Page 15 of Don't Believe A Word

‘I’m suitably contrite,’ she assured him, ‘and I’ll also be extremely glad when I get there, but the satnav has served me well so far. No reason why it should let me down now. If I get into any difficulties I’ll call.’

*

By the time Cristy walked into the Gaudion family’s wonderfully warm kitchen to be assailed by mouthwatering aromas of bacon and hot toast, at least two dozen bodies were scattered about the place either drinking coffee, sipping water or, in a few hardy cases, getting stuck into Bloody Marys.

Realizing no one had noticed her yet, she removed her coat and watched Anna and Rosie whizzing about with plates of hot food while Juliette, looking very much at home, slid a delicious-looking frittata from an oven and Cynthia sautéed a pan full of rosti. She looked around for David and found him stacking extra wood on the fire while chatting with his brother who was laughing at whatever they were saying. She didn’t want to tear hereyes away, simply wanted to carry on looking at David, taking in his hands, his back, the length of his legs as he stood. She thought of the way he made love, the power and gentleness of him, his taste and smell …

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she seemed to be caught up in some sort of surreal moment, as she wondered how she’d come to be here, at the heart of someone else’s family, when her own was far away doing other things.

She watched David turn around, prompted by Astrid, and couldn’t be sure of how pleased or not he was to see her. He was frowning and his expression didn’t lighten as he picked his way through everyone to come and greet her.

‘What’s wrong?’ he said quietly. ‘Has something happened?’

‘No,’ she said in surprise, ‘everything’s fine. I just …’ What was going on in her head? Why had she felt that unsettling moment of detachment? Breaking into a smile, she said, ‘Looks like the party continues.’

Glancing round to survey the gathering he said, ‘I have a feeling it won’t stop until at least tomorrow. How are the roads out there?’

As she answered she could feel Juliette’s eyes on them. ‘Still not very passable,’ she admitted, ‘but I don’t think anyone here is having a problem with being fogged in.’

‘Apart from you?’ he countered.

Her eyes went to his. ‘I’m happy to be with you,’ she told him, ‘but I have to admit I’ll be glad to see the children.’

Seeming to accept that, he said, ‘I’d like to hear more about your first meeting with Mia, but come and get something to eat first.’

Aware that he hadn’t kissed her, or even touched her, she followed him over to the kitchen and again ignored Juliette’s scrutiny, preferring instead to react to the way Rosie lit up when she saw her.

‘Happy New Year’s Day,’ Rosie cried, sticking out her bottom as she leaned in for an air-kiss. ‘I’ve got a secret,’ she whispered, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. ‘You’re not allowed to tell anyone.’

‘We already know,’ David teased.

Cristy laughed, then realized he was looking at Juliette.

Juliette’s smile was playful as she said, ‘I don’t think you do.’

‘Don’t be so sure,’ he murmured.

Wondering how innocent banter with Rosie had suddenly become a flirtation between David and Juliette, Cristy took the plate of food Cynthia was offering, not entirely sure how hungry she was now, and searched around for somewhere to sit.

‘Over here,’ Astrid, David’s sister-in-law, called out, and elbowed her husband off one of the sofas onto the floor. ‘Come sit by the fire and get warm.’

Grateful for the invite, Cristy picked her way across the room, laughing and joking with those she passed. Settling herself in next to Astrid, she said, ‘Is there vodka in that tomato juice?’

‘There actually is,’ Astrid confirmed, holding up her glass to examine it. ‘Why don’t you join me? It’s very good.’

Considering it, Cristy smiled up at Anna as she brought over some hot buttered toast.

‘How did you get on with Mia?’ Anna asked. ‘Whacky or what?’

‘She’s definitely her own person,’ Cristy said dryly. ‘Apparently she binged on the last series ofHindsight.’

Anna blinked in amazement. ‘No way! You mean the one about our family?’

Cristy nodded and took a mouthful of cauli hash brown.

‘I had no idea she even knew what a podcast was,’ Anna exclaimed.

‘I don’t think Sadie did either, so seems best not to make too many assumptions about Mia Winters. In fact, now I’ve had time to consider it, I can’t help wondering if her admission was a little warning shot across Sadie’s bows, letting her know that she’s perfectly aware of why I was invited there.’