Chapter Forty-Nine
Later that afternoon, everyone sat round the table at Thistle Cottage.
Reuben had just arrived back from the visit to see his dad.
Jessica knew he was apprehensive about going, and although she had offered to go with him, he had insisted she stay at the cottage.
Jessica knew he was right — if she turned her back for five minutes, her mum would soon be trying to regain control of the kitchen which was not a good idea given her general state and the weight of the turkey that needed to be taken out of the oven.
She wasn’t sure she could rely on Murray to do it on his own.
Reuben had come back with a smile on his face and said his dad had seemed much brighter and chattier than usual.
Jessica had instinctively hugged him, not giving a second thought to what her parents might think.
Although her dad was oblivious, she caught her mum giving her one of her looks.
‘Did he like the present you got him?’ Reuben had bought his dad an old-fashioned turntable.
‘He loved it,’ said Reuben with a huge smile. ‘His eyes lit up as soon as he saw what it was. He couldn’t wait to get the Elvis record on.’
‘That was such a thoughtful gift to get him,’ she said.
Reuben shrugged bashfully. ‘I know how much he has been enjoying music and the positive impact it’s had on his mood. I just thought it might bring him a wee bit of joy.’
Jessica sat next to him and watched him laughing at something her dad said as he topped up their glasses with wine. He looked so much more relaxed now that he had spent time with his own dad and the visit had gone well. Reuben looked so at home here and she hoped he realised how much he belonged.
Lexi sat at the top of the table next to Murray and Carolyn. Angus was across from Catriona, who was tucked in against the wall so she didn’t try and serve or clear up, and Jessica and Reuben had positioned themselves at the other end of the table so they had easy access to the kitchen stove.
‘I’d just like to make a toast,’ said Angus, standing up and banging his knife against his glass. Lexi then copied him and banged her spoon against the table. ‘That’s it, Lexi,’ he said with a chuckle.
Murray looked over at Jessica and winked. Their dad had mentioned his Santa suit a few times and whether he should wear it that day. They’d convinced him not to. ‘You don’t want Lexi thinking that you’re Santa,’ said Murray. ‘You might confuse her.’
‘True. I never thought of that,’ he said. ‘I’m sure it will come in useful some other time.’
Murray and Jessica had looked at each other, shaken their heads and laughed. ‘Oh, Dad. I’m sure it won’t go to waste. Maybe save it for the Christmas fair next year?’ suggested Jessica.
Now, wearing a Christmas jumper with a herd of reindeer which had flashing red noses, he stood with his glass in the air.
‘Dad, that jumper looks like an emergency access site. That’s some amount of red flashing lights,’ said Murray.
Catriona tutted. ‘I did say it was quite garish. But you know your dad. He doesn’t listen.’
‘I don’t think that’s entirely true, dear,’ he said. ‘I could have had another costume on you know.’
‘True,’ said Catriona, taking a swig of wine with her good hand. Even though her broken arm had slowed her down, she was still able to perform the essential tasks.
‘Anyway,’ said Angus rolling his eyes. ‘I just want to say that I am so happy you’re all here to celebrate Christmas. Your mum and I are very proud of you all and it’s been a real treat to have you, Murray and Jess, both back in the same country for once and in Rowan Bay for Christmas.’
Jessica slipped her hand under the table and clutched Reuben’s. He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand tight.
‘Carolyn and Lexi and Reuben, you’re part of this family. Thank you for being here and making this Christmas so special for me and Catriona. Especially given her incapacitated state.’
She tutted. ‘Angus, I’m not drunk. I’ve just been slightly slowed down by this caster plast.’
‘Aye, okay love. I meant incapacitated due to your broken arm and not the amount of bevvy you’ve downed today.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘I think you mean plaster cast by the way. Rather than caster plast.’
‘Whoopsie,’ said Catriona, shaking her head and laughing.
‘Anyway, Merry Christmas. Wishing you all happiness, health and love.’
Everyone else raised their glass. ‘Merry Christmas.’
‘And talking of love,’ said Catriona, looking over at Jessica and Reuben. ‘Will you two stop with the pretending?’
‘What do you mean?’ said Jessica, flustered.
Catriona chuckled. ‘Don’t think we haven’t noticed something is going on. I know you’re trying to act as though you’re just old friends but friends don’t look at each other in the way that you two do.’
Jessica didn’t dare look at Reuben.
‘You’re embarrassing them,’ said Angus. ‘But your mum is right.’ He paused to look at Reuben. ‘Even I’ve noticed it and you always say I can be a bit slow on the uptake.’
‘Calling her Jessie was a bit of a sign,’ said Murray drily as he turned to Reuben. ‘You’re like a big teenager. Trying to wind up the girl you fancy by doing the thing that annoys her most. Honestly.’ He chuckled loudly.
Jessica and Reuben tried to feign innocence but they, too, burst out laughing.
‘Apart from anything else,’ said Angus, ‘you’re holding hands under the table. That’s what me and your mum did when we were courting.’
Everyone started laughing and Lexi started banging her spoon against the table.
Reuben held up his hands in defeat. ‘I don’t think we’d make very good undercover agents, would we?’
‘No,’ scoffed Murray, ‘that’s safe to say.’ He smiled at them.
‘I think you guys are great together,’ said Carolyn, her eyes full of warmth.
Jessica turned to look at Reuben and reached for his hand. This time above the table so everyone could see. It was a Christmas that she would never forget and Reuben was the most wonderful and surprise gift.