My parents stayed for dinner,which my mum had also brought with her. Not that I was complaining. Her lasagne was the best thing I’d eaten all week.
Also one of my favourite things.
As was the apple pie and custard she’d brought for dessert.
She hadn’t been too impressed when I’d jokingly said, “I should break a bone more often.”
They left just after six. My mum pretended to be gathering her things as my dad left, but I knew she just wanted to get me on my own. My dad knew it too, judging by the knowing look he gave her as he left.
“Spit it out,” I said as soon as I shut the door after him.
She had the good grace to look a little guilty. “I’ve invited your dad to Christmas dinner.”
Not what I was expecting. “Oh? Won’t that be a bit weird with Clive there?”
She laughed. “They get on quite well, actually.” She scoffed at my look of surprise. “Your dad and I divorced years ago, Jasper. There are no hard feelings there anymore; we’ve become good friends over the years. Anyway, he’s on his own this year, and that’s not right at Christmas, so I’ve invited him round to spend it with us. I hope that’s not going to be a problem.” Then she frowned. “You’re still coming, aren’t you?”
“Of course.” It was Christmas, where else would I go? My gaze slid to the Christmas tree, and for a moment I imagined spending it at Finn’s house, just the two of us. Then shook my head with a smile. Even if we were together, he was as much a family guy as I was. “And I don’t mind Dad being there.” It might be kind of nice to have us all together for once. Weird, but nice.
“Good.” She beamed at me. “Your grandma might not be so impressed, so you can run interference.”
I laughed. “Thanks for that.”
She leant in and gave me a careful hug. “Think about what I said before. I think it’d do the two of you a world of good.”
“I promise to consider it. Nothing more.”
“That’s all I’m asking for.”
She stepped back and gathered her things, glancing once more at our tree. “That really is a beauty. Did you help pick it?”
“Yeah.” I grinned remembering. “He’s as picky as you.”
“Is he now?” Her eyes narrowed as she studied me for a long few seconds before smiling to herself. “That just means he’s got good taste.”
I got the feeling she wasn’t talking about the Christmas tree anymore.
“I’ll see you Christmas Day, then.”
“Yeah. Bye, Mum.”
She left with a smile and a wave, and I closed the door behind her, resting my head on the cool wood for a moment before shuffling back into the living room.
God, I was knackered.
Conversation like that took it out of me at the best of times. Being injured seemed to make it ten times more tiring. I sank down next to Angus and idly ran a hand through his fur. He’d slept the afternoon away, and I rather envied him. “You lucky little fucker,” I crooned, tickling him under the chin. He stretched, smugness oozing from him as though he knew what I’d said and wholeheartedly agreed.
My phone sat on the coffee table, neglected for the afternoon, and the screen was lit up with messages.
I scrolled through them until I spotted one from Finn and opened it.
Finn: Setting off now. Should be home about 8.30 ish. X
It was just gone eight now. Thirty minutes and he’d be home.
Nervous excitement warred with exhaustion, and I let my head fall back against the sofa cushions, exhaustion winning out.
I’ll just shut my eyes for a minute.
