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Maddie stopped folding the table cloth and stared at Kate. She seemed on the verge of saying something as Alex walked in, hair scruffy from lying down.
“Sorry to interrupt, but you don’t have any feather pillows, do you? You know I can’t sleep properly on synthetic fibres.”
“Sorry I don’t. It wasn’t like I was expecting you.”
“Woah, no need to be like that,” said Alex, shaking his head and retreating back to the bedroom.
“What the hell’s going on with you two?” asked Maddie.
“I’ve got no idea. I’ve spent months hoping he’d want me back, praying he’d turn up at my door, but now he’s here…”
“The reality doesn’t live up to the fantasy?”
“Exactly.”
“Well I think you should just sort things out one way or the other. It’s getting painful watching the constant back and forth, on, off, on, off. Frankly it’s boring.”
“Right, well thanks for the advice. Look, why don’t you go and have a lie down. It will take Joy a while to get set up for carols.”
“Sure. Can’t wait,” said Maddie, in a tone that suggested she really could.
*
In the end, it took even longer to get Joy set up behind the piano than Kate had predicted. She’d insisted on going home for her sheet music, and Bob and Kate walked her home, worried she might fall after all the booze she’d consumed. When they finally made it back to Kate’s, the house was quiet, with no sign of either Alex or Maddie. Kate peeked into her bedroom but the bed was empty, duvet and sheets crumpled and messy. She walked upstairs to Maddie’s room and opened the door.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Maddie was propped up against the headboard, Alex sat cross legged facing her on the bed. They were holding hands, and Maddie’s face was red and puffy as if she’d been crying.
“I heard Maddie crying,” said Alex, as if that were explanation enough.
“Right, and you decided you’d be her shoulder to cry on?”
“Yes, exactly. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
Kate did, but could give no rational explanation for why her stomach was churning as if something was very, very wrong with the scene in front of her. “No, of course not. Is there anything I can do to help, Maddie?”
“I’m all good, thanks. Is Joy ready to serenade us?”
“Yes, she’s all set up. Are you coming?”
“Yes sure,” they both said. A look passed between them and Kate felt her stomach knot up once more.
“Ah, here you are,” said Joy as the three of them walked into the living room. “Now, I should tell you, I’m very rusty…”
“Great,” muttered Alex, and Kate dug him in the ribs with her elbow.
“So, I’d love it if you could join in.”
Maddie gave a snort and Kate turned to look at her.I’m not singingmouthed Maddie. Kate chose to ignore her.
“I’m happy to join in,” said Bob.
“Me too,” said Kate, smiling at him.
“Right, well this isn’t a carol, but it is my favourite Christmas song of all time.”
Joy’s fingers hovered above the keys and she began to play. Given the stiffness of her aging joints, Joy played with the nimbleness of someone far younger. Her voice joined the piano notes as she struck up a version ofWhite Christmas. Her voice was smooth and strong, vibrato filling the long notes, a wispy breathiness adding texture to certain phrases.
