Jake’s family arrive a little after lunch in a flurry of noise and activity. My best friend is beaming from ear to ear when his niece and nephew run to him with open arms, and he holds them like he might not get a chance for a while.
Jake’s sister, Mandy, is like the female—much prettier—version of him. A couple of years older than Jake and me, but still looks like she could pass for her late twenties, her dark brown hair is naturally curly and my memories of her are always with a bright smile on her face. But she’s not smiling now, she looks harassed and pale, lips pinched together tightly and eyes darting around taking in our home.
“Mandy,” I greet her with a smile, opening my arms to draw her into hug. I didn’t spend too much time with Jake’s sister growing up as Jake tended to spend time at my house rather than the other way around, but I’ve still known her for the best part of thirty years.
She accepts the hug and pats my back awkwardly. “Hi Harry, how are you?” Her tone makes me think she asks out of politeness more than interest.
“I’m well.” I pull back and hold her at arm’s length, noticing the redness around her golden-brown eyes. “Are you okay?”
She blinks and swallows, only nodding in answer like the words might hurt. I’m about to ask her again but Jake’s voice cuts through the moment. “Bambi!”
Mandy turns to face her brother, a small but genuine smile tugging at her mouth. “Thumper.”
The two of them hug as Lisa comes to my side, sliding her arm around my waist. I kiss the top of her head and take a deep breath to get a good hit of her sweet vanilla smell.
“Harry, lovely to see you again,” Glenn, Jake’s father says, coming around his two embracing children and holding a hand out to me.
I take it and shake, straightening my spine. Glenn and Pam weren’t mean or overly strict, but they always scared me slightly growing up. I think it’s because they were so different from my parents. Where Mum and Dad wanted to do things with us all the time and were quick to laugh, Jake’s parents seemed so distant, and I don’t think I ever saw them laugh. How they produced Jake, I’ll never know, he’s the warmest, smiliest person you’d ever meet. “Glenn, so glad you could join us.”
“Yes, well, thank you for having us,” he says, although he looks like it’s more of an inconvenience than an honour to be our guest.
“You’re more than welcome,” Lisa jumps in with a smile. “How are you feeling after your travels?”
Glenn frowns like that’s an uncomfortable question. “Yes, yes, all fine.”
“We’re exhausted, actually,” Pam says, as Jake and Mandy break apart and she’s revealed behind them. Her voice is deep and croaky from a lifetime of smoking and her hair is unnaturally dark in a harsh bob. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks.”
“Mum,” Mandy warns.
“Where’s John?” Jake asks with a frown.
Mandy sighs, rubbing her forehead. “He’s not coming.”
“What do you mean he’s not coming?” Jake’s anger sounds in the snarl of his voice and Mandy’s expression darkens as she glares at him.
“Exactly what I said, he’s not coming,” she snaps.
Suddenly our usually roomy hallway feels rather small and stuffy. I grip Lisa’s waist a little tighter and she does the sameto me, burying her nose in my chest as if hiding from the tension suddenly permeating the air.
“What exactly is it that your husband has deemed more important than spending Christmas with his family?” Jake demands.
Nel stands at his side and gives his arm a little squeeze, her eyes wide as they land on me, begging for help. I’m trying to find a suitable change of subject when Mandy takes the option away from me.
“Can I get through the bloody door without you questioning me and griping about my choice of spouse?”
Honestly, Jake could make nice with anyone, I once saw him start chatting with a drunk racist at a bar who had been saying some very unsavoury things to a group of young women, just to deescalate the situation. But for some reason, he and his sister bicker like…siblings.I know, I heard it.
“Maybe because he’s left you to manage on your ownagain,” Jake grinds between gritted teeth. “How can he not be here to spend Christmas with his own children?”
“He is spending Christmas with his children,” Mandy hisses. “Child, singular. Unborn, actually. And the twenty-three-year-old airhead he impregnated.”
Oh, it’s awkward. So very awkward. Nel is still pleading me with her eyes to do something and Lisa has taken to digging her teeth into my pec through my shirt, I’m just squirming with the pain of it all.
“What?” Jake croaks.
“John and I are separated, Jacob. And I’d rather not talk about it right now.” She looks round at us all as we stare, unsure what to do or say. “Where’s your bathroom?” she asks Lisa, who has thankfully unlatched herself from my chest.
“Uh, just through the kitchen to the second hall, right hand door.”
