“And a touch of brandy. Don’t forget the brandy.” Uncle Harry winked and then crossed the room and embraced Alec. “The wanderer returns. We’ve killed the fatted calf in your honor.”
“It’s a turkey. Calves don’t have wings, Uncle Harry.” Liv pulled the wire rack out of the cupboard and set it down on the center of the table. “And we’re eating it tomorrow. Tonight is game casserole. I helped make it. The meat has been marinating in wine for the past two days. Mum used one of Dad’s precious bottles and he threw a fit so you’d better say how delicious it is.”
Alec shrugged off his coat. “Where is Dad?”
“He’s on the phone as usual. He’s not even supposed to be working this weekend but the practice has been decimated by a flu bug. You know how it is at this time of year.” His mother arranged the pastries on the rack while Skylar sipped the wine and closed her eyes.
“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It’s—”
“You probably shouldn’t be drinking alcohol anyway.” Alec interrupted her before she could deliver a caustic remark that might upset his mother. “Leave it and I’ll find you something else.”
Skylar opened her eyes. “No way. It’s delicious. I was going to say it tastes like Christmas.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “It tastes like Christmas in a glass.”
“I always think the same thing.” Alec’s mother handed her a plate and gestured to the rack of cooling pastries. “This end is mushroom, garlic and chestnut. The far end is feta and spinach. You need to relax, Alec. You’re very tense.”
Of course he was tense.
He’d brought a stranger into his home at a time of year that was reserved for family, although so far he couldn’t fault her manners.
“You should sit down,” he said to Skylar, his voice gruff.
His mother nodded. “Yes, you should. That bruise of yours is nasty, dear, and you do look very pale.”
“I always look pale without makeup.” Skylar licked her fingers. “These are delicious. The only thing I can produce in the kitchen is soup. You’re a wonderful cook.”
Alec saw his mother melt like ice cream left in the sun.
“Settle yourself there and rest,” she said. “Simon will take a look at your head as soon as he’s off the phone. Maybe we should give you something nonalcoholic. After all, you have to save yourself for the champagne later. We don’t want you falling asleep in the middle of the celebrations.” She glanced up as Alec’s father walked back into the room. “Well?”
“It was Mary from the village. She needed reassurance, that’s all.”
“So you don’t have to go out? That’s good.”
“Celebrations?” Alec helped himself to a pasty. “What are we celebrating?”
“You really need to ask?” His mother exchanged looks with his father. “It’s been three years since you brought anyone home, Alec. We’d almost given up and now here you are with Skylar. I know you won’t want to talk about it, but—well, we’re just so happy for you both.”
CHAPTER FIVE
ALEC STARED AT his mother in appalled silence. “You—What? Mum, Skylar and I aren’t a couple.”
Not for a moment had it occurred to him that his family might misinterpret his relationship with Sky.
“You don’t have to pretend, dear. Liv is old enough now. Half her class seem to be sleeping with their boyfriends, although frankly I don’t—”
“Mum!” Alec’s tone was sharp as he cut across her. “Skylar and I aren’t together. Not like that. Why would you think that?”
“Well, because Maggie Poynter called me last night.” His mother wiped her hands on her apron, a puzzled look on her face. “Michael phoned her the moment he left your hotel suite. He thought we’d want to know. He was being reassuring. We’ve all been worried about you since—since—” Her voice trailed off as she caught her husband’s eye and she cleared her throat and mumbled something indistinct. “Sorry. I know I’m not supposed to mention it.”
Alec closed his eyes.
He should have known Michael would call. Their families were close.
“What did he say, exactly?”
“That we could all finally relax because you were with the most stunning woman he’d ever met—” she beamed at Sky “—and that you were gentle and caring toward her and that you seemed more like yourself than you’ve been for a while, since—well, you know.”
Torn between exasperation and irritation, Alec pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and then heard a choking sound from the end of the table. He let his hand drop and saw Skylar laughing behind her hand.