Driving Home for Christmas

by Emma Hannigan

  He was in awe of his family. Enraptured by his parents and entertained by his sisters. They’d sit and talk about pointless stuff, like Christmas trees, for hours. It got on her wick to the extent that she had to bite her tongue to stop herself yelling at them to get with the real world and stop faffing about.

  The biggest advantage of her irritation was the difference it made to her run times. She’d just done a really good couple of hours without dropping her pace. As the house came into view, she grimaced. Joey was still pissing about at the front door with his father. She hoped for his sake he’d gone for at least a short run. Still, who was she to nag? He’d know all about it when race season started and he was being passed on the road by the people who’d put in the effort.

  ‘Hey,’ Sophia said, jogging to a halt at the front door. Red in the face and bathed in sweat, despite the plummeting temperature, she immediately checked her heart monitor.

  ‘Nice run?’ Joey asked.

  ‘Great. I need to do some stretches so I’ll go on up to your room,’ she said. ‘I’ll get cold pretty quickly standing around here.’ She made for the door.

  ‘Didn’t you notice the fantastic job we’ve done with the lights?’ Joey asked, a little hurt.

  ‘Did you not bother training?’ she shot back at him, exasperated.

  ‘He did,’ Paddy said. ‘He ran in and out the front door at least twenty times and up and down the stepladder too!’

  ‘Right,’ she said, raising her eyes to heaven.

  ‘What?’ Joey said, clearly uncomfortable. ‘Dad was only joking. We got carried away here. I thought it’d take a few minutes but every time we tipped off them they went out. Christmas lights were designed by some sadist who likes testing people’s patience! But we’re feeling more than a little proud of ourselves now, aren’t we, Dad?’ Joey banged his dad on the back.

  ‘So I see.’ Sophia held her hands up. ‘We’re not that into the Christmas thing in our house. My mum thinks decorations are tacky.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ Joey grinned. ‘Well, you’re most definitely in the wrong house, is all I can say. Believe me, when you see this place on Christmas Day, you’ll be cured or cursed for ever.’

  ‘Eh, right,’ Sophia muttered.

  ‘Go on, you’ll freeze,’ Joey said. ‘I’ll catch you in a minute, yeah?’

  ‘Cool,’ she said, striding inside and up the stairs.

  ‘She loves her training, doesn’t she?’ Paddy said, trying to defuse the awkwardness.

  ‘Sure does,’ Joey answered. ‘I’ll go and have a shower and get changed. What time are the guests arriving for supper?’

  ‘I think your mother said around six thirty or seven. There’s a hunt in the morning so it won’t be a late one.’

  ‘Great. See you shortly,’ Joey said.

  When he found Sophia she was on the floor in his bedroom, stretching. ‘All okay?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah. I’ll jump into the shower, and then I’d love to grab some pasta or something, if that’s okay?’

  ‘Well, dinner won’t be long. Can you make do with a piece of toast or something to keep you going?’ he asked.

  ‘What are we having?’

  ‘I don’t know. Why?’

  ‘I’m not really into those stews with random bits of God knows what in them that Sadie likes making,’ she said, chewing her lip.

  ‘Sadie’s a brilliant cook,’ Joey said. ‘She uses mostly home-grown veggies, and the meat is locally produced and a hell of a lot healthier than most shop-bought stuff.’

  ‘No need to get so uppity,’ she said, chucking him under the chin. ‘I’ll have my shower. Then we can go and investigate.’ Planting a kiss on his lips, she disappeared.

  Joey was torn. He adored Sophia. She was great in bed and most of the time she was easy enough to get on with. But every time they came to Huntersbrook there was tension between them. He’d have to chat to her and see if they could get to the bottom of it.

  When she tiptoed back in to his room, wrapped in a towel and looking extremely sexy, his woes disappeared and he remembered all the reasons he’d fallen in love with her. ‘You’re amazing, you know that, don’t you?’ he said, stroking her face as he held her close under the duvet.

  ‘I do my best,’ she said, smiling brightly. ‘Now, I don’t mean to be rude, Joey, but I was starving before and right now I feel like I’m going to die if I don’t eat.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am!’ Joey said, reluctantly peeling himself out of his bed. ‘Let me jump in the shower for two minutes and I’ll be with you. Sure you go on down to the kitchen and help yourself.’

