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She pulls the children beside her and says, “This is Brad and his sister, Angelina, my niece and nephew.”
My grandmother casts a glance in my direction and I am happy to note the approval in her eyes before turning her attention back to the newcomers.
“Welcome. I’m so happy to meet you. Especially on Christmas Eve. It’s such a magical time of the year, isn’t it?”
Brad nods and Angelina calls out, “Santa’s coming tonight. Do you have a chimney?”
“We have five.” My grandmother smiles and I note a gleam in her eye I’m not used to being there.
“Have you remembered to make Christmas cookies and set out reindeer food?”
Angelina chatters to her as if they’ve known each other for years and I’m aghast when she curls her little hand in my grandmother’s and says in a high voice filled with excitement, “Shall we get the tray ready?”
My grandmother’s cheeks flush with delight as Brad adds, “I could show you where he is now if you like. I have an App that tracks him.”
“Goodness me.” My grandmother exclaims. “Whatever next.”
As we follow them inside, I steal a glance at Jessica, who appears worried. “I’m sorry. I can intervene if you like.”
‘No.” Stopping, I pull her into my arms and nuzzle my lips against her neck. “It will be good for them and perhaps it will bring a little life to a place that hasn’t seen much of that lately.”
“There you are darlings.”
We pull apart and watch my mother and father dusting their feet on the welcome mat, and I experience a sharp pang when I catch my father’s eye. It may be my imagination, but I detect a touch of animosity directed my way, which saddens me.
Why does he hate me so much? I’ve always sensed it and now it’s been confirmed I’m not certain how I’m going to deal with it.
“Where are my angels? I simply must have my fix of them today.”
Mum looks at Jessica and smiles. “Hurry up and persuade Robert to marry you and give me as many grandchildren as you can. I am starved of youthful fun, starved, I say.”
She brushes past us with a cursory kiss on my cheek as she heads off to enjoy some time with the children, leaving my father standing awkwardly beside us.
He clears his throat and says gruffly, “We should find your grandfather.”
As we head into the parlour as they call it, Jessica whispers, “Are you going to tell him you know?”
“I’m not sure.” I shrug. “This may not be the time or the place, but I would like an explanation. He owes me that, at least.”
She nods. “I agree. Just see how things pan out. You’ll know when it’s the right time.”
As we head into the room, I watch my grandfather stand to greet us and note how frail he is looking now. For some reason, he appears smaller, thinner even which makes me sad. We’ve always had such a great relationship and I will miss him greatly if anything happens to him and as he smiles at Jessica with a twinkle in his eye, I instantly know he approves.
“Welcome, my dear, you must be the woman who achieves the impossible.”
“I like to think so.” She shakes his hand, smiling warmly, and he chuckles. “Any woman who can drag my grandson away from his desk earns my respect and my irritation in equal measures.” He winks to deflect the bite from his words. “However, one thing’s certain, there’s a place for work and there’s a place for family. It’s getting the balance right. That’s the difficult part.”
My father snaps. “I don’t think you ever did.” He says with venom, which obviously irritates my grandfather.
“Maybe not, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want that for Robert.”
“Yes, Robert.” He rolls his eyes. “The golden boy. The one true heir who can do no wrong.”
I can sense the tension building and note Jessica’s startled expression and I know we need to have this out before the others make it in here.
“What’s your problem?” I direct my comment to my father with a low growl.
“Excuse me.”
