Page 46 of And A Partridge on Pear Street

“Don’t look at me like that, it’s Christmas! Eat, drink, and be merry and all that. Rhiannon has done the drinking, she’s a little too merry and needs to eat to soak it all up.”

On cue, Rhiannon starts singingSimply Having a Wonderful Christmas Timeloudly and out of tune from the lounge. Lisa gives me anI told you solook and I can only chuckle.

“You nervous?” she asks gently, jerking her head to the patio doors.

“No,” I lie with false confidence.

“You and Harry okay?”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “We’re fine. I just needthemto be fine too.”

“They’ll be fine. Those two just need their heads knocked together.”

“And I’m sure you’d be happy to do that for them, violent wench.”

“Speaking of violent,” she turns to face me and crosses her arms over her chest. “You couldn’t keep your hands to yourself for one day so this had to all go down on Christmas day?”

My lip quirks. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

“You going to admit you love her yet?” She smirks back at me.

“Not to you.” I bop her nose.

“Spoil sport. But you should know, I’m really happy for you, Jake.”

“Thanks,babe.” I sling my arm around her shoulders as she tsks me. “You’ve done an incredible job of this weekend, Lis. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thank you. I just hope those two had fun,” she says, motioning to the dark garden.

“I think they have. Harry was the winner of hide and seek and he won’t shut up about it and Nel’s been giggling with Rhiannon over fruity cocktails all afternoon. That’s a great Christmas all around.”

“I love you, Jake. You’re not just Harry’s best man-friend you know?”

“I’m a man-friend now?”

“Yeah, you’re certainly not my boyfriend but you’re more than just a friend to Harry. You’re a man-friend.” She shrugs and I smile down at her.

“Well, you’re my best friend too. I won’t be calling you a woman-friend though, makes me sound like an elderly widower looking for new love.”

“You are old,” she muses.

“I’m a whole three months older than you!”

“Mmm, old.”

“Wench.”

“Codger.”

We both smile, looking out to the infinite blackness beyond the patio doors. After a beat, I can see Lisa wince and stretch from side to side to try and alleviate some kind of pain.

“Come on, you andthe bumpneed a rest. Go sit down and just tell people to come in and help themselves. And people have been here for days now, if they want a drink, they know where everything is.”

She squeezes my arm and gives me a thankful smile before heading into the lounge with everyone else. I hear her pass on the message that the food is a help-yourself situation, and I’m not surprised when no one rushes to the kitchen. The turkey and all the trimmings are still keeping everyone full and satisfied.

The patio door slides open and Nel and Harry walk through. Despite the smiles on their faces, I look at Nel for any sign of distress. “Are you okay?” I ask her.

I see Harry roll his eyes in my peripheral. “We were having a conversation, not a boxing match.”