Page 72 of I’m Dreaming of a New York Christmas

‘What do you think?!’

‘Anneka!’

‘C’mon! Apart from pizza and McGriddle runs, I’ve been trapped in this room for the best part of twenty-four hours. What’s the point in having a sister if she doesn’t kiss and tell?’

‘Fine, I’ll tell you this: yes, there was kissing. And other stuff. But the main thing you need to know is that I feel like a different person to the one you dragged out of her flat two-and-a-half days ago. So, I suppose that would be a rating of ten out of ten. And I also guess I should thank you.’

Anneka smiled briefly, dabbing cream bronzer on her face and blending it with the biggest make-up brush I’d ever seen. ‘It’s Mum you need to thank, not me. I took quite some convincing, you know.’

I scoffed – Anneka being ‘convinced’ by Mum to do anything was the equivalent of me accepting a barista’s offer of whipped cream on top of a hot chocolate.

‘Well, she was right. Against every single odd that’s ever existed, this trip was exactly what I needed.’

‘Sounds like it CAME along at just the right moment.’ Anneka tittered at her pun.

I responded by throwing a pillow at her. I swung my legs off the bed, and knocked gently on the bathroom door.

‘Can I come in, Mum? I really need a wee.’

The sound of a huge splash of water was the only response I got.

‘Just go in, Flo,’ Anneka said absentmindedly from the desk.

I sighed and pushed the door open tentatively. Water sloshed over the side of the bath as Mum sat bolt upright in surprise, clutching her chest in the first display of modesty I’d ever witnessed from her.

‘Jesus F. Christ, bloody knock next time would you, Flo?! You scared the living daylights out of me!’

‘I did knock! You must have had your head underwater. Also, since when have you ever knocked before bursting in on us in the bathroom?’

‘I just… wasn’t expecting it, that’s all. Anyway, from the very little I’ve managed to learn from your sister, it sounds like you had a good day… and night… yesterday?’

I should have known Anneka wouldn’t have been able to keep this to herself. Strangely, I didn’t mind.

‘I did. Very much so. Thank you for bringing me on this trip, Mum.’

Mum rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, spraying water over me in the process. ‘What’re you thanking me for? I slept through the whole bloody day like an absolute twat – and I missed the snowstorm! What a waste!’

‘It’s still pretty special out there. Just… maybe ease up on the day drinking, hmm?’

Mum grunted in response, scooping up a handful of water and splashing it on her face.

‘Your body must’ve needed the rest, Mum.’

‘Whatever. But you’re having fun, Flo – right?’

‘I can’t believe I’m actually saying this but – yes, the most fun I’ve ever had.’

‘That’s great, Flo-jo. Really great. Now, if you wouldn’t mind leaving me for a few minutes while I finish up in here…?’

‘Oh! Sure, of course.’

I pulled the flush and shut the bathroom door behind me after I’d washed my hands, resuming my bed-angel position. ‘Hey, is Mum okay?’

Anneka turned to me quickly. ‘Why? What did she say?’

‘Oh, nothing. She just seemed a bit jumpy.’

She turned back to the mirror and resumed adjusting her false eyelashes. ‘Yeah, I think the jetlag is affecting her way more than she’d like to admit. This is the furthest she’s ever travelled, y’know?’