“What would you do?” I frown, not sure what she’s asking. “If it was Harry. What would you do if he broke your family and your home? Would you leave?”
I puff out a long breath. I try to get my imagination running but no matter how I play it out, I can’t see Harry doing that to us. “I-I don’t know.”
She nods as though she expected that answer. “Do you ever feel like just packing up and leaving? Starting again somewhere new? Like, when you argue or something.”
I think on that for a moment. Sure, I imagine a new life on golden sands, or in a beautiful cabin in the middle of the forest somewhere. The thing is, even in my deepest imaginings, the toes next to mine dipping in the ocean are Harry’s. The cabin is a beautiful home that Harry designed for us. My marriage isn’t perfect, recent miscommunications a sure representation of that, but outside of a few barkedleave me alones when tempers have been frayed, we haven’t had raging arguments. Definitely nothing that’s left me wanting to get away. “Honestly, we don’t really argue.”
She huffs out an unamused laugh. “Sure.” Slumping down to sit on the closed toilet seat, she continues abusing the tissue in her hands. “I don’t know what to do. My kids’ lives arerooted in Australia; their friends, school, everything. All I had over there was John. I’m a stay-at-home Mum, I have no money of my own, the house is in his name, the only friends I have are the wives of his business associates. I-I have nothing, Lisa.Nothing.”
I crouch in front of her in the limited space our downstairs loo affords and put both hands on her knees. “Mandy, it might not seem like it right now, but that’s not true. No matter what happens, you have two beautiful children, your parents love you, and your brother would literally do anything for you.” She sniffs and wipes stray tears away. “You might not have everything you had two weeks ago, but you have a lot. And you have a friend.” I squeeze her knees slightly and she looks up to give me a watery smile. “Everything is too raw right now, just do what you need to do to enjoy Christmas. Bask in having your family around, enjoy the crappy British weather—” She gives a genuine laugh. “—and then you can take a look at things from a little distance.”
“We’re really friends?” she asks with so much vulnerability it makes me want to wrap her in my gingerbread print blanket and feed her hot coco like a little Christmas burrito.
“I’m giving you my number and you’re going to use it,” I tell her.
There’s a gentle knock on the door frame and we both look up to see Jake looking down with an apologetic smile. “You okay, Bambi?”
“Sorry I snapped at you,” Mandy grumbles, teasingly ungracious in her apology.
“I’m sorry I pushed and got douchey about your wank stain of a husband,” he says with an equally teasing attitude.
Nel pops up behind his shoulder and shoots a sympathetic smile at her future sister-in-law. “According to the itinerary, the bar doesn’t open until five, but I’m more than happy to sneak you a cocktail if you need it?”
“That’s sweet of you, but I think I can hold out until the official opening time.”
“Okay,” Nel says, her hand coming round to squeeze Jake’s bicep. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”
“Holy shit!” Mandy gasps. “You’re engaged?”
Jake looks back at Nel and the two of them smile sweetly. “We were going to tell you as soon as you got here.” He turns back to his sister. “But then I upset you…”
“You didn’t upset me,” Mandy sighs but then bucks up with excitement. “Oh my god! I can’t believe my little brother is getting married!” She pulls the happy couple in for a hug and I slink away, leaving them to it.
Harry is in the lounge, Mary on his lap as he listens to whatever Pam is saying with polite interest. I catch his eye from the doorway and jerk my head to signal for him to join me. “Excuse me a second,” he says gently, placing Mary with my dad and following me into the hall. As soon as we’re out of view, I fling my arms around him and bring him to me for a long and needy kiss. My hands mess up his hair while his land on my arse, squeezing and kneading.
“What was that for?” he asks, breathless as we pull away.
“Being the best husband.”
“If you say so.” He dips again to peck at my lips. “How unhospitable would it be to escape upstairs for an hour?”
My smile grows against his wondering mouth. “Extremely.”
“How opposed are you to being unhospitable?”
“DAD!” The frustrated cry comes from the living room before I’m able to answer that. “Dad! Lucas isn’t sharing!”
I hear my mother try to intervene, but the boys start arguing loud enough to ruin any mood we’d been creating in this little bubble of ours. “I swear they’re doing this on purpose,” Harry grumbles, releasing me and heading back into the living room to break up whatever fight the boys are about to have and I huff a laugh to myself.
The Christmas party at the village hall is a tradition I started only a couple of years ago. Last year I had live reindeer and Santa and carollers and it was magical. It was hard to topthat this year, but I was able to convince a local Christmas tree farm to donate an incredible twenty-foot tree that we’ve made the centre piece of our décor.
We went round local businesses collecting donations for an incredible raffle. As well as Santa and Mrs Claus, there’s an elf station where kids can help decorate Christmas cookies and wrap them up to give as presents tomorrow. I’m pretty pleased with my efforts and as I plan on quitting the committee after the holiday, I don’t have to try and outdo myself next year. I just wish luck upon whoever takes up the mantle, although I’m fairly confident they won’t beat me.
I arrive early along with Nel and Jake who look amazing dressed as Mr and Mrs Claus. Nel’s costume is as modest as they come with a long skirt nearly to the floor and a buttoned-up jacket all in red velvet with white trim to match Santa. Jake remembered to wear a t-shirt this year to save himself from prickly heat under the stuffing for his fake belly and they both a have a change of clothes so they can join the festivities when they’re done playing dress up.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to do this again.”
“It’s no trouble, we enjoyed it,” Jake says, taking his place on the chair.
