Page 33 of Under the Mistletoe with You

‘Is your mother-in-law helping?’

‘Yeah, she’s not that bad is our Kathy.I just need a bitch and a moan.It’s just tricky.I want her to like me, you know?’

‘It must be hard.’

‘What’s up with Tessa then?And why did she nuke your kitchen?’Shaz asks, barrelling past any opportunity to talk about her feelings.‘Is she a wee freak?’

‘You’re not going to believe me if I tell you.’

‘Oh, go on, let me guess.Did she bring a weird pet, like a massive snake?You know, like Britney in that music video.’

‘I’m pretty sure snakes need temperatures a little warmer than this.’

‘Not if they have a massive tank and a big light too, but I see your point.The snake’s out.No pets at all?’

‘Not that I’ve seen yet.’

‘There’s still time.’

‘Why does that feel like a threat?’

‘Okay, give me a moment, I’m still guessing.But what are you going to do now you’re staying here?’

‘I’m still working that out.’

‘You know what you could do while you’re working it out ...’She eyes the kitchen.

‘IsupposeI could make a small batch of gingerbread reindeer, seeing as you’re here.Once I’ve cleaned enough that I won’t give you some kind of communicable disease.’

‘It’s giving you something to do.I’m just that generous.And I’ll even pay for some of them.’

‘Don’t get ahead of yourself.’

‘It’s the Christmas spirit running through me.Go on then, I’m out of guesses.Just tell me what’s up with her.’

This is, of course, the very moment that Nash saunters in.And typically, he looksparticularlygood in a plaid shirt over a white T-shirt and black jeans.A kind of famous-person shine emanates off him, Christopher swears.Turns out, Nash cleans up really well when he hasn’t been travelling halfway across the world.

Thebastard.

For the first time since he’s known her, and quite possibly the first time in her entire life, Shaz is silent.

‘Hey there,’ Nash greets her with a nod.

She wears a confused grimace that Christopher’s pretty sure is supposed to be a smile.

‘I heard you talking down here.Just wanted to make sure you weren’t talking to yourself,’ he says to Christopher.

Behind him, Shaz’s eyes are wide withwhat the actual fuck.Her mouth falls open, but nothing comes out except a small croak, like she’s a fish on land.

‘I left the hairdryer out in case you need it.’

‘Thanks,’ Christopher says, trying to simultaneously ignore how chilly his damp ears are and signal to Shaz with his eyes that she’s being incredibly weird.

He’s tryingto make up for it.Be calm.Don’t let him get to you.He’ll be gone soon.Probably.

‘I was just thinking I’d go for a walk round the block,’ Nash says, his eyes darting from Christopher to Shaz, and back.

‘Sure, just don’t go too far,’ Christopher says.