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Jordan.
That was an inconvenience.
Slipping her feet into the thick socks Rosie had given her, she walked back into the living room and stared at the elegant Christmas tree. “I would never in a million years be able to make a tree look as perfect as that. The decorations match.”
“I know. Not like ours at home. Mum still uses the angel I made at school when I was six. And there’s that weird sequin thing you made.”
“It’s a star.” She touched the branches and breathed in the scent. The smell alone was enough to conjure Christmas. It made her think of laughter and cozy days opening presents in front of the fire. Family. She felt a sudden pang for the past. Had everything been simpler then, or was it wishful thinking?
Rosie poured red wine into two glasses. “Mum and Dad have been acting a little weird.”
Katie took the glass from her and took a sip. She knew that if she drank much she’d fall asleep on the sofa. “Weird how? You know Mum hates flying. It was probably the drink. Never underestimate how it can change someone’s personality. We see it all the time at work.”
“How were they when you last saw them?”
Katie took a sip of wine. “I haven’t been home in a while.” Something else to add to her list of failures.
“But Mum comes up to London to have lunch with you.”
“Not since our big family farewell to you in the summer.”
Rosie put her glass down. “You haven’t seen our parents since the summer?”
“I’ve been working hard. We had a date in the diary for October, but then—”
“Then what?”
Katie’s heart pounded harder. She remembered his hands on her throat, squeezing. The agony in his voice, and in her shoulder. “Things got busy. I canceled.” She hadn’t been able to talk to anyone about what had happened. And now she felt guilty. She should have found time for her parents. She was a lousy doctor and not such a great daughter, either.
“Did you know Mum hates her job?”
“What? Who told you that?”
“Mum told Dan. She said it in a matter-of-fact voice, as if it was something we all probably should have known. I always thought she loved her job, didn’t you?”
“I—I never thought about it.” When Katie had been young her mother had always been there when she came home from school, willing to offer whatever was needed. A home-cooked meal, help with homework or just someone to listen. Her memories of her father were of him coming and going, but her mother had been the one constant. “Are you sure that wasn’t the alcohol talking?”
“It might have been the drink that made her say it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“I wouldn’t worry. Flying probably made her feel wobbly about life.”
“I hate to think Mum might be miserable in her job.”
“If she was that miserable, she’d leave.” Or would she? Katie was pretty miserable, and she hadn’t left, had she? It wasn’t that easy in practice, to walk out on something you’d done for all your adult life.
Rosie strolled to the window. “They’re here. With two large pizza boxes. Always a good sign.” She waved madly, her smile lighting up her whole face. “It’s only a few hours since I saw him but it feels like forever. Is that seriously cheesy?”
“I’m guessing you’re not asking me about the pizza. And no, it’s not cheesy.” It was scary. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
She heard male laughter, the sound of heavy boots and then Rosie pulled open the door and there was a flurry of cold air and her sister was flinging her arms round a tall, dark-haired man whose shoulders were dusted with snow.
Katie stood awkwardly while they kissed.
Her eyes met Jordan’s.
He held her gaze for a moment and then handed her the pizza boxes, tugged off his boots and hung up his coat. A hint of a smile touched his mouth. “Hello, Dr. Frost.”
“Nice.” She smiled sweetly and walked past him to the man who was embracing her sister. “Hi there.” She held out the hand that wasn’t balancing pizza. “I’m the scary big sister. Katie.”
