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Her first thought was whether the others would like their presents and her second was, What is that amazing smell coming from the kitchen?

‘I’ve done bacon sandwiches, smoked salmon bagels, and avocado with chilli on sourdough,’ Arlo declared when Katie padded into the kitchen in her new Christmas slippers and a fluffy dressing gown. She’d been too impatient to get dressed and her stomach was rumbling.

The kitchen table was laid and spread with a breakfast feast worthy of a luxury hotel. Alongside the platters of bagels and sandwiches were jugs of juice and glasses filled with granola, berries and yoghurt.

Pongo was lying on a blanket in the corner, drooling.

Katie held her hands wide in wonder. ‘Oh my God, this is a five-star breakfast.’

Arlo grinned. Katie burst out laughing. He was wearing an elf apron and a Santa hat and looked both ridiculous and sexy at the same time.

‘Where did you get that apron?’ she said through her giggles.

‘Found it in the drawer in the flat. Helen must have left it from last Christmas. The hat was lying around the sitting room.’

‘They suit you and this – this is such a lovely surprise.’

‘Well, it’s my Christmas present to you all,’ Arlo said. ‘And I’ve only had to put it together. You all bought the food. I’ll also be helping Wanda cook you all Christmas dinner,’ he added. ‘Before you ask, she has agreed to let me be sous-chef.’

‘Oh, but we don’t expect it,’ Katie said, alarmed that he thought he needed to wait on them all day.

‘I don’t mind. I like cooking. Honest.’

He went up another notch in Katie’s estimation. ‘Wanda loves catering for a big party.’

‘I had worked that out. I’m happy enough that she’s agreed to let me in the kitchen. I want to repay your hospitality somehow.’

‘You don’t owe us anything.’ Katie stepped closer, suddenly self-conscious of her slippers with their curly toes and bells jingling whenever she stepped. ‘And I know this must be awkward for you but I’m so glad that engine failed and you aren’t on your own.’

Arlo laughed awkwardly. ‘Me too,’ he said. ‘Pongo! No! You rogue!’

While they’d been talking, Pongo had sneaked a bacon butty from the edge of the table and was wolfing it down in the corner.

Katie dissolved into laughter but Arlo groaned in shame.

‘I’m sorry! I’ll have to put him in the boot room while we have breakfast or there’ll be none left. God knows what he’ll be like while we’re cooking lunch.’

‘We’ll take him for a walk,’ Katie said. ‘And he can have his own portion of Christmas dinner.’

‘He doesn’t deserve it,’ Arlo said with a glare at Pongo, who was licking the tiles to get at the last remnants of bacon.

‘It is Christmas,’ Katie said, fighting the urge to hug Arlo. ‘I’ll call the others.’

She didn’t have to because the smell had acted like the Pied Piper, drawing a string of hungry, admiring guests to the kitchen.

Everyone had barely descended on the kitchen table like a pack of wolves before Katie’s phone went off. She clicked the WhatsApp video from her parents without even thinking and, the moment she had, she realised what she’d done.

It was too late. Her mum and dad, sister, brother-in-law and both babies were gathered on one sofa.

‘Happy Christmas, Katie! Happy Christmas, everyone!’ they all shouted.

‘Happy Christmas!’ Katie cried and was immediately surrounded by her bacon-munching guests.

‘We thought we’d call while we have ten seconds of peace,’ an exhausted-looking but happy Lou said. ‘Are you all having a wonderful ti—’ She stopped mid-sentence and her jaw dropped. ‘Is that Ned I can see behind Wanda? Ned! I didn’t know you were going on this holiday.’

Ned waved. ‘Neither did Katie, but yes I’m here.’

‘Oh.’ Lou’s face crumpled in confusion.