Page 27 of Re-Writing Christmas

Stop it.There is literally no reason for him to stay here, and you knew full well he was going to leave.

And I did know.But I wasn’t done getting to know him yet.

Louise’s smile widened.“We can’t wait to see you and have you back at home.”

“I can’t wait to see you either.”Donovan’s eyes were so full of fondness for his parents that it took a little of the edge off about him going away.After all, what I’d wanted was for him to remember how important family was, and he was.

“Where’s your nan?”Louise asked.“We’ve been trying to get through for days, but the wi-fi is unreliable out here, and with the time difference, it’s been hard to reach her.”

“She’s just gone for a nap.She’s had a bad day today.”Donovan explained what had happened that morning, and I could see his mum getting emotional at the idea of her mother being so upset.

“We should have cancelled this trip and come home,” Louise said, blinking away tears.

Sam wrapped an arm around her.“You know your mum would never have let you do that.She knows it’s been hard for you too and she wanted you to come on this cruise.”

She nodded, and Donovan said, “Mum, please don’t worry.I’m here with her.She’ll be fine.”

“How are the two of you getting along?”Louise asked.“I hope you’ve been taking care of her.”

Donovan rolled his eyes.“Of course I have.Although, I did sprain my ankle, which slowed me down a bit.”

“How did you manage that?”Sam asked, and Donovan’s eyes shifted to me for a moment.I grinned, waiting for him to explain.

Donovan chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.“I’ve actually got something to tell you.You aren’t going to believe this.”

“What is it?”Louise asked, brow raised with curiosity.

“So...do you remember when we used to come to Dawlish for Christmas when I was a kid, and I made friends with the girl who lived next door to Grandad?”

Louise said, “I remember.You used to sulk every time we left because you didn’t want to leave her behind.”

I covered my hand with my mouth to suppress my giggle as Donovan’s cheeks reddened, and he closed his eyes as if he were trying not to die from embarrassment.

Instead of saying anything, he turned the iPad towards me, and I grinned, offering them a wave.

Louise’s eyes widened again.“Nova?”

I nodded.“Hi!”

“Oh my goodness!”she breathed, shaking her head in shock.

Sam gaped.“Well, I’ll be damned!”

“How did this happen?”Louise asked, and Donovan turned the iPad back to him, but he beckoned me closer, and I slid across the sofa to sit beside him so I was in the frame too.

“I live next door to your mum,” I told her, laughing.

“So, you used to live next door to my dad, and now you live next to Lou’s mum?”Sam asked.“Wow.”

“I know.It’s so weird.I couldn’t believe it when Donovan and I realised we know each other.”

Louise was still shaking her head, but she was smiling now.“So, how did this lead to a sprained ankle?”

Donovan looked at me, and said, “Yeah, that’s all you.You can explain that one!”

I grinned up at him before telling Louise and Sam all about the Christmas hit list, and how we’d gone ice skating.I also told her about the movies we’d watched and our baking afternoon with June.

Louise howled with laughter at the idea of Donovan dancing in the kitchen, and Donovan nudged me with his shoulder when I pulled out my phone and showed her the photo of us in our Christmas-themed aprons.

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