Page 27 of Confessions of a Christmasholic

‘The one who passed out from too much tequila?’ Moira’s accent wasn’t cut glass, it was laser sharp.

Great! She made it sound like Gus caught her having an orgy on his lawn. Look, it wasn’t her finest moment, but she only killed a couple of neon snowmen, she didn’t harm anyone but herself. And her sore cheek, still bruised, was punishment enough.

‘Sutton temporarily needed a place to stay, and I need help with the twins, as you’ve been telling me for months now,’ Gus stated, sounding cross and confused.

Moira folded her skinny arms across her chest and didn’t take her eyes off Sutton. ‘You said you got references,’ she asked Gus.

‘I told you I did. I would never allow anyone to look after my kids if I didn’t feel completely comfortable with them. Sutton is who she says she is.’

‘I think you missed something, Angus,’ Moira stated, in her hoity-toity accent. She lifted her hand to her hair and Sutton noticed a tremor. Okay, she was properly upset. But what could she have done to distress her? All she’d done today was walk the dogs and visit Eli and Will.

‘I simply cannot forget she was –’ Moira looked at the kids, who were smart enough to sense the concern in her voice. Their eyes bounced from Sutton to their grandmother, and back again ‘–foxedwhen you first met her.’

‘Moira—’

Sutton was a big girl and didn’t need Gus defending her. ‘In my defence, overindulging is not something I do often, Lady Conningworth,’ she stated. ‘I’m not proud of my behaviour but I won’t flog myself for it either.’

Gus raised one eyebrow and sent a ‘not helping’ glare her way.

‘Did you have a fox, Sutton?’ Rosie asked. ‘Was it hurt? Did you find it?’

Rosie’s questions reminded the adults there were little ears in the room. Gus was the first to react. ‘I think we have our wires crossed, Moira. Let’s you and I talk this through, in private, while Sutton takes the twins to the car.’

Sutton planted her feet and shook her head. If she was the subject of conversation, she’d prefer to stay. Gus’s eyes met hers and she caught the tiny shake of his head, his silent request to let him handle this situation. She pursed her lips. She fought her own battles, and she didn’t like someone else climbing into the boxing ring for her.

‘Twins, say goodbye to Nan,’ Gus said, his eyes not leaving hers. Felix and Rosie immediately ran over to their grandmother and flung themselves at her. Moira bent down and hugged them both, her eyes closing as her lips kissed their heads in turn. It was obvious she adored them, and they turned her world. Moira was super-protective of them, and Sutton had done something to raise her mama-bear instincts.

But what? Well, what except for passing out from being drunk? She’d never met the woman and she’d only been living with the Langston family for thirty-six hours. She hadn’t had time to do anything else wrong!

‘Sutton?’ Sutton took her eyes off the kids to look at Gus. ‘Take them to the car and let me handle this, okay?’

Sutton felt two little hands slide into hers and she looked down to see a twin on either side of her. She looked at Gus again and nodded. He’d get to the bottom of this, whatever this was…

This wasn’t a battle she needed to fight. She had someone to do it for her. And the idea terrified her. She never allowed anyone to sort out her mess. In fairness, there never had been anyone to fight for her. Her dad and stepdad were long gone, her mum was too busy and she looked after her siblings, not the other way around. And Layla? Well, she tended to make sure Layla was okay, not the other way around.

Damn you, Layla. If it wasn’t for you then I wouldn’t be in this situation! I could be exploring Bath, or Oxford, staying in cute B&Bs and eating in pubs. Maybe even seeing a show or going clubbing. Ok, maybe not clubbing, but...

Sending Gus another uncertain look, Sutton allowed the kids to lead her out of the kitchen and into the mudroom. She helped them into their coats and pulled hers on before stepping outside. It was fully dark outside, and Sutton got the kids into their car seats and made sure they were buckled in tight.

Felix looked at her, his blue eyes reflecting his concern. ‘Why is Nan mad at you, Sutton?’

Sutton managed to smile at him. ‘I don’t know, Felix. If I knew, I’d say I was sorry.’

‘Did you forget to wash your hands after you had a pee?’ Felix asked her, looking horrified. ‘She doesn’t like that!’

‘I’m not sure why she’s upset, sweetie,’ Sutton told him, shutting his door. She walked around to where Rosie sat and belted her into her car seat, biting her lip.

Gus wouldn’t let Moira talk him out of letting her stay, would she? Two days ago, she desperately needed to stay, now she wanted to hang around. This was where she wanted to be, where she could catch her breath, and let down her guard.

Just a little. And just for a little while.

* * *

Gus loved his mother-in-law but thought she should stop watching reality shows and documentaries.

‘Sutton isnota drug addict, Moira.’

Moira twisted her hands together. ‘But how do you know?’ she demanded, her eyes bright with fear. ‘Rosie said she put something up her nose this morning! That she saw her!’

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