Fingers trembling slightly, I text back.I’m here to pick up my parents.
I know you are,comes the immediate reply.Your mum borrowed my phone to text you.
I don’t want to get into a back-and-forth text conversation with Alex Fielding.Can you let them know I’m here?
I wait for an acknowledgement, but it doesn’t come. Instead, I see the front door open and a silhouetted figure peer out. I slump down in my seat, wishing I hadn’t parked right outside the house. Still, it’s too late to do anything about that. I can hardly switch on the car and drive away. Besides, it’s very bright in the house and pitch dark out here. He probably won’t be able to see me.
I will the front door to close again and the figure to disappear. But it steps outside onto the snowy path and walks towards the gate.
I slump even lower, trying not to breathe. A tap on my window makes me jump. I didn’t see the garden gate open.
‘Annie?’ says a well-remembered voice.
I sit up and roll down the window. ‘Hi, Alex!’ I say with fake enthusiasm. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m fine, thanks. Why are you hiding out here?’
‘I’m not hiding. I’m waiting.’ I hear my voice slide half an octave higher than usual and force myself to bring it down again. I overcompensate, and my next words come out as a deep growl. ‘I’m here to pick up my parents.’
His lips twitch. ‘I can see that. But I don’t think they’re ready yet. The last time I saw her, your mother was leading a conga around the upstairs landing, and your father was showing the vicar how to make a fifty-pence piece disappear.’
‘But Mum texted me to pick them up immediately.’
‘So, that’s why she wanted to use my phone! She wasn’t too clear. She told me she had to make an urgent phone call. As soon as I handed it to her, she disappeared with it. I’ve only just got it back.’
‘She told me to come at once,’ I say. ‘Can you tell her I’m here?’
‘I think you’d better come and tell her yourself.’
‘I’m in a hurry.’
He looks surprised. ‘Are you going out somewhere?’
‘No, I’m coming home from somewhere.’ I don’t give any further details. It’s none of his business where I’ve been tonight or with whom.
‘I hope you had a nice time,’ he says.
I climb out of the car and follow him up the path. ‘Yes, thanks. I was catching up with an old friend.’
‘And now you’re catching up with another,’ he says as he ushers me inside the house.
I bite back an acid retort. I don’t want to get into a conversation with him. I just want to collect my parents and go home.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ he asks, holding out a hand for my coat.
I don’t take it off. ‘No, thanks. As I say, I’m here to collect my parents.’
‘Not even a small one?’ he says. ‘Come on, Annie, it’s Christmas!’
‘I’m perfectly aware of that!’ I snap. I see the look of surprise on his face. ‘I’m sorry. I’m quite tired.’
‘Why don’t you find somewhere to sit while I look for your parents?’ he says.
I make my way through the crowd of people in the hall and into the conservatory, where I find Elaine lying on what looks like a garden lounger, holding an empty glass.
‘Annie! How lovely!’ she exclaims. ‘I was so disappointed when your parents said you weren’t coming tonight.’
I sit down on the matching lounger. ‘I’m not really here. I’ve been out this evening. I wouldn’t be here at all if Mum hadn’t asked me to pick them up.’