us. Gives me longer to cook that massive turkey to be honest.’
She laughed. ‘That’s very kind of you but I’ll have to ask him first. It’s – um – complicated,’ she said. ‘And then there’s Trevor …’
‘Trevor’s welcome too. The girls would love to have him.’
Her dad was utterly confused. ‘Who’s Trevor?’
‘A dog,’ Lottie said.
‘Ah. OK,’ her mum said, clearly itching to know what kind of ‘complicated’ but trying not to pry. ‘Can we at least know how you met Jay? Where does he live? Can we see a picture of him?’
‘And Trevor,’ her father said wryly.
Smiling to herself, Lottie got out her phone, shared every photo she had, happy to be interrogated on the subject of Jay and Trevor until the cows came home.
Later, Steph and Lottie were in the kitchen, while the twins were entertained by their grandparents.
‘This year had ended a lot better than it started,’ she said. ‘I’m on the mend, Mum and Dad are staying, and you’re with Jay.’ She had a sly smile on her face. ‘And I’ve got a date with Kerr.’
‘Woo! That’s great. When did it happen?’
‘I called him and asked him. You were right. He was waiting for some encouragement and didn’t want to put any pressure on me. We’re going to go out for a meal over the Christmas holiday so I’m going to need a babysitter … not that I have to look far with Mum and Dad here. I’m guessing you’ll be otherwise engaged.’
Lottie laughed. ‘I might be. That’s very exciting news. I really like Kerr and I promise to grill you as hard about him as you have me about Jay.’
Steph rolled her eyes. ‘I’d expect nothing less.’
Lottie left, feeling more hopeful about Steph than she had for so many months, but wondering how the next day would go with Jay and his family. He’d taken a massive leap of faith by arranging to meet Ben and Nadia on Christmas Day but as Lottie was painfully aware, just when you thought everything was going well in your world, it could all come crashing down.
Chapter Forty-Three
Christmas Day
Standing outside his parents’ place, Jay took Lottie’s hand in his. Even though he’d made his peace with Ben and they’d sworn a pact to make the day a happy one, this would be the first time they would all be together for a very long time.
Steph had insisted on inviting him to Christmas evening dinner, despite his not very serious protests that she wouldn’t have enough food and that Lottie’s family would want to be together. He’d been nervous but, for Lottie’s sake, had accepted readily. He already felt comfortable in Steph’s company, the twins were a hoot and if Lottie’s parents were anything like she was, he couldn’t fail to have a good time.
He felt a squeeze on his hand. ‘Ready?’ Lottie said.
He let out a breath. ‘As I’ll ever be. Trevor! Come on, boy.’
The dog pulled his nose out of a hedge, and followed Jay and Lottie down the garden path, wagging his tail. The three of them were the only living creatures in the street, although almost every window of every house had lights in it. Jay hoped all the people inside were happy, or at least content. It was too much to expect them to be as happy as he was.
He rang the bell and it was answered almost immediately by his father, wearing a comedy elf apron.
‘Nice apron, Dad,’ Jay said, trying to hide his nerves. ‘This is Lottie, my girlfriend.’
His father smiled at Lottie. ‘Hello … Thank you for bringing Jay to the hospital last week.’
‘No problem,’ she said. ‘And sorry for landing on you unannounced …’
Jay rested his hand on the small of her back. Her physical presence, not to mention her support, gave him courage. Why had he waited so long to realise how much he needed her? What an indispensable part of his life she suddenly seemed.
‘We wanted to surprise you,’ he said.
‘We weren’t expecting you now …’ He smiled broadly. ‘But that doesn’t matter. It’s wonderful to see you both but …’ The grin was replaced by an anxious frown. ‘You do know Ben and Nadia are here with Seb?’
‘Yes,’ Jay replied gently. ‘I do.’
His mum appeared behind her husband, her eyes wide in amazement. ‘Jay! You’re early!’
‘Yes. I am and I know it’s a bloody cheek and you won’t have enough food but we don’t care about that. Lottie and I – we wanted to share Christmas lunch with you