Page 51 of Two Purple Gloves

She preens. “It’s what I do.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

“We have a large inflatable snowman.”

LISA

Roast potatoes.Saved just in time and looking golden and delicious.

Turkey.Resting.

Vegetables.All cooked and staying warm.

Pigs in blankets.Already on the table.

Kids.Eyeing up the pigs in blankets.

Champagne.On ice.

Christmas pudding.In the garage and ready to light on fire.

Our dining table wasn’t designed for nineteen people. I guess not many people’s are. But with the two temporary tables and some impressive furniture rearranging, the Christmas dinner looks like a medieval banquet laid out along one long table. Everyone oohs and ahs when they come in to take their seats, sticking to the seating plan I came up with last night while I was feeding Mary, making sure to keep Mandy away from her parents. Her kids, Billie and Andy are sat with Lucas, Oscar, Margot, and Freddie, chatting away and entertaining the younger ones like they’ve always been a part of each other’s lives. Mary sits on her highchair between Harry and me and is now very loudly slamming her bamboo bowl down on the table in front of her, over and over again.

When everyone else in seated, Harry brings the turkey over to the table, much to the delight of everyone sat aroundit. There’s applause and enthusiastic praise directed at me, and I give a little curtsey in response. We dig in and conversation remains light as everyone enjoys their food. Dad makes a toast to family and friends, thanking Harry and me for hosting and the table all lift their glasses in cheers.

“We actually have some news we wanted to share with everyone,” Jake says when the noise dies down.

“We all know you’re engaged,” Rhiannon says dismissively, and he throws a pea at her.

“Something else.”

Pam gasps. “Nel’s pregnant?”

Harry nearly chokes on his champagne and Nel loses all colour from her cheeks as she stares wordlessly back at her future mother-in-law.

“How about you let me tell you rather than guessing?” Jake grumbles.

“You’re right, sorry. Please continue.” Pam gestures for him to do so and Jake looks to his fiancée, the two of them sharing an excited smile.

“So, you know we were looking for a house?”

“You needed somewhere closer to a train station for Nel to commute into London, isn’t that right?” Mandy asks.

“Yeah. Jake’s place is nice and really convenient for him to get to work but it’s a half hour drive to the station and another ninety minutes on the train, I can’t keep doing it.” Nel takes a large glug of her wine, maybe just to doubly prove she isn’t pregnant.

“Well, we found a place,” Jake says, a huge smile on his face.

“Oh, that’s great news,” Mandy says.

“Yes, it’s about time you own your own home.” Glenn doesn’t look up from his plate where he’s attacking a piece of turkey so ferociously, I’m worried about the snowflake pattern on the China.

“So, you two are staying firm on not having children?” Pam asks, disappointment obvious.

I look at Harry, he looks at me.

This is so awkward.

I know.