It was only a list, and I could just not do it. But…then as well as not getting something cool for our mums, I’d disappoint the law of lists. I loved lists. Not completing a list was sacrilege. I mean, I think it was? I’d never not done one before.

I had to speak to Elle. Nip this in the bud. It was now or never.

RING.

RING.

Make that, now or in a bit.

Elle messaged to say she was on her way home and would ring when the Wi-Fi didn’t keep dropping, so I rang Mum instead.

“Hello?!” She always answered the phone in a panic, like I was ringing to report my kidnap.

“Mummmmmm.” It was lovely hearing her voice. But there was silence.

“It’s me. Your youngest daughter…Holly?”

She laughed. “Sorry, yes. Was just…” Another pause. “… sealing up a box. We’re doing a run to Col’s. The tidying is ENDLESS… One sec.” I heard a thud. “Now, packing isn’t what you rang for, is it? Tell me your news! I want to hear EVERYTHING.”

Well, she said it, and who was I to deprive her? So I took her through a minute-by-minute account of the amazing time I was having. But she still had questions. So many questions. Everything from what I’d eaten to if I needed her to ask Jess for long johns.

“And what about things your end?” Weirdly I’d had enough of thermal underwear chat. “Is it Christmas a-go-go?”

“Just work. Packing. Same old. Elly has been a delight, though!” Oh good. “Funny having an American accent in the house. But the biscuits are definitely going down slower than when you and Nay are home.”

Mum hadn’t mentioned any of the things we’d normally be doing—by this time the three of us would usually be spending evenings watching Christmas TV, wrapping presents, and eating meals that were entirely party food from the freezer. I hoped Mum was enjoying pre-Christmas fun too.

“Well, I’ll be back to eat those biscuits in full force. In what…” I counted on my fingers. “Five days.” I couldn’t believe my flight on the twenty-third was coming around so quickly. “Then, it’s Chriiiiiistmas!” It just popped out. Mum laughed. I liked hearing her happy.

“Are you still up for doing the full works on Boxing Day? When your sister’s back?”

“You KNOW two Christmases is my dream. Well, three hundred and sixty-five is, but y’know, this is a step. Lemme know if you need anything from here, or if there’s anything I can do to help, seeing as you’re a chief elf down?”

“You just keeping being you, darling, and having a good time. That’s all I need.”