“I just don’t want to think of you being here on your own.”

Claudia looked around as Jasmine came through from her bedroom like a whirlwind, snatched up bag, violin, toast, and a vacuum mug of coffee and declared, “I have to go,” as if they hadn’t already gathered that. “I don’t want to be late. I’ll see you at school tonight, OK?”

“OK,” Claudia promised.

“Are you coming, Nana?”

“Of course. You surely can’t think I’d miss it.”

“No, I didn’t. I just . . . I don’t know what I thought. How was your date by the way?”

Marcy smiled. “Lovely, thank you.”

“Henry’s invited her to spend New Year’s with him in London,” Claudia told her.

Jasmine’s eyes rounded. “Cool. Wicked.”

As Marcy laughed, Jasmine planted a kiss on her forehead, followed by another on her mother’s cheek, and ran for the door.

“You really don’t mind if I go?” Marcy asked, as Claudia began clearing the table.

“What concerns me more is what you’ll do if he proposes, or suggests you move in with him . . .”

“You’re way ahead of the game here,” Marcy scolded. “We’re just friends . . . OK, some benefits are going to be involved quite soon—I know I’m your mother but you don’t have to look quite so grossed out. The point is, nothing is going to change my plans to move into the coach house with you and Jasmine.”

“Great, then there’s nothing to worry about,” Claudia said sweetly, and taking a loaded tray to the kitchen, she began filling the dishwasher.

After watching her for a while and listening to her humming “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” Marcy asked, “Am I missing something?”

Surprised, Claudia glanced over her shoulder. “Why do you say that?”

Marcy shrugged. “I guess because you seem much more relaxed about things than I’d expected you to be.”

Claudia threw out her hands. “I’m in a good mood, if that’s allowed. It’s Christmas and there’s a lot to look forward to. Jasmine’s giving her first public performance this evening, we’re going to spend tomorrow with friends who we’ve really come to like, and when I think of where I was this time last year . . . Actually, I try not to think of it. Will you pass your mug if you’ve finished?”

Taking it to the kitchen, Marcy folded her arms and leaned against a countertop. “Do you know that Dan is going to be at Andee and Graeme’s tomorrow?” she asked carefully.

Claudia paused, but only slightly. “Yes, I do, and why do you mention it?”

“I just wondered if that’s what’s putting you in a good mood?”

Turning around, Claudia said, “You know your trouble, you think everything’s about sex.”

“Isn’t it?”