Christmas Ever After (Puffin Island 3)

“At least you have one gift then, Liv,” Alec drawled, “in case Santa hears the rumors that you’ve been naughty and doesn’t show up on Christmas Eve.”

“He wouldn’t do that to me.” Liv grinned at her dad. “Would you, Dad?”

“No jokes about Santa tomorrow when the twins are here.” His mother handed round the plate of canapés. “They still believe he exists.”

“So do I.” Liv sneaked Nelson some ham. “And Boris is hoping for a blind date with one of the reindeer so I’m going to brush him and make him look his best.”

Skylar looked at her. “Who is Boris?”

“Our donkey. He lives in the field behind the house. The family next door own horses and he keeps them company so they don’t get lonely and jump out of the field. I’ll take you to see him tomorrow if you like. We can lend you some boots and a warm coat.”

Alec was trying not to look at Sky’s endless legs. “She’d probably rather stay indoors.”

“Indoors? No way. I’m building a snowman as soon as it’s light. We can see Boris at the same time.”

“Do the twins really believe Santa still exists?” Alec’s father looked vague. “Haven’t they grown out of that?”

“They’re only four years old! And generally it isn’t something you grow out of,” Liv said. “It all depends on who breaks the bad news to you. I heard it on the radio when Mum was picking me up from school. There was a phone-in about what age you should tell your kids. I was in shock for a week.”

Suzanne gave a sympathetic murmur. “You never said anything. All those years we carried on leaving sweets for him and making dusty footprints on the hearth.”

“That’s why I didn’t say anything. The footprints were cute and I ate the sweets.” Liv stroked Nelson. “What age did you stop believing in Santa, Granny?”

“Eight. Your great-grandfather tripped over the end of my bed while creeping around in the dark trying to stuff my stocking. I screamed and he ended up in hospital with a bro

ken ankle.”

Liv laughed. “What about you, Sky?”

“I never believed in him.” Sky took a sip of her champagne. “My parents believed in the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. At least, that’s what they told me.” She gave Liv a conspiratorial wink. “I figured it was because my father would have looked terrible in a Santa suit.”

Liv looked appalled. “So no tooth fairy?”

“No tooth fairy and no Easter Bunny or any of his cute furry relations. I was raised in an atmosphere of uncensored reality. No dreaming allowed.” Sky raised her glass and smiled. “To the power of imagination.”

It was a testament to her resilience that her creativity had survived.

It was like planting a sunflower in the desert and expecting it to thrive.

Alec finished his champagne, reminding himself that her background was none of his business. He’d offered her a roof over her head. He didn’t need to provide psychological support and he certainly wasn’t looking to deepen their relationship.

“The twins are going to love you,” his mother said, topping up her glass. “The rest of us display a distinct lack of imagination when it comes to making pasta necklaces. There’s only so much I can do with a bag of rigatoni.”

Skylar grinned. “Pasta necklaces are my specialty. I’m already looking forward to it. No soldering required.”

“Such a good sport.” Alec’s grandmother reached across and patted her hand. “You’re a lovely girl. I’m so happy Alec found you.”

“Sky isn’t his girlfriend, Mum. I already explained that.” Suzanne sent them both a look of apology and his grandmother adjusted her glasses so that she could take a closer look at him.

“He’s brought her to our family gathering. If Skylar isn’t Alec’s girlfriend, then who is she?”

Alec considered abandoning champagne in favor of neat Scotch. “She’s a friend.”

Twenty-four hours ago he would not have described her even as a friend, but a lot had happened in a short space of time.

“But you brought her home for Christmas. It’s years since you brought anyone home. And she’s sleeping in your room. In my day that meant something.”

“Well, today it just means we’re short on space,” his mother said quickly. “We have both you and Harry staying and I’m assuming you don’t want to share with him. Alec’s room is large. That’s all it is. He isn’t in a relationship right now, Mum.”