“Oh, no problem, honey. And, you know, once you get home and you’re working through all of this, if you want to talk some more, just get in touch. Okay?”

Lucy nodded, trying to quell the mild panic that arose. She didn’t want to think about being back home without Will. As her stomach twisted itself in knots, Jules’s family streamed through the doorway en masse, bringing with them loud and cheery conversations and after-dinner treats, including a plate piled high with her mum’s Christmas cake. Not typically one to eat her feelings, Lucy practically lunged at the plate, taking the fattest slice and biting off a corner.

“I’m definitely getting me some of that,” said Will. He handed her a paper napkin from the stack beside the plate and she took it sheepishly. How rude of her to help herself before anyone else had, and without a napkin or a plate. Will didn’t seem to notice her poor manners and when he had his own slice, he sat next to her and draped his free arm around her shoulder.

A quick glance around told her that no one thought this was out of the ordinary, or if they did, they were doing a fabulous job of pretending. “You and my mom have a good talk?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly in her ear and sending those now-familiar shivers down her spine. She really wished they weren’t sitting in a room full of people.

She nodded her reply to Will’s question and shared a quick smile with him. “She’s been wonderful, actually. Very helpful with the Angela situation.”

“Oh, that’s good. From what you’ve said, it’s not sustainable the way it is.”

“I think I have a viable solution. We’ll see in any case. And what about you and Jules?” Lucy had been dying to ask, but Christmas dinner was hardly a good time to bring it up.

“Oh, sorry, Lucy. I should have said. I got her voicemail. I’ll call her tomorrow.” Lucy felt the sting of disappointment. How unsettling to think of going to sleep on Christmas night with things still tense between her and Jules. Hopefully, they’d sort it all out and soon, but her stomach tightened when she remembered what Steph had said about being firm with Jules. This was new ground—both for Lucy and for her friendship with Jules—and she wasn’t sure if she could do that. What if it just drove a bigger wedge between them?

“Oh, my god,” Will said, his mouth full of Christmas cake. He gave her an incredulous look. “It’s even better,” he said after he swallowed.

“Than the one bite you had in the car?” Lucy teased, happy for the distraction from her Jules dilemma.

“Mmm-hmm.”

“It is quite magical, isn’t it? Proper British Christmas cake, all spicy and delicious.”

“You’re spicy and delicious.” She rolled her eyes and giggled. “Are you laughing at me?” he asked.

“Oh definitely. That line was terrible.”

“That’s fair, but in my defence, I am a little rusty.”