, hoping to see where the problem might be. ‘Peppa Pig,ooo, andThe Snowman,that’s a good one for later,Postman Pat,Olaf’s Frozen Adventure…’ As I see the reindeer on the cover I shudder and as I look up at Bill his face is drawn and three shades paler under his stubble.
The whistle he lets out is similar to the one the heating engineer did earlier. ‘And despite the reindeer you said that without faltering, Star-girl, that was brilliant.’ He’s holding his hand up. ‘High five for that?’
I lean across and hold up my hand. ‘Why not?’
But as soon as my palm collides with his I have my answer. Tingling fingertips and shivers that shoot right up my arm then loop to zip up and down my spine. And not in a good way. That’s why not. I write it on my brain so I won’t get caught out again.No more high fives. And stay away from the mistletoe. And the man. End of important health and safety warning.
There’s definitely no shivers on Bill’s side, because he’s moved right on, his jaw is set square and very rigid and he’s nodding at the box. ‘If you dig deep enough you should findFrozenin there too.’
I’m straight back in, flicking through the cases and sure enough it’s there. ‘Hey, you’re right.’
Miranda taps the pointy toe of her boot and gives a cough. ‘If you’ll excuse us, we must push on.’
‘Fine.’ I’m not sure what can be so urgent, although she could be needed in the hot tub.
Keef nods. ‘We’re bringing extra blankets over from the coach house then pulling in a quick trip back to the motorhome. I promised to show Miranda the wonders of the fold out bed mechanism.’
‘Really?’ It’s my turn to wince and pull a face at Miranda. I’m not judging, just a bit shocked and horrified at the implication.
Miranda sends me a butter wouldn’t melt smile as she links arms with Keef and they head for the door again. ‘Being free as a bird doesn’t happen by itself, Ivy-star, I still have a lot to learn.’
As I’m always telling Milo, she’s a grown up, she should be able to make her own decisions. We all have to trust her and let her get on and live her life.
‘Don’t let us hold up your flying lessons.’ Bill’s shaking his head at me as they go. ‘I’ll get the big screen ready and then I’ll get the guys to give me a hand rearranging the chairs.’
I grab the Roaring Waves box and whistle Merwyn. ‘We’ll deal with the mistletoe and bring down the kids’ duvets.’ Then I have a thought. ‘You do know Milo’s not completely behind Ambie and Miranda.’
Bill sniffs. ‘Milo is a total snake in the grass, I’m pleased you agree.’
Which isn’t what I meant at all, but whatever. And I know Miranda hasn’t been Bill’s easiest guest, but I’m hoping he’s big enough to overlook that. ‘All I’m saying is, if Miranda and Ambie are happy together, I’d hate Milo to get in the way of that.’
Bill grins at me. ‘I can’t say too much. But it might put your mind at rest to know I’ve already been recruited – I’m firmly Team Ambie.’ Then his lips twist again. ‘And however much I’d like to push Miranda in the sea for winding me up, I’m totally committed to her happy ending.’
I’m so relieved I almost forget myself and give him a fist bump. But I stop myself just in time and pull back my hand. ‘Great. You have no idea how pleased I am to hear that.’ It doesn’t go halfway to expressing my exuberance, but it’ll have to do for now. ‘So, let’s bring on the film fest then.’
