I don’t know where but maybe this will give me a break and shut my brain up. The drink Lyndsey passes my way will help with that as well. Jack is also acting weird as the night goes on. This is explainable though; my boy has had so much sugar he is basically vibrating. Every few minutes he comes and asks me if it’s time. And every time I tell him he’ll know when it’s time because everyone will be counting down from ten.

He does not seem satisfied with that though, still asking and asking. I think he will crash for days after this. Anders just had to have a chocolate fountain and a sweets bar for the kids.

It makes a change from every other New Year we have had though, normally he doesn’t care. It’s just another day for him, I do let him stay up and watch the countdown but this is the first time we have ever really celebrated, so seeing him so excited for midnight is a strange feeling. I’m actually glad he’s having fun. Every person in this room seems to be his new best friend. Liam just popped upstairs to put Charlotte in a pop-up cot that Anders apparently bought just for tonight. Who knew giant hockey players could be so sweet to a random British woman and her kids. These ones are apparently sweet without even trying.

Liam is back just before midnight and is looking at me like he is going to eat me alive. I wanted to seduce him, but I was planning on waiting until we were home. I’ve never felt irresistible until I met Liam years ago and it worked just the same this time. Since last year, he has looked at me like I’m his tastiest snack.

When he holds out his hand to dance I think I melt a little bit. All night there have been people dancing, some slow dancing with their partners and some just bouncing around, but when Liam takes me in his arms I know which one we are about to do.

Dancing isn’t exactly a strength for either of us but he is light on his feet. I trust him to lead me around the makeshift dance floor in Anders’s dining room. We sway and spin together and everyone else falls away. Then he dips me and I laugh so hard I nearly fall out of his arms. I did not expect it for a second but I know he won’t drop me. He holds me tight, gripping my thigh in his hand with the other hand spread over my back.