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‘I’ll have a cup of tea,’ I reply.
‘Me too,’ Jess says. ‘I’ll call Kenny, see if he wants some pudding.’
‘I could definitely go for some Christmas pudding, I am starving,’ Rocco adds. ‘Someone ruined my dinner with my least favourite food.’
‘Sorry,’ I say again.
As everyone springs to life again, getting back to something close to a Christmas Day, I think we all feel lighter, after airing our dirty laundry at the dinner table, and straightening everything out.
As for the future, well, I’m not quite sure what any of this means for anyone, but I’m hopeful. For now, though, it’s Christmas. We can worry about all that in the new year.
35
20TH DECEMBER 2023
Quiet-ish Christmas 2023 has finally begun.
After a crazy Christmas last year, when all I wanted was to be left alone, all hell broke loose. This year, things are going to be different. This year, I’m going to get the nice, quiet Christmas I wanted last year. Well, sort of.
I can’t help but admire my Christmas tree. Like last year, I’ve chosen a theme for the decorations, but the main difference this year is that I’ve added in a few sentimental ornaments, which Mum distributed between herself, me and Jess, so we could all have a bit of nostalgia on our trees. And, after moving into her house in January, Mum used the bonus money from her house sale to go travelling with Dennis. They picked me up a Christmas decoration almost everywhere they went, so my tree is looking like a real adventure. It’s making me excited to have my own adventures someday, but not yet, I want to enjoy my house for a bit longer first.
I’ve spent some of the past year refreshing my décor, not because it needed it, just because I find it fun. Another reason why living here is suddenly much better is because last month, Jess moved in next door, with Kenny, who managed to graduate from being my least favourite neighbour to my favourite, with just one act of kindness.
Quiet Christmas 2023 starts today but it ends on the 24th, because I’ll be hosting Christmas dinner again – although intentionally this time, and I’ve invited Jess and Kenny to join us. Mum and Dennis will be joining us too, as will Dad and Gail. It’s been a better year with Dad. Any events we’ve celebrated, we’ve invited him over, so we’re spending more time together at least. And Gail is great. There’s a lot to be said for having a therapist in the family, although thankfully the stick of truth has stayed in the drawer over the past twelve months.
‘Quiet Christmas is great,’ Rocco starts. ‘But I’m pretty sure disco bowling is on tonight.’
I cuddle up closer to him on the sofa as I laugh at his joke.
‘Get Leila and Tobias on the phone, let’s do it,’ I kid.
‘I still can’t believe they’re getting married,’ Rocco says as he changes the channel.
‘Oh, I can believe it,’ I reply. ‘The day I saw her scream at him for knocking the scones on the floor, I knew they were destined to be wed.’
‘I was thinking of mentioning the scones – the truth about the scones – in my best man speech,’ he says. I’m sure he’s kidding.
‘Don’t you dare,’ I warn him.
‘Yeah, maybe you’re right,’ he says. ‘And maybe quiet Christmas is better than disco bowling. It’s nice, just the two of us.’
‘It’s our first Christmas in our home,’ I say. ‘I don’t want to share you with anyone. Christmas Day is my one exception.’
‘Well, that’s what my girl is going to get then,’ he replies. ‘Although I might need to give you your present the night before, if that’s the case.’
‘I can handle that,’ I tell him with a smile.
We kiss, but only for a few seconds, interrupted by a knock on the door.
‘Who is that?’ Rocco says as he heads for the door.
I jump to my feet and run after him.
‘Ooh, I hope it’s carol singers,’ I say excitedly. Rocco looks back at me for a moment.
‘What? I want a quiet Christmas, not a silent one,’ I inform him.
I cuddle up to Rocco as he opens the door but instead of carol singers, it’s a couple in their forties and four kids. The eldest kid has a dog on a lead, the smallest kid has a rabbit in his arms. The dog seems to really want to eat the rabbit for some reason. The only other thing I notice is the suitcases piled up behind them.
‘Hello, bro,’ the man says.
‘Michael, what are you doing here?’ Rocco asks him.
‘We thought we’d surprise Mum for Christmas, but she’s been decorating, so there’s no room for us,’ he replies. ‘She said she was spending Christmas here, so… any room at the inn for six small ones and a couple of pets?’
Rocco and I just stare at each other.
Well, here we go again…
