‘I’m more likely to meet someone who looks like Quasimodo. And I’d never move there permanently. I’m only going until Easter.’
I don’t add that I have no intention of meeting any Frenchman, handsome or not. As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one man I’m interested in, and he’s very much not French.
We spend the afternoon chatting about our Christmas plans. Suzy gets up to leave at last.
‘I promised Mum I’d help her with the tree, and we have some awful people coming over for lunch tomorrow. I have to go to Aunty Zara’s in the evening, so I won’t be able to see you before the party. I hope you have a wonderful time. I’m so jealous.’
She gives me a quick hug and picks up her parcels. ‘I probably won’t see you until after Christmas. So, here’s your present.’
I reach into my own bag. ‘I almost forgot. Here’s yours. I hope you like it. We’re busy on Boxing Day, but maybe we can meet the day after and do something then.’
‘Sounds lovely.’ She blows me another kiss and heads for the door. She turns in the doorway. ‘Have an amazing time at the party. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!’
Just one thing, I think hopefully as I wave her a cheerful goodbye.
Chapter Four
Ispend the whole of the following afternoon getting ready for the party. Mum tries several times to get me to eat something, but I refuse.
‘Honestly, Mum, I’m fine. Please don’t fuss. There’ll be plenty of food at the party.’
‘But there won’t be a proper meal,’ she argues.
‘I ate an enormous lunch.’
She still isn’t convinced. ‘I don’t think you eat enough. I wouldn’t get through half an hour if I ate like you. If you’re worried about your weight, you shouldn’t be. You have a lovely figure.’
I’m too excited to feel annoyed. ‘I’m not worried about my weight. I had a big lunch, that’s all.’
‘Perhaps I’ll pop something in your bag for later,’ she says.
‘Leave the girl alone!’ says Dad. ‘She’s twenty-one and quite capable of deciding whether or not she’s hungry.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ I say. ‘Stop worrying about me, Mum, and go and get ready yourself. You have your own party to go to. What are you wearing?’
I knew this would distract her. ‘I’m wearing my new wrap dress,’ she says. ‘You haven’t seen it yet.’
‘No, but you wrote and told me about it. It sounds lovely.’
‘It really is! Pure silk, and thirty percent off. I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw it.’
She heads towards the stairs, still burbling enthusiastically about her find.
Dad smiles at me. ‘She doesn’t change.’
‘I wouldn’t want her to. It’s lovely coming home for Christmas and knowing that everything will be the same.’
They drop me off at Mira’s on their way to their own party.
‘Call if you need a ride,’ says Dad. ‘We’re going to midnight mass, but we can collect you on our way home.’
‘And make sure you eat something!’ shouts Mum as they drive off.
I’m still laughing as I ring the doorbell. Mira answers, wearing a gold jumpsuit and a tinsel crown. ‘Come in! Lovely to see you. Sorry about the noise.’
The house is already crowded, but I can’t see anyone I know. I follow Mira into the main room. There are paper chains everywhere, and fake snow has been sprayed onto every available surface. In the corner is a huge Christmas tree with flashing lights. There’s a table at the far end, covered with every type of beverage imaginable. It might not be Mum’s idea of a finger buffet, but it would look pretty good to most people.
I put my bottle of Chardonnay next to a six-pack of lager and help myself to a glass of wine. I turn to find myself facing Alex. I’m so surprised that I almost drop my glass. ‘Hi, Alex!’