Epilogue
‘Cheers, everyone! Merry Twixmas!’ Will was holding his glass aloft. The fizz was flowing, and they’d just finished voting on the Turkey Leftovers Supper Club Challenge.
Cath scanned the room – which was in fact Will’s living room – whilst the folded paper-napkin votes were counted.
Lily was there along with Nikki, Kev and the three boys – who were sat together on the sofa, Dan and Andreas were stood deep in conversation, and Will was here standing beside her.
Wonderfully, Sophie had stayed on for a few days after Christmas to spend some time with her dad, and Maddie had arrived back, just an hour ago, after a nursing night shift and a few hours’ sleep.
There had been lemony Greek turkey pilaf rice from the lads, Nikki had made a fabulous turkey curry – finally confessing the sauce was from a jar, but hey, there was no judgement here.
Lily was on filo pastry tarts with a creamy turkey, thyme and mushroom filling, and Sophie and Maddie had whizzed up some delightful pan-fried turkey quesadillas stuffed with chopped turkey, grated cheese, green chillis, and spring onion, served with crème fraiche and guacamole.
Cath, who didn’t actually have any turkey leftovers, had cooked a Bailey’s cheesecake for pudding, and Will, who had put out crisps and nibbles, kept everybody’s glasses topped up and had very much enjoyed testing all the tasty dishes.
Cath warned him that he needed to up his game, and get cooking himself for next time.
He gave her a quick, joyful peck on the cheek.
And she felt confident there would be a next time, and many, many more.
Cath then spotted the photo of Jane on the wall, watching over them, and made a silent promise from deep in her heart to do her very best to look after her family.
‘And the winner is …’ Will performed a drum roll on the coffee table ‘… Sophie and Maddie. The turkey quesadillas were the favourite by far.’ You could tell he was having a proud dad moment.
And Cath knew that even though they hadn’t entered the competition, it was she and Will who were the true winners, having found each other again.