  ‘Ah, no. I’ll wait for you here,’ she said, burying her head in her overnight bag. ‘By the time I’ve done my makeup and got dressed you’ll be ready.’

  Joey trotted into the bathroom and stood under the shower. As he blew the water off his face and lathered himself, he wondered how to approach Sophia’s reluctance to chill out with his family. He wanted her to feel at home here. Christmas was only weeks away. It was their first together and he hoped she’d get into the spirit and enjoy the break with him here.

  A tap on the door made him jump. ‘Yeah?’ he called.

  ‘Are you nearly finished?’ Sophia shouted.

  ‘There now, babe,’ he said. Christ, she was keen to get to the kitchen. He turned off the shower, tied the towel around his waist like a sarong and padded back in to his room. ‘Go on ahead and I’ll follow you,’ he suggested again.

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said tightly, perching on the edge of the bed.

  ‘Nobody will mind if you help yourself to some food. Go on, make yourself at home,’ he continued. ‘In fact, Mum and Dad would be delighted if you acted like you were at ease here.’

  ‘I said I’d wait.’

  ‘When we’re here over Christmas I want you to feel you belong,’ he said. ‘It’s always a real family and friends get-together. But it’s not going to be fun if you’re not a bit more chilled.’

  ‘Eh, right,’ she said, her eyes on the floor. ‘I meant to chat to you about that. I’ve a surprise for you.’ She put her arms around him.

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I’ve booked us onto a training camp over Christmas. I was going to tell you about it closer to the time, but now that it’s come up …’

  ‘A training camp? Won’t it be a bit Baltic? Especially if this cold snap keeps up,’ Joey said.

  ‘That won’t be a problem where we’re going.’

  ‘Where have you booked?’ he asked.

  ‘Lanzarote!’ she announced. ‘We leave on the twenty-third and get back on the second!’ She squealed and jumped up and down, making tiny claps with her hands. Instead of thinking how cutesy and gorgeous she looked, as he usually did at such times, Joey found her mildly annoying. He was reminded of an over-enthusiastic performing seal.

  ‘I’ll have to think about that,’ he said flatly, as he pulled his jeans and sweatshirt on. ‘I’m not sure my folks would ever forgive me if I bailed on them for Christmas. And this year it’ll be hard enough for them with Grandma gone.’

  ‘Joey! Are you serious?’ she scoffed. ‘You’re twenty-five, for crying out loud! Are you afraid Santa Claus won’t find you in Lanzarote?’

  ‘Family is important to me and so is Christmas. That’s all,’ he said evenly.

  ‘Uh, whatever,’ Sophia said. ‘Come on, we can sort this out another time. I need some food.’

  Sophia was seething. She’d thought she had it all sussed when she’d booked the camp in Lanzarote. It was the perfect way to get out of being bored senseless down here over Christmas without causing an out-and-out row with Joey. All their Dublin friends were so impressed that Joey was from this big manor house, but the reality was mind-numbingly boring and Joey’s family so parochial. They wouldn’t know what hit them if they were to try and fit in at The Shelbourne or any of the cool places in Dublin.

  As she and Joey made their way to the kitchen, a load of guests were chatting in the hallway beside the fire. S
he almost had to stifle a snigger: they hadn’t a shred of style between them. She bet they’d never even heard of a GHD and as for their clothes – uh, call the fashion police! Paddy and Holly were fine, but she found the entire set-up too much like The Partridge Family. There was no way she was getting stuck here for Christmas. Joey had surprised her, though. She hadn’t anticipated that he’d rather be here than going away. Still, she’d get around him. He was a big teddy bear when all was said and done. He might think he was better off being Prince of the Manor, but that was because he’d never been encouraged to do anything else. She’d bide her time and let him come around to her way of thinking. It’d be a cinch.

  ‘Here you go, son.’ Paddy handed Joey a beer.

  ‘Thanks, Dad,’ he said gratefully. ‘I need this.’ He drained half the bottle in one go.

  ‘Will you have a glass of wine or a beer, Sophia?’ Paddy asked.

  ‘No, thanks. I’ll grab some water in a while. I’m fine for the moment.’

