Page 60 of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
Kate kicked her boots off. The scent of fried smoked bacon wafted into the hallway. Her stomach growled.
“Hallo, love,” Mac called from the kitchen. “I’ve just thrown a few more rashers in. I hope you’re hungry.”
They sat at the small table by the kitchen window and ate bacon doorstop sandwiches, hugging their mugs of tea, and watched the snow settle on the rhododendron leaves in the garden. A robin took shelter under the bird table roof.
“I’ve been thinking about Christmas,” said Mac.
“Aha,” said Kate, ripping off a crust with her teeth.
“I was thinking maybe we could have Christmas dinner here this year?”
Kate was surprised. They’d always had Christmas at her house.
“Because I’d like to invite someone,” said Mac.
“You can invite someone to mine,” said Kate. “You know you’re always welcome to bring guests. It was your house before it was mine.”
“But this is different,” he said. “I would like this guest to not eat dinner in the house I used to share with your mother.”
Kate spluttered into her tea.
“Dad, are we talking about a woman guest?”
Mac winced.
“How would you feel about that?” he asked, avoiding the question and Kate’s eyes.
“Dad!” said Kate, reaching over and holding his hand. “I would feel brilliant about it! More than brilliant. I would be over the moon.”
“Really?” said Mac. He visibly relaxed.
“Of coursereally,” said Kate. “I’m so happy you’ve met someone. Who is she? Do I know her?”
Mac smiled.
“Evelyn,” he said.
Kate slapped her forehead and laughed.
“How did I not see that coming?” she said. “Well, that settles it then. You, me, and Evelyn for Christmas dinner here! Oh, but what about Matt? He and Evelyn always spend Christmas Day together.”
Mac put his hand on Kate’s.
“I don’t think Matt will be lonely, love,” he said.
•••••
By two o’clock, Kate was ensconced in one of her dad’s armchairs: legs stretched out across the ottoman feet toasting gently in the warmth ofthe fire, an old black-and-white movie with impossibly well-spoken actors on the TV.
Mac dozed in the chair opposite. Kate was just thinking she could blow off her date with Richard tonight and stay here, when her phone vibrated.
HELP!it read. It was from Matt.
Kate groaned. She considered ignoring the message. She’d seen a packet of crumpets in her dad’s cupboard and had earmarked them for a hot buttery treat later. She glanced out the window. It was still snowing. Her dad snuffled in his sleep. She was so comfy.
The phone vibrated again.
PLEEEEAAAAASSSEEEEEE!
