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I let out a slow breath, staring at my hands. ‘I hate that people are watching whatever it is that he thinks is happening. Commenting. Picking sides. Believing the narrative. Like my life is pure entertainment. I lived for months on eggshells, wondering what to do, trying to be better. Thinking I was imagining it, while he got colder and more distant. And now everyone’s backing him up!’

‘Aye,’ he said. ‘Folk are cunts though, Harri. But the only opinion that matters here is yours.’

‘Some of them are actually on his side,’ I added, incredulous. ‘Like – sorry, what? Did we watch the same cheating? And I know I have to do something, right? I can’t stay in hiding, but I feel so overwhelmed and confused that I don’t know what to do right now.’

Jamie gave a soft smile. ‘Well, don’t do anything then. Wait until you’re sure.’

I glanced up at him, then breathed.

‘Are you always this wise,’ I eventually asked, ‘or is this a special occasion?’

‘Fuck no. And don’t get used to it,’ he said, with a cutesy tilt of his head. ‘I’m usually unbearable.’

‘Hard agree.’ I nodded. ‘I can confirm that.’

A flicker of a smile. Then quiet again.

He nodded towards the laptop. ‘You gonna keep watching that?’ I followed his gaze. The lid was still half-closed, Rupert’s voice muffled but persistent, like he was refusing to shut up properly. I reached over and, without ceremony, shut it. Firm.

‘No,’ I said.

‘Good.’

There was another pause. Then Jamie pushed himself off the desk, glancing around the office like he’d only just remembered why he came in. ‘I was actually looking for you,’ he said. ‘Before you decided to emotionally torture yourself.’

‘Oh, that’s simply my favourite pastime,’ I said. ‘Very on brand.’

He laughed. ‘Aye, well. I’ve got a better idea to fill your time.’

I raised an eyebrow.

‘I thought about what you said, and I’ve spoken to Mags and my mam and all that, and if you’re up for it, I think we should try and open on Christmas Day after all.’

I blinked. ‘What?’

‘Yeah,’ he said with a smile, rubbing the back of his head. ‘You’re right, people deserve a proper meal. We should put on a big dinner for the folk who’ve got nowhere else. We should offer them somewhere warm. No shite, no messing. Just good food and Christmas tunes.’

‘You’re actually serious?’ My chest lit up with a spark of energy, like finally I had a purpose.

‘Aye. I mean, we might only have a handful of volunteers, but if we plan it now, then we should be OK for Christmas Day.’

‘I could cook, my finger’s healed now. I can do a banging roast.’ I grinned, knowing no one up here was aware of just how high-quality my cooking skills were.

He looked at me like I’d said something stupid. ‘You can cook,’ he said. ‘But remember you’re good with people too. You should be out on the floor when they come in. You brighten this place up, Harri. Everyone loves you here.’

‘Brighten?’ I let out a small, disbelieving laugh. ‘I’m currently one minor inconvenience away from a public breakdown.’

‘Still better than half the volunteers I’ve had,’ he said dryly. That dragged a real smile out of me.

‘Christmas Day in Glasgow, eh?’ I leaned back in my chair, exhaling. ‘I can tell you, that was not on my bingo card.’

‘Better than sitting watching that shite in your bed,’ he said, nodding at the laptop.

He wasn’t wrong. He was painfully not wrong. I chewed the inside of my cheek, thinking. Then, I said, ‘Never mind bingo cards or self-pitying exes. Honestly, it sounds like it might be the best Christmas ever! Even if it isn’t for us, we can make it for all the troops out there.’

His eyebrows lifted slightly. ‘Aye?’

‘Aye,’ I said. ‘But if I’m doing it, I’m doing it properly. I want the full shebang. Not just dinner with all the trimmings. Crackers, decorations, presents for the kids.’