  ‘Ah, John …’ Paddy was already greeting another guest.

  As he waved at an old friend, Joey felt Sophia tugging at his sleeve. ‘Will you come into the kitchen with me? I’m starving, remember?’

  ‘Don’t you look divine?’ Holly had come over to them before they could make it out of the hallway. ‘Wow, I’d be arrested if I went out in those skinny jeans! They’d show up all my wobbly bits. All that training certainly pays off when you end up with a figure like yours.’

  ‘You look gorgeous, too,’ Joey said, kissing her. ‘We’re starving, Mum, so we’re going to grab something to eat, if you don’t mind?’

  ‘Sure, love. I’d say we’ll all sit down to eat fairly soon but go on ahead. Sadie’s lamb casserole is in the bottom oven of the Aga and there’s rice just strained on the hob.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said, and they marched into the kitchen, avoiding any further conversations.

  ‘Joey, no offence, but I hate lamb. It’s too fatty and I’m really not into that type of thing. Whatever about eating lean meat, I don’t do the babies of any species. That’s just gross,’ Sophia whined.

  Joey closed his eyes and tried not to lose his temper. ‘I can easily make you pasta but Sadie’s lamb is really tasty. Why don’t you just try it?’

  ‘Pasta would be great.’ She smiled sweetly.

  He could feel a row brewing so he grabbed a saucepan and filled it with water. ‘Is pesto okay for you?’

  ‘I’ll take it dry, thanks.’

  ‘Don’t you ever get fed up eating dry pasta? I honestly think you should try to vary your diet a bit,’ he said. ‘It’s one thing eating like this when you’re in the middle of racing but I’d worry about your bones and general health. You rarely eat meat or fish and you’re not even great with vegetables.’

  ‘Joey,’ she smirked, ‘with all due respect, I’m the one who works as a personal trainer. I’m the one who got you into triathlon in the first place. I think I know how to work with my own body so I don’t need a lecture.’

  ‘Fine.’

  Holly swept in. ‘I’m going to serve the food now. Would you bring in the big casserole dish for me, love?’ she asked Joey.

  ‘Sure, Mum,’ he said, glad to end the conversation with Sophia. ‘You might like to put your pasta on – there’s some that cooks in about two minutes in there,’ he said, gesturing to a cupboard as he left the kitchen. He was waylaid several times by old friends en route to the dining room, but when he got back to collect the rice, Sophia was perched on the sideboard eating her pasta.

  ‘Need a hand?’ she asked, without moving.

  ‘I’m doing just fine, thank you,’ he said curtly. As far as he was concerned, she could stay in the kitchen by herself if that was what made her happy.

  In the dining room, the difference in atmosphere was marked, with laughter and easy banter. Joey put the rice on the hostess trolley and wondered where to sit.

  ‘I’d like to propose a birthday toast to our eldest child,’ Paddy said above the hum of conversation, and the room hushed. ‘Thank you, Sadie and Holly, for the delicious meal and we hope you all enjoy it. Cheers!’ he said.

  ‘Cheers!’ the crowd joined him.

  Lainey had sat down at the head of the large table so Joey went over and perched beside her. ‘Sorry I didn’t get you a pressie,’ he said.

  ‘Joey, I’d think there was something wrong if you did! In all my thirty-one years on this planet you’ve never managed it so why start now?’

  He grinned, shame-faced.

  ‘Where’s Sophia?’ she added.

  ‘In the kitchen.’ He tried not to sound pissed off. ‘She hates lamb so she’s made her own food.’

  ‘Right.’ Lainey changed the subject. ‘Did you see what Grandma sent me?’ She held up her wrist for him to admire the silver charm bracelet.

  ‘So she hasn’t forgotten us altogether,’ Joey commented.

  ‘I suppose. And I do love it but I’d rather see her. It’ll be weird not having her here for Christmas, won’t it?’

  As Joey looked around the room at his family and friends, he knew he didn’t want to miss out either. He got up, grabbed another beer and went to join his dad. He was getting tired of Sophia’s moodiness. He wondered if he was having an off day or whether the cracks that were beginning to show in their relationship were more serious than he’d first thought.

