I semi-nodded. I knew she had a point, but until I saw Ruby and Fred, even Elle, in person, I was going to feel rubbish. “And looking on the bright-normal-Holly-Isn’t-Christmas-Magical side—doesn’t all this drama mean you’re actually in the running for one of the best things about Christmas?”

“Chocolate?”

I felt Nay roll her eyes even behind her sunglasses. “Nope—a holiday romance.”

This time I properly laughed. Well, it was that or cry even more. As if that could happen.

“Bit late for that, Nay. It’s almost Christmas.” Naomi waved her hand in front of the screen.

“Details! The ball’s in your court, Hol. If you like Nick, you’ve got to at least tell him.”

“We’ll see.” Which meant no way.

“Of course. ’Cause you’ll be so much happier kicking yourself about it for, what…oh yeah. FOREVER.” She had a point, but I didn’t want her to know it.

“Mooooving on. Any ideas what I can wear for the Snow Ball?”

Her mouth dropped so far open, I could see at least three fillings. “Sorry, what?!”

How had I not told her?

“Uh-huh. I know Twenty One Pilots is playing and everything.” Her face didn’t move. “Christmas Eve. We’ve got backstage tickets. That’s why I’m not back till Boxing Day like you. Didn’t Mum say?”

“Nope.” Naomi looked genuinely impressed. “I mean, I knew you were staying longer, but Mum failed to mention it was because you’d decided to go break the internet.”

I shook my head. “Enough of the guilt trip already. I checked first, obvs. Maybe the real question is why you’re choosing a turtle over her turkey?”

Naomi wrinkled her nose. “Well, it’s not exactly like that, is it?” She picked up some sand and let it spill through her fingers.

Oh no. No way. She wasn’t going to try and make me feel bad when she was the one who started it. “Isn’t it? You’re away till the twenty-sixth too, don’t forget.”

“Yes, Hol. And Mum gave me all that ‘exciting times at Colin’s’ speech as well.” Speech? “But there’s no way I’d not be home if I could.”

“But I thought you were having pigs in beach blankets?” Or whatever she’d called her sunny Christmas Day plan.

Naomi lifted her sunglasses. Her eyebrows were down, and she was squinting, but not because of the sun—because of me. “No, Hol. None of my friends are going to be here. As in NONE. I’m not going to know anyone. A-ny-one. I ABSOLUTELY want to be home—I just couldn’t afford the connecting flight until then.” So it wasn’t a choice? “I messed up my booking, and I’m gutted.”

“So…you don’t want to be there?”