‘Thank you.’ I smiled. ‘Mum worked her magic on me.’
‘Things a bit better between the two of you?’
‘Yes. I didn’t think Christmas miracles were a real thing, but one seems to have happened.’
‘Do you think she’s changed?’
‘I’m not sure if changed is the right word. I think it’s more that she’s acknowledging a part of herself that was always there, but that she didn’t dare let see the light.’
Sam arched an eyebrow at me and nodded towards Alexander, who was coming over. He was dressed in a simple black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and looked incredibly handsome, if a little nervous.
‘Maybe she’s not the only one in need of an epiphany this festive season.’
I didn’t have time to reply as Alexander came up, his face breaking into a smile.
‘Fallon, you look so beautiful.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied, blushing. ‘You look great too. Um, how are things going?’
‘Nearly everyone is here. Are Dad and Jacqueline coming soon?’
‘As soon as they hear the gong,’ I replied. ‘Come on, let’s get this party started.’
Despite my misgivings, the party was a huge success. The band, who seemed barely out of school, were astonishingly good and played a crowd-pleasing mix of floor fillers and Christmas hits that had even the most curmudgeonly of guests tapping their toes, and the rest of us up and dancing. The food was utterly delectable, and I grabbed Coco as she swept past me with another tray laden with canapés.
‘Thank you so much, you and Estelle have been incredible.’
‘It’s been fun,’ she replied, her eyes sparkling. ‘And Mum’s enjoyed it too. She’s even offered to help me start up my own catering business.’
‘That’s wonderful! You deserve it.’
I grabbed a tiny shortbread biscuit with Wensleydale and a sliver of pear balanced on it and let her continue doing her rounds. It was rare I had the opportunity to enjoy a party that I had organised, but I was loving this one, especially as Sam was taking the main responsibility for any behind-the-scenes hiccups. Of course, it was just as I was savouring another mouthful of cheese and biscuit when Annabel came gliding up.
‘Hello there, Fallon. You’re looking very…sparkly.’
The way she said it made it clear she thought I looked like I’d been dressed by a cheap supermarket, but the sneer in her voice couldn’t get to me that evening. It helped that she had, unusually, missed the mark with her outfit and was looking twee in a red plaid printed dress in a 1950s style, high necked and belted with a red ribbon with white reindeer gambolling along it. We were standing near the fire and her flushed cheeks clashedterribly with the dress. She had had layers cut in since I last saw her, and with her hair in a girlish ponytail, I imagined she had been aiming for a sort of Bing Crosby Christmas cuteness. I decided to avoid any comment on what she was wearing.
‘Thank you. Are you enjoying the party?’
‘Very much. But I haven’t seen Alexander yet, and I wanted to invite him – ah! There he is. Alex!’
She stood on tippy toes and waved at Alexander, who came over with a reluctant smile. Poor man! Which out of the two of us did he least want to see?
‘Hello, Annabel,’ he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek and being drawn into a warm embrace. When she eventually released him, she flicked her ponytail and went full Doris Day.
‘Where is darling Theo? I have a little present for him, which I know he’ll love, and I did so want to give it to him myself. It’s so marvellous to see the joy in children’s eyes when they open a gift, don’t you agree, Fallon?’
I nodded and hmm-ed noncommittally, wondering how soon I could politely extricate myself. She tipped her head to one side and looked at me, her face a picture of pretty bewilderment.
‘Oh! Maybe you don’t think so. Anyway, Alexander,doyou know where he is?’
‘He’s not one for big parties, so I think he’s gone to his room with Runcible.’
‘Runcible?’
‘My dog,’ I explained. ‘They’re great friends.’
‘I see. Well, maybe I can find him later. But Alexander, I did want to pin you down about next Saturday. I can’t inviteeveryone,’ she added, glancing at me, ‘it is very much asoirée intime, but having you there, Alex, wouldmakeit.’