  A little later he went into the kitchen to see if she was all right.

  ‘Are you looking for Sophia?’ Holly asked, as she crashed in behind him with a pile of dirty plates.

  ‘Have you seen her?’ he asked.

  ‘She said she was going to bed a while ago. Didn’t she tell you?’

  ‘No, she didn’t,’ Joey said. He could go up and find her but he figured he’d rather have another beer.

  5

  Last Christmas

  Sunday morning dawned with a heavy frost and Lainey pulled the duvet up to her chin. Her eyes fell on her nightstand where the photo of her and Seth used to be. She wished she could reach the point where she didn’t think about him any more.

  They’d broken up a year ago yet she still found it hard to move on. He’d been her first serious boyfriend and, although she’d known deep down that he was wrong for her, she hadn’t seen the break-up coming. In fact, she’d been half expecting, half hoping he’d propose. Instead he’d been seeing someone else.

  When he’d finally come clean Lainey had tried to hold on to him, saying she’d forgive him. In fact, she’d have done anything to keep him. But he hadn’t given her the choice. He’d told her it was over – dumped her without so much as a backward glance. Her emotions had been all over the place: she’d gone from heartbroken mess to vague relief in the understanding that she’d had a lucky escape.

  Old habits die hard, though, and now she flicked to the Facebook app on her phone. She felt like she’d been slapped. Seth had just updated his status to engaged. She knew she should unfriend him and stop torturing herself, but Lainey couldn’t resist checking on him. After all, he’d been the centre of her universe for the three years they’d been dating.

  Lainey tried to force back tears as she lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Seth had dumped her. Grandma had run to the other side of the world. The two people who’d filled her life were both gone.

  She needed to talk to someone about this latest revelation. Without thinking, she dialled Jules’s number.

  ‘Hiya!’ Jules answered on the first ring. ‘What are you up to so early on a Sunday morning?’

  ‘I could ask you the same thing,’ Lainey said, feeling instantly cheered.

  ‘Oh, I’m out for a walk. I couldn’t sleep so I got up and out,’ she explained. ‘How was your birthday dinner last night? Sorry again that I couldn’t make it.’

  ‘It was a lovely evening, very chilled, and I didn’t drink too much. I’m hunting today so I didn’t go too crazy. The thing is … I was looking at Facebook and it turns out Seth is engaged.’

 
‘Seriously? Are you okay?’

  ‘Yeah, but it feels weird.’

  ‘Poor you. It’s always hard when an ex moves on, isn’t it?’

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me ringing you,’ Lainey said. ‘You didn’t even know the guy – but it’s so long since I was in touch with most of my old friends.’

  ‘Didn’t he get on with them?’

  ‘He complained when I arranged for any of my pals to hook up with us, so I stopped asking them,’ she admitted. ‘In the end, most things we did were on his terms, and where did it get me?’

  ‘We all have dodgy exes,’ Jules told her. ‘That’s why they’re exes. Don’t beat yourself up, Lainz. And as for the Facebook habit, I’d say a million other broken-hearted people do the exact same thing.’

  ‘I really should have the sense to swat myself at this stage, shouldn’t I?’

  ‘I’m no expert on relationships so don’t look to me for the answers.’ Jules laughed.

  ‘You’re so kind just listening to me.’

  ‘We’re friends, silly!’ Jules reminded her. ‘Next time I’m having a crisis I’ll call you! How’s that?’

  ‘Deal! And now I’d better get up and saddle my horse if I’m going hunting.’ Lainey was feeling much better.

  In the kitchen, Holly and Paddy were finishing breakfast, on the verge of going outside to welcome the hunt.

  ‘Hi, love,’ Paddy said, when Lainey appeared. ‘You’d want to get your skates on if you’re joining the hunt. Will I grab Kizzy from the stable and make a start on her?’

  ‘Thanks, Dad. I won’t be long,’ she said.

  ‘There’s tea in the pot,’ Holly said. ‘I’ll be out the front directing the boxes. A few eager beavers have arrived already. It looks like we’re going to have a good turn-out this morning. It might be an idea for you to think about hurrying yourself there. It’s hardly your father’s responsibility to saddle up your horse. You’re not a child any longer, in case you haven’t noticed.’