Page 38 of The Christmas Star

Theo let out a laugh. ‘Say it like it is, why don’t you?’

Aside of his sulking, Theo clearly wasn’t a morning person. Opening his mouth, he yawned so wide, if he hadn’t put a hand up I’d have seen his tonsils.

‘Are you going to be all right driving today?’ I asked.

‘I’ll be fine.’ He hid yet another yawn. ‘I just didn’t sleep very well.’

‘Really?’ Our bunk beds might not have looked especially comfortable, but images could be deceiving. After a solid eight-hours without even as much as a hot sweat to disturb me, I’d awoken refreshed and ready for another day on the road. ‘I’m surprised you weren’t dead to the world the second you hit the pillow.’ I cut into a pork sausage. ‘I know I was.’

‘Someone was snoring,’ Theo said.

‘You’re obviously a light sleeper because I never heard a thing.’

Raising an eyebrow, he stared at me.

Fork to my lips, I paused. ‘I hope you’re not suggesting…’

Theo stared at me some more.

‘Rubbish. It must have been the person next door. I don’t know if you noticed but those cabin walls are pretty thin.’

Theo got back to his food. ‘If you say so.’

I most certainly did. ‘So what’s the plan?’ I asked.

‘First we need to head to the supermarket.’

‘Why?’ As far as I was concerned, we didn’t have time for shopping trips.

‘Because it’s Christmas Eve and everywhere might close until Boxing Day.’

I supposed he had a point. ‘Any idea on where we might sleep tonight?’ I pictured us in his Smart car. Eyes closed yet bolt upright.

‘Well, we know Maeve and Jackson are headed south.’

‘But not where in the south.’

‘Which is why I think we should drive to Clermont-Ferrand.’ He pulled out his phone and brought up a map of France. ‘It’s more or less in the middle of the country, see. Meaning we can swing left, right, or carry straight on once we know more. I’ve emailed a couple of hotels there too.’ He checked his watch. ‘We just have to keep everything crossed they’re open for Christmas.’ Putting his mobile back in his pocket, Theo came over all pensive. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘That sounds ominous. Is it about last night?’

‘Yes and no.’

‘Okay.’

‘I was wondering what makes you think Maeve should be in an old folks’ home?’

I picked up my coffee. ‘It’s hard to explain. Lots of little things really.’

‘Grief brain.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, impaired decision-making. These things can happen when we experience grief.’

There I was, thinking Theo was a chef not a doctor. ‘That sounds like perimenopause to me.’

‘We don’t just have an emotional response to loss. There are cognitive and physical symptoms too.’