Even worse, it was Christmas Eve, the day Jonas had been so looking forward to. What if she told Adam right now, and he stomped up to the house to have it out with Everett? Both of them could end up in the local police station, leaving Jonas and Adam’s parents devastated. Could she do that to them, today of all days?
No, she couldn’t. But she couldn’t hide this from him either. Not after everything they’d been through. Even if she left next week, and never saw him again, she owed Adam her loyalty and the gift of the truth.
From the living room, she could hear the dog padding around, snuffling at the bedroom door. Another moment or two and he’d be barking for them to let him out to do his business, and the day would begin.
Adam said he wanted to forget about it all until after Christmas was over. Maybe Kitty could do the same. They could get through the day, make Jonas happy by spending it all t
ogether, and then when it was all over she’d tell Adam about that script she’d found.
Right on cue, the barking started and the puppy pawed at the bedroom door, knowing they were inside. Adam sat straight up at the noise, blinking the sleep from his eyes, smiling when he saw her lying beside him.
‘Good morning.’ He gave her the biggest, brightest smile.
Yes, so much better to keep everything quiet for now.
26
We two alone will sing like birds i’ th’ cage
– King Lear
The day was blessed with a squally storm that whipped up the snowdrifts and made them dance like butterflies. Old flakes mingled with new, enough to cause a whiteout. Kitty and Annie spent Christmas Eve morning lighting fires and stirring hot chocolate, singing with Jonas while he practised his carols for his evening’s performance. By lunchtime the aroma of ham and pumpkin filled the kitchen, making Kitty’s nose twitch with olfactory memories of her childhood.
Not that they’d eaten pumpkin pie when she was a child. Her holidays had been traditionally British, with spice-filled Christmas puddings and warm mince pies. Their meat of choice had been turkey, but there was always a ham, too. First her mum, and then Lucy, would cook so much the leftovers would stretch into January. Turkey curry, ham pies, all those things tasted like home.
She missed them.
‘How long to go?’ Jonas asked, pulling at her arm. ‘Is it nearly time?’
Kitty ruffled his hair. ‘There’s nine hours to get through yet, so let’s try not to wish it away, OK?’
For one night only, Jonas was allowed to stay up until late. They’d decided midnight was too late, even if his singing was supposed to be a replacement for midnight mass, but staying up until nine might just mean he slept in on Christmas Day. That would be a gift for everybody.
‘That’s such a long time.’ He slumped down in the kitchen chair, pushing his empty mug away.
Mia and Everett had left earlier to travel to Washington, DC, for a meeting followed by a cocktail reception. Neither of them looked particularly happy about it, snapping at each other like angry dogs before they left. Mia had given Jonas an extra big hug, promising she’d be there before Santa arrived on his sleigh.
To make up for their absence, Kitty was determined to fill Jonas’s day with delight.
‘How about we watch a movie?’ she suggested. ‘I’ve downloaded a few. We’ve got The Polar Express, or Elf. I think there’s The Santa Clause, too.’
His face lit up. ‘Can we watch it with Oma?’
Kitty shook her head. ‘She’s resting today so she can be awake this evening. She doesn’t want to miss your concert.’
‘Can we have popcorn instead, then?’ Jonas shot her a grin.
‘Why not?’ The kid was without his parents, stuck in a desolate house far away from his friends, with only his nanny, a cook and elderly grandparents for company. If he wanted popcorn, he was damn well going to get it.
‘Yay!’ He scooted into the living room to set up the TV while Kitty gathered their food and drinks. They spent the afternoon snuggled on the sofa beneath an Afghan rug, watching movie after movie and stuffing their faces. As the light of the day was slowly defeated by the onset of dusk, Jonas fell asleep against her, his slight body curled into hers.
There was something so comforting about having him dozing in her arms. Like having a favourite dog curled up on her lap. She felt protective and peaceful. At that moment contentedness was spilling out of her, and it was warming her up from the inside. She was going to miss him when she was back in LA. Hell, there was a lot she was going to miss.
‘Is he asleep?’ Annie popped her head around the door.
‘He is.’ Kitty smiled. ‘I’d wake him up but as he’s going to be staying up tonight I thought I’d let him rest.’
‘Well if you can leave him for a moment, there’s someone here to see you.’