Page 38 of The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop

‘Well, you must have been curious to have asked him about it!’

Isla laughed, feeling her cheeks flush, realising her mum made a good point.

‘Honestly, we’re just friends.’

Isla couldn’t allow herself to believe that she and Guy could be anything more than friends, not when there were so many variables in place, and she certainly didn’t want to give her parents any false hope on that front either. Christmas was only a week away and then afterwards… well, who knew what might happen. She might not even see Guy again. The thought struck her with a strange sense of loss in her chest.

Fortunately, the conversation drifted to Jake and his experiences at university, how he’d joined a band, even though he only knew a few chords on the guitar, making them all laugh when he told them how he’d sometimes have to fake it, pretending he was playing when he lost his place, joining in again when he was able to. Not that it mattered; the drum and bass were so loud that they could cover for Jake’s flaky guitar playing, apparently.

‘I do hope you’re managing to get to some lectures as well?’ Diana said with an inquisitive expression.

‘Really? What do you take me for, Mum? Of course I go to lectures – well, some of them at least,’ Jake said with a disarming smile. ‘What about you, Dad? How are you adapting to the new pace of life?’

Hugo had recently retired from his job as a chief financial officer with a telecoms company.

‘I’m not sure it’s properly sunk in yet. It almost feels as though I’m on holiday and I’ll have to go back to work after Christmas. It’s a great feeling when I realise that I won’t have to. I’ve booked some golf lessons for the new year so I’m looking forward to those.’

Isla shared a conspiratorial glance with her mum, knowing that Diana had bought Hugo a golf bag and some clubs as his main Christmas present.

‘It means I’ll get out from under your mother’s feet as well.’

‘As long as I don’t become a golf widow, darling. I’ve been looking forward to having you home for so long that I have plenty of plans for our retirement!’

Hugo gave an exaggerated mock grimace, making Isla and Jake laugh.

The chatter flowed effortlessly and goodwill radiated around the room. Isla couldn’t help thinking how it was just like old times.

After a delicious pudding of chocolate roulade, home-made by Diana, and in a lull in the conversation, Isla piped up, ‘Actually, I’ve got something to tell you too.’

She hadn’t planned on doing it tonight, but with the help of a couple glasses of wine, and with Jake at her side, she could think of no better moment. Although, if she hoped her brother would provide some much-needed moral support, then she was wrong. He plastered on an expression of mock horror as he grabbed hold of the edges of the table with both hands.

‘Oh my God, you’re not pregnant, are you?’

There was a moment where Hugo and Diana exchanged a look of utter bewilderment, before Isla put them out of their misery.

‘No, Jake. Why would you even say that? You idiot! I would actually have to speak to a man for that to have happened. No. It’s my job.’ A lump of dread filled her chest. ‘The thing is… my division of the company is closing down, which means my role has been a casualty.’ It sounded much better that way, rather than announcing she had been made redundant. ‘They’ve let me go,’ she added.

The resulting silence, charged with tension, fizzed around the table.

‘No!’ Diana’s hands flew to her face and she looked devastated. This was much worse than Isla could have expected. Her mum was on the verge of bursting into tears. ‘What? Why? That’s awful!’ Diana glanced at Hugo and Jake as though they might be able to make sense of it. ‘Did you find out today? Just before Christmas? What a terrible thing for them to do!’

‘Actually, I learned about it a few weeks ago. It’s why I decided to come home early.’

‘I knew something was wrong,’ said her dad, his brow furrowing. ‘Why have you waited until now to tell us?’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, dropping her gaze to the table. ‘I knew how upset you’d be. I suppose I was embarrassed and ashamed. Worried you would be disappointed in me.’

‘Oh for goodness’ sake!’

Diana jumped out of her seat and went dashing round to Isla’s side, throwing an arm around her shoulder and squeezing her tight.

‘Now, why would you ever think that? We’re sad and upset for you, that’s all. You must be devastated, darling!’

Isla nodded, but she pressed hard on her lips, determined not to give in to the maelstrom of emotions storming her body. It was a big relief to have finally offloaded the secret she’d been carrying around for far too long.

‘We could never be disappointed in you,’ added her dad.

‘Really?’ Jake curled his lip in disbelief. ‘You’ve been disappointed in me plenty of times before.’