“What do you mean?” I frown down at him as he’s bent over dirty dishes.
He sighs, shaking his head. “She completely shut down at the funerals and couldn’t handle anything. I had to do it all and since then, she’s not wanted to see me or do anything. I was in the city to sort out probate with her and she wouldn’t even come to lunch. I had to practically beg her to come here for Christmas. She would rather be spending the holiday alone than with me.” His lip twitches like he’s fighting his emotions again. “I feel like now Mum and Dad are gone; she’s done with me.”
“That’s not true, Harry.” I mean, Nel hasn’t exactly told me otherwise, but I can’t imagine that being her attitude.
“I worry about her, Jake.” I can see the worry in his eyes and the tense set of his jaw. “She’s so quiet and shy, she was still really dependent on Mum and Dad and now they’re gone. She’s going to close in on herself and become a hermit.”
I screw my face up, confused by that prediction. Nel is quiet, sure, but she’s outgoing in her profession, she’s popular and well liked. She talks about friends in her videos, she does tutorials before heading out for dinner or drinks with them. “I don’t think you should worry too much, H. She needs you to be her brother, not her parent. Nel’s an adult who’s more than capable to live her life, but maybe she could use a partner in her grief.”
He shrugs and won’t meet my eye. “Hard to do when she doesn’t want to spend time with me.”
I internally debate the best way to say the next thing. “Have you thought that maybe she doesn’t want to spend time with you because you’re constantly making fun of her?”
It’s his turn to look confused. “What do you mean?”
“Dude,” I groan. “You’ve been making jokes at her expense since she showed up.”
“No, I haven’t!”
“Yes, you have.” I pull the plug from the sink, the washing up done, and Harry closes the dishwasher. “Mate, I love you, but you go a little bit cuckoo in front of Lisa’s folks and Nel seems to be taking the brunt of it. You keep making jokes about what she’s eating, you get all cagey whenever her job comes up, and you tell her off like one of the boys if she does something you don’t agree with.”
He just stares at me, clearly not convinced.
“You need to lighten up, mate. Nel isn’t a porn star. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and not that you could judge considering the movies I saw on your laptop in college.” I chuckle when he narrows his eyes and glares daggers at me. “She’s created her own brand and is making a living encouraging women to love themselves no matter their insecurities. Dude, she’s kind of incredible.”
His eyes widen in surprise at that statement, and I can feel my cheeks heat a little, thinking I may have overshared. “You follow her? You’ve seen the stuff she posts?”
I shrug it off as no big deal and lie through my teeth. “Just one or two here and there. Haveyouactually looked at the stuff she does?”
He screws his face up. “Dude, I don’t want to see my sister in her underwear.”
I roll my eyes. “There’s other stuff there too, H. Listen, you don’t have to look into it if you don’t want to, but don’t judge what you don’t understand. And don’t assume Nel needs you to look after her. She’s doing good and you two are equals, yeah? Tell her how you’re feeling and let her do the same. You two should have each other right now.”
He nods slowly and I feel a little flutter of satisfaction that he seems to be taking on board what I’m saying. “I’ll take it under advisement,” he smiles at me. I place both my hands on his shoulders this time and level him with a serious look.
“I mean it though, Harry. You need me, I’m here. Don’t be afraid to lean on the people around you.”
Instead of answering, he pulls me in to a fierce hug and slaps my back.
“Oh sorry!” A sweet voice from the doorway breaks us apart. Nel stands there looking awkward. “I uh, didn’t mean to interrupt. Uh, where is everyone?”
“In the lounge,” Harry says, clapping me on the back. “We’re just coming. Did the boys go down okay?” He puts his arm around her shoulders as he leads her to the living room.
The sweet smile she gives him has my heart pumping that little bit harder. She doesn’t want to cut him out, she just wants his kindness. “Yep, all good. They’re such great kids, Harry. I’m so proud of you, and them.”
He leans back to look down at her, a huge smile spreading across his lips. “Thank you. I love you, little sister.” He squeezes her and plants a kiss on her hair.
Charles, Cami, Gordan, and Hen only make it to ten before they call it a night. Drinks keep flowing though, and I’m completely relaxed, enjoying the company.
“Oh God,” Rhiannon moans, once her parents have been gone for a few minutes. “Tell me I can go out for a smoke now.”
“You smoke?” I ask.
“Not if my parents ask,” she smiles at me, wiggling her eyebrows and I laugh.
“You’re how old? And you have to hide from your mum and dad?”
“Twenty-nine and three quarters. And yes.”
