Page 29 of Must Love Christmas

“He’s a joy,” Simon said, with no irony whatsoever.

“Are you an actor paid to say that?” she asked. “Cos you’re very convincing. You could win a BAFTA award.”

Simon laughed. “Talking of films, did you know there was a documentary featuring your brother?”

Garen’s face flushed. “I’m not exactly featured.” Two seasons ago, Shawlands Rink had hired a local film crew to document Team Riley’s journey to the national championship.

“Not technically,” Karen said, “but you did get more than your share of footage by hogging the spotlight.”

“I cannae help it if the camera loves me.” He poked Simon in the side. “How did you happen upon that documentary?”

“I looked up curling on YouTube last night,” Simon said. “I guess it detected my location and showed me your video.”

“So youareinterested in curling.” Garen pressed his palms together in an exaggerated entreaty. “Does that mean you’ll come tomorrow?”

“Notice how my brother’s asking you in front of me,” Karen told Simon, “to add extra pressure.”

Simon sighed. “I’ll go—if we’re home for Liverpool’s kickoff.”

“Ya dancer!” Garen smacked his hands together. “No running tonight, I hope? You need to rest. Curling’s a lot more exhausting than it looks.”

“It’s already too dark. I’ll join a gym next week—I’m way overdue for my weekly long run.” Simon tugged his tie loose. “Besides, I’m kinda shattered for some reason.”

After his sister and flatmate said goodbye and Simon had left the room, Garen turned the laptop back to face himself.

A single word from Karen popped up in the chat window:CUTE!!!!!

Thanks. Must be my new shampoo, he replied.

Your flatmate, ya knob.

Oh him. I suppose he’s all right.Still, he couldn’t hold back a grin, and he knew he was probably blushing. He also knew Simon might find it suspicious they’d stopped talking, so he asked her, “You’re coming home for Christmas, right?”

“Obviously,” she said. “I know how important it is to you.”

“It’s not important to you?”

“Of course it is. I miss having Mum and Dad for the holidays too.”

“It’s not like they’re dead.” He voiced one of his biggest fears. “You know, if Brexit goes poorly, Mum might never be allowed back into the UK.”

“She’d beallowedin, Garen. She just might not be able to live there permanently. But that’s worst-case scenario. I’m sure the government will get it sorted.”

He barked out a laugh. “This government? I take back what I said about you not having a sense of humor.”

“Ha ha. Anyway, I’ve got two weeks off for the holidays, so I’ll stay through New Year’s.”

“Yaaaas! This’ll be the best Christmas ever.”

“You say that every year.”

“I know I do.” Garen turned his head at the sound of Simon leaving his room. His flatmate hummed a happy tune as he headed down the hall toward the kitchen. Soon the scent of bread or muffins or even cupcakes would be wafting through the air, and Garen would join him for a beer while scrounging through the fridge for stir-fry components. Or maybe, since it was Friday, they’d order a takeaway and watch a film.

For the first time in the three weeks since Luca had moved out, this flat felt like a home.

Garen turned back to his sister. “And every year I’m right.”

Chapter 6

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