“It’s been a busy day, put it that way. And I don’t know if Dottie will ever find the stocking I hid in her room. But Elle’s been amazing. And Charl, Dean, Blake, your parents—everyone.” A new song cut in, and we stood and clapped as Dottie led the room in what I think was the start of “YMCA.” Guess they were branching out. “I just thought why carol sing when you could Christmas karaoke, right? Miller style.”

“Well, it’s amazing. What you’ve done…” We watched Dottie and her friends pulling some serious shapes. “I mean, tomorrow when you’re at the Snow Ball, remember how it absolutely doesn’t compare to this.”

Guess it was time to tell him.

“I’m not going…” Truth was, I was going home—tonight. Elle had helped me swap the flights but, despite missing out on time here, missing out on meeting her properly, I knew it was the right thing to do. As amazing as tomorrow would be, being home for Christmas, being there with Mum, was more important—whatever house we were in.

“You were right, Nick. A hundred percent right. The perfect Christmas never had anything to do with making sure it all went to plan, did it?” Nick was too kind to say anything. He just smiled. “And I get it. Seeing what happens doesn’t make it less special. Doesn’t make someone love Christmas any less. In fact, thanks to you, I’ve had some of the best times ever.” I laughed. Why was being honest so cringe? “I mean, not many people could have made me break onto a rooftop…or do the double of bacon and pumpkin costumes in one week.”

Nick laughed softly. “Hey, it’s not like I haven’t been putting in the work too—never have I ever drunk so much hot chocolate. Or hid under a desk for so long. Let alone had my photo taken while a woman yelled at me to ‘be more reindeer.’”

“Well, I’ve had the best time. Thanks to you…” But I had to tell him the thing. “But I need to go home.” That wasn’t quite right. “Well, not home—I just need, want, to be with Mum. My plane’s in a few hours.”

It meant tonight would be the last time I saw Dottie, that I would only have a few hours left with their whole family, with Nick.

“Wow.” Nick slumped back next to me against the wall. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Neither was I—it all happened so quickly. “Look, I’m not going to pretend that I don’t wish I could have more time here, or I dunno, be in two places at once. Three, if you count your gig…”