The Christmas Sisters

Bad parenting could really screw a child up. No one knew that better than she did, and she didn’t want to be the one to ruin a child’s life.

She knew she should tell Adam about the pregnancy, but she hadn’t got used to the idea herself yet. She hadn’t had time to process it herself, let alone work out what she wanted to say to him.

And how could they possibly have a conversation like that under the microscopic gaze of her family? It was excruciating.

She felt as if everyone was watching her and making judgments.

They gathered round the table for lunch, and she was relieved that Luke also joined them.

It reduced the chances of her being asked anything personal.

Adam was seated to her right and Ruby had insisted on sitting to her left.

Hannah was grateful for the excuse to avoid the awkward conversation for a little longer.

“Santa will come, won’t he, Aunty Hannah? What if the reindeer can’t make it through the snowstorm?”

Hannah caught her sister’s eye. “I—well...” She honestly couldn’t do this. “He’s going to make it.”

“But how?”

Hannah was conscious that anything she said was probably going to be the wrong thing. “He’s had a lot of practice—I guess he knows what he’s doing.” Which was more than she did. She didn’t have a clue.

“I hope so, because he’s bringing Bugsy.”

Beth stabbed a spoon into a bowl of roasted parsnips but said nothing.

Suzanne was carving the meat when Posy’s phone beeped.

Stewart’s beeped at the same time.

Posy dug her phone out of her pocket and seconds later was on her feet. “Sorry, we need to go. We’ve got walkers stranded three thousand feet up in blizzard conditions.”

Suzanne paused, the knife in her hand. “But you haven’t eaten—”

“We’ll be fine.”

“Can’t they send the helicopter?”

“Can’t fly in this.” Posy grabbed a hunk of bread and spread it thickly with butter. “Too much clag and snow.”

Adam reached for his wine. “For the urban uninitiated—what’s clag?”

“Thick fog.” Posy stole a slice of chicken from the plate. “Zero visibility. Basically no helicopter is flying to help them, which means we’ll have to do it on foot.” She ate as she walked to the door. “Don’t wait up for us.”

Suzanne put the knife down. “You think it’s go

ing to take that long?”

“Maybe.” Stewart grabbed his coat and reached for his boots. “We’ll take the tracked vehicle and get as close as possible. Also comes in handy as a storm shelter if we happen to need one.”

Hannah felt her stomach lurch. She caught Suzanne’s eye.

Both of them remembered that night.

Posy whistled to Bonnie, who left her position by Ruby’s chair and bounded to the door, tail wagging. “At least someone likes searching in a blizzard.”

Luke stood up, too. “Could the team use some help?”