‘Harold had got his number, as a security measure or something. I hope I did the right thing. I hope I haven’t ruined your Christmas. He’s been travelling for over eleven hours!’ The words came out in a rush.
‘Any chance of those drinks?’ Lisa’s dad appeared in the doorway, gesturing towards the living room with his head, giving a look that said theywere running out of small talk.
On her mum’s instruction, Lisa went to rescue the situation. She invited Nathan to join her at the table. From there the view was an easy talking point. She had so many other things she wanted to say, but with Luke in earshot, and her mum and dad fetching drinks she couldn’t bring herself to ask the questions leaping and fizzing round her mind. It remindedher of being a teenager – the two of them waiting for Luke and her parents to go to bed so they could be alone. With hours to go until bedtime, Lisa wondered if she should suggest going for a drive, but as Nathan had been driving for hours she thought better of it.
When Lisa’s parents appeared from the kitchen her mum was carrying a bottle of wine, two glasses and some festive nibbleson a tray. ‘There now, I thought something stronger than coffee might be in order.’ She placed the tray down on the table. ‘You two have a drink; the rest of us are going snowshoeing.’
Lisa mouthed thank you and gave a grateful smile.
‘What?’ Luke looked horrified at the thought.
‘You remember, your mum said she wanted to show us that route through the woods out the back,’her dad added, picking up his jumper and slipping it on.
‘Really?’ Luke remained unconvinced.
‘Just because it’s not as cool as surfing, riding the wave when the surfs up, doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it.’ Lisa grinned and raised her eyebrows suggestively ensuring he registered the link to his tattoo. He didn’t know their mum already knew and Lisa decided her need to be alone withNathan was greater than the moral implications of an implied threat.
Luke glared at her.
‘You should tell Mum—’
‘Right, well, it’s been good to see you, Nathan; I’m sure we’ll catch up when we get back.’ Luke stood up. ‘If we haven’t frozen, or got lost in the woods or attacked by wild boar on Christmas Day.’ He continued to mutter as he made his way down the stairs tothe boot room.
