Page 120 of Barging In

“I thought you could open her as a B&B or hire her out,” Clem gently suggested. “It would give you something to do, Mum.”

“What a good idea. It would supplement our pensionsnicely, wouldn’t it, dear?” Clem’s dad said, winking at his daughter.

Clem smirked back at him and mouthed, “Merry Christmas.”

Her mum blew her nose and took a breath.

“I lost my home of twenty years, and now I’m living back in my old one while another bobs about at the end of the garden,” she said, a note of melancholy in her voice. “But… without Gram…” She sighed deeply, unable to go on.

“Mum,” Clem said, sharing a wary glance with her dad and Victoria, “how much have you had to drink?”

“Not enough, but, yes, that’s enough sentimental stuff.” She shook her head briskly, then slapped her knees. “We were thinking of holding a New Year’s Eve party, weren’t we, Tom?”

“Yes, dear, you were,” he drawled.

She knocked him with the back of her hand. “Helen and Graham said they’d come, and Jasper and Max.” She looked at her watch. “In fact, they should be joining us shortly for a few drinks.”

“Oh, sorry, Barbara,” Victoria said tentatively. “We won’t be here for the new year. My parents have invited us to the Lake District for a few days.”

“Oh, right. Well, not to worry. I’m sure we’ll survive without you both,” Clem’s mum replied, her smile a little too tight to be convincing as the doorbell rang out. “Oh, speak of the devils!” She leapt from the chair and staggered to the front door, her brief disappointment at her daughter’s absence for New Year’s Eve vanished.

Jasper and Max filed into the sitting room a few minutes later, weighed down by bags full of chinking bottles. Helen and Graham followed, each carrying a couple of bottles of wine.

“Does anyone want a Juicy Squeeze?” Jasper shouted over the hubbub, holding up a bottle of cider.

“Not so soon after lunch,” Clem’s dad called back, “but maybe you could give me one later.”

Everyone laughed as they found seats, and Clem’s mum fussed around with handing out glasses.

“You all missed Clem’s news,” she said once everyone had settled. “She’s moving in with Victoria.”

Words of congratulations filled the room.

“And I’ve got Florence back,” she added.

“What?” Jasper and Max exclaimed in unison, looking between Clem and Victoria for clarification.

“Yes,” Clem confirmed. “I’m going to be working full-time at the wharf now, so Florence is going to be looked after by Mum.”

“That’s great news,” Jasper said jubilantly. “We’re more than happy to have you. You’re still baking, aren’t you?” he added, concern lacing his tone.

“Of course,” Clem replied. “I wouldn’t leave you without your coffee and walnut now, would I?”

“I’m glad you finally made a decision,” Max said with a wink.

“Does anyone want anything to eat?” Clem’s mum offered. “We’ve got loads left over from our Christmas lunch.”

A resounding no came as everyone patted their stomachs and shook their heads.

She opened a sideboard and extracted multiple boxes and tubs of chocolates. “Well, I’ll just leave these on the table in case anyone wants one.”

Within seconds, everyone was diving forward, grappling for the treats.

They settled into an afternoon of charades, board games, and laughter in front of a roaring fire. As theevening crept in, and feeling full of finger food, Clem felt Victoria’s hand pressing against her leg.

“Shall we head off soon?” Victoria whispered. “That Victoria sponge you left in the oven is going to be over-baked soon, and I know how you like it moist in the centre.”

Clem shot her a wide-eyed, very interested look. “Okay, let’s go,” she said, standing up quickly. “We’re going to head off.”